Does She Have Any Real Kids?

I got a text from a friend who saw us in the parent drop-off line.  She was saying how they were looking at our Star Wars stick family on the back of the van and naming the kids.  Antwan had slipped their mind.  She also mentioned that her daughter had asked if we had any … Continue reading Does She Have Any Real Kids?

How Do You Teach Someone Who Doesn’t Want To Be Taught?

I think that I've figured out one of the main issues with Kaleb and me.When you have kids, one of your biggest obligations is to teach them how to effectively live in this world.  How to be a good person.  How to cope with those that aren't.  From the beginning, we've taught Lizzie, Antwan, and … Continue reading How Do You Teach Someone Who Doesn’t Want To Be Taught?

He Has One Mom—Me.

Sometimes, I'm jealous of people with biological children.  Not because I wish that I had biological children instead of my (adopted) children.  But, because I sometimes wish that I could wave a magic wand and make my kids biological.  Occasionally, I get tired of having to explain my family to the well-meaning masses.   When I … Continue reading He Has One Mom—Me.

Patience in Parenting: Embracing the Chaos

I always feel better after writing a blog post and it always give me some perspective.  My last post reminded me that I don't want to live like I have been.  I don't want to be stressed-out mom.  And, God knows no one wants to live with stressed-out mom.  So, I've been trying.  I've been trying … Continue reading Patience in Parenting: Embracing the Chaos

A Year With A Teenager.

June 28th, 2014 marked the 1 year anniversary of Kaleb coming to us permanently (although, we finalized the adoption in November.).Brian was working that day, but he was off the next.  So, we made plans to celebrate the anniversary at breakfast, the next morning, with my parents.  But, I still wanted to make sure to recognize … Continue reading A Year With A Teenager.

National Foster Care Month Is Here Again.

Foster Care.  It's a good thing.  It's a necessary thing.  A lot of awesome people foster.  Not enough.  A lot of awesome people adopt.  (Some even write overly emotional blogs about it....)   Not enough.  In a way, foster care is a necessary evil.  Evil is a strong word, depending on your perspective, anyway.  These kids … Continue reading National Foster Care Month Is Here Again.

Adopted Kids. They’re Just Kids.

Several months ago, I wrote a post where I was all hot and bothered (justifiably so) because a neighborhood kid had teased Kaleb about being adopted. With everything else in his past, he had to feel self-conscious about his "happy ending??"Then, a couple of months later, Lizzie and I, inadvertently, sold Girl Scout cookies to his … Continue reading Adopted Kids. They’re Just Kids.

It’s Easter Again And It’s Been A Busy Year.

Tomorrow is Easter.  And, when you are an adult, that brings many stresses.  For me, I've been stressing about buying all the Easter goodies when we're tight on cash, worrying that everything will go smoothly, and, of course, the biggest stressor of all...how should I match us? 😉  I'm a little sad this year.  I didn't get … Continue reading It’s Easter Again And It’s Been A Busy Year.