(How's that for some awesome alliteration??)
Yeah, two posts in one day. Lots going on. If you haven't read the post below, do so. It's stuff you need to know, especially if you are an adoptive parent or love an adopted child.
Ok, so what's my point?
My principal sent out the team list for next year today. Oh, lucky me, I get to change rooms for next year. I'm pretty fine with the people I'll be working with, but I really wish I would have had more notice on the change. This means that sometime between now and June 8, I have to take down everything and pack up my room and the thousand or so department books I have stored as as the department head. And of course I have to finish grading papers and preparing my students for the end of the year.
Also, I won't be working with my friend H anymore. She'll be down the hall from me but not on the same team. We were expecting this, but both were hoping it wouldn't happen. Not only is she one of my closest friends, we also work really well together. She teaches social studies, I language arts. For the past few years, we have integrated our curricula, which neither of us will really be able to do with our new teams.
I am dreading this next week.
(Have I ever mentioned I don't do well with change? I don't even like it when I change my students' seats!)
Friday, May 29, 2009
"Orphan" A Horror Movie
Have you heard about this crap? A and I subscribe to the magazine Adoptive Families, and we received the email below about this movie coming out this summer.
I think you should know. Here is the email we received:
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Adoption Community Call to Action for Orphan Film
Date: Fri, 29 May 2009 09:59:58 -0500
From: Adoptive Families
Readers,
There is a horror film being released on July 24, called /Orphan/, about a family who adopts an older girl who "is not what she appears to be."The film is currently being promoted, and the trailer is available athttps://co-nt04.madriver.k12.oh.us/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://orphan-movie.warnerbros.com/<https://co-nt04.madriver.k12.oh.us/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://cl.exct.net/?ju=fe341673766405747c1470%26ls=fdec12777063027d73107974%26m=feef16767c6c03%26l=fec11375776c027f%26s=fdfd15747367007d73147671%26jb=ffcf14%26t=>.
The adoption message is extremely negative, and plays into thestereotypes of adopted children, particularly older children, as damaged.Though we have not been able to preview the entire movie, the trailerleads us to believe the movie will send a horrific message aboutadoption. The adoption community is protesting the release of the film.We urge you to contact the makers of the film, as well as your localmovie theater chains, with your concerns. Feel free to copy or adapt thesample letter below.
To whom it may concern:I want to express my outrage about the release of the movie /Orphan/.The film plays into the stereotype of adopted children as damaged anddangerous. It discourages families from pursuing adoption, particularlyadoption of older children, who are especially in need of loving homes.As an adoptive parent, I am horrified by the line in the trailer that"it must be hard to love an adopted child as much as your own." Adoption has often been misrepresented in the media, but the previews forthis film are unbelievably offensive. I urge you to change thepromotional materials, and to consider holding the release of the filmaltogether.
Contact information:
Warner Bros.
4000 Warner Blvd.Burbank, CA 91522
818-954-6000
Silver Pictures
4000 Warner Blvd. 90
Burbank, CA 91522-0001
818-954-4490
Time Warner Inc.
One Time Warner Center
New York, NY 10019-8016
212-484-8000
Thank you for your support.
The editors of /Adoptive Families/
This email was sent by: Adoptive Families39 West 37th St. 15th floor New York, NY 10018 USA
I think you should know. Here is the email we received:
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Adoption Community Call to Action for Orphan Film
Date: Fri, 29 May 2009 09:59:58 -0500
From: Adoptive Families
Readers,
There is a horror film being released on July 24, called /Orphan/, about a family who adopts an older girl who "is not what she appears to be."The film is currently being promoted, and the trailer is available athttps://co-nt04.madriver.k12.oh.us/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://orphan-movie.warnerbros.com/<https://co-nt04.madriver.k12.oh.us/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://cl.exct.net/?ju=fe341673766405747c1470%26ls=fdec12777063027d73107974%26m=feef16767c6c03%26l=fec11375776c027f%26s=fdfd15747367007d73147671%26jb=ffcf14%26t=>.
The adoption message is extremely negative, and plays into thestereotypes of adopted children, particularly older children, as damaged.Though we have not been able to preview the entire movie, the trailerleads us to believe the movie will send a horrific message aboutadoption. The adoption community is protesting the release of the film.We urge you to contact the makers of the film, as well as your localmovie theater chains, with your concerns. Feel free to copy or adapt thesample letter below.
To whom it may concern:I want to express my outrage about the release of the movie /Orphan/.The film plays into the stereotype of adopted children as damaged anddangerous. It discourages families from pursuing adoption, particularlyadoption of older children, who are especially in need of loving homes.As an adoptive parent, I am horrified by the line in the trailer that"it must be hard to love an adopted child as much as your own." Adoption has often been misrepresented in the media, but the previews forthis film are unbelievably offensive. I urge you to change thepromotional materials, and to consider holding the release of the filmaltogether.
Contact information:
Warner Bros.
4000 Warner Blvd.Burbank, CA 91522
818-954-6000
Silver Pictures
4000 Warner Blvd. 90
Burbank, CA 91522-0001
818-954-4490
Time Warner Inc.
One Time Warner Center
New York, NY 10019-8016
212-484-8000
Thank you for your support.
The editors of /Adoptive Families/
This email was sent by: Adoptive Families39 West 37th St. 15th floor New York, NY 10018 USA
Friday, May 22, 2009
FDL
We got our FDL from USCIS last night! So, yay, the government is ok with our adopting another child.
The last time around, we had to have the FDL before we could get on the waiting list, so it was way more exciting than this time. However, it is one more step closer to bringing our baby girl home, so I'm thrilled about that.
It expires in July of 2010. I REALLY hope our baby is home well before then.
The last time around, we had to have the FDL before we could get on the waiting list, so it was way more exciting than this time. However, it is one more step closer to bringing our baby girl home, so I'm thrilled about that.
It expires in July of 2010. I REALLY hope our baby is home well before then.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Friday, May 15, 2009
Thoughts
My friend V once said to me that she thought sometimes she took her kids for granted because she didn't have to struggle and wait and worry to bring them home. She has 2 bio children and one on the way. She said that in our situation, adoption makes a person appreciate having kids more because of what we have to do in order to bring our children home.
I've been anxious this week about our second adoption. These changes to the process, although everyone at our agency is assuring me that things will work out, freak me out and totally worry me. Is that my apprehension from a few weeks ago? When I was feeling overwhelmed with anxiety? I don't know. Maybe.
It's weird because I have this double perspective. I started reading others' blogs before we got our referral and remember the longing I felt to have my daughter home when I read ones about children who were home. Now I'm reading those blogs again, and maybe some of you think of mine in that way. On the other hand, I have this feeling of being part of that crowd who's going through paperwork and waiting... all that stuff that makes me crazy.
The bottom line is that the changes will add a few months to our wait, before or after(or both) we get our referral. We brought R home at 3 months, and that is not going to happen with this second adoption. On the other hand, R is everything I prayed for and more, and I have to remember that our second daughter will be, too! All this wait is just His way of bringing OUR daughter to us.
And, if you're someone who doubts God (for a while, a struggle I had), for me, adoption cured that. I know R was put on this earth to be my daughter, and I, her momma...
May I always remember the struggles and blessings that come from adoption.
May I always thank God daily for the blessings of my children.
May I never take them for granted.
I've been anxious this week about our second adoption. These changes to the process, although everyone at our agency is assuring me that things will work out, freak me out and totally worry me. Is that my apprehension from a few weeks ago? When I was feeling overwhelmed with anxiety? I don't know. Maybe.
It's weird because I have this double perspective. I started reading others' blogs before we got our referral and remember the longing I felt to have my daughter home when I read ones about children who were home. Now I'm reading those blogs again, and maybe some of you think of mine in that way. On the other hand, I have this feeling of being part of that crowd who's going through paperwork and waiting... all that stuff that makes me crazy.
The bottom line is that the changes will add a few months to our wait, before or after(or both) we get our referral. We brought R home at 3 months, and that is not going to happen with this second adoption. On the other hand, R is everything I prayed for and more, and I have to remember that our second daughter will be, too! All this wait is just His way of bringing OUR daughter to us.
And, if you're someone who doubts God (for a while, a struggle I had), for me, adoption cured that. I know R was put on this earth to be my daughter, and I, her momma...
May I always remember the struggles and blessings that come from adoption.
May I always thank God daily for the blessings of my children.
May I never take them for granted.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
18 Months Old!
My sweet girl is 18 months old today! I find it so hard to believe that my baby is moving more and more towards being a toddler!! I love this precious princess so much. Below is a picture taken today. R spends every Tuesday with her Nana, and there is a fire station behind her house. R currently loves the book Curious George and the Fire Station so Nana took R to see the fire truck today. ADORABLE!!
Here are 18 things A and I love about our daughter:
1. Her beautiful smile.
2. Her curly hair.
3. Her orneriness.
4. Her sweet kisses.
5. Her precious hugs.
6. Her perfect little feet.
7. Her little-girl voice.
8. Her enjoyment of everything, so purely and deeply.
9. Her car dancing head shake.
10. Her two-fist fist bumps.
11. Her infectious laugh.
12. Her "Itsy Bitsy Spider" dance.
13. Her lit-up face when we pick her up at daycare.
14. Her playing in her crib in the morning.
15. Her bath time routine.
16. Her pointing out of buses.
17. Her love of books.
18. Her sharing of her snacks with her stuffed animals.
A and I are so blessed to be this little girl's parents!
Here are 18 things A and I love about our daughter:
1. Her beautiful smile.
2. Her curly hair.
3. Her orneriness.
4. Her sweet kisses.
5. Her precious hugs.
6. Her perfect little feet.
7. Her little-girl voice.
8. Her enjoyment of everything, so purely and deeply.
9. Her car dancing head shake.
10. Her two-fist fist bumps.
11. Her infectious laugh.
12. Her "Itsy Bitsy Spider" dance.
13. Her lit-up face when we pick her up at daycare.
14. Her playing in her crib in the morning.
15. Her bath time routine.
16. Her pointing out of buses.
17. Her love of books.
18. Her sharing of her snacks with her stuffed animals.
A and I are so blessed to be this little girl's parents!
One of those days....
I'm at work. I just spilled soup ALL over myself. It is on my shirt, my pants, my shoe. It was some sort of Mexican soup, so there are rice and little pepper pieces everywhere. It looks like I threw up or something. I'm so embarrassed.
And what's this I hear about DNA testing possibly starting in Ethiopia? I could cry. I'll be selfish and say that is just one more hurdle to bringing my baby home. (I do understand that the government is trying to make everything as legal and correct as possible. I get that. In no way would I want to be the mother of a child taken illegally. I just wish that it didn't seem like every day I heard something new about Ethiopian adoption that is going to make our wait that much longer. I'm sorry. I am being so selfish.)
PS-- My apple is also rotten. Somebody get the WAAAAMMbulance, quick!!
And what's this I hear about DNA testing possibly starting in Ethiopia? I could cry. I'll be selfish and say that is just one more hurdle to bringing my baby home. (I do understand that the government is trying to make everything as legal and correct as possible. I get that. In no way would I want to be the mother of a child taken illegally. I just wish that it didn't seem like every day I heard something new about Ethiopian adoption that is going to make our wait that much longer. I'm sorry. I am being so selfish.)
PS-- My apple is also rotten. Somebody get the WAAAAMMbulance, quick!!
Sunday, May 10, 2009
In The Middle
Today, this Mother's Day, I feel like is in the middle.
My second one of being a momma.
Remembering how sweet and lovely the first one was with my little tiny baby girl with pretty curls (she was 6 months then-- check out these cutie momma and baby pictures!)... I cannot even explain in words how much I love this child, this perfect-for-my-family person, MY darling daughter.
Looking ahead to next year's, hoping that my second baby daughter is home with us. Loving her from afar and starting to feel the ache that comes from longing to hold your child even though you've never seen her face.
What will this year bring? With the changes put in place by Ethiopian government in regards to abandonment cases, I feel this year will bring waiting. Lots of waiting.
A testing of my patience.
And, I hope, a new, little member of my family.
To all of you who have become mothers this year, I hope today is the sweetest of days.
To those of you who are waiting to be moms this year, I hope that next year at this time you will be celebrating the day with your children.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Seriously??
Today a parent of one my students actually asked me to lie to her son. She said to me, "If he asks if you talked to me, just put your hand behind your back, cross your fingers, lie, and say you didn't."
Ok, well, first of all: I don't lie.
Second of all: What kind of parent asks a teacher to lie to a student?
I didn't agree to that, of course. It just gets me thinking about what type of people we are raising our children to be. When did it become ok, acceptable, even expected that lying is ok if it will make things easier?
What the heck? Am I missing something here?
Ok, well, first of all: I don't lie.
Second of all: What kind of parent asks a teacher to lie to a student?
I didn't agree to that, of course. It just gets me thinking about what type of people we are raising our children to be. When did it become ok, acceptable, even expected that lying is ok if it will make things easier?
What the heck? Am I missing something here?
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Monday, May 4, 2009
We have a number!...
..... and that number is:
I was really hoping that it was like 27 or something like that... HOWEVER, is it ok to confess now that #33 has been the number I actually picture every time I think of being on the list? Seriously, believe me or not, but that's what is "reality" for me. I hadn't mentioned it to anyone because I didn't want to sound nuts if I was wrong.
And it turns out I was right.
Wait time? Well, my friends, according to our case manager, that is 8 to 12 months. I just want to remind you all that when we got on the list for R, we were #4. So this is a little strange, and a referral seems VERY far away right now.
(Sweet girl, we hope to see your face soon. She seems like a purple kind of girl to me, so you get a purple post. R is totally my pink girl.)
33!!
I was really hoping that it was like 27 or something like that... HOWEVER, is it ok to confess now that #33 has been the number I actually picture every time I think of being on the list? Seriously, believe me or not, but that's what is "reality" for me. I hadn't mentioned it to anyone because I didn't want to sound nuts if I was wrong.
And it turns out I was right.
Wait time? Well, my friends, according to our case manager, that is 8 to 12 months. I just want to remind you all that when we got on the list for R, we were #4. So this is a little strange, and a referral seems VERY far away right now.
(Sweet girl, we hope to see your face soon. She seems like a purple kind of girl to me, so you get a purple post. R is totally my pink girl.)
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Come Monday...
.... We hope to be on that list! We didn't hear from our case manager yesterday, but I'm guessing she will call us Monday (it's actually our night for a paperwork call anyway) to let us know our number.
For now, R and I are off to go visit my dear friend L, who we haven't see in over a year. She's only met R once because she lives about 4 hours away. We are meeting her 1/2 way and staying overnight in a hotel.
So enjoy your weekend, and we will, too!
For now, R and I are off to go visit my dear friend L, who we haven't see in over a year. She's only met R once because she lives about 4 hours away. We are meeting her 1/2 way and staying overnight in a hotel.
So enjoy your weekend, and we will, too!
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