It is Adoption Awareness Month. I see lots of children posted on social media as "available for adoption." I see lots of beautiful quotes and ideas. I appreciate this. I get asked to speak during November. To raise awareness, to tell our story, to share what being an orphan really means. Many times at these... Continue Reading →
swimming lessons.
This week, one of our teeny boys, Asher, was gifted some water floats. He loves to swim. Asher is a good swimmer, but not a safe one. He doesn't stop attempting to swim, even if the water is freezing cold. When we are outside, we put him in a flotation device whether it is appropriate... Continue Reading →
hate. and things I can’t change.
6 months ago today. Auggie died. And that is not changeable. He is still gone. And we are still here. Most days, we are good. We do life and fart jokes and weird competitions and school and activities. But, on days that mark Auggie's death...Honestly, I just kind of hate those days. I really hate... Continue Reading →
our American life.
Hello sweet friends, Life has been so weird of late. Auggie is still gone. We are still here. Corban and I went to NYC for meetings. I thought Judsen and Joe were going to come with me too, but when I offered they said New York is the city and it smells wonky. They are... Continue Reading →
parenting. more. and better. and being good livers.
Friends, these past weeks I have found myself holding my tribe close. Maybe annoyingly so. It has made me think about how I parent. And how I used to parent. And what exactly I am trying to cultivate in our kids and our family. I am not sure I could have answered that very clearly... Continue Reading →
Being okay.
Hello my friends, It has been one week. We are okay. Not great, not whole. But we are okay. And I will call that pretty good for the moment. I keep going back to the thought that this is not where I expected to be right now. I expected Auggie to live much longer. I... Continue Reading →
March 22, 2017
I left the morning of the 21st to take the girls on a birthday trip to New York and have some meetings with Children's Rights. When I left Auggie was smiling. Happy. Squirmy. And I kissed his fat cheeks and told him I loved him as we hurried out the door. That night Auggie became... Continue Reading →
#1. and foster care. and all the tears.
For a long time, foster children and foster care systems have been a part of my life. It has been 25-ish years since I was introduced to my first foster sibling. And 13-ish years since my husband and I became licensed foster parents for the first time. As a child, I was confused by the... Continue Reading →
#8. one year.
One year ago we stood in a tiny Ukrainian courtroom. Explaining to a judge why Auggie should be adopted. Why children need families. Why we should be Auggie's. One year ago, I was told we may be adopting a terminally ill child. As it turned out, he was simply starving. One year ago, Auggie wore... Continue Reading →
#1
I have long called my kids by numbers on social media posts. 8 years ago TC legally became our #1. TC. My most elderly child is going to a military program to finish up high school. He is 17. And that is super old. I am 36. I think. Someone correct me if I am... Continue Reading →
the sometimes 8 irons 
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