Families Supporting Adoption National Conference

You can now register online for the 2010 FSA National conference. It will be in Layton, Utah again this year at the Davis Conference Center (also the same as last year). This year's theme is "Together By Divine Design." How many of us feel like this is the way our children came to our families?! This was an EXCELLENT conference, and I would love to go again. The transracial adoption classes and birthmother panel were especially awesome. It's great to meet families that look like yours and make friends who *totally* understand where you are and what you're dealing with. Let me know if you are coming!

Amateur Hairstylist Goes Public

It took three hours, half a bottle of conditioner, seventeen rubber bands, twelve cute little barettes, a bag of Cheetos and a Coke, but I did Tiana's hair ALL by myself! I have put a few twists in the front before and I have re-done little puffs that her sweet sisters in Ghana did, but this is the first time I have been brave/able to try a full style. We started with six sections, each in two twists. Then Noni and I took the twists out and put little heart clips at then ends of the pieces. There were 30! This is in the pictures. Then we left the same parts in and did puffs, which Tiana really likes. each variation lasted about a week before it needed to be redone. This was all about a month ago and we have since returned the care of this crazy hair to a professional (who we love), but it's nice to know that I *can*do Tiana's hair. This summer I plan to learn a lot more and try some new things. One of these days my hands will cooperate with my heart's desire to cornrow. Until then, we'll just keep paying Sara's car payment every month or two. If you live in our area, I'll give you one of her cards. She's a genius and great with kids!

Erik(?) the Red

Quab had to do a project for school a few weeks ago. He got to decorate a cereal box with facts about an explorer who he chose. One of the requirements for the project was a picture of the explorer, either drawn or printed from the internet or an Encyclopedia. Well, in case you didn't know, Quab is a total Ham. He had the idea, instead of copying a picture, to dress up like Erik the Red and make a Mean Face since Erik was known for his red beard and bad temper. He's very convincing, don't you think?

Bugs and his baby

This little nephew has been Bugs' baby since day 10 when we met him for the first time. He was promptly nicknamed "Snap" because he looked like a little turtle, according to the boys. Bugs goes looking for his Dude as soon as we arrive at the cousins' house every Sunday afternoon. The feeling is mutual, because Snap thinks Bugs is almost as awesome as Elmo. Last night Snap and his brother and sister had a sleepover at our house. He was having trouble falling asleep, so Bugs came to lie down with him (and watch Elmo, I told you he was smitten). Little Dude was out within 5 minutes. What could be cuter than a tiny 2 year old boy following his great big 10 year old cousin around with stars in his eyes? Well, maybe if the Big Cousin feels the same way about the little one.

VOTE VOTE VOTE!!

My good friend Bceky is a finalist in the Mom Idol Competition . Please go read her bio and vote! You can vote every day, and Becky really is as awesome as her bio says. I have even more wonderful things to say about her as a person, advisor and friend. If you want to get to know Becky better, follow the "Full Plate Mom" link in my sidebar to her blog. She's the Real Deal!

Adoption is our "normal"

The other day I was talking with Bugs about what he wants to do when he grows up. He would love to be a farmer, or an artist, or an author. Or all three! He wants the type of farm that grows food, but not the meat kind of food. He does want animals, but they will be pets. His soft heart would never allow him to have it any other way. When I asked about the family he sees himself having, he knew he would want to have at least two children. One adopted and one biological. He did say he would adopt FIRST.  In his mind, and in mine adoption is not a last resort. It is not what you do only when you have no other choices left. Sometimes feeling that way opens your heart to adoption, of course. We found ourselves at that point shortly before we learned of Bugs' birthmother. Adoption is a way to start a family, to add to your family, or to complete a family. In our case, adoption has been an opportunity to live by pure faith, because sometimes it doesn't make any sense to do it, if you listen to the world. You wonder how, why, where the money will come from, how you will fit them all into your car, what your family will think, where to go and who to trust and how far you are willing to travel, and really? A boy?? And he's due in June??? Really? A Kindergartner?? In Africa???  But you go ahead because you know your feet have been planted on the path and you have no choice but to take His hand and walk. Adoption is just normal, to our family. And it is going to continue because Bugs tells everyone he meets that he is adopted, and how cool it is, and why. Bugs has always known that he was adopted, and we talk about his birthfamily often. He is proud of them and proud of the way that he came to our family. He is determined that he will marry someday, but only to a girl who believes in adoption. He is 10 years old, and he knows this already. Those of you on his waiting list for the dating years-take note, this will be the first question on the application!

If you want to know what Tiana thinks about adoption, she refuses to admit that she was not born and raised right here in our family. She does know, remember and love her birthfamily in Ghana but she tells everyone that she was born in Utah. Maybe we need to work on that a little bit! She and Bugs share a special bond. It has been there since we stepped off the airplane six months ago. If you ask, she will freely admit that he is her favorite brother. Maybe because the others dare to say "No" to her! You should have seen Bugs the day that Tiana came out of Kindergarten crying. He ran to her (his class was at recess) and held onto her as he walked her to the car. He was so concerned that he called me later that afternoon to check on his little sister. Tiana has already arranged a marriage for Bugs with one of her older friends from Ghana. It was all taken care of before she ever came home. We wholeheartedly approve. Bugs and Tiana are brother and sister. Normal.