Monday, March 24, 2008
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
You Know You're An Adoptive Parent When . . .
You Know You're An Adoptive Parent When . . .
1. The fact that there are 143 million children without a parent to kiss them goodnight has made you lose sleep.
2. You realize DNA has nothing to do with love and family.
3. You can't watch Adoption Stories on TLC without sobbing.
4. The fact that, if 7% of Christians adopted 1 child there would be no orphans in the world, is convicting to you.
5. You spend free time surfing blogs about families who have experienced the blessing of adoption.
6. It drives you crazy when people ask you about adopted child's 'real' parents.
7. You had no idea how you would afford to adopt but stepped out in faith anyway, knowing where God calls you He will provide.
8. You have ever taken an airplane ride half-way around the world with a child you just met.
9. You believe God's heart is for adoption.
10. You realize that welcoming a child into your heart and family is one of the most important legacies you could ever leave on this earth.
11. You know what the word 'Dossier' means, and you can actually pronounce it!
12. You have welcomed a social worker into the most private parts of your life.
13. You have ever been 'pregnant' with your adoptive child longer than it takes an elephant to give birth. (2 years!)
14. You shudder when people say your child is so lucky that you adopted them, knowing full well you are the blessed one to have him or her in your life.
-Author unknown
1. The fact that there are 143 million children without a parent to kiss them goodnight has made you lose sleep.
2. You realize DNA has nothing to do with love and family.
3. You can't watch Adoption Stories on TLC without sobbing.
4. The fact that, if 7% of Christians adopted 1 child there would be no orphans in the world, is convicting to you.
5. You spend free time surfing blogs about families who have experienced the blessing of adoption.
6. It drives you crazy when people ask you about adopted child's 'real' parents.
7. You had no idea how you would afford to adopt but stepped out in faith anyway, knowing where God calls you He will provide.
8. You have ever taken an airplane ride half-way around the world with a child you just met.
9. You believe God's heart is for adoption.
10. You realize that welcoming a child into your heart and family is one of the most important legacies you could ever leave on this earth.
11. You know what the word 'Dossier' means, and you can actually pronounce it!
12. You have welcomed a social worker into the most private parts of your life.
13. You have ever been 'pregnant' with your adoptive child longer than it takes an elephant to give birth. (2 years!)
14. You shudder when people say your child is so lucky that you adopted them, knowing full well you are the blessed one to have him or her in your life.
-Author unknown
Monday, March 17, 2008
The Immigrants
My Boys, "the Immigrants"
By Skila Brown as published in Adoptive Families Magazine
As the mother of three Guatemalan boys, all under the age of seven, I am accustomed to challenges. Manipulating Transformers, finding missing shin guards, and keeping enough snacks in the house are tough. But by far, the most difficult aspect of raising my Latino children is how to do so within the current climate of immigration debates. With the presidential election upon us, it seems everywhere we turn people are talking about immigration. And they are talking with fervor, no matter which way they lean.
Sadly, I have found that people are using this national conversation about immigration as a forum to air their prejudices against Latino people. As an example, I recently had a conversation with a friend of a friend about the Spanish-language immersion school in our district. After telling her that we were considering it, she balked and gave me an earful about how that was unacceptable, saying, "I’m not against children learning another language. I’ve been trying to teach my daughter some French. But I have to draw the line somewhere. These immigrants are taking our jobs and ruining this town!"
So...she was opposed to the Spanish part of the school, and used that as an opportunity to launch into a political rant. Unfortunately, this kind of interaction is becoming commonplace. I hear people calling all Latinos "immigrants." Although they are usually trying to make a point about undocumented workers, the tone of their conversation drifts from issues about taxes and welfare to blatant prejudices: "Nobody speaks any English!" or "They’ve taken over the neighborhood!" And I hear this talk in front of my own Latino children.
When I read stories about the crazy ranch owner in Texas who started holding Latino people at gunpoint until authorities could come and check their papers, I wonder what life will be like for my sons when they become Latino men. Will they constantly be asked to verify their legal status? Will they continually be criticized for "taking the jobs" of their peers?
When my sons were babies, white people on the street couldn’t stop cooing over how cute they were. Strangers approached me daily with compliments for my children. Usually, people would begin with an excited, "Was he adopted?" As my sons move into childhood, I rarely get approached. Instead, I feel looks of disgust bare into my sides if my children and I speak Spanish in public. And when people ask about one of my children, they usually say, "Is his father Mexican or something?" They don’t seem particularly happy about that thought.
Because of the immigration debate, our society seems to have some large issues with Latinos today. And it will certainly be something that our Latino children will face head-on as they grow into young adulthood.
Skila Brown lives with her family in Lexington, Kentucky.
What to Do: In today’s political climate, your child’s citizenship may be questioned. Here are three tips from C.J. Lyford, an immigration attorney:
Explain to your child that he is a full U.S. citizen, even if he was born in a foreign country. (He became a U.S. citizen upon adoption.)
Make a copy of the first pages of his U.S. passport and/or his Certificate of Citizenship. These documents include your child’s photograph, and offer official proof of citizenship. They can be carried in his backpack or wallet.
If you’re traveling across state or international borders, bring a copy of your child’s state birth certificate. (You can reduce and laminate it to make it easier to carry.) This certificate has both your names and your child’s, and officially identifies you as his parents.
By Skila Brown as published in Adoptive Families Magazine
As the mother of three Guatemalan boys, all under the age of seven, I am accustomed to challenges. Manipulating Transformers, finding missing shin guards, and keeping enough snacks in the house are tough. But by far, the most difficult aspect of raising my Latino children is how to do so within the current climate of immigration debates. With the presidential election upon us, it seems everywhere we turn people are talking about immigration. And they are talking with fervor, no matter which way they lean.
Sadly, I have found that people are using this national conversation about immigration as a forum to air their prejudices against Latino people. As an example, I recently had a conversation with a friend of a friend about the Spanish-language immersion school in our district. After telling her that we were considering it, she balked and gave me an earful about how that was unacceptable, saying, "I’m not against children learning another language. I’ve been trying to teach my daughter some French. But I have to draw the line somewhere. These immigrants are taking our jobs and ruining this town!"
So...she was opposed to the Spanish part of the school, and used that as an opportunity to launch into a political rant. Unfortunately, this kind of interaction is becoming commonplace. I hear people calling all Latinos "immigrants." Although they are usually trying to make a point about undocumented workers, the tone of their conversation drifts from issues about taxes and welfare to blatant prejudices: "Nobody speaks any English!" or "They’ve taken over the neighborhood!" And I hear this talk in front of my own Latino children.
When I read stories about the crazy ranch owner in Texas who started holding Latino people at gunpoint until authorities could come and check their papers, I wonder what life will be like for my sons when they become Latino men. Will they constantly be asked to verify their legal status? Will they continually be criticized for "taking the jobs" of their peers?
When my sons were babies, white people on the street couldn’t stop cooing over how cute they were. Strangers approached me daily with compliments for my children. Usually, people would begin with an excited, "Was he adopted?" As my sons move into childhood, I rarely get approached. Instead, I feel looks of disgust bare into my sides if my children and I speak Spanish in public. And when people ask about one of my children, they usually say, "Is his father Mexican or something?" They don’t seem particularly happy about that thought.
Because of the immigration debate, our society seems to have some large issues with Latinos today. And it will certainly be something that our Latino children will face head-on as they grow into young adulthood.
Skila Brown lives with her family in Lexington, Kentucky.
What to Do: In today’s political climate, your child’s citizenship may be questioned. Here are three tips from C.J. Lyford, an immigration attorney:
Explain to your child that he is a full U.S. citizen, even if he was born in a foreign country. (He became a U.S. citizen upon adoption.)
Make a copy of the first pages of his U.S. passport and/or his Certificate of Citizenship. These documents include your child’s photograph, and offer official proof of citizenship. They can be carried in his backpack or wallet.
If you’re traveling across state or international borders, bring a copy of your child’s state birth certificate. (You can reduce and laminate it to make it easier to carry.) This certificate has both your names and your child’s, and officially identifies you as his parents.
Ben's Favorite Book
Ben's friend Ethan gave him this book when Owen was born and it is one of his favorites. He actually has memorized most of it and will recite it when I read it to him :-)
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Naptime
Owen wrested an arm loose from his swaddle somehow...
Nanny Devlin putting Ben down for his afternoon nap.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Who does Owen look like????
Owen at 4.5 months - btw, Ben wore this outfit when he was a year old!
Max and Suzy - December 1994 (she was 4 months old)
Max and Mommy - March 1990 (he was 6 months old)
Max and Suzy - December 1994 (she was 4 months old)
Max and Mommy - March 1990 (he was 6 months old)Thursday, March 13, 2008
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
A New Venture!
Well, it's official!!! We are now the proud owners of a small business! JJ has just purchased a local exterior remodeling and cabinet refacing company! They have been in business for over 55 years here in Raleigh & the previous owner is planning to retire. This is a long held dream for JJ as he has wanted to do this since they sold the family owned building products supply co. in N. Indiana back in 02'. We'd love it if you'd recommend us to friends and family :-) Here is the website link if you want to take a look: http://www.easternexteriorsnc.com/
Monday, March 3, 2008
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