One of my favorites! It takes me back from our current -- cold and snowy days - to a fun time in summer - the boys had just had their haircuts and daddy snapped this picture of them on the back of his pick up truck!

It also "gently" reminds me that I am the only "girl" left in a "boys" world at our house - as they find bodily functions are roll on the floor laugh material. It cracked me up after a rather "gasous" night with Max as he proudly "fanned" the smell into the air to my protest - that he informed me that I was all about... more

Have you ever stopped for a moment and wondered “what if” – I remember the coordinator in Semey, Kazakhstan telling Larry – what if your grandparents had chosen Kazakhstan over the USA to immigrate to – you would be here – just like me. Sometimes I wonder what it would be like if we lived in Kazakhstan and were raising our children there – I know our life would be much different than it is today and started researching some of the rich history and traditions of Kazakhstan – specifically about raising children in Kazakhstan... more

On some of my various groups, I have heard discussions about the length of travel time required to now complete a Kazakhstan adoption. Although I know that the amount of time (2 to 3 trips) which includes bonding time (2 weeks at the baby house prior to court) – has made some adoptive parents turn to other countries that better suit their family needs. I also know in my heart that Kazakhstan has many beautiful children who won’t have the opportunity to find a forever family and having spent 7 weeks my last adoption – I know that... more

This is our chance as adoptive parents to weigh in and report problems with specific agencies and their practices. Let's make our voices heard loudly, clearly, and in great numbers!

The agencies listed at the link either will or won't be licensed.

The licensing body should be made aware of specific problems adoptive parents have had with specific agencies.

This is a concrete way for ALL adoptive parents can work to raise the standard of adoption practice in the US.

Please note the deadline---January 31.

Please spread this message far and wide in the online and local adoption communities.

Let's weed out the agencies that shouldn't be licensed... more

Larry and I spoke about what each of us felt we were capable of handling during the time we waited for our forever children. One of the greatest fears was attachment for Larry – he had friends who adopted from Romania and knew all too well – the work it involves and commitment from parents to try to make this happen – along with the realization that it may never happen. We chose to adopt a younger child in hopes to decrease our chances of this happening– but also know through friends – that it is always not the case, that even infants can have attachment disorders.

As I do with most things – I try to read what I can from the “other” person’s perspective and in this case it is the... more

One of my very dear friends has secondary infertility – I often wanted to beg through the years that they pursue adoption and end the heartache that they were experiencing – but wise enough to know that everyone’s heart has to be in the right place to pursue adoption. I am BEYOND excited as they reach their final paperwork steps in their open domestic adoption and look SO FORWARD to share in their joy with their new little one – secretly hoping that it happens quickly for them – but knowing it will all fall in to place at the “right” time – when... more

Sometimes it is helpful to look at pictures when you get "frustrated" with things going on in life. Logan has been a very difficult potty training "sell" and I try to just take a deep breath and know that one day it will be mere memory.

So today my Love Thursday is dedicated to Logan - my baby....

This picture is from one of our visits at the baby house - it brings joy and happiness to my heart. Logan was 10 months old when we met him and arrived home one day before his first birthday. Logan would... more

Logan turned 3 in April – as with Max – we didn’t “push” the potty training until he turned 3 – under the recommendation of our pediatrician – don’t try with boys until they are three. Max (who attended day care) trained in a week – I think the “peer pressure” was a huge help. We tried with Logan in April – but he really didn’t seem ready – so we took the when it happens, it happens approach and figured he wouldn’t be going to kindergarten not potty trained. Well last month we had his yearly exam and the pediatrician told us after... more

The dossier documents are a HUGE step and undertaking for your adoption. I may be a little weird or maybe just a little blessed that it has always happened easily for us. I guess the plus side of never leaving “home” – we had easy access to all our documents. Your agency should be a big help with this – giving you a list of needed items – some even have in house staff to do the work for you (for an added expense). There are also available services to hire to prepare your dossier if you like to – the Assistant Stork has a link to dossier service... more

I know my husband and I would LOVE to see playgrounds built at every baby house and children’s home in Kazakhstan! I’m always so excited to hear about the projects in place and know many adoptive parents are also thrilled to know that the children who remain will have a nicer play area to go out to. In our hearts of hearts – we all wish for them to have forever families – each in their own home with their own swing set. Until then – let me tell you about the various playground projects that I am aware of..

Over the last 3 years, World Partners... more