Media Monday: Over the Moon: An Adoption Tale

Over the Moon: An Adoption Tale by Karen Katz

We give this a 3 out of 5 stars.

You can read it here on Google Books.

Here is a summary from The Reading Tub:
"Two parents dream about a baby, and the next night, they receive a call that their baby had been born. They flew to a faraway place to meet their baby girl and bring her home. Together, that first day, they celebrated being a family. For families who have traveled to beyond their home to adopt a child, this story puts it all together nicely."

We like that the husband and the wife dreamed of the child they were going to adopt. Both Russ and I are equally invested in adopting our child and we think/dream of it often. We like that so many of their neighbors and friends knew they were going to adopt and were asking about it often. We frequently are asked about our adoption from many family and friends. They are a great support system and are excited for us to adopt.

Media Monday: Forever Fingerprints: An Amazing Discovery for Adopted Children

Forever Fingerprints: An Amazing Discovery for Adopted Children by Sherrie Eldridge

We give this book 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Here is a summary from EMK Press:
"For adopted children, learning about their beginnings and how they understand what that means to them is a process. It doesn’t happen at one point in time, but rather throughout the experiences of life. In this heartwarming children’s book, Forever Fingerprints uses a common occurrence–a relative’s pregnancy–as a springboard for discussions on birthparents, where adopted children are before they are born, and how that makes one little girl feel about it. Lucie is excited to feel a baby moving in her Aunt Grace’s tummy but it makes her think of how she understands her adoption story in a different way. The tools offered in this book help her to create a unique connection to her birthparents, allow how she is feeling to surface and to be discussed, and give Lucie’s parents the chance to reinforce their love for her, to empathize with her feelings and to honor her past."

We liked that this book talked about the feelings an adopted child might experience (that they did something wrong that made their birth parents not want to keep them). We didn't like that this adopted girl didn't know anything about her birth parents. The adoptive parents did a good job of trying to explain that her fingerprints were a connection to her birth parents. We liked how open they were to her feelings and to talking about her adoption. However, we are looking for an open adoption so that the child knows their birth parents and knows that the decision to place their child for adoption was made out of love. We plan on being very open with them and allowing them to discuss any feelings they have, as well as reinforcing how much we love them as well.

Media Monday: Sisters

Sisters by Judith Caseley

We gave this 2.5 out of 5 stars

You can read it here on Google Book.

Here is a summary from Abe Books:
"Kika has just been adopted -- and she's worried. There's so much that's new to her: a different language, new friends to make, and something she's never had before -- a family. Melissa has a new sister -- and she's excited. There's so much to share with Kika: trips to the playground, afternoons at the library, and birthday parties. Through each new experience, Kika and Melissa discover that sisterhood can be fun, challenging, and sometimes unpredictable, but always rewarding. Best of all, a sister is a friend for life."

This book was hard to follow, because it kept changing perspectives between the two sisters. We liked how it showed the two sisters getting used to each other and that at the end of the book, they realized that they were sisters because they loved each other.

Families Supporting Adoption 5K!

We ran our first 5K together in the first annual Families Supporting Adoption 5k here in Denver! It turned out to be a cold day, but that didn't get us down. Russ pushed Caden in the jogging stroller and coached me up some hills. He can run way faster than me, but he was kind enough to run slow with me and give me more encouragement! We ran the whole way!

Since we woke up early to drive to the race, we had our usual "cereal in a cup" to eat in the car. On the rare days this does happen, Caden LOVES it! Here he was happy to be squished in the back seat with the boxes of shirts for the race....so excited! Caden was excited for weeks about the kid's run they were going to have. He got all ready in the "running stance" (as he learned it from Kinect Sports) and he BOOKED IT! He ran the whole half mile and was greeted with a big hug and a medal at the end. He was so excited that he kept telling everyone he saw the rest of the day that he won "2nd place". We were so proud of him!
Here is Caden right after he left the starting line! He was running so fast! I love Russ' encouraging words. He is a very proud dad!

I was handing out the medals to all the kids as they finished and Russ snapped this shot of me greeting Caden. We LOVE that boy!Our friends shared their adoption story and talked about how adoption has blessed their lives. It added a sweet touch to the race.
Russ (even though he ran slow with me) won 2nd place in his age group! He got the extra special treatment when I gave him his award. This was either right before or right after a kiss. :)
On the way home, we stopped at Bass Pro Shops. After just a few minutes, Russ' Dad called saying they were going to do some jumps, etc at the local dirt bike store. We quickly hopped back in the car to check it out. Caden loved sitting on the different dirt bikes and seeing the street bikes do their tricks. (Although he reassured me that he wasn't going to try anything that he was seeing....much to my relief!)

Media Monday: The Red Thread: An Adoption Fairy Tale

The Red Thread: An Adoption Fairy Tale by Grace Lin

We give it a 4.5 out of 5 stars

(We just found this on Google Books. You can read it here)

Here is a summary from the book flap:
There is an ancient Chinese belief that an invisible, unbreakable red thread connects all those who are destined to be together. A king and a queen rule a beautiful and peaceful land. They should be full of joy and contentment, but they both feel a strange pain that worsens each day. Then a peddler's magic spectacles reveal a red thread pulling at each of their hearts. The king and queen know they must follow the thread, wherever it may lead. Grace Lin's adoption fairy tale is for all children - and the parents who would search the world to find them.

We loved that this book talks about the longing (for a child) that can't be cured with anything else. We also love the idea of the invisible red thread that connects those people that are destined to be together. Everything is in the Lord's hands and He has a way of helping birth parents and adoptive parents find each other.

Happy Birth Mother's Day!

Sorry this post is a day late. We overbooked ourselves yesterday and weren't able to do everything we wanted to. This was one of those things that fell by the wayside, unfortunately.

Whether or not birth mothers want to celebrate on birth mother's day, on mother's day or on another day, they need a day to be honored and celebrated! (or every day, as it should be) Due to amazing birth mothers, many of our friends now have the opportunity to care for and raise children.

Here are some words that come to mind when we think of birth mothers:

• Loving
• Selfless
• Brave
• Angels
• Amazing
• Mature
• Courageous
• And many more

During a Young Womens lesson on adoption, I was asked to share some thoughts. I instantly started talking about how amazing birth mothers are and the way that they truly become angels by providing something for a family that they can't do for themselves. I got emotional as I talked about how incredible, selfless and loving all birth moms are. We truly have a special place in our heart for the amazing birth moms that we have met, as well as all others! Thanks for your great sacrifice and love! We honor you today and always!

One Year

A year ago today, we celebrated that we were officially approved to adopt. Today, we celebrated again. We went to Red Robin as a family and enjoyed dinner and a Rookie Magic. As we ate, we reflected on the past year of being approved for adoption and things we have accomplished.

Here is a list of things related to adoption that we have done:
-Held an adoption kick-off open house
-Realized just how incredible open adoption is, and how we wouldn't want it any other way
-Play group coordinators for the CO chapter of Families Supporting Adoption (FSA)
-Accepted the opportunity to serve as the co-chairs for the CO chapter of FSA
-Accepted the opportunity to serve as the chairs for the CO chapter of FSA
-Participated in the Wheatridge Parade as FSA
-Carried our adoption pass along cards to our local high school counselors
-Organized the 2nd annual all day FSA Area Conference
-Updated our adoption blog regularly
-Helped to carry out an adoption fireside (and attended another one)
-Helped with an FSA Christmas party
-Communicated with two adoption scammers from "Cameroon"

Here is a list of fun things we did as a family:
-Explored the Black Canyon of the Gunnison while camping
-Went to Elitch Gardens as a family with Kylee's sister and her husband
-Enjoyed having almost all of Russ' family together in Denver for about a week
-Planned a birthday party to celebrate Caden turning 4
-Went camping with friends at our annual Labor Day campout
-Celebrated our 5 year anniversary
-Russ went to Wood Badge training while Caden and Kylee camped in the family room
-Kylee went to Girl's Camp with the youth of our area
-We held our 6th annual Halloween Mystery Dinner
-For Christmas, Russ' parents surprised us with a trip to Disneyworld
-We drove to UT to surprise Kylee's parents when they got off their mission to South Africa
-We entertained Kylee's parents that came to stay with us for a week
-Attended the BYU v. Air Force Football game
-Kylee donated 10 inches of her hair to Locks of Love
-Russ' brother started his 2 year mission for our church to Roseville, CA
-Had a very fun April Fool's Day

In the coming year, we are looking forward to:
-Running our first 5K as a family (in the FSA 5K)
-Going on our first family backpacking trip
-More contact with birth parents
-Open adoption and forming long-term relationships with birth parents and their families
-Going to Disney World with (almost) all of Russ' family
-Welcoming Russ' brother Mike back home from a 2 year mission for the church in the Dominican Republic
-Having a family reunion on the Oregon coast with all of Kylee's family
-Caden starting Kindergarten! We can't believe it!

Media Monday: We Wanted You

We Wanted You by Liz Rosenberg

We give it 3 out of 5 stars

Here is a brief summary from Macmillan:
The loving voices of a child's parents tell the story of an adoption, from waiting to meet the baby for the first time through the growth of a family.

Our Thoughts: This book is short and to the point, that the parents wanted this child even before he was born. Now that he is older, they still do want him. We like that it shows the parents getting ready for the baby before they had him and that it talks about how excited they were to go get him. This wasn't our favorite adoption book, but it wasn't bad either.

Easter Pics

Here are our fun Easter activities that we got pictures of. Enjoy!

Caden dyed Easter eggs with Wapa and Mimi (Russ's parents) who watched him so Russ and I could go on a date to chaperon the stake dance. Thanks Wapa and Mimi!
Our neighborhood Easter egg hunt. We saw many friends (not all are in this picture) there and had a blast!
Russ was helping our friend's son. We ADORE their kids!!After the Easter egg hunt, we played at the park with our friends for awhile. It was a beautiful Spring day and we loved being outside!
Dyeing Easter Eggs as a family on Friday night
It is hard to read, but it says We heart adoption!
Our local farmer's market had an Easter egg hunt at 7 AM. Caden woke up particularly early that day, so we went! We had our own Easter egg hunt in the house. This was the egg that was hardest for Caden to get (hanging from the fan). It took him awhile to find his basket, but he was sure happy when he did!Russ found his basket in the dryer! Caden helped me find mine.Caden in his handsome Easter outfit! He loved it so much he wanted to wear it to church again today!
Father and son, both in vests. These boys mean the world to me!
The food! We ate the traditional ham, potatoes, homemade rolls, etc. In the morning, we ate bran muffins and monkey bread (see below). Caden helped me to make it. He is an awesome helper in the kitchen! He especially likes to lick his fingers! :)
We had molten lava cakes for dessert...they were SO good!