I recently came across a website and blog that I love.
The website, http://www.parenthoodforme.org/, has resources for infertility, adoption, parenthood in general. Their motto is "everyone deserves parenthood" so they have helps on how to either overcome infertility or adopt.
The neat thing about them is they offer grants for adopting couples and couples going through medical and fertility treatments. Nice! Most of us know how daunting those bills can be when you are going through so much other emotion in addition.
Their blog, http://parenthoodforme.blogspot.com/, has articles and real life stories. It's just a neat blog to look through. There was an awesome post about fertility a few days ago that I just love. You can find it here. I love feeling like I'm not alone.
I think what I like the most about these sites is that they're all for medical treatment and adoption, because we deserve parenthood either way.
And, if you are in the helping mood, I have a good friend who is hoping to adopt. She has found a fun way to try to help finance that adoption. If you are interested in helping, you can find her blog here: http://www.adoptablanket.blogspot.com/ I have already bought one of her darling blankets as a gift, and it was perfect.
If you know of any other helpful websites please let us know so we can all share the wealth.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Monday, March 8, 2010
Quotes
I love quotes! It's nice to have someone put in to words exactly how you feel or what you need to hear. Here are a few of my favorites:
"Faith in God includes Faith in His Timing." - Elder Neal A. Maxwell
"Those who never give up will find that God never gave up and that He will help them." - President Henry B. Eyring
Adoption is when a child grows in his parents' hearts instead of his mother's tummy. - Unknown
Be patient in afflictions, for thou shalt have many; but endure them, for, lo, I am with thee, even unto the end of thy days. - Doctrine and Covenants 24:8
Hanna has some great quotes on the side bar also.
Any other quotes that are too good not to share? Don't be shy! They don't have to be about adoption, but life in general. We are all in this together, you know.
"Faith in God includes Faith in His Timing." - Elder Neal A. Maxwell
"Those who never give up will find that God never gave up and that He will help them." - President Henry B. Eyring
Adoption is when a child grows in his parents' hearts instead of his mother's tummy. - Unknown
Be patient in afflictions, for thou shalt have many; but endure them, for, lo, I am with thee, even unto the end of thy days. - Doctrine and Covenants 24:8
Hanna has some great quotes on the side bar also.
Any other quotes that are too good not to share? Don't be shy! They don't have to be about adoption, but life in general. We are all in this together, you know.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Adoption Music Reviews
Just like the adoption book list, I only buy my favorites of adoption music. There are many wonderful songs and cds available, I'm sure that simply don't relate to our experiences.
The 3 that I would recommend are:
1. From God's Arms by Michael Mclean.
This is a book/cd combo pack and it is beautiful! There are touching pictures and the lyrics printed out in the book, as well as some background info on the songs. This cd has a song from the adoptive parents point of view, birthmom's and child's. It also has a some neat songs about how a family is created through adoption.
2. Chosen
This is a beautiful cd full of a lot of songs from all view points. There are songs for a couple waiting too, which is neat. My favorite one on there talks about how Joseph "adopted" Jesus as his own. (Delivery, track 3)
It's a beautiful cd at a very reasonable price, just click on the link, Chosen above to order.
3. Do You Have a Little Love to Share
This is a good cd, but only a handful of the songs related to domestic adoption. So, it would be great for foster care adoptions, step-parent adoptions, special needs adoptions, etc. The title song is beautiful and makes you think about the question, "Do you have a little love to share? Can you find it in your heart to care?"
Do YOU have a favorite adoption cd or song? I'd love to hear it if you do!
The 3 that I would recommend are:
1. From God's Arms by Michael Mclean.
This is a book/cd combo pack and it is beautiful! There are touching pictures and the lyrics printed out in the book, as well as some background info on the songs. This cd has a song from the adoptive parents point of view, birthmom's and child's. It also has a some neat songs about how a family is created through adoption.
2. Chosen
This is a beautiful cd full of a lot of songs from all view points. There are songs for a couple waiting too, which is neat. My favorite one on there talks about how Joseph "adopted" Jesus as his own. (Delivery, track 3)
It's a beautiful cd at a very reasonable price, just click on the link, Chosen above to order.
3. Do You Have a Little Love to Share
This is a good cd, but only a handful of the songs related to domestic adoption. So, it would be great for foster care adoptions, step-parent adoptions, special needs adoptions, etc. The title song is beautiful and makes you think about the question, "Do you have a little love to share? Can you find it in your heart to care?"
Do YOU have a favorite adoption cd or song? I'd love to hear it if you do!
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Adoption Book Reviews
We only have a handful of adoption books for children, but the ones we do own WE LOVE!
1. A Blessing From Above by Patti Henderson-(a Golden Book)
This is one of the first adoption books I was introduced to, before I knew that we would adopt. I remember reading it (crying) and saying, "okay, I think this is what we're going to do!" (It was one of many little experiences that helped us begin on this journey)
The story is about a mother kangaroo who has an empty pouch and prays everyday for a baby to fill it. She is sitting under a tree one day when a baby bluebird falls out of his nest into her pouch. The bird's mother knew that she couldn't take care of her baby, but that he would be loved. It says that every night after that the baby bluebird and his mom thank God that they found each other. (Tears!)
Although the baby is a boy, you could easily substitute that!
2. God Found Us You by Lisa Tawn Bergen (Harper Collins Publishing)
This book is written by the woman who wrote the popular children's books "God Gave Us You" and "God Gave Us Two". It just came out at the end of 2009. Her books are very sweet and she uses parents telling their kids "their" stories to explain things. She discusses how God brought them together and how they prayed and prayed for their baby to come to them. The child in God Found Us You is a boy, but once again, easily substituted.
3. I Don't Have Your Eyes by Carrie A. Kitze (EMK Press)
This is really neat book about how we may look different on the outside, but "in our hearts we are the same". The illustrations suggest that most of the children are a different race than their family, but the words could work for any adoption situation. My favorite lines in the book are, "I don't have you knees...but I have learned your way of giving thanks on mine."
This one has boys and girls in it.
4. Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born by Jamie Lynn Curtis (Joanna Cotler Books)
My first introduction to adoption (that I could truly understand and appreciate) probably came when I was 13 or 14 and began babysitting 2 sweet little girls. Their family made it clear that the girls were adopted...and it was no secret or anything to be ashamed of. I loved that about them! They had this book and I read it to them on several occasions. Years later, I found the mother of those girls again and asked her HOW to go about adopting. She has been a source of inspiration and help along the way. I admire their family's approach to talking about adoption, it's one that we will take as well; very open and honest and LOVING.
The little girl in this story asks her parents every night to tell her, again, about the night she was born. They talk about her mom and dad getting the phone call in the middle of the night and flying to get her. The author is very honest about the feelings that come along with all of the "firsts" and the journey to get her baby. I love the illustrations too!
5. The Lambaroo by Diana Kimpton (Gingham Dog Press)
This book is my all time favorite book about adoption. It's a book about our differences and the love that makes us a family. I love it!!! And I think the illustrations are some of the cutest I've ever seen.
*I would highly recommend borrowing books from the library or trying to read excerpts online before purchasing. I have found several books that I have found offensive in the terms they use (like "new mom" and "old mom") or they simply don't relate to our domestic adoptions.
Happy Reading!
1. A Blessing From Above by Patti Henderson-(a Golden Book)
This is one of the first adoption books I was introduced to, before I knew that we would adopt. I remember reading it (crying) and saying, "okay, I think this is what we're going to do!" (It was one of many little experiences that helped us begin on this journey)
The story is about a mother kangaroo who has an empty pouch and prays everyday for a baby to fill it. She is sitting under a tree one day when a baby bluebird falls out of his nest into her pouch. The bird's mother knew that she couldn't take care of her baby, but that he would be loved. It says that every night after that the baby bluebird and his mom thank God that they found each other. (Tears!)
Although the baby is a boy, you could easily substitute that!
2. God Found Us You by Lisa Tawn Bergen (Harper Collins Publishing)
This book is written by the woman who wrote the popular children's books "God Gave Us You" and "God Gave Us Two". It just came out at the end of 2009. Her books are very sweet and she uses parents telling their kids "their" stories to explain things. She discusses how God brought them together and how they prayed and prayed for their baby to come to them. The child in God Found Us You is a boy, but once again, easily substituted.
3. I Don't Have Your Eyes by Carrie A. Kitze (EMK Press)
This is really neat book about how we may look different on the outside, but "in our hearts we are the same". The illustrations suggest that most of the children are a different race than their family, but the words could work for any adoption situation. My favorite lines in the book are, "I don't have you knees...but I have learned your way of giving thanks on mine."
This one has boys and girls in it.
4. Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born by Jamie Lynn Curtis (Joanna Cotler Books)
My first introduction to adoption (that I could truly understand and appreciate) probably came when I was 13 or 14 and began babysitting 2 sweet little girls. Their family made it clear that the girls were adopted...and it was no secret or anything to be ashamed of. I loved that about them! They had this book and I read it to them on several occasions. Years later, I found the mother of those girls again and asked her HOW to go about adopting. She has been a source of inspiration and help along the way. I admire their family's approach to talking about adoption, it's one that we will take as well; very open and honest and LOVING.
The little girl in this story asks her parents every night to tell her, again, about the night she was born. They talk about her mom and dad getting the phone call in the middle of the night and flying to get her. The author is very honest about the feelings that come along with all of the "firsts" and the journey to get her baby. I love the illustrations too!
5. The Lambaroo by Diana Kimpton (Gingham Dog Press)
This book is my all time favorite book about adoption. It's a book about our differences and the love that makes us a family. I love it!!! And I think the illustrations are some of the cutest I've ever seen.
*I would highly recommend borrowing books from the library or trying to read excerpts online before purchasing. I have found several books that I have found offensive in the terms they use (like "new mom" and "old mom") or they simply don't relate to our domestic adoptions.
Happy Reading!
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