My oldest left for Italy this week. You can read more about that in my shared blog. She is earning her BFA in photography, so she will be living in Florence for four months, taking beautiful pictures and studying Italian art history. I miss her already. There are some things that make me feel better when I feel bad. Some …
How Many Times Do I Have to Prove My Children Are Mine?
Last week we got passports for all our children. Should be a straightforward process, even for adopted children. We had to show the adoption decree along with birth certificates and proof of citizenship. It turned out to be a huge mess. Because we wanted to travel before the standard three-month window, we went to a library where there was a …
“You May Call it Nonsense If You Like”
My daughter (twelve years old) was called in for counseling at school this week, along with several of her friends. Apparently one of them wasn’t getting along with the others, and went to the counselor, and she decided to intervene. While I appreciate the good intentions of the counselor, what I didn’t like was the fact I wasn’t even informed, …
Teaching Kids to Tame the Tongue
This week, my middle-school children faced some disturbing news about one of the adults in their life. It involved a teacher, and the news came via a recorded phone call from the principal about an hour after school. Within moments, literally, the news went viral on any and all social networks. (And it amazes me how many there are—far more …
One in Six – We Can Change That Number
Our family often goes to lunch after church on Sunday, but this week we will staying after service and buying slices of pizza for $2 each. We’ll probably eat standing up and chatting with others around us, and all there will be to drink will be water. Sound appetizing? The reason is every three months or so the children host a …
Help me, Mama!
Mutter (German). Mère (French). Majka (Serbian). Mat’ (Russian). Madre (Spanish). And in Hebrew: Imma. In any language, mothers are special. They are who we run to whenever we are in trouble. Even Bezalel. Bezalel considered his choices as he hiked home. He knew severe punishment awaited any slave who ran away, but he could not leave Ahmose behind. A seven-year-old …
But We’ve Always Done It That Way…
Emma told me yesterday about a conversation she had with her Korean friend about Groundhog Day. Emma: Maybe it will be cloudy tomorrow and spring will come. Friend: What are you talking about? Emma: Well, in American we have a tradition where this one particular groundhog determines the weather for the next six weeks. Friend: Why? Emma: I don’t know …
Genghis Khan, Softball and Seeking
This is what we call The Glare. When M steps up to the plate with The Glare, balls will fly, bases will be taken, runs will be scored. John’s gotten to where he can tell before she can how well she’ll hit the ball. He often videos her at-bats on his iPhone. One snippet we love to watch has him …
The Funniest Names I Ever Heard
About a year ago, in the car, Emma mentioned that she had mispronounced a classmate’s name that morning and the girl had become quite angry. I responded that I was surprised she was not more forgiving. “After all, in this area there are so many unusual names. It’s not like everyone is named Bill or Sally.” Suddenly, from the back …
21 Questions
People often lose their common sense when faced with an adopted baby. I have heard the most ridiculous comments. A smattering: When we brought MC home, people would hear our story and then whisper, “Are you gonna tell her she’s adopted?” I’d answer, “I’m thinking she’ll figure it out whether we do or not.” When we brought home DK and …