Internal monologue after seeing this still image:

A picture is worth a thousand words. Did anyone actually see this segment? Is it possible these men defended women and questioned the point of such an irrelevant study? Has someone taken over my body? Am I seriously defending Fox News right now? Good Lord…that benefit of the doubt and being less critical craziness is getting to my head. This makes life so much more complicated. I am going to turn on my … Keep Reading!!!

Did you hear about this Spanish organization for abused children that found a way to hide its message from adults while still reaching at-risk youth?

Do you think the hidden message will be effective?… Keep Reading!!!

It was two years ago today, exactly, that I was having brunch in northern California with Brian, the kids, and my parents. I almost forgot about that Friday morning, until my dad brought it up to me the other day. Aram was two years old and was still occasionally breastfed during the day. He asked to nurse at the restaurant and I placed him on my lap and began to breastfeed him. The people at the table looked over, more, … Keep Reading!!!

While we used wrap/ring slings/carriers about 12 hours a day when my son was an infant, they are still a vital part of our life – although he’s three years old. My little guy is very social – he loves to be around people and spends his whole day talking. But, he is still sensitive to lots of noise and stimulation. Occasionally, when we’ve had a busy morning, he gets overstimulated around lunch time and gets so agitated that he … Keep Reading!!!

If I could have written a letter to myself before we started the international adoption process, here are some things I wish I would have known. Some I already knew, but after adopting (or going through the process) others became much clearer to me.

Adoption and parenting in general are selfless.

Keep in mind that you are not just adopting a family member, but there is a mutual merger of birth and adopted families, culture, and country.

Research thoroughly.

Melissa … Keep Reading!!!

I am working really hard to be neutral and to understand where even the most trite and insolent comments from others come from.

Then I read an article like this from the Huffington Post and it makes me sad for pregnant women in our society…and a little angry.

I understand (to some extent) the point of this article; the author is a fashion editor. Writing an article about maternity fashion tips seems logical.  Kim Kardashian is a hot topic. A … Keep Reading!!!

Brian surprised me with an early Mother’s Day present.

It a hand-carved breastfeeding mother with child.

The wooden statue came from Ghana, which is a very special place to me.

(Yes, those are our pet shrimp next to the figure.)

Breastfeeding artwork from around the world delights me. There is a literal and symbolic meaning with nearly every piece.

We decided to also use her as a literal and figurative symbol- so we placed her at our bar.

… Keep Reading!!!

Here are five steps to take to determine whether you are negatively judging someone without warrant.

1. Identify who or what is being threatened.

Negative judgment is generally fear-based. Understanding what is causing the fear/threat is the first step in understanding and working through healthy judgment. For instance, strangers who followed the Casey Anthony trial may have judged her because they felt she was acquitted of murder even though she actually committed the crime. This threatens public safety and … Keep Reading!!!

Samuel getting ready and talking to himself in the mirror this morning:

“Mommy and Aram sometimes take a long time to get ready, but African boys get ready fast….and daddies…..I have two mommies and two daddies.”

 End of thought.… Keep Reading!!!

After our two recent posts about my best friend, Bryan, we received an overwhelming amount of emails inquiring about his romantic status (among other things).

So, in order to answer the questions more efficiently, and add to the embarrassing factor for him, here is a post that will do just that.

Commonly asked questions:

“Is Bryan single?”
He is single and ready to mingle.

“Is Bryan heterosexual?”
Yes. Unfortunately, that limits some of the inquiries, but the heart wants what … Keep Reading!!!