Samuel 8
Love Liberates, Birth Mother Quotes and Inspiration
We are framing this photo for Samuel, taken by Kyle LaMere in Ethiopia, September 2012. Under the photo will be Maya Angelou’s “Love Liberates” quote.
How beautifully she sums up the importance and love of the birth mother and family. How true love frees; it does not enslave.
Someone once said, “Children need two things: One is roots and the other is wings.” I know Samuel’s birth mother was strong enough to provide our son with wings. Now our prayer … Keep Reading!!!
Letter to Samuel’s Birth Mother
I want to encourage all adoptive parents to consider journaling to their child(ren)’s birth mother/father. Even if you don’t believe the parent will ever be able to see your letters, it may one day be a comfort to your child when he or she is older. Also, it is nice to get down in writing some of your thoughts and struggles regarding the absence of the biological family.
Plus, you may never know. One day that journal may very well … Keep Reading!!!
Completing a family – the adoption story
Who doesn’t love a good birth or adoption story? This one is the Grumet family’s, in links that were compiled here by Kendall.
This post (January 28, 2010), written in the midst of other posts regarding social worker visits (“Please God, let my house be clean!”), endless notarizing, and multiple sets of fingerprints, details the reasons for choosing to adopt from Ethiopia specifically. Samuel had turned 3 a little over a month before this post was written.
This post (February … Keep Reading!!!
Almost Wordless Wednesday- Smooth Operator
My friend Shannon Colleary‘s response to Samuel in this photo:
… Keep Reading!!!This is his suave ladies man face. Don’t introduce him to George Hamilton, they’ll paint the town. –Shannon (The Woman Formerly Known As Beautiful)
Is It Okay To Touch Someone Else’s Child?
When Samuel first arrived home it was very important for him to get a sense of our roles as a family. This is another way to build attachment and help him grasp that he is part of a new family. This was initially difficult for us to do, because when Samuel first arrived home he showed signs of indiscriminate friendliness.
I.F. is a common issue among adoptees (especially in orphanage or multiple caregiver settings). We haven’t completely worked through this … Keep Reading!!!
Samuel’s Birthday!
December 17th Samuel turned FIVE!
I can’t believe it!
We had a party at my parents’ house!
My grandma came because she never misses a hot party.
My niece came because Samuel LOVES her (She’s 5’11” and looks like a supermodel, I can’t really blame him)
and all of his boy cousins showed up.
Even my cousin Whitney and her husband Bryan showed up with their adorable daughter Declyn! Whitney knitted him an adorable hat for his birthday in his … Keep Reading!!!
Breastfeeding An Adopted Older Child
I’d like everyone to meet Jenny!
1. Tell us about your personal breastfeeding experience with your children:
My daughter joined our family via adoption when she was 10 months old. I had followed the Newman-Goldfarb Protocols for Induced Lactation for the previous 12 months so that I’d be able to breastfeed her. I amazed both my husband and myself when I was able to bring in a significant milk supply by the time we traveled to Ethiopia to … Keep Reading!!!
