tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80096749898716929732024-03-13T09:56:30.456-06:00Another Small AdventureA blogger who loves to write, read books, craft and sew shares her adventures with Infertility, Adoption, Foster Care and Motherhood and all that comes with it.SmallAdventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08993267241606514697noreply@blogger.comBlogger866125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009674989871692973.post-7359943327542700562020-05-31T17:02:00.000-06:002020-05-31T17:02:15.336-06:00Openness is... Inviting Love In.<h2 class="qodef-post-title" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #434343; font-family: lora, sans-serif; font-size: 32px; letter-spacing: 2px; line-height: 46px; margin: 0px 0px 32px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: capitalize; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q56lmqvCjlw/XtQ2MHTNcLI/AAAAAAAAfDE/K5TcRu-yLEko4iZ7Hu1vT6i_-nhk5gmzQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Openness%2Bis%2BInviting%2Blove%2Bin%2Bimage2%2B%2Bstamped%2Bcopy%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q56lmqvCjlw/XtQ2MHTNcLI/AAAAAAAAfDE/K5TcRu-yLEko4iZ7Hu1vT6i_-nhk5gmzQCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/Openness%2Bis%2BInviting%2Blove%2Bin%2Bimage2%2B%2Bstamped%2Bcopy%2B3.jpg" width="360" /></a></h2>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l1i1HDzr844/VJaADsbTwRI/AAAAAAAAHnI/lMmbf8RRB3Q/s1600/Openness%2Bis%2BInviting%2Blove%2Bin%2Bimage2%2B%2Bstamped%2Bcopy.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; clear: left; color: #f48333; cursor: pointer; float: left; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px 1em 1em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; transition: all 0.3s ease-in-out 0s; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></a></div>
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<i style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #990000; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: "leelawadee" , sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“Family </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 24px; line-height: 27.6px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">isn’t</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> always blood. </span></span></span></i></i></div>
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<i style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #990000; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: "leelawadee" , sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">It’s the people in your life that want</span></span></span></i></i></div>
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<i style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #990000; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: "leelawadee" , sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">you in theirs. </span></span></span></i></i></div>
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<i style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #434343; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #990000; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: "leelawadee" , sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The ones who accept <br />you for who you are. </span></span></span></i></i></div>
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<i style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #434343; font-family: "source sans pro", sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #990000; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: "leelawadee" , sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 27.6px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The ones who would do anything <br />to see you smile and love <br />you no matter what.”</span></span></span></i></i><i style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #990000; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: "leelawadee" , sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #434343; font-family: "source sans pro", sans-serif; font-size: 17px;">Author Unknown</span><br /></span></span></i></div>
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This quote sums up how I see my children’s Birth Parents, at least the ones we are able to have relationships with. They are family, they love not only the child they placed, but also the family they placed their child in. And our family loves them back. This isn’t an ordinary love, it is a love built with faith, hope, selflessness, trust, sacrifice and lots of thoughtfulness. It is a special bond we have with no others on this earth. It isn’t something I can put into words to help someone, outside looking in, understand. It is one of those things you have to feel for yourself. These amazing people are part of our story, answers to our prayers and givers of joy.</div>
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<br /><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5XjgmgX7Zio/XtQ2bcKqkII/AAAAAAAAfDI/17ZWCAMK5WY0cpqon0b5DAnHRXLqCdIpwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Openness-is-Inviting-love-in-700x542%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="542" data-original-width="700" height="492" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5XjgmgX7Zio/XtQ2bcKqkII/AAAAAAAAfDI/17ZWCAMK5WY0cpqon0b5DAnHRXLqCdIpwCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/Openness-is-Inviting-love-in-700x542%2B2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="text-align: left;">
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So to answer the question we hear over and over again “How do you have</div>
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<span style="color: #434343; font-family: "source sans pro", sans-serif; font-size: 17px;">such an open relationship?” Our answer is,</span></div>
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how can we not?<br /><span style="background-color: white;">How do you shut the door on that kind of love?</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.5333px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 19.55px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: large; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Love multiplies, fear divides.<br /><br /><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HewdRFVByH8/XtQ2uNcxL9I/AAAAAAAAfDU/B7latdyOeaIzBPnlvvR-dpU5bkOsQGgOQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Openness%2Bis%2BInviting%2Blove%2Bin%2Bimage4%2B%2Bstamped%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="949" data-original-width="1600" height="377" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HewdRFVByH8/XtQ2uNcxL9I/AAAAAAAAfDU/B7latdyOeaIzBPnlvvR-dpU5bkOsQGgOQCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/Openness%2Bis%2BInviting%2Blove%2Bin%2Bimage4%2B%2Bstamped%2B1.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><b style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">We choose love.<br /></b></span></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; border: none; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 0px 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: right; vertical-align: middle;"><tbody style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<tr style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 5px 10px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--WtrmEpNyP4/VJZ6HKcarkI/AAAAAAAAHm4/lwn_LJBwjOU/s1600/Openness%2Bis%2BInviting%2Blove%2Bin%2BTree%2BFramed%2Bstamped.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; clear: right; color: #f48333; cursor: pointer; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px auto 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: all 0.3s ease-in-out 0s; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="" border="0" class="lazy-loaded" data-lazy-type="image" data-src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--WtrmEpNyP4/VJZ6HKcarkI/AAAAAAAAHm4/lwn_LJBwjOU/s1600/Openness%2Bis%2BInviting%2Blove%2Bin%2BTree%2BFramed%2Bstamped.jpg" height="288" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--WtrmEpNyP4/VJZ6HKcarkI/AAAAAAAAHm4/lwn_LJBwjOU/s1600/Openness%2Bis%2BInviting%2Blove%2Bin%2BTree%2BFramed%2Bstamped.jpg" style="border: none; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td class="tr-caption" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 12.8px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 5px 10px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">Fun paper craft to make with kids of all ages.Can make it into a card or frame it for home decor.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 19.55px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: large; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></b></span></span></div>
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We try each year to get together to celebrate the Christmas season with our children’s birth families. The past couple of years it has been hit and miss and a couple of our special birth moms have moved away. But this year we had the wonderful opportunity to have our oldest daughter’s birth mom and her husband and girls and her grandmother over for dinner and some Christmas crafting and baking. Each of the children got to make their own Christmas card out of paper strips and shapes.<br /><a href="http://www.bhg.com/crafts/scrapbooking/printables/paper-piecings/holiday-paper-piecing-patterns/" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #f48333; cursor: pointer; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: all 0.3s ease-in-out 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">Go here for link to paper strip Christmas Tree pattern.</a></div>
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We also made sugar cookies and Rice Krispie snowmen. We had so much</div>
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fun it was hard to see them go. Brad and I enjoyed seeing Brenley’s birth sisters. They look a lot like Brenley and it was fun to see the similarities! It took us back to when Brenley was that age.<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container alignleft" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; border: none; float: left; font-family: "source sans pro", sans-serif; margin: 0px auto 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"><tbody style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<tr style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 5px 10px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8X5kfhjIdgw/VJZ6AMYuC9I/AAAAAAAAHmc/aHGfi1B6JHg/s1600/Openness%2Bis%2BInviting%2Blove%2Bin%2Bimage6%2B%2Bstamped.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; clear: left; color: #f48333; cursor: pointer; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px auto 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: all 0.3s ease-in-out 0s; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="" border="0" class="alignleft lazy-loaded" data-lazy-type="image" data-src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8X5kfhjIdgw/VJZ6AMYuC9I/AAAAAAAAHmc/aHGfi1B6JHg/s1600/Openness%2Bis%2BInviting%2Blove%2Bin%2Bimage6%2B%2Bstamped.jpg" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8X5kfhjIdgw/VJZ6AMYuC9I/AAAAAAAAHmc/aHGfi1B6JHg/s640/Openness%2Bis%2BInviting%2Blove%2Bin%2Bimage6%2B%2Bstamped.jpg" style="border: none; float: left; height: auto; margin: 0px 20px 20px 0px; max-width: 100%;" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td class="tr-caption" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 12.8px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 5px 10px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: x-small; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Brenley with her Birth Mother, Stacey and Birth Great-Grandmother Mary</i></span>.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container alignleft" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; border: none; float: left; margin: 0px auto 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;"><tbody style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<tr style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 5px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SbXxc2qBUz8/VJZ5-acc-YI/AAAAAAAAHmM/mnYaGWIzD78/s1600/Openness%2Bis%2BInviting%2Blove%2Bin%2Bimage3%2B%2Bstamped.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #f48333; cursor: pointer; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px auto; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: all 0.3s ease-in-out 0s; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="" border="0" class="aligncenter lazy-loaded" data-lazy-type="image" data-src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SbXxc2qBUz8/VJZ5-acc-YI/AAAAAAAAHmM/mnYaGWIzD78/s1600/Openness%2Bis%2BInviting%2Blove%2Bin%2Bimage3%2B%2Bstamped.jpg" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SbXxc2qBUz8/VJZ5-acc-YI/AAAAAAAAHmM/mnYaGWIzD78/s640/Openness%2Bis%2BInviting%2Blove%2Bin%2Bimage3%2B%2Bstamped.jpg" style="border: none; display: block; height: auto; margin: 10px auto; max-width: 100%;" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td class="tr-caption" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 12.8px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 5px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: x-small; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Kitchen full of kids, treats and giggles!<br />The BEST recipe for a great gathering!!</i></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; text-align: left;">This year we celebrate 8 years of complete openness with 3 of our adoptions. It has been one of the best decisions we have ever made and we love to have the chance to spend time with each birth family.</span></div>
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<i style="background: 0px 0px transparent; border: 0px; color: #434343; font-family: "source sans pro", sans-serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">We look forward to many more years of family fun and sharing!</i><span style="color: #434343; font-family: "source sans pro", sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #434343; font-family: "source sans pro", sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">*Looking for a great sugar cookie recipe? </span><a href="http://ourbestbites.com/2008/12/sugar-cookies/" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #f48333; cursor: pointer; font-family: "source sans pro", sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: all 0.3s ease-in-out 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">Try this one.</a><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; font-size: xx-small; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #434343; font-family: "source sans pro", sans-serif;"> It is a favorite at our house.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: -24px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/2532957221/t3kwdfiqsgdxi3ki3k16_bigger.jpeg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; clear: left; color: #14498d; cursor: pointer; font-family: droidsansregular, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px 1em 1em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; transition: all 0.3s ease-in-out 0s; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="" border="0" class="lazy-loaded" data-lazy-type="image" data-src="https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/2532957221/t3kwdfiqsgdxi3ki3k16_bigger.jpeg" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/2532957221/t3kwdfiqsgdxi3ki3k16_bigger.jpeg" style="border: 0px; color: transparent; font-size: 0px; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;" /></a><br /> </span><span style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: "droidsansregular" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: -24px; vertical-align: baseline;">Brenda Horrocks is a mother of four children through adoption.</span></div>
<span style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: "droidsansregular" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: -24px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="text-align: center;">
She promotes adoption, foster care and Utah’s Safe Haven Law through blogging, public speaking and writing. She enjoys time with family, reading books, running, gardening and movies.</div>
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You can <a href="http://anothersmalladventure.blogspot.com/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #f48333; cursor: pointer; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: all 0.3s ease-in-out 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">visit her blog here. </a><br />*Originally written Jan. 2015 for Forever Bound Adoption</div>
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SmallAdventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08993267241606514697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009674989871692973.post-11792191451169632752020-05-31T16:23:00.001-06:002020-11-05T14:42:05.209-07:00Wonders of a Broken Heart<div class="post_image" style="background: 0px 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #434343; font-family: "Source Sans Pro", sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline; width: 805px;">
<a href="https://www.foreverboundadoption.org/the-wonders-of-a-broken-heart/" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #f48333; cursor: pointer; display: block; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.3s ease-in-out 0s; vertical-align: baseline; width: 805px;" title="The Wonders of a Broken Heart"><img alt="" class="attachment-blog_image_in_grid size-blog_image_in_grid wp-post-image lazy-loaded" data-lazy-type="image" data-src="https://www.foreverboundadoption.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Ashanti-106-stamped-1100x736.jpg" data-srcset="" height="640" sizes="(max-width: 1100px) 100vw, 1100px" src="https://www.foreverboundadoption.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Ashanti-106-stamped-1100x736.jpg" srcset="https://www.foreverboundadoption.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Ashanti-106-stamped-1100x736.jpg 1100w, https://www.foreverboundadoption.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Ashanti-106-stamped-300x201.jpg 300w, https://www.foreverboundadoption.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Ashanti-106-stamped-768x514.jpg 768w, https://www.foreverboundadoption.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Ashanti-106-stamped-1024x685.jpg 1024w, https://www.foreverboundadoption.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Ashanti-106-stamped-700x469.jpg 700w, https://www.foreverboundadoption.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Ashanti-106-stamped.jpg 1600w" style="border: none; display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%; position: relative; width: 805px;" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span color="inherit" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: inherit; text-transform: inherit;">The Wonders Of A Broken Heart</span><br />
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<span style="background: 0px 0px transparent; border: 0px; color: black; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 19px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br />It began (as I am sure it has with many women dealing with fertility issues) in a hospital as I was having yet another ultrasound. The pain had been growing every month, every day, every time we tried and tried to get my body to do what a woman’s body should. The pain starts out with twinges but as time and reality start to set in that twinge becomes a stabbing sick pain in my heart and my stomach aches in a way I could never put in words. It is hole that is filling my body..spreading to every inch. The day in the hospital was one of the most intensely painful days of my life. It was the day my mind decided it was time to acknowledge what my body was screaming…..I would not ever know what it was like to be one of “those” women. I am a different kind of woman. I am barren. My heart broke that day but I also learned alot. It was really the first day of learning on this difficult journey to motherhood. I learned loss….a kind of loss I had never known before that time. A loss which was dark and cold and bleak. Loss that would take me years to really understand and years before healing would rest upon me. This was pain, this was loss…this was grief.</span></div>
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<span style="background: 0px 0px transparent; border: 0px; color: black; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 19px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br />Again a few years later after finding out we had been chosen by a special young woman to be parents to her child…after a shopping spree, painting the nursery, setting up the crib and getting so excited, pain of a broken heart entered my life again as we learned this special girl decided to parent her baby. We respected her decision in every way but respecting someone’s choice doesn’t mean we don’t experience loss. The pain crushed me down and sometimes I didn’t know if I wanted to live. I felt like lead as I drug my feet out of bed to go to work. In moments of solitude I would sit in the nursery and hold the clothes we had so joyfully purchased for this expected gift and I would rock them and cry and cry until there were no more tears and I was numb. It was the only release besides sleep….the numbness. Here again, a broken heart filled with pain, learned something….I learned I could love someone I never met..not the baby (although I loved her too) but her mother. The young woman who decided to parent..I fell in love with her even though we never met. She thought enough of me and my sweet husband to think we were good enough for her child. Her choosing us brought a speck of hope that someday we would be chosen again. I learned more….I grew some. I was still in the middle of deep pain but I was holding onto a piece of hope.</span><span style="background: 0px 0px transparent; border: 0px; color: black; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 19px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background: 0px 0px transparent; border: 0px; color: black; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 19px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background: 0px 0px transparent; border: 0px; color: black; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 19px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">This same basic scenario would visit our life 3 more times before our family was complete. But each experience brought greater understanding than the last. One of these times things ended differently than the others. This experience brought pain but also so much love along the way. A young woman contacted us through the internet and I felt an instant and strong connection to her. A connection I cannot explain in words. After getting to know one another over a period of time she decided to parent but then came back and was re-deciding. We had her and her mother over for dinner. We loved meeting her and felt very connected but somehow we felt she would parent still. She did parent but we remained friends. She would call us and chat or we would call her. I chatted with her online sometimes. She called me after she delivered her baby….and I mean right after, even before delivering the placenta. Brad and I felt we were to be there for her and be her support..to be her friend. I remember seeing the first picture of her sweet baby boy. I cried…I felt he was my baby but I knew her decision and I respected it. I closed the lid to the laptop and cried. The friendship continued and when her baby was just about 8 months old she called again just as she often did, but this call was different. She told me she felt her baby belonged with us. Less than 1 week later she placed Camden in our arms. It was a bittersweet occasion. We rejoiced for us and felt sad for her. We spent a lot of time together that day as they came to our home after placement for a special dinner. By this time we had two little girls in our family so this was our 3rd child to be placed with us. As I looked back at the journey to this moment I saw how the heartbreak was really teaching us how to love more deeply than before. It gave more perspective on another person’s pain. And while there was pain, there was growth.</span><span style="background: 0px 0px transparent; border: 0px; color: black; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 19px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><br />
<span style="background: 0px 0px transparent; border: 0px; color: black; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 19px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Sometime after Camden’s placement Brad and I became foster parents. One of our opportunities to foster came in a tiny little brown beautiful package named Ashanti. I picked her I up from the hospital and she was so tiny I thought she would get lost in the car seat.I loved her from the very moment I saw her. I didn’t know if we would get to adopt her or not, but I knew I was going to pour my love into her and she would be mine…even it it was just for a season.</span></div>
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<tr style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td class="tr-caption" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12.8px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 5px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 19px; line-height: 1.386; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">We heard many things but some workers kept telling us adoption was very possible. In the end I had to say goodbye to Ashanti. I kissed her for the final time right before I handed her over to her father at the airport where he would put her on an airplane and fly her across the country to Florida. There was deep grief…deep!!!! There was a numbness for a time. There was pain like I cannot describe. But there was something else…..love!!! So much love it could never be measured! I gave Ashanti all I had and because I did Ashanti got a great start in life. The pain was still there so strong. I grieved for a long time but even in my grief I knew if I had to choose over again knowing how I felt after saying goodbye I would still choose to say hello!!!! I would do it all again because I love her!!! I will always love her. And I did get to do it again….only it was with a tiny little cream package named Chevey. </span></td></tr>
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<tr style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td class="tr-caption" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 12.8px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 5px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">Haley and Chevey. My kids loved to play with this cutie!</td></tr>
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<span style="background: 0px 0px transparent; border: 0px; color: black; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 19px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Another baby I picked up from the hospital….another baby I poured my love into….we all did. Another baby I said goodbye to and ironically he went to Florida as well.</span></div>
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This is just a skimming of what I went through to build my family. This is just some of the hard stuff. And there were wonderful and perfect moments where all things fell together. But through the pain I grew….my heart grew but it had to break to grow. I watched my children grow the same way…their hearts broke too. But with each break our hearts expanded and we were able to hold more love and give more love to others.<span style="background: 0px 0px transparent; border: 0px; color: black; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 19px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background: 0px 0px transparent; border: 0px; color: black; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 19px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background: 0px 0px transparent; border: 0px; color: black; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 19px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">In our journey to motherhood, fatherhood, parenthood there will be pain and grief but our hearts grow better that way. Andrew Harvey says it best: </span><br />
<span style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: "covered by your grace"; font-size: 21px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“If you’re listening, if you’re awake to the poignant beauty of the world, your heart breaks regularly. In fact, your heart is made to break; its purpose is to burst open again and again so that it can hold ever more wonders.”</span></div>
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<span style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 19px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Sometimes couples will hold themselves back from new opportunities to family build because they fear loss and pain. My advice after living and breathing infertility and adoption for 20 years….embrace the loss and pain and watch the wonders that come from a broken heart!</span></div>
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Brenda Horrocks is a mother of four children through adoption.<br />
She promotes adoption, foster care and Utah’s Safe Haven Law through blogging, public speaking and writing. She enjoys time with family, reading books, running, gardening and movies.<br />
You can <a href="http://anothersmalladventure.blogspot.com/" style="background: 0px 0px; border: 0px; color: #f48333; cursor: pointer; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.3s ease-in-out 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">visit her blog here.</a><br />
*This article was originally written Feb. 2015 for Forever Bound Adoption.</div>
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SmallAdventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08993267241606514697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009674989871692973.post-16975373279572103202020-05-31T16:05:00.000-06:002020-05-31T16:05:38.254-06:00Infertility after family building - a new journey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Back in 2000 when we adopted our oldest child, Brenley, I wasn't thinking about what life will be like when we finally have all our children in our family. I was just 1. Loving every second of being a Mom. 2. In the process of grieving my infertility. 3.Growing to understand how the whole Birth Family relationship works and 4. I knew when Brenley turned one year old we would put our papers in again to adopt. After each placement I knew there was one more. Then came Spencer...our 4th and youngest child. After much pondering and praying I came to realize he would be our last. By this time I had grieved deeply, sought help with my grief because I became “stuck” in it and found great peace and healing. It took many years but the healing was complete by the time Spencer came. I was and am today very thankful for the healing! </span></div>
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</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.44; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.44; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="line-height: 1.44;">One day I was sitting in my church congregation and in front of me sat a beautiful mom and her sweet little baby girl. A sudden feeling of loss came over me. Tears sprang to my eyes and I knew I had to get out of that room quick! I did and tears came streaming down my face. This didn't have anything to do with the fact I couldn't get pregnant ...this had everything to do with the realization I was done taking care of my own babies. I think because family building had been so difficult the idea of “being done” was difficult to adjust to. My youngest at this point was now 4 and he was in his own church class while I was in mine. I was alone in a church class for the first time in 13 years. I missed that sweet time when they are little and have chubby hands that hold cute little toys. I missed the bottle feedings and the cheerios and crackers. I missed having my dress a mess with sticky finger goo. Watching the mom in front of me gave me a big smack of what life is now. No more babies. I cried for a while that day but then I accepted my life, remembered my own joy and moved forward. Thanks to all the healing that had taken place before, this new reality could be dealt with in a healthy way.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.44; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.44; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="line-height: 1.44;">Another surprise came to me when I realized, for whatever reason, the idea of going to a baby shower was and is worse than going to the dentist. I just don’t want to do it. It isn't that I feel so sad….it is just a new reality that - hey, I don’t have to go through all that anymore. I don’t have to put on a happy face while I watch and listen to things I never got to do. I love that people have babies….I love their babies! I love when my extended family has new babies! They are so cute and sweet and I am beyond happy for them. I have just found this is an area I don’t want to deal with anymore. And you know what….it’s ok! I do love to attend baby blessings and find great joy in seeing those cute little booties and sweet flowing dresses. It is a special time and I am thankful I get to be part of it. </span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.44;">I think the hardest thing I have had to face since we finished family building was a greater understanding that this challenge in life will be for my whole life. My bubble of “ok I am done family building, no need to worry about all of the things that go along with the reason I am infertile” (You know the health part of infertility...it is a disease actually). My infertility issue has a name. It is called PCOS or Polycystic Ovarian Disease. It comes with weight gain, facial hair, skin tags, pearl like cysts that cover the ovary and super fun (not!) large ovarian cysts that I have had to have removed or have the whole ovary removed. It also comes with increased risk of cancers, heart disease, diabetes and stroke. I am not sure why I subconsciously thought this issue would all go away when my family building was over. Maybe it was wishful thinking. :) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">In September of 2012 this little bubble of wishful thinking completely popped and WOW did it pop! Here is what I wrote on one of my personal blogs about the day my bubble popped.</span></div>
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</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.38; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.38; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><span style="line-height: 1.38; vertical-align: baseline;">“</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 1.38; vertical-align: baseline;">This past week I have been dealing with yet </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 1.38; vertical-align: baseline;">ANOTHER</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 1.38; vertical-align: baseline;"> cyst on my only ovary. At first the pain wasn't so bad so I decided to just start my meds to start my period in hopes the period would help resolve the cyst. By Thursday night I was in incredible pain and drove myself</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 1.38; vertical-align: baseline;"> (in the wee hours of the morning)</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 1.38; vertical-align: baseline;"> into the ER.</span><span style="line-height: 1.38; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 1.38; vertical-align: baseline;"> They felt the pain I was feeling was due to a rupture. I feel optimistic and have faith that it will heal and be ok. But I have realized in a deeper way"dealing with" infertility is more than just struggling to get pregnant. And "living with" being infertile is more than just not being able to bear children. It is a disease and while everyone who is infertile has a different story, women like me who suffer with PCOS have to live with the disease and all of it's complications. </span></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>I have thought I don't want to lose my last ovary because I hold on to this tiny itty bitty crumb of hope that maybe someday out of the blue pregnancy will occur. I have friends who feel this "hope" is what sets infertility apart from sterility. But what I am learning at least in my own case is this crumb of hope is a misguided hope... not true hope. This misguided hope puts me in harms way in many ways. I may have eggs but I don't have the right amount of hormones to allow the egg to ripen and release. When I used fertility meds to help with this I end up in the ER and the last time I ended up with a life threatening condition. Here I am 7 years after our last go with fertility meds/treatment and I am still struggling with my ovaries. With one removed and the other trying to heal from surgery, not even 6 months ago, I am still ending up in the ER and my children have to deal with Mommy being in bed. It's not fair to them, it's not fair to Brad and it's no longer going to be part of my story if I can help it at all. “</i></span></div>
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</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.38; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.38; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="line-height: 1.38;">It was only a short time after I wrote this I started taking birth control pills to prevent cysts from forming. It is the day hope died. But hope needed to die...in this case anyway.</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.38;">On this day I wrote the following on Facebook:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.44; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>“I know it is good to stay positive in life and I realize Facebook is a weird place to write feelings but I feel like I have to say this out loud to kind of mark the day and lay it to rest finally.
Today the hope, tiny and misguided as it was, died.</i></span></div>
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></i><br />
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<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="line-height: 1.44;">I will never see a positive pregnancy test.</span></span></i></div>
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></i>
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<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="line-height: 1.44;">I will never grow a child inside of my womb.</span></span></i></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.44;">I will never create a body that will be given a Spirit.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.44;">I will never feel life grow or move inside of me.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.44;">I will never give birth or be the first to hold my baby.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.44;">I will never see my blue eyes or curly hair on another human being.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>I will leave this earthly existence leaving nothing physical behind to go on for generations.</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>I hope my children will carry my passion for family and love for them onto their children and I hope in some way I will be remembered for something good.</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>I know I am a daughter of God and I know Jesus Christ is my Savior. It has been a long long road to get to today. Even before we were married I carried the burden of "what if". While today is a difficult day for me I know I have many things to live for and rejoice in. Tomorrow is a new day and it will be filled with a new kind of hope....one that is sure and true because I know my Savior heals broken things. I am not broken but laying this tiny misguided hope to rest hurts... but I know once His healing is applied I will be stronger and hopefully a better Brenda.</i></span></div>
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<i>Thanks for listening.”</i></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">While my heart had healed from the pain of infertility up to this point, I had to grieve this new reality. It was painful. But one thing I know for sure...It would have been even harder had I not dealt with the grief up to that point. I am so thankful I sought help when I did…..many years before this difficult experience. </span></div>
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I realize I have many more experiences to come that will sometimes hurt or cause me to remember the hurt of yesterday. I am sharing this with you in hopes it helps you know when you go through your own “new experiences” you are not alone. You are normal and you will become stronger with each new experience! </div>
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The best part of all of these experiences is the wonderful reality of family! I have a family. They are my greatest joys and I wouldn't trade them or any of my experiences for fertility or anything else! </div>
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Brenda Horrocks is a mother of four children through adoption.<br />
She promotes adoption, foster care and Utah’s Safe Haven Law through blogging, public speaking and writing. She enjoys time with family, reading books, running, gardening and movies.<br />
You can <a href="http://anothersmalladventure.blogspot.com/" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.4s ease-in-out; border: 0px; color: #14498d; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.4s ease-in-out;">visit her blog here.</a></div>
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SmallAdventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08993267241606514697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009674989871692973.post-65492940971307085412020-03-17T00:53:00.000-06:002020-03-20T00:53:28.536-06:00The Lucky Ones<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">*Originally written for Forever Bound Adoption.
<img alt="The Lucky Ones.jpg" height="495px;" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/LsEFntVW7SA3CorkipYs0qzjcJpRX-LpJzUpU0_ZG57WjkPNkILYf9ckojKHbia4_DkAhtN7xxlU6dwE0z__HTP6Dj7wZ0kZZdhW0_M-nOWeiBoPZSuiOvqvr60vGEPjP2pGEG4" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0.00rad); border: none; transform: rotate(0.00rad);" width="500px;" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do you remember the song from Amy Grant “Baby, I’m the lucky one”? It was a popular song while Brad and I were dating. It was kind of a running joke between us...we would fight over who the lucky one was in the relationship. He said he was and I bantered back stating he was wrong and I was really the lucky one! It is something silly we did then and even talk about now. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I feel like this happens when people who have never adopted find out Brad and I have adopted 4 children. Suddenly we are put up on a pedestal and we are “amazing people” or “wonderful”, “kind”, “so selfless”. These people are being very sweet so I don’t want them to feel bad but I do want them to understand the truth. So I thank them and say something like “Oh you are so nice but really the amazing ones are their Birth Parents who made an important plan for them so they could have the life they dreamed for their child. They are the wonderful, kind, and definitely the “selfless” ones! Brad and I are just benefiting from their loving plan they made for their child. I don’t always say all of this...usually pieces or whatever fits the conversation. My goal is to always to educate. But I also make sure people understand WE are the lucky ones….having these amazing children in our lives….in our family blesses us and fulfills the dreams we have held close to our hearts! </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our youngest child, Spencer, was adopted through foster care. He is considered a “Safe Haven Baby”. There are many who comment on how lucky he is to have such great parents to help him with some of his challenges. Just this past month Spencer had to have surgery for a burn scar that happened when he was one year old (He grabbed Brenley’s flat iron and got a 3rd degree burn). They did a Z Plasty to loosen the scar tissue. He was still on the med from that when he caught RSV. Spencer has asthma so respiratory illnesses are hard on him. We ended up in the ER with a full blown attack. We were in the doctors office for the asthma/RSV or the burn surgery follow ups every single day for a week. The next week he started vomiting due to either the virus his body was still fighting or the asthma. And just yesterday he was put in casts from his feet to his knees to help with his “tip-toe walking”. Most of these things have zero to do with any of his life during gestation or at birth or even hereditary. A few do since he was 8 weeks early. But either way he has some challenges we are facing together. After a long day I wrote this on my Facebook wall. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“</span><span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #141823; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He seems to be doing better tonight. Hoping it stays that way. He got his casts on today for his "tip toe" walking. He is actually really excited about them. He chose one red and one green. I call them his Christmas feet. We are still doing asthma treatments very 4 hours or sooner if needed, a different treatment in the morning and at night. He has a peak flow meter to show how things are going....his numbers are low but he is still in recovery stage. His hand is doing well. We are down to a sponge type of "bandage" that sits on top of his wound and then he has a pressure glove on top. Twice a day I take the glove off and wash his hand and apply a new coating of moisturizing lotion and then put a clean sponge on and then slip the glove back on. Sooo much easier than the big bandage changes. At night time he wears a splint that keeps his thumb/first finger area open. He has been such a brave kid. He has had moments when I can tell it is too much (usually in the doctors offices) but then he bucks up and handles it. I think of all the needs he has and I think of the decision his Birth Mom made for him 5 years ago and my heart is filled with love and gratitude. I am so thankful she has allowed us to be the ones to meet his needs! We are so lucky!!!! Good Night everyone! Thanks for the support! Sometimes it helps to post and just say "I am struggling"....I appreciate the positive thoughts.”
</span><span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #141823; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline;"> WE are so lucky, blessed and so thankful to have our children in our life! Then add the sweet relationship we have with their Birth Families and we have won the lottery! </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline;">Baby, we really are the lucky ones!</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline;">I have been thinking about this as we approach St. Patricks Day and I see cute shirts that say Kiss Me I”m Lucky or The Luck of the Irish etc. All of our children have a little or a lot of Irish blood so it is a fun month to kind of celebrate that little part of them and us (Brad and I are a little Irish too). I have gathered some fun St. Patrick's Day crafts and recipes you can use in your home to celebrate your lucky life you share with your amazing kids. Or maybe you are waiting and hoping and praying this year is your lucky year! I hope it is your lucky year! </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><i><img height="356px;" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/zJ-Qh4p9gSa71lNb1713vHSuD3IuTckIlQ2nGOawLSbJ5n9ihkgZfHdDGRLzL5VTcpguf7SPD8rB1hdqucg99vaNx7wG6lD8Z8sdldUGWuY3YIsMJYlKmQO_1FEMhaEd1BoWkd4" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0rad); border: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="236px;" /></i></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Cute kitchen craft by Jessica Weibel at JW Illustrations.</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="279px;" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/iX14y9QvnIgOxH6iXvX1zNlRw5UZ-oE2pjIqXyAl2d4z1LxA3TCo88tVJAw4iRwjd_0IuNr6vOlSeZh1UuBOnY_4WCih892hkkQ6Yd5SzW_F16Adpbujb5NiplpYnlN4QYqbEfg" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0rad); border: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="420px;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Fun toddler/preschooler craft by Tina over at Mamas Like Me.</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://oneshetwoshe.com/2009/03/soft-pretzels-st-patricks-day-style.html" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img height="319px;" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/rQvuzy_JUXhYRgHwdvJoPVYnM3P2NcE6WtRyxxIvyvDA_UarRfZjcopmPjArHUYfOQ1KpiZAXHLC7b0YYQJdNUgKNqMJDKN1bzyy3JfcNkTXxsWIR03PuhZYlsP_6laEjc4TNMA" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0rad); border: none; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="426px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>These are a huge hit at my house. Yummy soft pretzels shaped into shamrocks by Mariel at Or So She Says.</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="497px;" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/FaBbr2BqburkapP7ZMmwJPwwyTzZ5ay-SBRyseIx0iD2LZX04f0KiyJd4d9K3D2OkryAT4PQmnRu0lF8aMuNyYWV9r2qC240JKTD09Xg5MzrntwueD0RmjszHmA0BFDOzpslY7g" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0rad); border: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="372px;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Fun idea from The Jenny Evolution.</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="400px;" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/iiwGUMO-89InEN5hegJUkmFz4v6SQMKUgV02TZkK0FlpyrM41cQSt033PhDT89gcRYe8b7TrjuC2za40THyv_TwdbbWBkZTBnhMK4Yl-D_CKWIKPoiXFKkTeGiwYvs_0hFLCUYA" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0rad); border: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="301px;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Daniel Hunter at Snap. Scrap. Blog. Tweet.'s cute and fast paper craft to do with your kids.</i></td></tr>
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No matter what you decide to do with your kids this month just spending time with them lets them know how luck you feel to have them in your life!</div>
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<a href="http://scrappindanielle.blogspot.com/2011/02/kids-craft-idea-paper-rainbow-for-st.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a></div>
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Brenda Horrocks is a mother of four children through adoption.<br />
She promotes adoption, foster care and Utah’s Safe Haven Law through blogging, public speaking and writing. She enjoys time with family, reading books, running, gardening and movies.<br />
You can <a href="http://anothersmalladventure.blogspot.com/" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.4s ease-in-out; border: 0px; color: #14498d; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.4s ease-in-out;">visit her blog here.</a></div>
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SmallAdventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08993267241606514697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009674989871692973.post-21706063318542814392018-11-29T00:54:00.000-07:002018-11-29T00:54:23.277-07:00Childless at Christmas - A Survival Guide<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px solid rgb(225, 225, 225); color: #464646; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.3; margin-bottom: 10px;">
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Erma Bombeck stated: "There is nothing sadder in this world than to awake on Christmas morning and not be a child."</div>
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For a couple battling infertility, the statement could read: "There is nothing sadder in this world than to awake on Christmas morning to a house empty of children." I know this is true for me, because I have lived it. When you are a couple with empty aching arms, Christmastime can be brutal.</div>
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For those who are hurting and hoping, they are not alone. According to <a href="http://www.resolve.org/" style="color: #648eac; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">RESOLVE, The National Infertility Association</a>, 7.3 million Americans deal with infertility. I am one of them. My husband and I have been married for 18 years and I have never become pregnant.</div>
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Here are some ideas to help your holiday season be merry rather than miserable.</div>
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<span class="bold-text" style="font-weight: bold;">Create a list of things you enjoy doing together.</span>Pick one item each week and have it be your special holiday of the week. Take time to focus on one another and enjoy things you cannot do with children — like late night movies, fancy restaurants, an overnight at a favorite hotel, sleeping in followed by a late morning breakfast. Remember, even though you don’t have children, you are still a family. In a RESOLVE <a href="http://familybuilding.resolve.org/site/DocServer/08_Coping_with_the_Holidays.pdf?docID=4101" style="color: #648eac; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">fact sheet series about coping with the holidays</a>, founder Barbara Eck Menning says, “You're as entitled as anyone else to have a tree in your home, even if there are only two presents under it. How about throwing yourself into the search for, or the production of, a special present for your partner? It's a way of saying, 'Baby or no baby, we love each other and we’re a family in our own right.'”</div>
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<span class="bold-text" style="font-weight: bold;">Sometimes you have to protect yourself when you are in a great deal of pain</span>. If family gatherings are too much right now, then excuse yourself from the event and make other plans together or with other couples who are dealing with the same challenges. Those who love you will understand and be supportive.</div>
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<span class="bold-text" style="font-weight: bold;">Seek out and serve children.</span> For some couples, being around children brings hope. If this is how you feel then find ways to be around children. Offer to babysit for parents who need to do some gift shopping. Ask to hold a family member’s baby. Children in foster care are always in need of clothing items — coats, boots and gloves — and love new toys. Hospitals greatly appreciate clothing gifts for premature babies in their NICU. There are children hoping to be adopted from foster care who would love to have something special at Christmastime. Take toys and clothing items to a local homeless shelter. With so many children in need, there are many ways to nurture children and many children who need that nurturing.</div>
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<span class="bold-text" style="font-weight: bold;">Remember to take care of your mental and physical health.</span> Holidays are stressful for everyone, but when you have the added challenges of infertility the stress is compounded. Helen Adrienne, a psychotherapist, suggests couples seek out a yoga class or get a massage to help with the stress. She also states,<span class="bold-text" style="font-weight: bold;">“</span>Whether on your own or with professional help, if you successfully decide and declare your decisions about the holidays, you set yourselves up to minimize the impact of family/holiday stress on your bodies. And beyond the logistics of who and what, there exists a further opportunity to nurture the marriage. Now is the time to explore techniques of mind/body relaxation that you can enjoy together. Besides being on the same page, feeling loved and understood is palliative and has a positive impact as a stress reducer.” Go to her article titled <a href="http://www.inciid.org/article.php?cat=infertilitysupport&id=791" style="color: #648eac; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">"Dealing with the stress of the holidays"</a> to learn more.</div>
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<span class="bold-text" style="font-weight: bold;">Seek out others who understand.</span> Whether in person or online, being connected to couples who are going through or have gone through what you are, can really be a lifeline. Connecting online was a big key for me. I found commonality and developed special friendships. Here are a few of my favorite blogs/sites which tackle the infertility topic — <a href="http://www.therhouse.com/" style="color: #648eac; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">The R House</a>, <a href="http://www.ldsinfertility.org/" style="color: #648eac; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">LDS Infertility</a>, <a href="http://cloudsarefarbehindme.blogspot.com/" style="color: #648eac; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Beyond the Rain</a>. I share pieces of my infertility journey on my blog <a href="http://anothersmalladventure.blogspot.com/" style="color: #648eac; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Another Small Adventure</a> and my most tender writings on my other blog <a href="http://a-spot4beba.blogspot.com/" style="color: #648eac; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">I AM</a>.</div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">When you are dealing with infertility, it is hard sometimes to not feel “left out.” While attending a church activity for children in our neighborhood, a leader read a book titled “The Crippled Lamb” by Max Lucado. By the time she was done I was in a mess of tears and had to escape to the restroom. The story is about a little lamb named Joshua who has a crippled leg. Joshua feels left out because he can’t be like the other lambs in the field. He develops a special friendship with a cow named, Abigail. Abigail helps him see that “God has a special place for those who feel left out.” I have come to know this for myself. I hope this special time of year brings you great peace and hope and the knowledge of your “special place”.</span><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865568719/Childless-at-Christmas-A-survival-guide.html?pg=all">This article appeared in the Deseret News December 2012.</a></span></i><br />
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<i style="border: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: DroidSansRegular, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/2532957221/t3kwdfiqsgdxi3ki3k16_bigger.jpeg" />Brenda Horrocks is a mother of four children through adoption. She promotes adoption, foster care and Utah’s Safe Haven Law through blogging, public speaking and writing. She enjoys time with family, reading books, running, gardening and movies. You can visit her blog <a href="http://anothersmalladventure.blogspot.com/" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.4s ease-in-out; border: 0px; color: #14498d; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.4s ease-in-out;" target="_blank">here</a>.</i></div>
SmallAdventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08993267241606514697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009674989871692973.post-58585685824121869582018-11-29T00:52:00.000-07:002018-11-30T00:00:41.789-07:00Creating Christmas Traditions<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WfDaLMyvLdI/VIQnVeU1eCI/AAAAAAAAHXA/bS6iPxBN2o4/s1600/Christmas%2BTraditions%2BHeader%2Bstamped%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WfDaLMyvLdI/VIQnVeU1eCI/AAAAAAAAHXA/bS6iPxBN2o4/s1600/Christmas%2BTraditions%2BHeader%2Bstamped%2Bcopy.jpg" width="181" /></a><br />
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(*Written for Forever Bound Adoption December 2014)</div>
Many years ago when Brad and I were dreaming of starting a family I had big plans. I of course was going to be the perfect Mom and my kids would be incredible. Here we are, married twenty years and many of our "big plans" have changed to meet reality. Turns out I am not a perfect Mom but I do have some pretty incredible kids! I have grown up and learned a couple of things here and there. One great lesson has been tradition making. For many years after we were married we still followed our parents traditions when it came to big holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. You know the trading off which side of the family we would go to for Christmas Eve, kind of thing. Then after our daughters blessed our home we began to realize we needed to start establishing our own family traditions.<br />
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Maybe you are in that place where you are looking for special traditions you can implement into your family. Here are a couple of our favorites during the Christmas Season.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Christmas Stories</b></span></div>
Our book basket overflows with children's Christmas books in December. But my very favorite is called "The Crippled Lamb" by Max Lucado. It is a sweet story about a little lamb named Joshua who has a leg that doesn't work as it should and he has spots on his coat of wool. The other lambs in the field tease Joshua and he feels left out and alone. Joshua makes a special friend named Abigail who is a cow. She stays with Joshua in the barn while the other lambs to off to feed in a nearby field. Joshua gets the opportunity to see the new born baby Jesus and learns God has a special place for him and other who feel left behind. It is a tender story for me as I could relate to Joshua's feelings. I first heard this story during a church activity for children. At the time Brad and I were trying so hard to adopt and we had an adoption fall through. When I heard the story read to the children it felt like a special message just for me. It gave me hope! Each Christmas I share this sweet story with my kids and I share how I came to love this book. One year we created lamb ornaments for our tree. I am including a paper piecing pattern in case you would like to read this story and do this project with your children or children you love.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7t-jPxLB40g/VIQb7nSPSGI/AAAAAAAAHWc/8kv0r3ohO88/s1600/Lamb%2Bimage%2Bstamped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7t-jPxLB40g/VIQb7nSPSGI/AAAAAAAAHWc/8kv0r3ohO88/s640/Lamb%2Bimage%2Bstamped.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lVjtC8pxGu0/VIQb1SzW-iI/AAAAAAAAHWU/hDI2Oax_qFc/s1600/Christmas%2BLamb%2BPaper%2BPiecing%2BPattern%2BStamped%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lVjtC8pxGu0/VIQb1SzW-iI/AAAAAAAAHWU/hDI2Oax_qFc/s640/Christmas%2BLamb%2BPaper%2BPiecing%2BPattern%2BStamped%2Bcopy.jpg" width="491" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cute Lamb Paper Piecing Pattern. <br />
Great as a Christmas craft to go along with Max Lucado's book "The Crippled Lamb".</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0s174-Bi1FESzZkUlM4SVlkUnM/view?usp=sharing">Go here to download this pattern.</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Christmas Eve Nativity Craft</b></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">A few years ago we started a new tradition. Every Christmas Eve we gather together, pray together and watch a short version of the story of Christ's birth. We then present our children with their wrapped Christmas Pj's but we call them their "swaddling clothes". They LOVE this tradition! After sharing feelings and thoughts we turn to the kitchen table where they kids are able to create a small nativity craft. If you look around on Pinterest there are many options. Here are a couple of ideas we have used the past two years.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FBaSy5VetFk/VIQgbNLXrNI/AAAAAAAAHWs/7yXB3b3kdYQ/s1600/Homemade%2Bnativity%2B2012%2Bstamped%2Bfor%2BFBA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FBaSy5VetFk/VIQgbNLXrNI/AAAAAAAAHWs/7yXB3b3kdYQ/s640/Homemade%2Bnativity%2B2012%2Bstamped%2Bfor%2BFBA.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cute baby Jesus in a manger craft we used in 2012.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://craftysisters-nc.blogspot.com/2010/12/baby-jesus-ornament.html">You can go here for a tutorial.</a><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_9k8ku6MPDc/VIQgbMbzhuI/AAAAAAAAHWo/gU8OtF9EAng/s1600/Christmas%2BNativity%2BCraft%2BHorrocks%2BFamily%2B2013%2Bstamped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="353" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_9k8ku6MPDc/VIQgbMbzhuI/AAAAAAAAHWo/gU8OtF9EAng/s640/Christmas%2BNativity%2BCraft%2BHorrocks%2BFamily%2B2013%2Bstamped.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simple Nativity craft . Great for little hands. <br />
We used this one in 2013.</td></tr>
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<a href="http://media.ldscdn.org/pdf/magazines/friend-december-2013/2013-12-05-make-your-own-manger-eng.pdf">You can go here for a printable to use for this craft.</a></div>
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I love the quote from Nicholas Sparks:<span style="font-size: large;"><i> <br />"Sometimes the most ordinary things could be made extraordinary simply by doing them with the right people." </i></span> <br />
This is how I feel about traditions....at first they seem so simple and ordinary but as laughs are shared, moments made, then memories are created. It is a ever circling joy that keeps the family coming back to each other.<br />
Enjoy creating those special moments and joyful traditions!<br />
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<i>*Got a great idea for Christmas Traditions please share in the comments section! We would love to hear from you!</i></div>
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<a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/2532957221/t3kwdfiqsgdxi3ki3k16_bigger.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/2532957221/t3kwdfiqsgdxi3ki3k16_bigger.jpeg" /></a> <span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , "bitstream vera sans" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Brenda Horrocks is a mother of four children through adoption. She promotes adoption, foster care and Utah’s Safe Haven Law through blogging, public speaking and writing. She enjoys time with family, reading books, running, gardening and movies. You can visit her blog </i></span><a href="http://anothersmalladventure.blogspot.com/" style="-webkit-transition: all 0.4s ease-in-out; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #14498d; font-family: DroidSansRegular, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.4s ease-in-out;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: "verdana" , "bitstream vera sans" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">here</i></span></a><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: "verdana" , "bitstream vera sans" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i style="border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">.</i></span></div>
SmallAdventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08993267241606514697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009674989871692973.post-19435189891048326692018-11-28T21:45:00.000-07:002018-11-29T01:30:10.596-07:00Loving Ties~ Creating bonds and claiming your child.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qszqHae4kYI/VSnmAMz5LVI/AAAAAAAAKRA/kWlKa4Kxpdg/s1600/Bonding%2Band%2Bclaiming%2Byour%2Bchild%2Bfamily%2Bphoto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qszqHae4kYI/VSnmAMz5LVI/AAAAAAAAKRA/kWlKa4Kxpdg/s640/Bonding%2Band%2Bclaiming%2Byour%2Bchild%2Bfamily%2Bphoto.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Having been involved in
adoption for seventeen years I have heard many stories about adoption. Once in a
while I hear about an adoptive parent who is struggling with feeling their new
baby is “their baby”. <br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">There are many varying
scenarios where this sometimes occurs. <br />
The most common I see are: <br />
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">Adoptive couple has one
biological baby and this is their first adoption. Their placement
experience was different than their birthing experience and they compare
feelings between the two. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">The adoptive couple thought
there would be an instant bond but that expectation </span><span style="font-size: 15.3333330154419px;">wasn't</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"> met.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">The adoptive couple grew very
close to the expecting birth mom making it hard to feel like the baby is
“their” baby...they worry about hurting her feelings.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">Placement had some unexpected
events, conversations etc which has made bonding more difficult.<br />
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</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">I am sure the list could
go on but the point I am trying to make is how unknown variables can change the
expected experience.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">When our oldest daughter
was placed with us it </span><span style="font-size: 15.3333330154419px;">wasn't</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"> a direct placement. Her Birth Mom chose to have her mother and sister be the ones to place Brenley in our arms. We
had two experiences right before we went into the room for placement and then
one during the actual placement bringing very unexpected feelings and
experiences.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Once Brenley’s birth mom
said her goodbyes she left and </span><span style="font-size: 15.3333330154419px;">didn't</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"> want to see us. We were told
when she was leaving she was having a hard time. I had a rush of
emotion come over me as realized in a very deep and personal way how much pain
this sweet girl, we love so much, was in. I know I don’t know what
she felt but the experience I had felt like a gift from God...giving me a
flavor of her grief. It was profound. It brought a
different feeling to our excitement. We were still very excited but it ushered
a deep sense of humility.</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u3gMlNZ-o1w/VSnmJSZyXkI/AAAAAAAAKRI/fhsekc4Rcdk/s1600/Bonding%2Band%2Bclaiming%2Byour%2Bchild%2BBrenley%2Bplacement%2Bstamped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u3gMlNZ-o1w/VSnmJSZyXkI/AAAAAAAAKRI/fhsekc4Rcdk/s640/Bonding%2Band%2Bclaiming%2Byour%2Bchild%2BBrenley%2Bplacement%2Bstamped.jpg" width="497" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">During the placement
some words were spoken which made me worry someone was going to come and take
Brenley away from us sometime after placement. We were told after
Brenley’s birth grandmother and aunt left what was truly meant by the words but
the feeling was there. We had been through a failed placement just
a few months before so the fear of losing this baby was real and almost
tangible. Thankfully we were blessed with an amazing and instant bond we
nurtured and felt grow every single day. However, the fear of losing her
was always in my mind and brought about much anxiety which fed into a post-adoption
depression. I was extremely joyful but always worried. This
same experience for another couple may have made it hard to bond because of the
fear of losing the child.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gbnviCtVuQM/VSnmT9ANlHI/AAAAAAAAKRQ/qP3YpY-o4MY/s1600/Bonding%2Band%2Bclaiming%2Byour%2Bchild%2Bcamden%2Bpicture%2Bstamped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15.3333330154419px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gbnviCtVuQM/VSnmT9ANlHI/AAAAAAAAKRQ/qP3YpY-o4MY/s640/Bonding%2Band%2Bclaiming%2Byour%2Bchild%2Bcamden%2Bpicture%2Bstamped.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">When our oldest son and third child was placed with us he wasn't a newborn<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">.
Camden was 8 months old on the day of placement. He had bonded well
to his birth family and he loved them. He still loves them. </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><br />Bonding
with a child who is a little older can take a little more time. We
did have a bond to him even before placement because we had been friends with
his birth mother during her pregnancy. We felt a connection to him
through her. But we needed to claim him. We invited his birth
family over to our home after placement for a placement dinner. We
showed his sweet birth mother his room and toys. We made her part
of his experience here in our home. This was a special opportunity and
really helped everyone in the transition. Once everyone had gone home we
got to be alone with our new son and we played and held him and loved him.
He was our son….and the bonding continued. </span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Camden walked a month
after placement. We felt we had a baby for a few minutes and then
he quickly became a toddler. He was everywhere and into everything.
By 15 months old he was climbing out of his crib and with that amazing
feat came poop painting all over his room. It happened multiple
times and it </span><span style="font-size: 15.3333330154419px;">wasn't</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"> fun to clean up and it </span><span style="font-size: 15.3333330154419px;">wasn't</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"> easy...none of it was. Sometimes I wondered what on earth we got ourselves into.
But then I remembered my love for him and how he was meant to be
with us. Once again I claimed my child. He is my little
boy. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">
If you are struggling with feeling the bond, you so long for, you need to
assert and take time to make that bond. Here are some things you can do:</span></span><br />
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">We love those we serve….make
sure you are meeting your baby’s needs. Don’t make the mistake
of letting them cry themselves to sleep...when their needs are met they
know they can count on your...this helps their bond. When you
serve and give your baby what they need this helps your bond to them.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">Both parents...take the
opportunity to do skin to skin contact with your newborn. Allow them to
fall asleep on your chest. Once again this bonding moment helps both
parent and child. You feel the rhythm of their heart and their
breathing and they hear and feel yours. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">Of course your baby is going to
look like their birth parents. Embrace those things you see.
At the same time look for similarities they may have with
you...maybe it is the shape of their feet or toes, maybe it is hair color,
maybe it is how big or small their hands are or a funny little look they
give. Love sees the similarities and loves the differences.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">Swaddle your baby in a blanket
and in your arms. Don’t just hold them during feedings take lots of
time with them holding them, rocking them, talking to them, singing to
them. Be in the moment with them. Same with a
toddler….have lap time, reading time, snuggle time. Put aside
the responsibilities of the day and be with your child.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;">
Claiming your child </span><span style="font-size: 15.3333330154419px; line-height: 17.6333332061768px;">doesn't</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> mean the child </span><span style="font-size: 15.3333330154419px; line-height: 17.6333332061768px;">isn't</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> part of their birth family….it
just means they are yours too. Every birth mother wants you to bond
and claim the baby they love and claim too. They want their child
to be loved and treasured….they want them to be yours in your heart and mind
and soul. And when you claim your child you are claiming those
amazing people who brought them into this world. This </span><span style="font-size: 15.3333330154419px; line-height: 17.6333332061768px;">isn't</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> a tug of
war….this is family!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;">
Every parent/child relationship develops in its own time and way. Not
matter if your child is born into your family or adopted into your family, if
you nurture your love it will grow and expand until it fills all of those
places in your heart and you belong to one another! <br /><br /><i>*Originally written for Forever Bound Adoption Agency Blog.</i></span></span><br />
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SmallAdventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08993267241606514697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009674989871692973.post-68631946751323104122017-11-12T15:38:00.001-07:002017-11-12T15:38:58.956-07:00Celebrating Adoption ~Ideas for Couples and Families<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gnzjjaoT7Z8/VE_SP6ndc3I/AAAAAAAAHDE/jfqQOpWNJCA/s1600/Main%2Bphoto%2Bfor%2Bcelebrating%2Badoptin%2Bnov%2B2014%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gnzjjaoT7Z8/VE_SP6ndc3I/AAAAAAAAHDE/jfqQOpWNJCA/s1600/Main%2Bphoto%2Bfor%2Bcelebrating%2Badoptin%2Bnov%2B2014%2Bcopy.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
November is just a few days away and we are seeing the sights of the upcoming holidays as we visit retail shops or go online to read blogs, visit Pinterest or shop amazon. But November brings another reason to celebrate. November is National Adoption Awareness month. A whole month dedicated to the amazing work of adoption. It seems so fitting to have adoption month come in the same month as Thanksgiving. Adoption brings much to be thankful for!<br />
So what can we do as couples and families to celebrate this precious wonder in our life? <br />
The list is long and the options are endless!<br />
Here are a few ideas.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: "felix titling"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Celebrating Adoption with Birth Families</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">Invite your child’s (or children’s) Birth Families over for a special “Giving Thanks for Adoption” dinner. You could serve a traditional Thanksgiving type dinner or serve a favorite family meal<br />Or use recipes given to you from your children’s Birth Families.<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">Serve and share your children’s favorite recipes with your dinner guests. This would be something your kids could help with and would be a special gift to their Birth Parents. If you wanted to go a step further you could create a “family favorites “ cookbook and give each Birth Parent a copy. The kids could help create the book and decorate it themselves.<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">Invite Birth Family members over for an Adoption Family Fun night where you play games, watch movies and share your kids favorite treats. Ask Birth Family members to bring their favorite family games and treats. This is a great way to learn about one another’s family gathering traditions.<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">If your children’s Birth Parents live far away you could create a special care package with meaningful items to let them know they are loved and you are thinking of them during this special month. You could use the cookbook idea or single recipes to send to them along with a homemade apron or treats. Go with your personality and share what fits for them.<o:p></o:p></li>
</ul>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "felix titling"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Celebrating Adoption in your home</span></b><br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
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<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Place adoption books, magazines and/or movies that mention adoption (for all ages) in a basket and place it in a common area of your home. Read an adoption book a day to your child or children. Watch the movies together as a family.<br />
<u>Here are a few of our families favorite Movies and Books:</u><o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qm10PM1OhaI/VE_SXXpgNpI/AAAAAAAAHDM/0cAWVzppHaU/s1600/Adoption%2BBooks%2Bin%2BBasket%2Bstamped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qm10PM1OhaI/VE_SXXpgNpI/AAAAAAAAHDM/0cAWVzppHaU/s1600/Adoption%2BBooks%2Bin%2BBasket%2Bstamped.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adoption Book and movie Basket. Great way to highlight adoption at home.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
The Odd Life of Timothy Green<br />
The Blind Side<br />
Juno<br />
Despicable Me<br />
Man of Steel<br />
Stitch<br />
Annie<br />
Tell Me Again About the Night I was Born by Jamie Lee Curtis<br />
Once Upon a Time – And Adoption Story by Ashley Bigler<br />
The Very Best Thing for TJ by Halene Dahlstrom<br />
My Parents Picked Me! By Pat Thomas and Lesley Harker<br />
I Love you More than Tongues Can Tell by Znne T. Zwicker Megan by Jack Weyland<br />
For the Love of a Child by Monica Blume and Gideon Burton<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Decorate your home with adoption sayings, cute banners or special pictures of your children, your family and your children’s Birth Families.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Pull out picture books or scrapbooks and take time to look through them with your child or children. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-toLnEJ5XQpc/VE_Ta3cg_gI/AAAAAAAAHDY/pDdg9Q3K1l4/s1600/Nuts%2Babout%2Badoption%2Binvite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-toLnEJ5XQpc/VE_Ta3cg_gI/AAAAAAAAHDY/pDdg9Q3K1l4/s1600/Nuts%2Babout%2Badoption%2Binvite.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Here is the invite we are using for our adoption celebration. </i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<!--[if !supportLists]--><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-toLnEJ5XQpc/VE_Ta3cg_gI/AAAAAAAAHDY/pDdg9Q3K1l4/s1600/Nuts%2Babout%2Badoption%2Binvite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-toLnEJ5XQpc/VE_Ta3cg_gI/AAAAAAAAHDY/pDdg9Q3K1l4/s1600/Nuts%2Babout%2Badoption%2Binvite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><br /><span style="font-size: 7pt; text-align: center;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large; font-stretch: normal;"><i>You can grab this printable<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0s174-Bi1FEYmdnY3U1TWtxX0U/view?usp=sharing"> here.</a></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Hold a “We’re NUTS about Adoption” gathering. Have a “Peanuts” style Thanksgiving dinner. This could be just a family gathering or you could invite birth families, extended families and neighbors. It could be as big or small as you wish. Diana over at <a href="http://www.thegirlcreative.com/a-charlie-brown-thanksgiving/">thecreativegirl.com blog</a> shares some really cute ways to create a Peanuts style thanksgiving dinner. From invitations to a popcorn turkey…she has gathered great ideas from many other blogs and put them in one place. The ideas would work perfect for this type of event. We are going to try this idea out this year. We think it is going to be a hit! <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "felix titling"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Don’t have children in your home just yet?</span></b><br />
You can tailor any of the ideas listed to meet your circumstances or create something entirely different. Here are a couple ideas:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Hold a “Grateful for Hope” dinner. Invite people who are supportive of your efforts. You could make it formal or hold a party style dinner. Have fun and make it whatever you want. This would be a great time to remind our family and friends you are trying to adopt and let them know how they can help you in your efforts. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Create an adoption book club for a whole year or even just a book or two for November. You can invite couples who have already adopted or make it a club for couples working towards an adoption.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "felix titling"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">November is a great time to advocate for adoption<br />
</span></b>Anytime you can help someone in your community understand what adoption really is about you are helping protect the future of adoption. Here are a few ideas you can do in November or plan to do throughout the coming year. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">Make a video portraying adoption as a positive option. Create something touching and educational then share it on YouTube and other social media sites.<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">Create an adoption awareness week in your area. This could include workshops where people can learn about the adoption process, a birth parent panel and/or something fun at your local library where kids who were adopted can come and create a craft or have adoption related stories read to them. <o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">Hold a craft night for women who love adoption. Birth Mothers, adoptive mothers, adoptees etc can come together to create and chat.<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">Write articles for a local newspaper or blog. Share your story. Personal stories touch hearts.<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">Help with school outreach.<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">Hold a 5K fun run. This creates awareness and it something fun anyone can be involved with.<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">Hold an adoption open house where people can come and ask questions. Invite local agencies and organizations to come and be part of educating your community.<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">Attend adoption activities sponsored by adoption organizations<span style="color: blue; mso-themecolor: hyperlink;"> <a href="http://www.unitedforadoption.org/">United For Adoption</a> </span>holds their <a href="http://www.unitedforadoption.org/united-for-adoption-annual-conference-registration/">Annual Adoption Conference</a> in November. <br />
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The list could go on and on. Do something that fits you and your situation<o:p></o:p></div>
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Some of my family’s favorite moments together have been while promoting and celebrating adoption. Adoption is something each of us have in common and serving together for this great cause has brought us great joy! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Adoption is truly something to celebrate!</span><br /><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/2532957221/t3kwdfiqsgdxi3ki3k16_bigger.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/2532957221/t3kwdfiqsgdxi3ki3k16_bigger.jpeg" /></a><br />
<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Verdana, Bitstream Vera Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Brenda Horrocks is a mother of four children through adoption. She promotes adoption, foster care and Utah's Safe Haven Law through blogging, public speaking and writing. She enjoys time with family, reading books, running, gardening and movies. You can visit her blog <a href="http://anothersmalladventure.blogspot.com/">here</a>.</i><br />
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*Originally written for Forever Bound Adoption Website.</div>
SmallAdventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08993267241606514697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009674989871692973.post-28937733053446186282016-11-05T19:14:00.001-06:002016-11-05T19:14:41.986-06:00Teaching children Gratitude.<i>*Originally written for Forever Bound Adoption Website.</i><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zzDzVEjPxpA/VGUQr3pFc0I/AAAAAAAAHF4/rpjEo7PDNS4/s1600/Teaching%2BChildren%2BGratitude%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zzDzVEjPxpA/VGUQr3pFc0I/AAAAAAAAHF4/rpjEo7PDNS4/s320/Teaching%2BChildren%2BGratitude%2Bcopy.jpg" width="243" /></a>Thanksgiving is a special time of year when families gather,
memories are shared and new memories are made.
Many families take turns sharing what they are most thankful for as they
sit around the table filled with savory dishes waiting to be devoured. Having the attitude of gratitude is an
important gift we can give to the children in our lives. November brings a great opportunity to teach
gratitude. You don’t have to have
children in your own home to use these ideas.
Teaching children in your extended family, in your neighborhood or in
your church congregation, would be a great way to bless the lives of children
around you. Sometimes an Aunt or Uncle
or special neighbor can impact a child’s life in a unique and special way.<br />
<br />
<b>Teaching Gratitude starts with words:</b> Saying “Thank You” often is a great way to
help children learn to say thank you.
When our children were little toddlers we would hand them something they
wanted and we would say “Thank You”. It
didn't take long for our child to start saying those words to us.<br />
<br />
<b>Thank You Notes:</b> Thank you notes written to our children not
only teaches by example, it allows our child to feel special and begin to
understand what it feels like to be appreciated. <br />
<br />
<b>Stories about giving thanks: </b> Keep a
basket filled with books, magazine articles and/or movies for all ages that
teach the art of being thankful. We try to add a new book to our collection
each year . Visiting your local library
is another way to add a few books to your basket for the season.<br />
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<b>Special acts of service: </b>Look for opportunities to serve others in
your family, extended family and/or community.
Helping others gives children the opportunity to give back and see how
their service touches the heart of another.<br />
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<b>November “Giving Thanks” packages:</b> Kids love to create so taking treats to a
neighbor, or creating their own thank you notes, is a great way to get kids involved in showing gratitude. This year we are taking these little turkey
baskets filled with goodies and a note of thanks to some special people in the
lives of our children.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZVRgGNzFBqc/VGUWfea4A0I/AAAAAAAAHGY/qlhVB93Fab8/s1600/Turkey%2Bpattern%2Bstamped%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZVRgGNzFBqc/VGUWfea4A0I/AAAAAAAAHGY/qlhVB93Fab8/s320/Turkey%2Bpattern%2Bstamped%2Bcopy.jpg" width="249" /></a></div>
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<i style="font-size: x-large;">Get the pattern <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0s174-Bi1FEVU5FR1RmSFYzelk/view?usp=sharing">here.</a></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><a href="http://anothersmalladventure.blogspot.com/2010/11/creating-life-giving-back.html">Go here </a>to learn how to create the paper basket.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wDhuMJUznpc/VGURzha_sgI/AAAAAAAAHGA/uk3beTzsV_w/s1600/Turkey%2Bpieces%2Bstep%2Bstamped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wDhuMJUznpc/VGURzha_sgI/AAAAAAAAHGA/uk3beTzsV_w/s400/Turkey%2Bpieces%2Bstep%2Bstamped.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Trace, cut and chalk or ink the sides.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GLNMb4dypIc/VGURzv4AZbI/AAAAAAAAHGI/pfL6axGXIK8/s1600/Turkey%2Bstep%2B%2Bstamped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GLNMb4dypIc/VGURzv4AZbI/AAAAAAAAHGI/pfL6axGXIK8/s400/Turkey%2Bstep%2B%2Bstamped.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Glue together. Don't forget to dot in the eyes.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JNB5qYQCeUE/VGURzn5kM3I/AAAAAAAAHGE/K29__EtByYU/s1600/Turkey%2Bwaiting%2Bto%2Bbe%2Bfilled%2Bstamped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JNB5qYQCeUE/VGURzn5kM3I/AAAAAAAAHGE/K29__EtByYU/s640/Turkey%2Bwaiting%2Bto%2Bbe%2Bfilled%2Bstamped.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thanksgiving baskets ready to fill with goodies and a note of gratitude.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Thanksgiving is a great time to share a special note of thanks to our children's birth families.</b> Any of these ideas can be used to tell the special Birth Families in our lives
Thank You! I feel there aren't enough ways to tell my
children’s birth families thank you!
Nothing measures up to the joy they have brought into my life and into
my family. When I create something with
my own hands and give it to them, it is my hope they realize my gratitude and
love for them runs deep. When my children create pictures (like a hand turkey) for their birth parents they get excited because it is something they did themselves. What a great opportunity we have to share our love with these incredible people in our life!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jygcj92C8e0/VGUtofwCWwI/AAAAAAAAHGk/Y1feyWLSkZM/s1600/Haley%2BThanksgiving%2Bbasket%2Bstamped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jygcj92C8e0/VGUtofwCWwI/AAAAAAAAHGk/Y1feyWLSkZM/s640/Haley%2BThanksgiving%2Bbasket%2Bstamped.jpg" width="360" /></a></i></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>
</i></span><i style="font-size: xx-large;">Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!!</i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/2532957221/t3kwdfiqsgdxi3ki3k16_bigger.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/2532957221/t3kwdfiqsgdxi3ki3k16_bigger.jpeg" /></a><br />
<i style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Verdana, Bitstream Vera Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Brenda Horrocks is a mother of four children through adoption. She promotes adoption, foster care and Utah's Safe Haven Law through blogging, public speaking and writing. She enjoys time with family, reading books, running, gardening and movies. You can visit her blog <a href="http://anothersmalladventure.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">here</a>.</i></div>
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<o:p></o:p>SmallAdventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08993267241606514697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009674989871692973.post-11442457658524889202016-06-25T23:21:00.000-06:002016-07-01T17:08:34.335-06:00The Day I Played.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One afternoon I had just settled down into the world’s best
recliner <i>(seriously…best money ever spent at RC Willey)</i> and was very ready for
a moment to myself. My little Spencer
comes up to me for the millionth time that week and asked me to play Lego’s with
him. I really don’t want to….I just
want “my time”. But something about the
way he is looking at me this time makes me realize he really needs me. So I put on my super mom cape and go to the
business of doing what moms do best…..sacrifice their time for their child’s
needs. At least that is what I was
thinking at the time.</div>
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I sat down at the tiny red Lego table Brad and I made for our boys for
Christmas. The tiny red chair, way too small for my backside but not too
uncomfortable became my station in this world he created. The playing begins….I decided to put some of
my own imagination into it and the story started unfolding. Spencer became Batman and I was just Brenda
but I was helping Batman. I starting
introducing non-Lego toys into the play and things starting getting a little
giggly. But when I placed Joker on the Lego
horse and then put a Littlest Pet Shop acorn in Joker’s hand and called it a
Cherry bomb, Spencer laughed so hard he couldn’t talk. I also saw the awesome silly humor and
caught the laughing bug. Before I knew
it we were both laughing so hard we couldn’t play for a few minutes. Then things got really crazy and the
laughing became hysterical! In that
moment I was really truly present with my sweet little boy and having more fun
and releasing more stress then I ever could by sitting in the world’s best
recliner. </div>
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I learned a great lesson that day. It
wasn’t me putting on a super mom cape and sacrificing my time for my child’s
need. The superhero was really Spencer. He helped me relax, have fun and laugh away
my concerns of the day. He was taking
his time away from his short childhood to include me in his imagination play. What an amazing privilege it was to be
invited into his amazing world!!!</div>
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I now look forward to our continued “game” in Spencer’s Lego world. Best therapy ever!!!!</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>I love my </i>Super Spencer.<br /><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MheW7WaF4Fg/V29lUyPQkAI/AAAAAAAAQ5s/Hdca86QGHRs9JwrLVZkI6o1Jb-3XANlYQCLcB/s1600/heart%2B%25282%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MheW7WaF4Fg/V29lUyPQkAI/AAAAAAAAQ5s/Hdca86QGHRs9JwrLVZkI6o1Jb-3XANlYQCLcB/s200/heart%2B%25282%2529.png" width="200" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Hero of my heart!</i></span></div>
<o:p></o:p>SmallAdventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08993267241606514697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009674989871692973.post-8666774946082139252016-04-16T22:21:00.000-06:002016-04-28T23:41:25.908-06:00Overcoming<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i4tf8DsuVkQ/Vw3I7oyM32I/AAAAAAAAPn8/dX1k5IJjrzwnHciT1nHJ8ct9W_cQDkmQgCLcB/s1600/lds-printables-general-conference-2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i4tf8DsuVkQ/Vw3I7oyM32I/AAAAAAAAPn8/dX1k5IJjrzwnHciT1nHJ8ct9W_cQDkmQgCLcB/s400/lds-printables-general-conference-2016.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Sometime in very late January or early February I came home from work and Haley pulled me into the living room and poured her heart out to me about how badly she was being treated by friends and how much she just didn't want to deal with the pain anymore. She cried harder than I have ever seen her cry and as I reach out to her and pulled her close to me and held her for a long time I realized she wasn't just totally heart broken but she was fiery hot with a fever. She had a horrible cough to add to her horrible fever. She was fragile emotionally and physically. After talking on the phone with a doctor I learned how physical illness can make depression worse. This made complete sense and I wondered why I hadn't thought of it myself. That night and many many nights following I slept downstairs on the couch so I could be by Haley. Within a couple days I running a fever and coughing. By the 4th day the whole family was sick. It was not a fun time in our home. Haley and I had the worst of it. We went to the doctor only to be told it was a virus and go home, rest and drink fluids. It was the first time I think in my whole life I called someone in my ward and asked for help with a meal. And being the wonderful friends they are we were taken care of that night and a few nights following. <br />
<br />
It was during this illness and intense concern for my daughter's health and well being that I had a breaking moment. I cried harder than I had cried in a while. I'm sure from the outsider's perspective I looked like I was crying only because I was so sick (which illness was a huge part of it) but there was so much more. All the pain of all the trials from the past 12 months came down on me in a way I can't describe. I think those feelings had been sitting there festering for a long time. Feelings about all of my children's challenges, to my weight challenges, to the criticism I endured from others while serving in Young Women's, and difficult feelings coming from the hurtful silence from those who should have come to our aid on our darkest days. I was also letting out my feelings of sadness for all the things I couldn't give my children because we live too far away from everything. And it wasn't just the distance... it was the financial struggle as we paid more and more towards doctors visits, ER visits and all things medical. I felt locked into a life I didn't like anymore. I wanted to give my children more experiences, more of my time and much sweeter memories. I wanted them to have more time with Brad...be a little closer to help cut a little time off his commute. I knew on that very day I was done, but I had no idea how to share all of these tender feelings with Brad. I wasn't sure how to tell him how I knew if we continued to live here I would heading to a mental breakdown. <br />
<br />
Somehow in the Lord's own way He was able to help me communicate to Brad my needs. And Brad heard me but more importantly Brad heard Him. And here we are about a week away from moving. A week away from a fresh start in a smaller house which doesn't have everything we dreamed we would have but has everything we need. I have seen the Lord's hand guide us and help us! I have felt His tender mercies upon my family! <br />
<br />
Haley has greatly improved!!! I can see the happy girl who fills my life with sunshine! I also see a a girl who is a little wiser and is open with her feelings more often. Our whole family has been making changes for the better and we are working together to overcome the stumbling blocks. I am feeling joy again and I have hope again and feel excited about our future! I am ready for this incredible chance to make a fresh start! Fresh sounds beautiful to me!!!<br />
<br />SmallAdventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08993267241606514697noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009674989871692973.post-22480814738121861302016-01-12T12:52:00.000-07:002017-05-26T23:58:58.580-06:00Social life at school through the eyes of a teenage girl. <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HcGgOX_I7ho/VpVTQX7HpZI/AAAAAAAAOmo/KHeflSxbqsY/s1600/Haley%2527s%2Beye%2Bstamped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HcGgOX_I7ho/VpVTQX7HpZI/AAAAAAAAOmo/KHeflSxbqsY/s320/Haley%2527s%2Beye%2Bstamped.jpg" width="320" /></a>People always told us "Just wait until you have teenagers". Well here we are, in the trenches of our daughters adolescence and lets just say I have a love/pain relationship. My girls are amazing!!! They are so much fun and make me laugh so hard I cry. But there is a side to their teenage experience that is full of pain....their pain... which in turn brings pain to my heart. With one daughter full of so much anxiety about grades, scholarships, "what will I be when I grow up" and what college will she go to, she has missed out on the fun of being a high school student. While she is confident in her talent as a writer she is less confident of the way she looks. As beautiful as she is, she looks around and see's what she isn't.....stick thin. She compares her body type to other girls her age and feels less than who she really is. I cringe as I realize many of the things she says about her body I have said about mine. I also relate to her idea of feeling "less than" the other girls her age. My whole adolescence was full of this type of mindset. Jr. High was the worst for me. High school it got better but in my junior year my home life took a turn downhill for a while and all I could do was sleep, eat, self-loath and repeat. So as my daughter feels discouraged I hurt for her because I understand the her pain.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-peAU5aIlBG8/VpVTY6INDPI/AAAAAAAAOm0/OfwqJOoosYM/s1600/Haley%2Blove%2Byourself.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-peAU5aIlBG8/VpVTY6INDPI/AAAAAAAAOm0/OfwqJOoosYM/s320/Haley%2Blove%2Byourself.jpg" width="319" /></a>Our younger daughter is only 13 and loves to make friends. This is great except once she becomes friends with someone,, she cares so deeply she starts to take and internalize any struggles or pain they may be going through. Brad and I had no idea how deep her stress was until Christmas day when I felt prompted to check on her and found her with many many cuts on her upper legs. She had held her stress and worries and pain in so much she wasn't sure how to overcome the struggle. Cutting became her answer and to our surprise we have come to learn cutting seems to be the coping mechanism of choice for her generation. This is a straight A, talented, beautiful, compassionate and obedient young woman. She has parents who are happily married and has great support. And yet it still happened. If you are reading this and you think all is well with your teen...take time to dig deeper, ask more pointed questions, read your teen's texts messages, emails and keep track of them on social media. You will quickly learn what type of friends are influencing your teen. There may be nothing to worry about, but what if there is? Then you start talking and talking and talking some more. You watch differently and pray harder. You gather as a family and support your teen (or as in our family....teens). <br />
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There have been many tears from all of us and many sleepless nights. But we are also gaining a stronger relationship, a greater understanding of what our teen and others face at school every single day. <br />
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Here is what we have found out about life of a middle school student. Not all of this has happened to our daughter but all of it is happening to someone's daughter or son.<br />
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<li>Boys are asking girls out, asking them for nude photos or even sex and when the girl keeps saying No No No....the boy says "If you don't go out/ send me the photo/have sex with me I am going to kill myself." Pure manipulation!!!</li>
<li> Then we have boys who use their sad life (and I am sure their lives are sad at home...too many reports of abuse and neglect etc) to manipulate a girl they like by getting their attention through their "poor me" verbiage. The boys cut their arms or stomachs to deal with their pain but then they tell the girl they like all the details and they tell her they just want to die. </li>
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So if the girl is like my girls they worry and stress over what to do, how to fix him, how to help him. But truthfully their young minds don't realize....they don't have the power to "fix" or "help". The only power they have is to tell. Telling an adult who can then call upon the people who have the power to help. My girls are learning not to allow boys to manipulate them emotionally in this way and they are talking and telling and then Brad and I talk and tell the people who have the power to do something<br />
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The words said to students by their peers at the middle school is horrible. <br />
For example:<br />
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<li>One teen is talking in class and another teen decides to say "Shut up! Go die in a hole!". </li>
<li>Phrases like "oh, look at it!" will seep through a mean boy's lips as he and his friends laugh at the girls expense. </li>
<li>Girls are gossiping about other girls, spreading rumors and lies.</li>
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The examples could go on to make a very long list. The social behavior is a mess and not the best environment for learning. <br />
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I have watched my girls grow stronger the past 3 weeks. Brenley is getting out of her shell and being much more social and worrying a little less about everything. Haley is starting to see she is worth more than what her friends have given her and she is making new friends. Both my girls are getting help and moving forward. Our whole family is in the process of learning and healing. We are pulling back from things that are not as important and choosing our family. We only have one shot at this and we hope to do it right! With the Lord's help we know we will get through this stronger and more unified!!<br />
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As our family has talked through the issues we are facing we have developed a new phrase. <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Friends Tell! </b></span></div>
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So as a friend to most of my readers I am telling and sharing with you the few things I have quickly learned the past few weeks. As I learn more I will share more. I write this post with permission from my daughters and husband. These are hard trials and writing is my coping skill. It is our family's hope that this post and others to come will help your family.<br />
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<i>*Note to family: We would rather not go over this again on the phone or through a message. Please send your prayers and positive support but please don't call to call to talk about this. We are coping..and writing is my way of doing that. (Grandparents excluded in this).</i></div>
SmallAdventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08993267241606514697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009674989871692973.post-18872942994021001862015-08-10T00:00:00.000-06:002015-08-10T00:00:03.167-06:00Spencer turns 6!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sTuC9tNYyKU/VcgOIQKUFeI/AAAAAAAAL7o/uSj0VG1DXms/s1600/Spencer%2Bin%2Bnicu%2B1%2Bday%2Bold%2Bstamped%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sTuC9tNYyKU/VcgOIQKUFeI/AAAAAAAAL7o/uSj0VG1DXms/s640/Spencer%2Bin%2Bnicu%2B1%2Bday%2Bold%2Bstamped%2Bcopy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Happy 6th Birthday to my tiny little boy!!!<br />If I could describe you in one word it would be Miracle!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />Love makes little things grow!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I Love You!!!</span></div>
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SmallAdventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08993267241606514697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009674989871692973.post-83886180308868917132015-06-18T00:52:00.001-06:002015-06-18T00:52:35.096-06:00Alyssa Diaz Has Our Vote for Miss Utah 2015!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I had the privilege of doing a write up for one of my favorite young adults. Alyssa Diaz. She is talented and full of heart. Another thing I adore about her is her love for Adoption. <br />Our Family along with is rooting for her to take the crown! <br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RXNAixumSTY/VYJo7wHeReI/AAAAAAAALRk/F_odb4UMWGw/s1600/Alyssa%2B3%2BPublicity%2B%2BCard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RXNAixumSTY/VYJo7wHeReI/AAAAAAAALRk/F_odb4UMWGw/s640/Alyssa%2B3%2BPublicity%2B%2BCard.jpg" width="408" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Andalus","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Alyssa
Diaz, Miss Eagle Mountain 2014, is the sweetheart of the Utah Adoption
community. She believes in promoting the
positive benefits of adoption. She has
witnessed first-hand the love between adoptive and birth families. Alyssa’s Mother is a Birth Mother who placed
her baby in an open adoption years before it was a popular to have
openness. Alyssa and her family enjoy an
extraordinary relationship with this special sibling and have seen how adoption
blesses all the lives involved.<br />
This past year Alyssa has worked closely with various adoption organizations
including United For Adoption, Forever Bound Adoption and Utah Adoption
Association to help promote adoption awareness. She has been involved with online support
groups and local events such as the Adoption Walk with Me 5K. Alyssa just held her own benefit run in Eagle
Mountain to help a local family with their adoption expenses. <br /></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hUErMKH9UWE/VYJpLk3mbaI/AAAAAAAALR0/nO-mYaFt0Kc/s1600/IMG_0395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hUErMKH9UWE/VYJpLk3mbaI/AAAAAAAALR0/nO-mYaFt0Kc/s640/IMG_0395.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Alyssa believes adoption is a positive option and enjoys sharing her love for
all involved in adoption by sharing her family’s story. Alyssa’s Platform “A Choice of Love” is
centered on creating support and awareness surrounding the blessings of
adoption. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jdVl9qD413Q/VYJpOrluOSI/AAAAAAAALSY/ApcIhWuOoDA/s1600/IMG_8206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jdVl9qD413Q/VYJpOrluOSI/AAAAAAAALSY/ApcIhWuOoDA/s640/IMG_8206.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Andalus, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Alyssa will be competing in the Miss Utah Pageant June 17</span><sup style="font-family: Andalus, serif; line-height: 115%;">th</sup><span style="font-family: Andalus, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> – 20</span><sup style="font-family: Andalus, serif; line-height: 115%;">th</sup><span style="font-family: Andalus, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Andalus, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">We love the energy Alyssa brings to this heartfelt cause and we are rooting for
her to take the crown!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Andalus, serif; font-size: 24pt; line-height: 115%;">Good
Luck Alyssa!!!</span></div>
</span>SmallAdventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08993267241606514697noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009674989871692973.post-53258455938970839192015-06-12T19:35:00.001-06:002015-06-19T15:16:01.925-06:00Friday Funny ~ How we roll.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0pWcUp5TTzE/VXuIJQojCkI/AAAAAAAALNw/DVmSFMX05oM/s1600/Haley%2Brolling%2Bin%2Bcarpet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0pWcUp5TTzE/VXuIJQojCkI/AAAAAAAALNw/DVmSFMX05oM/s640/Haley%2Brolling%2Bin%2Bcarpet.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Photo by: Brenley Horrocks</i></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Yep! My kids are a little crazy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">This is how we roll at our house....in carpet.<br />I am crazy about this silly girl!</span></div>
SmallAdventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08993267241606514697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009674989871692973.post-1028052102524551012015-06-12T00:54:00.000-06:002015-06-12T00:54:41.168-06:00Life is happening all the time.<br />
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I guess my goals for my blog were a little lofty. I was ready to write, ready to share and ready to jot down memories we were making here in our little home. But life happened. And then it happened again, and again until I realized....this IS life!</div>
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To give you a basic run down this is how life has gone from Feb. 5th until today.</div>
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Spencer has surgery on his burn scar, less than a week later I get a bad virus, a week later Spencer (who is still healing and we are taking many trips to the burn center) gets sick. We go to the ER due to major asthma attack brought on by the virus. He starts to get better then is hit with a new virus the next week. We are back to the ER where I finally say "hey we need a nebulizer at home people!" (Ok so I didn't say it like that but honestly wanted to.) Spencer improves just to in time to get a brand new virus the next week (yes, if you are counting that is 3 weeks in a row of different viruses). This one gives him very high fevers, massive headache and a week full of yuck. Thankfully this virus didn't trigger the asthma. But wait....it doesn't end there. During a moment of feeling better, or so I thought, Spencer's Orthopedic doctor had him cast on both legs to help stretch out his tendons in the back of his legs to help him be able to walk on his whole foot/feet. So here is this little 5 year old with only one truly working limb.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g0oAaKa-d9Y/VXqAa4pVm4I/AAAAAAAALNI/amWrA5uZYNc/s1600/collage%2Bfor%2Bblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g0oAaKa-d9Y/VXqAa4pVm4I/AAAAAAAALNI/amWrA5uZYNc/s640/collage%2Bfor%2Bblog.jpg" width="494" /></a><br /></div>
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We are still making trips to the burn center as we go through the long process of helping prevent new scar tissue where they did the cutting for the zplasty. He wears a pressure glove on his hand. He also now wears leg braces and has to go back to get his legs rechecked soon. Last time I counted, on top of the surgery and 2 ER visits we had over 20 office visits just for Spencer since Feb 5th. It is well over 20 by now. </div>
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But wait....Camden is now in his 2nd round of influenza virus. <br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rO9Spek-OQk/VXqA808Ju8I/AAAAAAAALNQ/E0xNCmF11_E/s1600/for%2Bblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rO9Spek-OQk/VXqA808Ju8I/AAAAAAAALNQ/E0xNCmF11_E/s400/for%2Bblog.jpg" width="225" /></a><br />This round is a little easier than the first.<br /></div>
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And now we come to me. <br />Apparently the weeks and weeks of helping my youngest took it's toll on my body. I ended up in an ambulance/ER with heart palpitations. All is well....my body just can't tolerate stress so it likes to kick out many many PVCs. They are common with most people but mine appear to be stronger and they cause symptoms like dizziness and shortness of breath so after following up with a cardiologist we have a plan of action with medication and life style changes. I am suppose to simplify my life and let some things go. My only problem is some of those things I can't let go of permanently. <br /> So I am not sure what I am to do when I have to pick a few things up again. <br />I am a little nervous.<br />Any Advice?<br /></div>
SmallAdventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08993267241606514697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009674989871692973.post-58611337465671024682015-03-16T13:09:00.000-06:002015-03-16T13:14:49.298-06:00Fresh Start<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hi there awesome friends! I have missed you! I have missed blogging! But I'm back with lots to chat about. I hope you like my blog's new look. I wanted a fresh start and I wanted to simplify my blog and my life! I am smack in the middle of raising my amazing kiddos and everything is about family so I decided a great way to celebrate this stage in my life is to give my blog our Initial. In our family we says Horrocks rock! I am so thankful to be a Horrocks!</div>
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I wanted to share what I have been up to the past few months.</div>
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I have been busy being a Mom, a Wife, Library Tech (I work in and out of my home for over a year now), Adoption Blogger for <a href="http://foreverboundadoption.org/">Forever Bound Adoption Agency</a> and I just got called to serve in my church congregation as Young Women's 1st Counselor. I get the awesome opportunities to work with my congregation's 14 and 15 year old girls. They are sweet, fun and keep me laughing and teach me more than I ever imagined. I have also been acting as a nurse to my little Spencer (who is now 5) but that story will be shared later. Needless to say, I am one busy woman, but I love it!</div>
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Take a moment and peek at my blog posts over at Forever Bound. I have had lots of fun creating them and I hope they are helpful to their readers! <br />
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<a href="http://foreverboundadoption.org/2015/02/the-wonders-of-a-broken-heart/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VKzwqOAsQOg/VMR6SS8pmqI/AAAAAAAAIRw/lW4-I4jfNdc/s1600/Wonders%2Bof%2Ba%2Bbroken%2Bheart%2Bgraphic%2Bcopy.jpg" height="320" width="246" /></a><a href="http://foreverboundadoption.org/2015/02/sending-a-little-love/"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/hZbmQlKuFSfHidve9B5zSsScAK8pVry4TuI09YILpN1-PLUme47Sxq_HR791TXW95wOd9HCHbXzpenh8eZUEz_SM67V_J2AsPcwxeDeoVdW_-AjPtom3n6Tq6TJDcjZfJEg" height="320" width="316" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://foreverboundadoption.org/2015/01/openness-is-inviting-love-in/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l1i1HDzr844/VJaADsbTwRI/AAAAAAAAHnI/lMmbf8RRB3Q/s1600/Openness%2Bis%2BInviting%2Blove%2Bin%2Bimage2%2B%2Bstamped%2Bcopy.jpg" height="320" width="179" /></a><a href="http://foreverboundadoption.org/2015/01/everyday-ideas-to-help-you-adopt/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C87-JwFLOtg/VLbYCXRI3QI/AAAAAAAAIMs/S7oDcKf_rFI/s1600/Everyday%2BtagFBA%2Bwebsite%2Bcopy.jpg" height="320" width="316" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://foreverboundadoption.org/2014/11/teaching-children-gratitude/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zzDzVEjPxpA/VGUQr3pFc0I/AAAAAAAAHF4/rpjEo7PDNS4/s320/Teaching%2BChildren%2BGratitude%2Bcopy.jpg" width="151" /></a><a href="http://foreverboundadoption.org/2014/12/creating-christmas-traditions/"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WfDaLMyvLdI/VIQnVeU1eCI/AAAAAAAAHXA/bS6iPxBN2o4/s1600/Christmas%2BTraditions%2BHeader%2Bstamped%2Bcopy.jpg" width="144" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://foreverboundadoption.org/2014/10/celebrating-adoption-ideas-for-couples-families/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gnzjjaoT7Z8/VE_SP6ndc3I/AAAAAAAAHDE/jfqQOpWNJCA/s320/Main%252Bphoto%252Bfor%252Bcelebrating%252Badoptin%252Bnov%252B2014%252Bcopy.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image" height="195" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="http://foreverboundadoption.org/2014/12/childless-at-christmas-a-survival-guide/"><img border="0" src="http://foreverboundadoption.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Childless-at-Christmas-stamped-copy-300x300.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5v4JaunYWos/SegZS10Q-SI/AAAAAAAAAeo/mJ7jFA5HZkY/s1600/Camdensealinginvite-cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5v4JaunYWos/SegZS10Q-SI/AAAAAAAAAeo/mJ7jFA5HZkY/s1600/Camdensealinginvite-cropped.jpg" height="640" width="414" /></a></div>
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In Doctrine and Covenants 88:119, the Lord tells us to “prepare every needful thing.”<br />
Sometimes we don’t know how to prepare because<br />
we cannot see what is ahead. But as our<br />
family learned this past year, the Lord helps us<br />
as we listen to and act upon His promptings. He<br />
steps in and prepares “the needful things” that<br />
we cannot prepare for ourselves.<br />
Christmas 2006 was extra exciting at the Horrocks<br />
house. We received a call from a girl who<br />
had first contacted us through parentprofiles.com one year earlier.<br />
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When we first heard from Samantha (Sam), she was 17 and was struggling with the decision to parent or place her baby for adoption. We felt a connection to her from her first e-mail, and over time we developed a special friendship. She told us she was thinking of naming her baby Camden if it was a boy. That was the same name we had chosen. In the end, she decided to parent. We continued to talk, and she even called us the day her baby was born. She named him Camden.<br />
When another adoption fell through for us, Sam was one of the first to call and say how sorry she was. Sam would also call periodically when she needed to talk. One call she made on Dec. 11 changed our lives forever. She had decided to place with us after all. Following a crisis-filled week and many miracles, Samantha placed her beautiful eight-month-old baby boy in our arms. We<br />
cried tears of joy.<br />
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We had always had special feelings about Samantha and Camden. We knew they were in our lives for a reason, but we had no expectations regarding the baby. We just loved Sam because she is a wonderful daughter of God. Looking back now, we see all the preparations the Lord made for us. We find meaning in every aspect of our year,<br />
from our feelings about Sam and our pending adoption that fell through, to the foster care classes that taught us about bonding with an older infant. And yes, we even see meaning in the eight months when Camden was not in our family.<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rMQxRQzBeqI/SKUSWQmRS3I/AAAAAAAAAKU/wBX2Q_POjdY/s1600/July-August2nd2008%2B032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rMQxRQzBeqI/SKUSWQmRS3I/AAAAAAAAAKU/wBX2Q_POjdY/s1600/July-August2nd2008%2B032.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a>At placement, we were informed of some legalities that would apply to Camden. But when he turned 240 days old, those issues no longer applied. Samantha’s worker unknowingly ended up calling LDS Family Services headquarters to get clearance for the placement on day 241. Camden came to our home on just the right day and not a day sooner. The Lord knew the end from the beginning, and He lovingly prepared Sam and us for this miracle.<br />
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We testify that the Lord knows each of us. He knows our hearts and our heartaches. He is preparing each of us for blessings we cannot prepare for by ourselves.<br />
We hope that in 2007 each family and each birth mother will find what the Lord’s plan is for them. Let us move forward and have faith, keeping our eyes on Him and remembering that He gives us the best gifts!</div>
SmallAdventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08993267241606514697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009674989871692973.post-17809747003073221612014-11-23T00:00:00.000-07:002014-11-23T00:00:03.204-07:00Teaching Children Gratitude<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jygcj92C8e0/VGUtofwCWwI/AAAAAAAAHGo/_4jKMS0DOwE/s1600/Haley%2BThanksgiving%2Bbasket%2Bstamped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jygcj92C8e0/VGUtofwCWwI/AAAAAAAAHGo/_4jKMS0DOwE/s1600/Haley%2BThanksgiving%2Bbasket%2Bstamped.jpg" height="640" width="360" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">This week is a joyful one as we gather with the ones we love and express thanks for all we have been blessed with! Today it seems everything is at our finger tips and it is easy to forget to take a moment and show special friends and loved ones our appreciation. Kids love to get involved in service. I think it comes naturally to them. Check out my latest article over at<a href="http://foreverboundadoption.org/2014/11/teaching-children-gratitude/"> Forever Bound Adoption </a>and find some ways you can get your kids involved in saying</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> thanks this week! They will love making one of these turkey baskets. </span><br /><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Happy Thanksgiving!!</span></b></div>
SmallAdventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08993267241606514697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009674989871692973.post-32772307253382722592014-11-04T13:14:00.002-07:002014-11-04T13:14:16.140-07:00Writing Adoption.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I just wanted to share my new adventures in writing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have been invited to write for Forever Bound Adoption website. I am excited to be writing about adoption again and hope the articles are useful to couples and families.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://foreverboundadoption.org/2014/10/celebrating-adoption-ideas-for-couples-families/">You can view my latest article here.</a></span><img height="390" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gnzjjaoT7Z8/VE_SP6ndc3I/AAAAAAAAHDE/jfqQOpWNJCA/s400/Main%252Bphoto%252Bfor%252Bcelebrating%252Badoptin%252Bnov%252B2014%252Bcopy.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image" width="400" /></div>
SmallAdventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08993267241606514697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009674989871692973.post-52080056588997478942014-10-28T12:22:00.000-06:002014-10-28T12:22:16.015-06:00United For Adoption 2nd Annual Adoption Conference<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">November is National Adoption Awareness month!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Join United For Adoption for a day long learning feast!!!</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i1i5wkafypI/VE_dg83rNzI/AAAAAAAAHEE/-6DLQVHvknw/s1600/schedule.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i1i5wkafypI/VE_dg83rNzI/AAAAAAAAHEE/-6DLQVHvknw/s1600/schedule.jpg" height="320" width="248" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sTkeMcNvoRs/VE_dgl8XXxI/AAAAAAAAHEA/7NDVSfNjXpM/s1600/Class%2BDescriptions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sTkeMcNvoRs/VE_dgl8XXxI/AAAAAAAAHEA/7NDVSfNjXpM/s1600/Class%2BDescriptions.jpg" height="320" width="248" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Bring a friend and come be part of something</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">special!</span><a href="http://www.unitedforadoption.org/product/united-for-adoption-annual-conference/"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Register here.</span></a><br /><br /></span></div>
SmallAdventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08993267241606514697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009674989871692973.post-54668645018000235592014-09-21T22:56:00.000-06:002014-09-21T22:56:07.299-06:00New Utah Safe Haven PSA....starring Spencer. <br />
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Our family had the opportunity to help with a new Public Service campaign to help promote the Utah Safe Haven Law. So thankful we have the opportunity to give back. We have been so blessed by this law!</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/RnVurDv4b7E?rel=0" width="560"></iframe></div>
SmallAdventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08993267241606514697noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009674989871692973.post-3819928375098253982014-06-23T22:23:00.000-06:002014-06-23T22:23:41.598-06:00My new love - Altra's Olympus shoe!<br />
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<i>I posted this on Facebook today. I am so excited for this new challenge! I am looking for businesses who would be willing to sponsor my run and pay any sum per 13.1 miles I run in September. All earnings will be donated to<a href="http://hopeforfallenleaves.org/"> Hope For Fallen Leaves</a> to go to some cuties in an <a href="http://hopeforfallenleaves.org/gallery/operation-monrovia/">Orphange located in Monrovia, Liberia</a>. If you know of a business or even individuals who would like to sponsor me please leave me a comment or send me an email at cutefamilyof5 at gmail dot com.</i></div>
My Facebook Post:<br />
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So on the 16th I bought a new pair of running shoes from the Draper SL running company story. Thanks to awesome John Gifford I tried the Altra brand. Can we say...walking on clouds! Love them! But after a week walking and running and hiking in them my big toe on each foot was KILLING ME! My new shoes were still new but dirty so I didn't think the store would take them back. I walked into the SL running comp. Foothill location today and was met with a smile and tons of help from a great gal named Kim. It turns out the reason my toes were hurting so much was that I was 2 sizes too small for these shoes. Yep.....in Altras I have to buy a 10! LOL They look more like an 81/2 but they felt soooo much better! The dude that helped me in the other location checked me for toe space and said it was fine.....Kim checked me for toe space in the shoes I was bringing in and she instantly knew they were too small. Hmmmm Foothill Location you have won me over!!! I will travel for good customer service! Oh and Kim introduced me to the Olympus....a cross over shoe build for trail running but great for open road as well. I'm in love!!!! <a href="http://www.altrarunning.com/fitness/en/Altra/womens-shoes/olympus-women"><img src="http://img.iconcdn.com/V74/Altra/images/catalog/A2355_Purple.jpg" /></a></div>
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Training for this half marathon is officially on. <a href="http://timptrailmarathon.com/races/elk-run-50k-and-half"><img alt="ElkRun poster 2012" src="http://timptrailmarathon.com/images/ElkRun_poster_2012.jpg" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thanks Jan for the challenge...I have a partner and officially moving forward!<br />And thanks to Kim at Salt Lake Running Company Foothill location....you are awesome! <br />My toes thank you too!</span></div>
SmallAdventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08993267241606514697noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009674989871692973.post-37155118512120905732014-05-30T00:54:00.001-06:002014-05-30T01:01:29.425-06:00Talking "Utah Safe Haven Baby" with KSL's The Browsers.<div style="text-align: center;">
I had a fun opportunity to talk about Utah's Safe Haven Law with my amazing friend Amy Iverson who <br />
Co-Hosts the radio show The Browsers on KSL Newsradio. Brad and I have been so very blessed by this amazing and life saving law, we are thankful for the opportunity we have to give back.</div>
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As I have mentioned before Spencer, our 4 year old, is a "Safe Haven Baby" or better yet....<br />
He is a Safe Haven Miracle! <br />
We love what KSL has been doing to help promote and educate about the Safe Haven Law. <br />
You just never know when the information will be needed and who's life it may save. <br /></div>
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SmallAdventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08993267241606514697noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009674989871692973.post-3173878197962139222014-05-30T00:18:00.002-06:002014-09-21T22:59:48.980-06:00The REALity of ADHD.<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://workplacewise.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/post_it_note_wall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://workplacewise.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/post_it_note_wall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://workplacewise.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/post_it_note_wall.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a><br />
I have grown up understanding what ADHD looks like. I became an Aunt when I was 9. My cute little active and energetic nephew was diagnosed with ADHD sometime in early elementary. I remember my sister telling me her first real experience in seeing the difference medication can make in her child. She said she took Josh to the mall and he held her hand the whole time. He wasn't running around....he was calm. Maybe this is why medication didn't scare me much. I am thankful for that. I am also realizing ADHD is way more than what I thought. <br />
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One of the big challenges at our house is helping the our other kids understand what Camden is really dealing with. One of my friends sent me this link: <a href="http://www.tickld.com/x/if-your-friends-ever-say-they-have-adhd-just-show-them-this">If your friend's say they have adhd just show them this.</a>. When I read this I laughed out loud and thought "This is my Camden to a T!" I love how the author states that ADHD is like "Living in a soft rain of post-it notes." I have used this to help my older kids grasp why Camden can't always remember what he is suppose to do and he has a lot to say. It is a work in progress. <br />
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We are trying a new medication for Cam. So far it seems to be working really well. He is making new friends, doing well in school and working hard to develop his "responsibility skills". I am excited about the progress and try to remember when we have a hard day that "Rome wasn't built in a Day".<br />
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We have made a final decision on school. After looking at all the options and researching and reading and praying we are going to give public school another go. We will start next school year with a 504 plan in place and our school is being fantastic about choosing the right teacher for Cam. I feel like we are heading in the right direction. I will also be in the classroom on a very regular basis to help the teacher and to have the opportunity to observe and see what skills we might need to work on at home. One great thing about going through all we did as we were trying to make the best decision for our son...we learned a lot about homeschooling. I know I could do it if we needed to for any reason.<br />
I find great peace in that knowledge!<br />
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SmallAdventureshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08993267241606514697noreply@blogger.com2