Project Playlist

I've been having fun setting up our favorite Holiday tunes for the "big day". You can tell when the kids or my hubby chimed in on what songs should be included. I've tried to mix 'em up a little bit so I can hack the soundtrack of Christmas Day.

CA Momma Family Christmas Soundtrack - (just press the little play button and enjoy)

have any other suggestions?

Project Playlist

All is Quiet

Nada, Nothing, Zip, Zero-

I realize it has only been a week so..... I just wish my SW would send me an e-mail or a quick call to let me know that she had submitted our homestudy for the children we were interested in... something. She DID call me back and tell me that the people decided to take the other two children that she called me about.

The Family and I went to our orientation for our exchange student last night. My DH decided it would be cool to do that again and we will have a young lady from Japan for a month. There is a family that signed up that won't be here for the first 4 days and my DH volunteered us to host that girl also.

So... you wanna count? I have three children, will have two exchange students, two adults, half the neighborhood kids and a possible placement SOMEDAY, hopefully before the end of the summer. A house full of love, bursting at the seams.

The new neighbors moved in next door. I am so happy. They are awesome. They have a GIRL!!! An oasis in this sea of testosterone neighborhood for my daughter. Just one year older and she is just the sweetest thing. Total tomboy just like Sis. Though they were in the bedroom "styling" hair for an hour.

Thought that it'd be cool for the girls to do this:

Activism Alert

Lemonade Stand and Bake Sales, With a Twist

Mothering allies MomsRising are launching an illuminating new test project, and are seeking participants. The idea is to sell traditional lemonade stand and/or bake sale items using a price list that reflects real-world wage differences: single moms would pay only 60 cents per item, moms would pay 73 cents, women without children would pay 90 cents, and men would pay $1.00. This cost structure is a great conversation starter, as well as tangible way to spread the word about the actual wage gap affecting women and mothers.

This was from the Mothering Magazine E-mail I get every week.

(See link under parenting to the right)

I enjoy it quite a bit. They also have a very interesting forum with topics such as:

Bedtime routines for twins and two year old

Baby dropped and then went back up—why?

Vitamins for toddlers

Do I need a photo ID for a six year old for air travel?

Leukemia and breastfeeding—how can I increase his appetite?

Fluish

Well, it has been making the rounds at my house. I thought that it would pass us by this year. Nope. My active children were down for the count the first hour of their spring break. They are slowly getting out of it. It seems they have no recollection of when they were sick. They have just "lost" that day. I think that is good.

The few times my daughter has been sick, she wants to see the video of her birth. I sat and watched it with her. I haven't watched it in a REALLY long time. She burst into tears when the nurse played the lullaby song after they asked me her name. Every time she hears that song she bursts into tears. She tells me she remembers when they played the song when she was born and that she remembers being really cold and she had a hard time breathing.

When I watched the tape I remember the absolute PAIN I was in and the problems afterward. My daughter did have a hard time breathing, it was a hard labor, I did it all naturally, she was 9 pounds and it HURT!! I had a hard time getting her out. I didn't get to hold her right away as I did with my son as she needed oxygen and "massage".

They say that you forget the pain. I have totally forgotten the pain of my first birth. It was "easy". My oldest son was "only" 8 pounds 3.5 ounces. I had him 15 minutes after I arrived at the hospital. I wish I would have had him at home.

I cannot forget the second birth, the pain, the scare, the severe bleeding after..... my beautiful daughter was totally worth it... but I just can't forget it. Maybe it's because I have a very tasteful but very clear video of it.

Please forgive me on the last post. I didn't realize the video could not be embedded. Here is the URL: International Adoption Workshop . It is only an intro of a seminar by the Infertility and Adoption Counseling Center. It just happens to have Dr. Jane Aronson in it. I think it is a GREAT video and pre adoptive parents would be better educated by watching it. Tapestry Books, the people who posted the video, have the whole DVD available on their web store. I have just found them, so I do not have a comment on their service or selection.

In other news:

I have been working a lot with the local Post Adoption Services agency in our area and I am LOVING it!

My SW is on vacation but says my homestudy update is in the works, that means she'll do it when she gets back. Yep, lets hope that letter from Stanford did the trick.

I found out that the two girls I spoke of before will be going to another home next month in the stinky, crime ridden, smog filled valley (I know, it's not ALL bad).

I also leave next month with my youngest to go meet three of his birthsiblings. He is looking forward to riding an airplane again. Last night he told me he also wanted to go to Russia to go see his room there. I told him that he would probably have shared a room with his birthparents and little brother (that was born about a year and a half ago). They have a two room flat.

ALSO next month is my 10 year anniversary!!! Can you believe it? That is two of DH's Dad's marriages (he's never been married over 5 years in his 6 marriages) and longer than almost ANY of MY siblings. And NOBODY thought it would last. DH has stamina and patience he does.

My right arm is killing me as I've gotten a wild hair and completely mopped and polished our wood floor in the great room. I did it by hand and on my knees. I don't know why 'cause I have a stinkin' mop in the closet I found afterward. I guess I AM turning into my mother. I also weeded our entire yard and cut back the damn ivy and the ground cover with the purple flowers the renters planted that I can't get rid of. BRING ON THE SPRING WEATHER!! Yeah!

The School Auction went off very well and we actually MADE some money this year. I found that we have some very talented artists in our community. Sometime I'll tell you about my beloved Paul Newman and how my oldest told me to write him about the auction. (he sent something).

My family is going to be spotlighted in the newsletter of the Post Adoption Services agency (I'm nervous, I don't like it in the spotlight, you should have seen me hiding on my wedding day).

I'm starting to freak as summer is fast approaching and we need to get some money for the trip I booked a year ago. My cousin from Germany will be out as soon as I get back and she wants to go to Vegas and San Fran and... and.... and....

I am having no luck on the weight loss!! I'm bigger than I have EVER been my entire life!!! EVER!!!!!!! I HATE it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You feel me?

My youngest turned 5 on the 15th and I am having severe baby panic issues. It would be a total miracle but what if a baby was placed with us? Where did I pack away that crib and changing table? (not that I ever used it, a blanket on the floor is easier).

Anyway- we are off to the kid gym here in town. They've been sleeping for days. There is PLENTY of energy to burn off.

Ta-

Long Distance Relationships

I have spent the entire day on finding a way to communicate with my son's sister that is still in Russia. She doesn't live with her mother. She doesn't live with her father or grandmother. She lives in a children's home SOMEWHERE in the Vladimir Region.

I had to take a break after looking at more than 69 pages of children in the Russian Databank from the Region. That does NOT mean 69 kids. I think there were about 10 children on each page. The online translator did not work on the picture page. I had to cut and paste when I found a girl that was born the same year as "NC" was.

I have contacted Mary from Russian Family Search to help us. I say US because like some of you know, I finally found my son's other siblings in the US after a two year search. They want to contact NC as much as I do. Mary has said she will help us find her.

I have been in contact with my son's birthmother and grandmother in Russia. For some reason I haven't been able to find out which children's home she is in. Maybe they are afraid I will take her home to the US like the rest of the children. NC still goes home for visits.

I would have asked the original searcher that I used before, but with me starting the new BIZ I'm a little short o' cash at the moment. They are awesome but NOT CHEAP. I also don't know WHEN they would go, they have a waiting list. Mary's searcher just happens to be going soon.

So... trying to get this organized over the Internet hasn't been easy. The girls are on the East Coast. I am on the West. Mary is in the middle and none of us really have computers that work well with each other.

I have an idea that I know the home where she is... the earlier searcher has it in his report. The oldest sibling doesn't think NC could be there because her Mom told me she said it was a "bad" place. I am not sure which "bad" she is talking about.

Scanning, e-mailing, cut and paste, trying to read Cyrillic (that I'm starting to understand!), etc etc is time consuming and frustrating but OH SO WORTH IT. Much like the adoption process.

I am also trying to plan a trip out to the East to visit the girls' family. Never been there. Certainly can't go now where I'd probably freeze solid when we stepped off the airplane.

And so, I sign off for now friends, cross eyed with exhaustion.

Thank You To:

I just have to say-

Green For Baby Rocks!!!!

Not only do they have awesome products and care about the environment, they are GENEROUS too. They believe in a good Waldorf Education. They believe in helping their fellow man. They donated to our school auction without thought to their own taxes. I had to insist that they fill out the tax deduction form.

They are 8 hours away from our school. They didn't have to help. I will shout it from the mountain tops!!!

Buy stuff from this store!!!!!

No time for Ducks

Yes, I know, I promised to post about ducks today. Sorry dear friend, don't have the time. Here are a few little things though.

One thing I like about today: Coarse ground garlic salt w/ parsley

One thing that totally bugs me about my lovely DH: He winds the bread bag so tight when putting it away the bread is smashed into oblivion.

My horoscope:

You're a wonderfully patient soul, and that is a rare and desirable quality. However, double-check that this slow pace isn't simply laziness disguised as forbearance. Are you meeting all your desired goals?


Well, of COURSE I'm not meeting all my goals! That's the point of sitting in front of this damn computer trying to type my frustrations away. Hell yes I've been lazy!

I'm even more depressed when I discovered what I'll look like in 50 years. Ugh!

Age-O-Matic

Lovely day to ya'll!.

Anti-Racist Parent Blog

I cannot express to you how amazing and IMPORTANT this blog is.

Here is an excerpt:

"White parents of white children on some level do have a choice; as the perceived-if-not-actual representatives of the human standard of culture and living in the U.S., white people often are not confronted for being “of their race” on a daily basis and frequently do not have to deal with racial issues unless they find themselves in a situation or forum in which POC perspectives are a part of the dialogue, if not the dominant point-of-view. Even then, white folks can stay out of the conversation—and believe me, many POC folks don’t want you comment because they fear that you will try to usurp the discussion. "

Please click on the above link. This is important whether or not we have a child of color.

I'm back but busy-

Hey there! I am home but I think my DH has never understood what a welcome mat is for. There are mud mountains not clods all over the house. I cannot find my kitchen counters. I have an intake meeting at my Fost-Adopt Agency today an hour away, I have to pick up my Mum from the Auto Service Place and Blah Blah Blah. I'll catch you up more on the Adoption soon.

So-

here is some news and I hope you all are well.


Re: SOS "Save Orphaned Siblings"

1) Maureen states that the Democratic Majority in the new Congress is shaping up as a major partnership for us. Senate committee involvement could not be stronger w/ Sen. Ted Kennedy as the likely chair of the Judiciary Committee's Immigration subcommittee (he helped with Hague Convention which is a world wide agreement on international adoption. Our congress will vote on this soon). He is joined there by Sens. Diane Feinstein(D-CA), Russ Feingold(D-WI), Chuck Schumer(D-NY) and Dick Durbin(D-IL). In the House, our closest friend is Cong. Marty Meehan(D-MA) joined by members from Texas and California. These names are in addition to our many friends in key positions on other committees and projections that are based on current assignments and seniority but they bode well. Maureen will keep us informed as more information becomes available.

2) Our interviews are going very well. Here are our stats: a. 11 Interviews Complete b. 9 interviews left to schedule. c. 3 of our families have their adoptions going through. Congratulations to those families!!! They have agreed to still help us by interviewing with us. d. 5 families are not ready to join us yet but want to remain informed.

3) Laura contacted (by email) both Scot Gabriel and Irina Matiychenko today.

4) If you are interested, I watched the Hague Convention hearing on CSPAN and attached my notes to this email.

5) I receive questions occasionally on agencies that may be able to help. I am putting some of the information that I found here. This is not an endorsement but hopefully will provide help to those looking for an agency. If you have questions, please let me know. o World Association for Children and Parents http://www.wacap.org/ . Helping Holly. Not accredited in her region but the MOE is taking exception because they are working toward accreditation and they are accredited in 6 other regions. See attached. o Lutheran Social Svs certified in Noversibersk & Buryatia through 3/07.Please make every effort to complete your interviews. The sooner, we complete them, we can gather information from those who have been successful with Humanitarian Parole and we will begin our work with congress. I know the process is slow but each week there is work being done.

Please stay with us. We are making every effort to be successful.I will be in touch in the next 2-3 weeks with more updates.

Thanks so much for your continued support.

JoanMom to Olga and Ruslan
www.saveorphanedsiblings.com


House committee of International relations on Human Rights November 14, 2006
http://www.internationalrelations.house.gov/hearing_notice.asp?id=744

I'm in a Time-Out

I'm leavin' Cali for Texas. Goin' to see Grandma.

While I'm gone chew on this stuff. Yep Steph- I'm the Link Queen!

Happy Festive Occasion to ya'll!

A Cool Place to Shop for your Youngin' = Nova Natural Toys & Crafts

Thank You for the Phallic Toy Alert My Pre-Midlife Crisis

All I have to say is "Yeesh Almighty"

November News from Love Without Boundaries

The Dave Thomas Foundation

A New Face and Profile Emerge on Adoption

thank you
The Philadelphia Enquirer

Good Bye Mr. Altman

I Love NPR

Grandma's Veggies May Have Been More Nutritious

Popular Belgian Party Rejects Multicultural Society

Americans and African Adoptions
& Adopting a Baby from Africa, Famous or Not

Did you know that there has never been an International Symbol for Breastfeeding until now?

In Search of an Icon: Breastfeeding Symbol Contest

And last but certainly not least: The Turkeys are Fighting Back!!

When Turkeys Attack: Bostonians Battle Wild Birds

LILIPOH

Life Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness





LILIPOH is a unique quarterly wellness magazine dedicated to The Spirit in Life. Geared to a wide readership, we specialize in the anthroposophical approach to life as it is brought forth through health, homeopathy and naturopathic medicine, Waldorf education, biodynamic agriculture, nutrition, the arts, community life and more! Abundant with lively articles by healthcare professionals, therapists, educators, farmers and progressive thinkers, LILIPOH adds a whole new dimension to healthier lifestyles and a healthy environment.

LILIPOH offers hope and courage in:

• dealing with illness as a phenomenon reflective of the soul and spirit as well as the body.
  
• the important subjects of education and care of children amidst a world wrought with materialism.
  
• understanding our relationship with the natural world through farming, gardening and nutrition.
  
• explorations of social alternatives that acknowledge the spirit in life.

Click on the Title for a link to the mag's website.

I want to share the morning verse my daughter recites every morning in kindergarten.

Our hearts open wide,

Light streams deep inside,

Stars, moon and sun,

Shine on everyone.

One earth we now stand

Giving all our hand:

Good Morning, dear friends

Armchair Travel

I had so much fun receiving postcards and sending them to my DTC group that I decided to join Postcrossing.

My first new friend is a woman in Finland who has a two yr old daughter.

The first thing I thought of when I got the addy is "Hey! My twin cousins in Germany have a mother from Finland!" Here I am sitting in some podunk town in the mountains of California thinking about my international family.

That is about it for today 'cause I have a headache that threatens to blow my eyeballs out of their sockets.

I am also bloated and WAAY cranky. But at least I don't look like this gal.

When I'm premenstrual I don't eat whole pregnant sheep. Or do I?