Ice Cream Conversations: My Journey from Infertility to Motherhood

It was a hot September day in 2010 and the counters in the Dairy Queen were sticky. The smell of waffle cones and sugary sweets wafted through the air as I nervously shifted in the red plastic covered booth. My husband, Chris, and I sat across from our twelve-year-old foster son as the three of...

Bliss

  The touch of ceramic, cool on my lips Hot liquid pours in, savory sweet bliss Each sip fills my heart, joy brims to overflow Memories flow, warm through my mind Fresh cut grass, green and rolls of hay bales in the field Chasing chicken through the pen, feathers fly through the air Playing in...

Sexploitation: It’s time to do something

Nathan was just 5 years old when his biological mother began trafficking him, allowing boyfriends and other men to sexually abuse him in exchange for drug money, rent money, groceries, cable tv and a new iPhone. And images of his body were also used in child pornography. He finally entered foster care at age 9,...

Love: Our need for validation

Developmental psychologist, Erik Erikson, is quoted as saying, “Life doesn't make any sense without interdependence. We need each other, and the sooner we learn that, the better for us all.” It’s often the small things; a touch, a listening ear, a smile, a small act of caring, that have the ability to turn a life...

Waiting

Tears flow down They fall like the rain There's no end to my sorrow and pain Too many nights I'm crying for You There's just nothing left for me to do I'm reaching out I just need a touch from You Hope breaks through the cracks in the wall I've built around my bleeding heart Starting to see...

A Letter From Mama Bear

Dear Teacher, My husband and I have spent 5 years building up our daughters self-worth-- telling her she's amazing, happy, a good leader, friend, person, and lots more. We've worked diligently at making sure her tiny ego is developed with armor comprised of unconditional love, realistic expectations, positive affirmations, and focused confidence in her and her abilities. We recognized early...

How to be a Warrior-Wife

Everyone who has entered into the bond of marriage knows -- marriage is difficult! Life has a way of kicking the crap out of you when you least expect it, and learning how to navigate these hard times with a significant other can be tricky, especially if you don’t put the time and effort into...

How do I prove love to my adopted child?

One of the most monumental and unforeseen obstacles I have faced as an adoptive parent is how to prove my love to my adopted child. This issue seems to be made more complicated by the fact we adopted him through the foster care system as a preteen. Adopted children struggle with feeling connected, loved, a part...

Taking Off the Mask

Wearing a mask brings certain comforts, but it also may hinder our personal growth. As long as we wear the mask we don’t have to deal with the underlying problem. But when we are truly able to confront the truth about ourselves we will find true freedom. We can find healing.

What to (not) Expect When Adopting

"…she's my mom and I love her." -my son, age 17 The day we met our little boy he'd already experienced more trauma, neglect and abuse than most grownups will in a lifetime. When he rounded the corner on our first meeting I fell in love instantly. His little twelve-year-old face was adorable and smiley. (You can read more...