Magical Families

Last weekend we had the awesome pleasure of being one of the 30 some odd adoptive families to gather at Disney World for the FIRST Annual Magical Families weekend. What is Magical Families you ask... According to their blog at http://magicalfamilies.wordpress.com

"Magical Families are people passionate about adoption. We have adopted, been adopted, or are planning to adopt – internationally or domestically – or we simply have a passion about children finding forever families.

We’re people who love getting together with other adoption advocates to support, encourage and celebrate the unique opportunities and challenges adoption brings."

It was such an awesome, rainy, fun filled weekend! We didn't even do the parks this year and loved it!! We met up with several families on Friday for dinner at the Boardwalk Inn. It was so cool to meet a few families I really only know through Facebook. One couple was in our adoption class in May 2010 and we haven't seen them since but I feel like I know them through their blog and FB posts. Another couple from Myrtle Beach I only knew through Facebook connections and that was great to meet them! Then on Saturday morning a friend of mine from high school (who I haven't seen in 20 years!) came by our hotel suite with her 5 year old son whom she adopted from Guatemala. She found out about Magical Families from my posts on FB and she lives in Miami. It was so great to catch up and hear her adoption stories.

(Becky, Aiden, Me & Kaycee)

Saturday I went to the Mom's Meet Up at
Beaches and Cream (at Beach Club Resort).

That was super cool! I LOVE hearing adoption stories. We sat around a few tables in one big circle and introduced ourselves and then told our adoption stories and how we heard about Magical Families.
I was in awe of the God Centered stories. My heart was so full of gratitude and amazement of these women and their families. I am so excited to begin our final adoption journey in 2012!!

My Magical Baby!!

Interesting Encounter

Recently I posted on FB that I had my first encounter of unsolicited hair advice from a woman in the Target parking lot. So here's what happened:

I'm putting Kaycee in her car seat and this woman comes up to me and says:
Lady: "Is this your daughter?"
Me: "Yes she is" (smiling)
Lady: "ya know you have to take care of her hair. It's not like yours"
Me: "Um I think I do. I use moisturizer and special creams in her hair.". (I think her hair looked cute- just like the pics I recently posted for her 11 months)
Lady: "You have to use special creams. Our hair is fragile and it'll break."
Me: "I do"
Lady: "What do you use?"
Me: "this" (I whip out my iPhone and show her a pic of my products that I recently posted on this blog)
Lady: "You need to use Pink moisturizer. I am raising my granddaughter and that's what I use."
Me: "Ok thanks I'll keep that in mind. I have a lot of friends that help and I follow different blogs that offer advice on hair care.".
I write down Pink moisturizer in front of her. She leaves.

Phew. I actually go and buy Pink. It's ok. Not better that the other stuff I have. Now I have one more bottle on my haircare shelf and Kaycee isn't even a year old! Geeze.

So I believe she was trying to be helpful. I find it very rare that people are intentionally mean-- usually they are just unaware that their comments can be hurtful. It wouldn't have done any good if I came up with a snarky comment back and I want to be a good representative of transracial adoption and parenthood in general.

I really try hard not to take adoption questions or advice too personally but on occasion it bothers me or even hurts my feelings (my mom says I'm sensitive-- she's right I guess).
I try to pray and ask God to "Bless them and heal me." So that's what I'll do for today....

11 Months Old!!

I can't believe my baby girl is 11 months old! I actually love it when they grow because each new stage is more exciting and fun!! I know I'm one day closer to hearing her call me Mommy or take her first step! I don't really get too upset as the kids grow because I love to watch them develop!! Our sweet Kaycee girl is a super speedy crawler and loves to cruise on the furniture. She has started this thing when she is holding something but wants to move she scoots on her butt or does this funny bear crawl thing-- I really need to video tape it! It cracks us up! She loves her brothers and they love to make her laugh! She and Zack have started fighting over toys which actually made me chuckle a little!! She is my sunshine and I love her to the moon and back!! I know this month will fly by which is why I like to take lots of pictures and videos. I'm working on her First Year digital scrapbook and hope to have it done by her birthday party!!
This weekend we are going to Magical Families at Disney! http://magicalfamilies.wordpress.com/
We are excited to see some local friends and families but I must admit I'm very very excited to see a friend from High School (who I haven't seen in 20 years) who adopted her son from Guatemala a few years ago and is in the process of adopting a child from Taiwan! We are also super excited to be meeting a family I met through Bethany Christian Services Facebook Page last year. They who adopted their son with Bethany in North Carolina and I keep up with her on FB and her blog http://amandajaneshope.blogspot.com/ It'll be so fun to meet in person!!!!
I love love love the connections we have made this past year and a half since we began our adoption adventure!!