Adoption Creates Families: May 2009

Sunday, May 31, 2009

A Visit With My Gloria and her Girls!

I got to spend several hours with my sweet friend Gloria. They are back in the country for a month and I was able to meet her newest daughter Norah and hold her ALOT!! Yeah!!!

The girls had a great time catching up as you will see in the below videos!

Gloria brought us sweet gifts from Dubai. A camel for Isaac, how very appropriate and fun! And a Fulla doll for Viv. This doll is all the rage in the middle east! She told me about it months and months ago, I was so excited I didn't take it out of the box until today and the kids constant prodding. But I am keeping that box! Vivi calls both the doll and Aliza "Baby Dorah!" Cute. Also I got to sample dates with almonds in them and some sticky white powedered sugar treat...oh what was that called?

Oh!! Turkish Delight! It was delightful.

I love you Sir, and your little girls too!!
(We have always called each other Sir...you know from Peppermint Patty,
going on 10 years now!)
Can't wait to visit again in a few weeks before you head back!

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Denton Dog Days

We loaded the kids and dogs up and went to Dog Days of Denton last night. It was a lot of fun, and we gathered lots of free toys and treats! Yeah!

Oscar rode in style. He was such a good boy, which is not something we usually say of him.

Some people thought he was a showdog because his fur was so soft and brushed, and he was so mild mannered!! I didn't have the heart to say that no, I don't brush him much and he is actually a complete brat in real life! Atleast he presents well, and is pretty darn adorable.

Made his Momma proud!

Some other dogs had interesting forms of transportation!

Vivi enjoyed the little costumed girls!

This Yorkie was by far the cutest dog there. Check out the two in the background! People are into their costumes! I said "wait till some other dog lifts his leg to that dress, they won't be so happy after that!" hee hee.

We got icecream afterwards. The dogs were very mad that they didn't get a lick.

Friday, May 29, 2009

Just got this email from Adoptive Families Magazine

Dear Readers,
There is a horror film being released on July 24, called Orphan, about a family who adopts an older girl who "is not what she appears to be." The film is currently being promoted, and the trailer is available at http://orphan-movie.warnerbros.com . The adoption message is extremely negative, and plays into the stereotypes of adopted children, particularly older children, as damaged.Though we have not been able to preview the entire movie, the trailer leads us to believe the movie will send a horrific message about adoption. The adoption community is protesting the release of the film. We urge you to contact the makers of the film, as well as your local movie theater chains, with your concerns.
Feel free to copy or adapt the sample letter below.

To whom it may concern:
I want to express my outrage about the release of the movie Orphan. The film plays into the stereotype of adopted children as damaged and dangerous. It discourages families from pursuing adoption, particularly adoption of older children, who are especially in need of loving homes. As an adoptive parent, I am horrified by the line in the trailer that "it must be hard to love an adopted child as much as your own." Adoption has often been misrepresented in the media, but the previews for this film are unbelievably offensive. I urge you to change the promotional materials, and to consider holding the release of the film altogether.

Contact information:
Warner Bros.
4000 Warner Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91522818-954-6000

Silver Pictures
4000 Warner Blvd. 90
Burbank, CA 91522

Time Warner Inc.
One Time Warner Center
New York, NY 10019

Thank you for your support.
The editors of Adoptive Families

Billy and I saw this trailer at the theater and were truly horrified. What were these people thinking. We will be sending out letters Monday urging that our local theaters NOT release this. Please do the same! It is important especially with the summer being a big movie time for teens who will likely go to this.

Feeding the ever-growing ducklings!

Thought I would spend the weekend finishing up our Spring posts as summer is near and about the only photos that will be taken outside will be at waterparks!

We have a very busy summer ahead, which is good. Helps to manage the heat if we stay busy. Isaac is doing two weeks of Vacation Bible School and swim lessons. So from 8-12, M-F he will be occupied. We have our adoption agency family event and the following week a training day where Billy and I will be speaking about Transracial adoption and then open adoption with Vivi's birthmother. Isaac has Little Gym summer camp days and we will be doing the summer reading program at our library. We also have a pool party at Grandma and Grandpa's and a waterpark night with our adoption ministry. And that is all just JUNE!!

In July we will be going to Pensacola, Fl to stay with Billy's aunts. This is becoming our annual summer vacation spot. Then in August we are looking forward to the Barnum and Bailey Circus coming to town! None of my family has ever been to the circus so it will be a great time for the adults and kids, the tickets are bought, and our seats should be pretty good. In between all that we have to find time to spend with Paige and Jarrett, playgroup, and Isaac will be doing Biofeedback two times a week for over 3 months! More about that later.

So anyway...back to the duck pictures!

Can you see how big the swan babies have gotten in relation to their mother in these two pics?

The below picture was taken about 6 weeks ago or so.

Only two have survived. Someone told me that if the food supply is low, the parents will pick off their offspring. Sad. One of the two surviving babies had a hurt foot. It just rested in it's back.