So I've taken a little break here at the Hope To Adopt blog. A few days off to get some perspective. It's been good. I did a little on my Russian Adoption blog. I enjoyed my children. I had a couple of job interviews.

Yes, you read correctly. Job interviews.

For a moment there I was going to venture back into the world of working out of the house. It was a big deal around here. Those of you who do work out of the house, especially those of you who work full-time, probably would've found my soul-searching... more

My family is very lucky in that we are part of a group of friends and acquaintances, many of whom have families formed by adoption. In order to expand my repertoire of stories I have been thinking that I should start writing about some of them and their experiences. My family, after all, is pretty well covered on the other blog that I write.

All of the names have been changed to protect their privacy, and some of these individuals may or may not be made up. I reserve the right to resort to fiction if need be.

Family... more

Okay, I'm being a bit dramatic here, but for the past couple days I have seriously felt like my life is falling apart. Times like this I completely agree with my husband when he says that I cannot possibly handle another child. At least not this year.

Nothing that is causing me to feel like my life is falling apart has to do with my kids. Well, that's not completely true, but nothing serious has happened. It's mostly just !!!!! SUMMER VACATION !!!!!!!

Here's the beginning of the poem by Yeats that I quoted above:

Turning and turning in... more

My father died 12 years ago. I think of him now and then, especially when I'm with my boys. Big J doesn't physically resemble him, although he is his biological grandson, but on the rare occasions I brush his hair I think of my dad's hair. Different color, but the same thickness and texture. Little J, being adopted, physically doesn't remind me of my dad at all, but he actually makes me think of my dad more than Big J because I think my dad would have been so supportive of us adopting him. He certainly would have been excited that we adopted him from Russia. My dad was in the Merchant Marines and traveled the world when he was younger. He would have loved to have a grandchild with international... more

Sunday we had yet another opportunity to hang out with a little girl. We accidentally ended up watching an acquaintance's daughter at the pool in my mom's subdivision. The little girl's name is Zoe and she's about 6 months younger than my youngest son. She just happens to be adopted from China, but that's really beside the point. We had a lot of fun with her! She is a very articulate and lively child, but lively in a different way than my son - she made me think of a little cricket or maybe a fairy, whereas my son is more of a berserker or maybe a hyperactive linebacker. First she was here... more

It's getting worse. My longing for a girl baby, that is. One day I think maybe I'm getting over it and then - bam! - something happens that brings it back again.

My neice, who will be 3 in August, came to visit this past weekend. She is an only, her parents work more than full-time, and she has a very structured life. She is very quiet and very good. For the purposes of this blog I will call her "Miss A."

My sister got a little anxious when we let my younger son, Little J, loose around Miss A. Miss A was also a little anxious. My son is naturally exuberent and silly and... more

Man, those were THE MOST delicious chicken and dumplings around...everyone is saying. :)

I am a vegetarian, and don't eat meat...but they sure smelled the house up quite nicely.

For those of you that don't know this, ANY holiday is a special one for me.

I take care of my 89 year old grandmother. She fell back in July 05, broke her hip, and then, as a result of the fall (tearing her leg), she had vascular disease we didn't know about, and she ended up losing her leg.

She also has Congestive Heart Failure. Her heart only beats at 25%.

So,... more

Happy Birthday to me, happy birthday to me, happy birthday to meeeeeee....oh yeah, my hubby, too...happy birthday to us!!!!

Um...no, it's not a joke. I was born April 1, and so was my husband. Um...he's a twin. So the plot thickens.

He was born a month early to hit April 1, I was born a whole month late to hit April 1.

We were born at the same time of the morning (8:30 a.m.).

He had to have stomach surgery just after he was born. I had colic just after I was born.

He was left handed, then broke his wrist, and became right handed, and now can use both hands. I have always been ambidextrous (the ability to use both hands equally), with a... more

I won't lie, my husband and I are the classic "loners".

We have no friends, except for the ones like everyone has...the ones that only contact you when they want something of you.

Upon speaking to one of my good internet friends, S, we got into a friendly debate regarding having friends and support groups.

Take S. Friendly, happy, devoted foster mom. Everyone loves her, she loves everyone. Doesn't seem to know a stranger, and has a magnetic personality.

Now me. Friendly, not so happy, childless hopeful adoptive parent in waiting. People that meet me... more

Right now, I am taking care of my 89 year old Grandmother full time. I haven't had time to focus on the waiting part of adoption. LOL

However, I have been learning from my time here with Grandma that you CAN make food that is WHOLESOME, HOMEMADE, and QUICK!

Here are a couple of recipes to share with you. You will appreciate the time you save making quality food for your family.

I realize I am not a mom yet, but taking care of an 89 year old woman who was totally active (who is still totally "with it" in her brain) and is now a recent amputee with a failing heart is VERY akin to taking care of an infant. LOL

RECIPE #1:

EASY Shepherd Pie... more