Category: Special Needs

Taiwanese-American Idol

Dec. 14 adoption no comments

The kids ran wild the other night at the boys’ Tae Kwon Do holiday party. As they danced, decorated and devoured lots of fattening foods and desserts (yes Jacob, I saw you sneaking another cookie), Lucy was more caught up in the entertainment.

A couple of students and relatives of the studio sang holiday songs for the rest of us to enjoy. No sooner did “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” begin when Lucy marched right up to the front of the room to inquire when it would be “my turn.”

While her request was sadly denied, I’ll try to get the sweet stylings of Lucy Mac on video and share her in her holiday glory.

Do You Have the Adoption Bug?

Nov. 20 adoption no comments

I’ve never made it a secret that I consider adoption to be hard. Some days, it’s swallowed me whole, chewed me to a pulp and spit me out like a wad of gum, only to be stepped on by some unsuspecting fool. It’s true parenting as a whole can leave you crying Uncle but adoption, at least for our family, has had an added element of complication, insecurity and unforeseen challenges.

That’s why I’m always shocked fascinated by those who go back for more. For us, we had a daughter we were searching for. I had known she existed since I was a little girl myself. Adoption was just part of what makes up our family — plain and simple. For others, they seek out children who wouldn’t otherwise be adopted, opening up their minds, hearts and homes to creating a life together. Those people carry a determination and strength that leaves me in awe.

Tami and Bobby are two of those people. We witnessed the day their son Noah was forever united with them in Taiwan. Now, they’re waiting for their next little guy to come home. To raise funds, they’ve created some cool adoption-related tees, which can be purchased HERE. Check them out. Maybe they make a cute gift for a family on your holiday list.

Do You Remember?

Sep. 22 adoption no comments

I’ve always been a fan of Earth, Wind & Fire’s catchy tune, September. But two years ago, the song became a kind of anthem for us; the back drop of our overwhelming elation, emotion and eagerness to meet the little girl who would become our daughter.

Do you remember the 21st night of September?
Love was changing the minds of pretenders
While chasing the clouds away

September 21, 2007
The day we saw Lucy’s face (via photographs) for the very first time. I remember the meeting at our adoption agency like it happened last week. We arrived to hear about a potential match, so determined to be logical, refusing to see her photo until we had all the facts and could make an educated decision. We wanted to be sure we considered everything, making the right choice for her and our boys. We thought that if we had seen her photo, all reasoning would go out the window and we wouldn’t be able to think clearly.

We were half right.

After seeing her photo, there was no way we could even consider that she wasn’t our little girl. She looked exactly the way I had imagined her. But it was actually hours before, when we got the initial call, that we knew there was no turning back. I can vividly recall standing in the hallway on the 10th floor of my office building (the same floor I was on when Jeff proposed), listening to the story of the girl I was positive was our daughter. As soon as I hung up the phone with our agency, I called Jeff and blurted “they found our daughter!” The photo turned out to just be confirmation that it was, in fact, our Lucy.

Two years later, Lucy’s been home with us for a tiny bit longer than we waited for her. She’s funny, smart, and has a zest for life that I’ve never seen in another human being — ever. She’s electricity and we’re just trying to keep up with the power bill.


Related link: The posts from the week we first saw Lucy’s face.

In the News: Guatemalan Children Abducted, Given Up for Adoption

Sep. 12 adoption, news no comments

When I stumbled across this story on CNN this morning, about how the Guatemalan army would steal children from their parents and hand them over to a government agency to be “sold” to families, my heart sank.

It’s unimaginable what these children, their parents — some of whom were killed in the process — and now their adoptive parents have suffered through. If someone were to tell me that Lucy was living with us due to horrific, illegal and immoral circumstances, I wouldn’t even know what to think or feel. The international adoption process is emotional, difficult and life-altering already, and that’s if it goes perfectly.

I have no little gems to write here, or any interesting thoughts up my sleeve. I just wanted to express my profound sadness and sympathy for everyone involved.