World Adoption Day

Edited for clarity, because this is my blog and my perspective and apparently World Adoption Day has triggered some upset. All other perspectives welcome, but I will delete comments that are not productive or contain offensive language and accusations. REMEMBER, my perspective here, not speaking for the human race. I have no intentions of offending anyone, but I am leaving the post up.

Today is the first annual World Adoption Day. Created to celebrate all forms of adoption and all people involved in adoption... adoptess, birth families, adoptive families, and extended families and friends who have been touched by adoption. If you search #worldadoptionday on Instagram, your mind will be blown by all of the people participating and the stories behind the photos. The mission is to take a picture with a smiley drawn on the palm of your hand, take a picture, hashtag it and share. Simple right? Well sort of.. It is a simple way to show we support adoption. I know that not all people agree with this shiny happy way of doing this. Everyone has a story. I am choosing to spread the smiley, because this is my perspective on it so far in this process.

 All I can say, is that no matter how difficult this experience has been, I am so grateful to be a part of it. I am grateful to have met all of the wonderful people who are sailing along in the same boat as John and I. I am even more grateful for the birth mothers I have spoken to about their experiences. I am overwhelmed by the openness of friends who have come out of the woodwork to let me know that they were adopted to share so many differing perspectives with me. All of these experiences will only help me to be the best parent I can be to our child.

I am still feeling renewed in my hopefulness. This time of year is rough for hopeful adoptive parents. I have touched on this before... probably many times, but the holidays are rough when you expected this set to be enjoyed with your little one. We will get through it with the support of our friends and family and our adoption agency.

A few updates here that don't involve my emotions spewing forth. We are narrowing down a destination for Christmas. Probably Chattanooga or Blue Ridge. Somewhere close JUST IN CASE we get that call. We are new to the last minute list, so I don't think we are quite ready to stray too far, as we aren't settled in the hows and whens. We can't stay within 4 hours of home forever, so that is something we will have to become comfortable with over time. Looks like we might be attending another bonspiel for John's curling club in January. We have to talk about logistics and possibility of baby being in our lives and fun travel costs vs. adoption costs.

Let's see... another fun thing is that my friend Amy, sister in law Heather and I did the Esprit de She 5k at Piedmont Park on November 6th. They both kicked my butt, though I have legit reasons for hoofin' it slowly. There was an after party that was too crowded and just really too late, so we left and went to the OK Cafe for some quicker grub. I crave milk products after races, so I have a side of mac n cheese, which they are known for and a coke float. Don't judge me, I earned it! My time was officially 45:05 walking. Yeah, I walked it. I am missing some red blood cells in my blood right now, a common kidney transplant recipient trade off.. anemia. I wanted to be mad at myself for not being able to run long distances, but let's face it, I am a human with other people's kidneys in my body and I am still trying and succeeding. More than I can say for a lot of people with their original kidneys! Can't get too mad at myself.

This is Atlanta from the starting line. She can be quite the looker at night! 

All riled up to run or walk, whatevs.

I had to take this lovely little lady to the vet this morning. A shot of antibiotics and some very expensive food later, she is resting comfortably.  There was an embarrassing amount of yowling that had everyone staring at us in the parking lot and waiting room. She has quite the set of pipes on her.

Displeased to say the least.

So, happy "World Adoption Day" in the way we can celebrate the fact that women even have the option to place their babies in our society. Despite the issues with adoption in the US, it is much more difficult and often there are more unethical practices in other countries. We need reform in the US, particularly pertaining to open records for adoptees. We need national laws rather than state to state laws. We need more laws protecting both birth parents and adoptive parents. This is something I want to learn more about as time goes on. I am open to education on the topic if anyone wants to point me towards some resources.

In honor of world adoption day, please spread the word that we are still waiting to adopt through open adoption. Share our blog, our profile, tell your neighbors and complete strangers. We are level headed, normal and caring people who just want to have a family. 

Not looking forward to the weekend ending so this is fitting -- requisite Frank Turner song (I'll make fans of you all somehow):