Ignorance

There was recently a great story in an online newspaper in Connecticut about Ethiopian adoptions: www.courant.com/news/local/hc-ethiopia0422.artapr22,0,7186106.story
This story was trying put a positive message out into the world about adopting and some of the processes people go through. It also follows adoptions through the agency that Dan and Tiff are using and shows what a great job they do with families who want to adopt from Ethiopia or other countries. At the end of this story, there was a link to click so that people could make comments on the story. It was absolutely mind blowing that there are such ignorant people who are still out there in today's society. Some comments were extremely racial and then there were other comments that questioned adopting outside of this country. I was going to post some of the really crude comments on my blog site so that you could all see how ignorant people can be. I cannot get to the comments section of the story now because the newspaper's website actually decided to shut down the comments section for this story because of the racial and extremely negative comments. One of the things that struck me was the fact that some of these people acted like anyone who adopts outside of our country were on different teams: The "United States team" vs. "Any Other Country "team. What about Team "This Whole World"? Why do people think that families who live in the U.S. should only adopt children who are also from the U.S.? Do they realize that it is much more difficult and not to mention waaaayyyy more expensive? It's a much longer wait in most cases too. The obvious thing about the comments that really was irritating are the people out there who are obviously racists. These are the people who are still making it difficult and continuing to add fuel to the fire for people who have a different color skin than they do. This is in part, what is wrong with today's society. WAKE UP..............it's only skin color. Don't label people because of their skin color. White racist's are the people who give all white people a bad name. Some people with a different skin color are the people who give all people with different skin color a bad name.

I know that my grandchildren are and will be very loved by Danny and I. We are so eager for Dan and Tiff to become parents. Most of you already know what fantastic parents they are going to be and that some baby is going to be VERY lucky to have these two as his/her parents. I'm sure that there are people out there who have differing opinions on Dan and Tiff's choice too. This has been an eye opening experience for our family and we are still in the process of learning and will continue to see things in a different light in the coming months. This is a life lesson that I'm happy to have had the chance to experience. I will leave this earth a different person because of it.

Despite the shorter wait times, this process has been long and very hard. We are very grateful for every one's continued encouragement and support. We are now in the home stretch and the wait seems even tougher.

Enough ranting......on to happier things! I hope that my next blog will have referral news on it!

Finally!!

The snow has finally disappeared from our yard and pool area. I know that this is not the case for some of you who read my blog but look on the bright side.....spring is here and hopefully we won't get ANY MORE snow! Danny and I have finally moved into our HUGE new bedroom. I love it! We've got a little work to do on the organization of the main floor upstairs but overall, things look much better. We are as busy as ever lately. Danny with work of course and me with...................well.........................a little of everything. We're looking forward to the warmer weather and getting outside.

Melissa and Gavin have been taking some walks with Avery and she loves to be outside. They have signed her up for swimming lessons that will begin in a couple of weeks. She loves the water so I'm sure she'll do well. It will prepare her for the many hours that we'll spend in the pool this summer. She already has 4 bathing suits so she'll certainly always have a dry one! Her personality is changing pretty quickly these days. She definately prefers to be with her mother and let's you know it. We have conversations on the phone which either consist of Avery babbling to me for several minutes or her being completely silent while Nana makes a complete fool of herself by singing loudly into the phone for her. She is getting to be so much fun and I'm sure the best is yet to come.

Dan and Tiffany (and the rest of us!) are very anxiously waiting for a referral for Marin/Bennett these days. As Dan and Tiffany get closer and closer to the top of the waiting list, it seems like time is d-r-a-g-g-i-n-g! I'm looking forward to just finding out if we have a Marin or a Bennett. It doesn't matter to me either way but I've got shopping to do!! This child will need everything so on top of giving them a shower, there will be lots of preparation for this child who we already love so much!! We cannot wait to meet him/her.

We have lots of things coming up. There are baby showers, birthdays, a college graduation, a shower to plan for Dan and Tiff, a 70th surprise birthday party for my father and a trip to New York in the fall with my Tuesday night card crew (and my best friend Deidre!). Dave, Danny, Deidre and I have also discussed a vacation next winter in a warm and sunny tropical place. As you can see, life is never dull. I stay busier than ever!

I've been messing around with different blog layouts lately and after feeling like I finally conquered making them, have decided that I don't have the time and what does it really matter anyway....does anyone really care what my layout looks like?

Possible new things on the horizon for me.........stay tuned!