My sick sense of humor

We recently got a phone call that included the phrase, "I hate to be the bear of bad news." Of course this is immediately where my mind went...

{original source}

People will never forget how you made them feel

“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” ~ Maya Angelou

Sadly we lost one of Husband's grandfathers over the weekend. He was an amazing man and I was lucky to have known him.

I've got some posts set up, but I won't be around for commenting. We'll be away for the funeral for a few days. But I'll try to catch up when we get back. Send good thoughts to Husband, he is feeling the loss greatly.

The Final Daily Dose of Reality Monday Minute

This week's questions are all written by my co-host for the week, Michelle from My Pixie Dreams. If you all remember, Michelle is Monkey's mother from Mission Monkey.

1 - Who is your favorite childhood superhero?


2 - List something you have done for pure shock value.
Hmm...that would probably be any of the colors in my hair during college. Or maybe the eyebrow piercing.

3 - What is the most recent thing someone has said/done to you that left you picking your jaw up off of the floor.
I would say a few anti-adoption blogs I've come across recently. I was floored that there are people who honestly think that abortion or parenting when you don't want to parent are the only viable solutions to an unwanted pregnancy.

4 - Do you have a moment where you gained clarity about your life?
The moment Pie was born, or probably more accurately the moment she was placed in my arms. In that exact instant I wanted so much, but more than anything I wanted to be the parent Pie deserves.

5 - What are you doing to achieve your biggest dream?
Everything I can! I'm working on some things (which you guys will find out about soon) that will hopefully allow me to work from home and be with my beloved Pie all day.

Friday Friday...way better than Monday Monday no matter what The Mamas and The Papas say

This week's prompt for Red Writing Hood:
Epistolary novels work as a concept because they are a series of documents (often letters) written to reveal a story. Let's try and give this a go, shall we? For this week write a serious letter to your younger self.

*****

Tough Love

My Dearest Girl,

You are a dumbass. You make stupid and self destructive choices as frequently as you breathe. But you are also a sweet, smart and thoughtful girl. Sadly you don’t recognize that in yourself. All you see is the hurt. The depression. The bad decisions.

You are in trouble. And I hate to tell you this, but it will get worse before it gets better. The trouble will mount and you will be buried by it. You will not be able to see the light of day for what feels like a very long time.

I wish I could really have told you this…wish you would have been able to hear me. Ask for help. Accept the help that is offered. There are people who love you. They are worried and you are shutting them out. Take a deep breath, man up and tell people how bad it is. Listen when your family says they love you. Listen when your friends say they will be there for you.

You will eventually fight your way back. You will get your life back to some semblance of normal. In the meantime let me give you one good thing to focus on. You will make a decision during this time that is possibly the smartest thing you’ve ever done. You will let that sweet new boy stick around. He is working really hard to spend time with you. And he still is. All these years later he is your favorite. He is the best husband and father you could ever have asked for. Well done you on that one.

It has been hard and bumpy and heartbreaking. You still have good days and really not good days. But despite everything I’m still working really hard on loving you, and we’re a lot closer than we were before….

See ya later alligator,
-S-

*****

Just so I don't leave you to start the weekend on a sadder note, Pie wanted to bust a quick move for you...

For Monday Minute...

Ok, so I'm on a posting frenzy of some kind today...

This is a really good one...Ian at The Daily Dose of Reality is passing on the reins of the Monday Minute. If you are interested in being considered check out this post. Except don't because I totally want to do it! :) To participate you have to '[write] a story that has happened to yourself at one point in your life. A story that will inspire others to do good. A story where you performed either a random act of kindness or went out of your way to help someone in need.'

So here's my story:

This was actually pretty hard. I was thinking that as an adoptive parent, I helped my daughters' birthparents quite a bit. But I'm really the one who walked away from that interaction the luckiest of the group. Then I was thinking about telling some stories from the homeless shelter I volunteer at, but that wasn't exactly what I was looking for either.

So I think I'll share a double sided story. One where I have received kindness and where I have been lucky enough to return it.

The journey of infertility and adoption has not been an easy one. Shocking, right? It has kicked my ass 8 ways to Sunday (an expression I have never understood but use anyway). There have been times since I started this blog that I have shared some very personal parts of that process. Some that have really weighed heavily on me, or have worried or stressed me out. And through that I have been amazed at this community's outpouring of support.

I have vented and dumped all kinds of things out here, and so many wonderful people have not only read my ramblings, but have taken the time out of their own lives to offer support, ideas, and encouragement. I am humbled by it.

On the flip side, I have tried to be equally as gracious. I have sent good thoughts, and happy wishes around the country. I have supported causes and auctions. I don't think twice about sending an email or comment to a blogger that I know needs a little extra something.

I love that I can do that. I love that there are so many others who do as well. Being a part of this crazy, funny, joyous, sad, over-tired, wildly loved and loving, mommy, daddy group has been a blessing. It has restored my feeling that while there are certainly people out there who are awful, there are so many more who are happy to take the extra minute during their day to make you smile.

Blog Guidebook

Do you know about the Blog Guidebook? No you said? Well then you should go sit in the corner and think about what you've done. It's an amazing bloggy resource with an awesome mission. If you have a free minute, go check it out!

The Paper Mama Photo Challenge: Excitement!

This weeks guest judge:
Joni of Six Cherries on Top.

This weeks challenge: Excitement!
The challenge: Take or find a photo of your baby (or kid... or puppy... or kitty) excited! That's it! Let's see those excited faces!