(If you’ve seen the animated movie, “UP”, you’ll enjoy this. If not, it might be really pointless to read!) Today we sat in our attorney’s …
Adoption Stuff
Dads…Who Didn’t Have To Be
Dan and our girl about ten years ago… It’s after midnight, which makes it Father’s Day, and one of my old foster kids just sent …
Blockbuster Babies | Backwoods Mom
My daughter Destini wrote this for a class this year…I thought it was really good so I thought I’d share. Destini is eighteen years old …
Adoption Pending »
He came to us in the summer, four years ago with a chip on his shoulder, a mouth with no filter, and a yearning for …
Against All Odds »
Found in Cooper Landing, Alaska…fighting it’s way thru the asphalt “Did you hear about the rose that grew from a crack in the concrete? Proving …
Battle Scars | Backwoods Mom
Robin the week she came to us…what’s not to love, right?! Tonight while making dinner, the boys were swapping scar stories, as boys do. Steven …
Revival–by Anthony | Backwoods Mom
It’s about 11:30 at night and Anthony just knocked on my bedroom door to show me a poem he’d written. This work will make more …
Father’s Day »
With Father’s Day upon us, I’ve spent some time trying to put together a piece about what makes a “father” become a “dad”. I’ve scribbled …
Another Mother
I’m sitting here at 11 p.m. the night before Mother’s Day. Anthony, age 11, is here with me. He’s sleeping on the couch tonight so …
My Overcoming One »
The tiny boy with the bright blue eyes Looked up and said to me Can I live here a long, long time? Three months, if …
Robin Wonders »
I rarely talk with my long term kids about their early childhood in front of the other kids. For some reason I’ve always hesitated…I didn’t …
Damn Her | Backwoods Mom
A while back I had Billy into the local clinic for a sports physical. The doctor scanned his chart, did some quick work with his …
I Live Here…For Now »
One boy turns to the other and says, “Just because you live here, doesn’t mean…” “I live here?” the second boy interrupts, a broad grin …
Things Anthony Says »
When Anthony came to us he was six years old. That very first day we knew we were in for a challenge. But we also …
The Feel Of The Food »
This morning I followed a trail of broken, dry, Top Ramen noodles down the hall, across the living room and to the garbage can where …
Mommy? »
He called me mommy on his second day in my home. People said, “Oh, how sweet!” Sweet? Not really. Totally emotionally dysfunctional? Definitely. Imagine your …
Adoption Day | Backwoods Mom
In February of this year our family grew by two when Steven and Luke came to live with us. Tomorrow morning, the 19th of December, …
The Unfixable »
He was fifteen when he came to me. And even on the first day I knew he couldn’t stay. I knew it wasn’t the right …
I Remember Her »
I remember the way her hair smelled when I tucked her in under my arm. How she snuggled so close, trying to crawl back into …
I Am From… »
In school this year, Billy was assigned to create a video called, “I Am From” that told the story of who he is. Each slide …
My Lost Boy »
Written in February, 2007… Edited in June, 2011, for confidentiality… As I step into the small room I am greeted with the smell of …
And Justice For Ally »
She felt the pull of death and it was welcome. She lay silent, worn from screaming, her voice unheard as she lay in the shallow …
This I Believe »
My daughter, Robin, came to us when she was six years old. We were her tenth family. This year for a school project she created …
The Root Of All… | Backwoods Mom
This morning Anthony asked if any of his birth relatives had been approved for visits…like an uncle or cousin. When I asked why, he said, …
A Simple Truth | Backwoods Mom
Tomorrow afternoon our son…will become our son. Legally, at least, though he’s been ours for four years. I’m going to share a few words from …
When They Were Sisters »
Mya and Shawnta 2004 They sit at the tiny table, the two of them. One across from the other Cutching crayons In pink fingers. …
What’s One More? »
This afternoon, as Dan woke for his night shift 800 miles away, he received my text that we were taking in a seven year old …
Shopping For Kids »
I’ve done it again…found myself shopping for kids online. I don’t mean buying gifts for my current children; I mean actually shopping for kids. It’s …