January 28, 2020
by Maralee
Comments Off on Where Was I The Day You Were Born
I’ve tried a thousand times to remember. Every year I think about it again. Where was I on the day you were born? Did I somehow know something momentous was happening in a hospital room on the other side of … Continue reading
December 31, 2019
by Maralee
Comments Off on Teaching Kids to Respect Other Cultures Starts With Understanding Your Own
I remember being about nine years old the first time I realized my family culture was different from the culture I was growing up in. My mom had bought a boxed set of cassette tapes of “The News from Lake … Continue reading
December 13, 2019
by Maralee
14 Comments
I was casually strolling through the aisles at Walmart when I overhead something that made my heart race. I was looking at some dolls, trying to pick a Christmas gift for my daughter and two women right next to me … Continue reading
December 5, 2019
by Maralee
Comments Off on My Kids Were Worth the Wait
I jumped in the minivan the other morning to run some errands. When I turned to buckle my seatbelt, I saw it sitting there in front of me— my son’s hair sponge. He brought it in the car that morning … Continue reading
November 22, 2019
by Maralee
1 Comment
November is National Adoption Awareness month and over the years we’ve been an adoptive family, my feelings about this month have run the gamut. In the beginning, I just wanted to post beautiful pictures of my beautiful kids and acknowledge … Continue reading
October 10, 2019
by Maralee
Comments Off on What I Would Go Back and Tell Myself The Day We Adopted
Dear Maralee, Today you will become a mother. I know they told you you would meet your baby son tomorrow, but the orphanage administrator decided it will be today. She will not tell you this until she walks into the … Continue reading
September 11, 2019
by Maralee
1 Comment
We took our kids to an amusement park over the summer. We had three kids that were tall enough to ride whatever they wanted and three that were only tall enough to ride the little kid rides. This works out … Continue reading
September 4, 2019
by Maralee
Comments Off on “Mom. You’re the one who decided to adopt a black kid.”
This last Sunday my son asked me if I’d try out a new hairstyle on him. I had been watching youtube videos on how to do this particular style. I’d bought the products necessary. His hair is finally long enough … Continue reading
August 20, 2019
by Maralee
Comments Off on Why My Daughters Need Simone Biles
Dear Simone, My family is rooting for you. And not just because you represent our country, but because you represent us. My two little daughters sit next to me and cheer for you because just like you, they spent part … Continue reading
July 9, 2019
by Maralee
2 Comments
It has been a beautiful blessing in my life to be able to witness a lot of adoption ceremonies. Each time I’m present to hear the legal language, listen to the parents answer questions, and watch the faces of the … Continue reading