WE'VE MOVED (our blog)!

I just realized that I've forgotten to update most of my blog followers that I've been playing with a new location for my blog!

This past year, I've been dealing with a lot of spam on my Blogger site (where you're at right now!)  I have had to constantly review comments for my blog that didn't have anything to do with what I've been writing about.  It was time consuming and created a lot of maintenance work for me in the background. For my blog, I've always wanted a good blend of sharing on my end, but also wanted to make it easy for my blog readers to comment on my stories without getting a bunch of junk for solicitors or spammers.   A blog, after all, is a community -- it shouldn't be just me forcing my life on you without you being able to tell me how obnoxious I am.

I've dabbled with WordPress over the past six months or so and am finding it decent so far. I believe I've managed to export all of my old blog and move it with me to our new site so our archives have moved with me!

In comparing my iPhoto albums to my blog over the past year, I'm realizing I've missed some important events on the blog that I'd like to try to catch up on.  I'll still keep posting events from the past so our family story doesn't have gaps when we look at it later.  If you follow me on Facebook, my new blog will update my Facebook feed with a notice every time I post something new so you won't miss out on the fun!

Come check out my new digs!

Her Love Letter

Shortly before Christmas, Em got to have a sleepover at Aunt Shell and Aunt Laura's house.  She was surprised with a few early Christmas presents while there and got to work right away on them. 

Aunt Shell presented us with this picture at Christmas.  Em was unprompted and had written this on her own without copying it from anything. 

I think I'll keep this one around as a reminder for those tough days. 

Fashionista

There are some mornings when Em dresses herself and I just have to grin and shake my head. This was one of those days....

Adoption Support Organization

I recently ran across a new-ish organization that is supporting families that are interested in adopting.

The Sparrow Fund was started because they do not want anything to be an obstacle in the adoption process. They are committed to see ONE MORE child with a forever family and ONE LESS orphan in the world.

More from their website:

Thousands of U.S. families adopt internationally each year. The Sparrow Fund is an organization committed to encouraging and supporting these families as they prepare for the adventure of adoption. We do this by providing regular training opportunities as well as grants to families in financial need to enroll in programs specifically designed to provide counsel and comprehensive medical reviews of their referred child.

Adoptive families can become overwhelmed by the financial costs of adoption. Participating in a program like this is an added expense that is difficult to manage. There are so many unknowns when it comes to adoption, and we believe that preparation plays a significant part in making the unpredictable road of adoption a little more smooth. Worthwhile training and national programs staffed by professionals offer invaluable services to help prepare the adoptive family as well as their child.

First Eye Exam

We've been long overdue for some eye exams in our family.  When we did kindergarten screening this past spring, we received a referral to have Em's eyes checked.  They told us she was a borderline case and it wouldn't hurt to have her checked out by our family's eye doctor.

I was due for my exam as well so we turned it into a mother-daughter visit.

Em thought these glasses were the bomb!  :-)

A depth perception check.  (Which we later found out that she struggled with this exam... she couldn't see the shapes that were "floating" in the pictures.)

 

Emily is still "borderline" as far as needing glasses, but we were told that at this point glasses aren't necessary.  In another year or two when text starts getting smaller in books at school, we may be ready to check into glasses.  Em was a bit disappointed because I think she actually wanted glasses. 

In due time, girl... in due time.