I just flew in from Orlando last night and got home after midnight so I appreciate your patience as I slowly get back into the swing of things in my regular routine. When I get a chance to debrief and breathe, I hope to share with you more about what I got out of my trip to ETAAM (early trauma and attachment moms). For now, today’s adoption blog hop doesn’t have any theme other than adoption so just come on over and link up.

Next week, the optional topic is talking to kids about adoption.

As I reflect on Christmas this year, I cannot help but think of all the people for whom Christmas is a hard time, a time that brings thoughts of loss or loneliness to the forefront. There are so many childless parents out there for whom Christmas is a painful time. The term “childless parent” may seem like an impossible one, but I know that they exist. I have met them. I have looked into their eyes. I have listened to their stories and seen their tears. They are the waiting parents, the ones who long to fill the empty bed or crib in the already decorated room, the ones who have plans and dreams and hopes of a family that are yet to be fulfilled. These parents have often waited years to adopt. While their future child may not yet be born or may be waiting in an orphanage half a world away, these parents wake up Christmas morning to a quiet house. There are no stockings to fill, no trips to Santa, no reading of the Christmas story with their babe snuggled on their lap. Christmas takes the emptiness they walk around with every day and magnifies it. These mothers and fathers are parents already…make no mistake about it. They have sacrificed already for their child, lain awake with worry, cried tears of anguish, prayed for, and love their child already with a heart ready to burst with emotion.

For those of you who are celebrating the holidays this year with your child in your arms, please remember those whose arms are empty. Please remember those children, especially older children in foster care or orphanages who have no families to call their own this Christmas. Please pray that the waiting children and the childless parents find each other this coming year.

And for those of you who are childless parents, know that many who were once in your position are now holding their little ones. I can personally attest to the fact that successful adoption can happen. Don’t give up on your dreams of family….somewhere out there, there is a child dreaming of one too.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

I leave you with this…

There are still a few things to add to the site as far as resources go, but I couldn’t wait any longer to reveal the new look to you.  What do you think?!  Thanks to Angie over at Tiny Owl Designs for doing such a great job and for putting up with my technological stuntedness!  I am really excited for some great posts coming up in the next few weeks on Adoption Magazine on topics such as nutrition, orphan care, and adoption from an adoptee’s perspective.   With the new site design as well as things in my life, I have gotten a bit behind here so would welcome any guest posts while I catch up.

I hope you enjoy the new look of Adoption Magazine!

I know that this isn’t directly adoption related, but I also know that many adoptive families are looking for a way to make a difference in the life of children.  I also know that there are some families who could use a distraction while they are waiting to adopt and there is no better one than to reach out and help a child.  And for those of you with kids already at home, this opportunity can provide your children a chance to learn about some of the different ways kids grow up and get the chance to meet a new friend and perhaps a forever pen pal.  I think that this would be a great experience for families and I thought that this may appeal to many of you.

The Fresh Air Fund is in need of 850 loving host families this summer.  Could you open up your home for one or two weeks to help change a child’s life???

Fresh Air children are boys and girls, six to 18 years old, who live in New York City. Children on first-time visits are six to 12 years old and stay for either one or two weeks. Youngsters who are re-invited by the same family may continue with The Fund through age 18, and many enjoy longer summertime visits, year after year. A visit to the home of a warm and loving volunteer host family can make all the difference in the world to an inner-city child. All it takes to create lifelong memories is laughing in the sunshine and making new friends.

The majority of Fresh Air children are from low-income communities. These are often families without the resources to send their children on summer vacations. Most inner-city youngsters grow up in towering apartment buildings without large, open, outdoor play spaces. Concrete playgrounds cannot replace the freedom of running barefoot through the grass or riding bikes down country lanes.

• Playing in the backyard
• Laughing in the sunshine
• Catching fireflies
• Riding bicycles
• Learning to swim
• Running barefoot through the grass
• Gazing at the stars on moonlit nights
• Building sandcastles
• Making new friends
• Simple pleasures of life away from the inner-city

Adoption Magazine will be a bit sparse this week and perhaps next.  My apologies.  Due to personal circumstances, I will not be able to work on it.  Your patience is appreciated.  For those who wish to pray for our family, you can read updates on our personal blog at thechaosandtheclutter.com.  I hope to be back soon!