Thursday, November 28, 2013
Happy Thanksgiving
Wishing you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving. Here are a few of my favorite pictures so far from this summer. We have so much to be thankful for!
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Ditto on this, why i won't buy Unicef holiday cards
I came across this article a few months ago and completely agree with the idea of staying away from Unicef holiday cards. As an adoptive parent I feel it is my right and responsibility to educate others about Unicef's unacceptable treatment of orphans. The writer says it better than I ever could so I am reposting her article!
NEW YORK, December 5, 2011 — UNICEF holiday greeting cards have been an iconic symbol of the spirit of the holidays since 1949.
Ubiquitous during the holiday season, you can buy them on UNICEF’s own website, or at Amazon, Barnes & Nobles and many other major retailers.
And who can resist images like cute multicultural cadre of kids, smiling and holding hands as they circle the globe? Who can’t get behind the idea of children from all nations coming together across borders, showing the one-ness of the human race?
Well, actually UNICEF can’t. It has declared national borders sacred; country of origin rigidly defining. Sadly, all that’s left of UNICEF’s “we are one people, one world” message is what’s found in a twelve-buck box of paper cards.
To sell their charming assortment of holiday cards, UNICEF writes “When you send UNICEF Christmas greeting cards and holiday cards, you help bring hope, health and happiness to children around the world.”
They should have disclaimer at the end, specifying “just not to orphans.”
UNICEF has been very successful in marketing its cards to unsuspecting Americans, who do not know about its stance against the world’s orphans finding permanent families in the U.S. In fact, UNICEF rakes in about $16.8 million from sales of cards and related products, according to a United Nations report for 2010.
In recent years, UNICEF has taken a radical position against orphans, insisting that life in the country of birth is always preferable than life with an adoptive family in another country even when that means children are condemned to orphanages. So much for those handholding holiday cards. Good-bye, one-ness. Hello, border patrol.
Their tagline is “Shop for a cause and help children in need.” While no one can argue with the fact that UNICEF does work to improve living conditions for some children in need, their assistance goes to those who already have families. Those without, not so much.
Until UNICEF’s campaign against inter-country adoption is stopped, I won’t be buying their greeting cards, and I urge everyone who is concerned about the world’s orphans not to buy them either. And, as delightful as the cards may look on my mantle, when I receive a UNICEF card I will not keep it in my house. In fact, I’ll take it as an opportunity to educate the sender about how UNICEF has chosen to turn its back on parentless children again this holiday season.
This year, if the spirit moves you to send holiday cards that will make a difference, there are many other alternatives to supporting UNICEF, which has lost its moral compass and has turned orphans into collateral damage in service of a political agenda.
Instead, choose an organization that champions a cause you believe in, that has a positive impact on the world. For one of the best places to find a huge selection of beautiful holiday cards that support worthy organizations, go to http://www.cardsthatgive.org.
Read more: http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/red-thread-adoptive-family-forum/2011/dec/5/why-i-wont-buy-unicef-holiday-cards/#ixzz2k0Jsc88F
Follow us: @wtcommunities on Twitter
NEW YORK, December 5, 2011 — UNICEF holiday greeting cards have been an iconic symbol of the spirit of the holidays since 1949.
Ubiquitous during the holiday season, you can buy them on UNICEF’s own website, or at Amazon, Barnes & Nobles and many other major retailers.
And who can resist images like cute multicultural cadre of kids, smiling and holding hands as they circle the globe? Who can’t get behind the idea of children from all nations coming together across borders, showing the one-ness of the human race?
Well, actually UNICEF can’t. It has declared national borders sacred; country of origin rigidly defining. Sadly, all that’s left of UNICEF’s “we are one people, one world” message is what’s found in a twelve-buck box of paper cards.
To sell their charming assortment of holiday cards, UNICEF writes “When you send UNICEF Christmas greeting cards and holiday cards, you help bring hope, health and happiness to children around the world.”
They should have disclaimer at the end, specifying “just not to orphans.”
UNICEF has been very successful in marketing its cards to unsuspecting Americans, who do not know about its stance against the world’s orphans finding permanent families in the U.S. In fact, UNICEF rakes in about $16.8 million from sales of cards and related products, according to a United Nations report for 2010.
In recent years, UNICEF has taken a radical position against orphans, insisting that life in the country of birth is always preferable than life with an adoptive family in another country even when that means children are condemned to orphanages. So much for those handholding holiday cards. Good-bye, one-ness. Hello, border patrol.
Their tagline is “Shop for a cause and help children in need.” While no one can argue with the fact that UNICEF does work to improve living conditions for some children in need, their assistance goes to those who already have families. Those without, not so much.
Until UNICEF’s campaign against inter-country adoption is stopped, I won’t be buying their greeting cards, and I urge everyone who is concerned about the world’s orphans not to buy them either. And, as delightful as the cards may look on my mantle, when I receive a UNICEF card I will not keep it in my house. In fact, I’ll take it as an opportunity to educate the sender about how UNICEF has chosen to turn its back on parentless children again this holiday season.
This year, if the spirit moves you to send holiday cards that will make a difference, there are many other alternatives to supporting UNICEF, which has lost its moral compass and has turned orphans into collateral damage in service of a political agenda.
Instead, choose an organization that champions a cause you believe in, that has a positive impact on the world. For one of the best places to find a huge selection of beautiful holiday cards that support worthy organizations, go to http://www.cardsthatgive.org.
Read more: http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/red-thread-adoptive-family-forum/2011/dec/5/why-i-wont-buy-unicef-holiday-cards/#ixzz2k0Jsc88F
Follow us: @wtcommunities on Twitter
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Halloween
It was an amazing Halloween this year. All three kids were totally into the holiday and wanted to get dressed up and go trick or treating. We went to many different events this year; a fall pumpkin festival at a local farm, a community Halloween event with vendors and trick or treating and a truck or treat event at a local church. They dressed up for school and each had a school parade in the morning. Then we finally went out trick or treating on Halloween evening. The kids got full use of their costumes this year.
Each was very specific in what they wanted to dress up as for the holiday. Nate, as usual, changed his mind several times, fireman, armadillo, transformer fireman, and policeman. We decided on policeman because he really wanted to have the handcuffs (and put us in jail). Paige and Phoebe were very sure of their decisions, Paige wanted to be Doc McStuffins and Phoebe wanted to be a Princess in PINK of course. Thankfully, I was able to find each of their requests!
Halloween night they came home with so much candy, we overflowith. the kids don't eat candy, so this year we bought lots of small items and set up a chuck E- che*se like store and the kids used their candy as currency to purchase what they wanted. It was so much fun to come home and do this after a long night of working for their candy.
Also, happy birthday to my sister! Born on Halloween day!
Each was very specific in what they wanted to dress up as for the holiday. Nate, as usual, changed his mind several times, fireman, armadillo, transformer fireman, and policeman. We decided on policeman because he really wanted to have the handcuffs (and put us in jail). Paige and Phoebe were very sure of their decisions, Paige wanted to be Doc McStuffins and Phoebe wanted to be a Princess in PINK of course. Thankfully, I was able to find each of their requests!
Halloween night they came home with so much candy, we overflowith. the kids don't eat candy, so this year we bought lots of small items and set up a chuck E- che*se like store and the kids used their candy as currency to purchase what they wanted. It was so much fun to come home and do this after a long night of working for their candy.
Also, happy birthday to my sister! Born on Halloween day!
Friday, November 15, 2013
Autumn Moon Festival
The kids had a wonderful Chinese moon festival celebration this year. We went to a community festival and watched dancers, singers and artist from many Asian countries preform on stage. We got to enjoy some amazing food and had a great time celebrating. Then we went to dinner with other families with adopted children and had a great meal at a Chinese restaurant. We enjoyed moon cakes, the kids got dressed up in their festival clothes and celebrated with friends.
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Back to school
The kids had a great first day back to school. Nate started Kindergarten and the girls go 2 days a week to preschool. They were all very excited to wear their new clothes and bring their back packs and lunch bags to school. Things are going so well and they are all learning so much.
Paige is very much into purple, as you can see, and Phoebe likes pink and black. Nate just wanted to be cool and wear a fun shirt.
Also, happy 11-12-13 day!
Paige is very much into purple, as you can see, and Phoebe likes pink and black. Nate just wanted to be cool and wear a fun shirt.
Also, happy 11-12-13 day!
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