That is so mature of you.

I recently left a comment on this blog. I tend to read her here and there. It's not one of my favorite blogs but sometimes I do like to read what she has to say. Sometimes, I agree and sometimes, I don't agree.
One thing that I really try to do with blogging is see adoption from all sides and keep an open mind. There are somethings that I won't budge at and that's my final answer. There has been somethings that I have came to a better understanding of because of blogging. One thing, I try to never do is choose not to publish a comment because I don't agree. If someone can and chooses to be respectful then I publish. Rarely, do I reject comments.
I liked the story of the most recent post but to imply that adoptive couples should have dogs to make sure their children get unconditional love is just plain being overly unwilling to see any adoption in a positive loving way. I said something to the point that I have believe that adoptive parents love their children just as much as if they have given birth. I don't think they love them more or less. It's not what I have to believe but what I strongly believe in.
While, I agree having a dog in the household is a wonderful thing and to adopt one from the shelter is awesome, but to suggest that the only way the child will feel loved is just horrible.

Off the subject, I wrote an email to my friends and family asking them to donate to MELD because of the 12 children. I said if I raised 20.00 from them that I would match it. My Mom donated the 20 and now I have raised 145.00. Awesome!!!

My list of children

12 kids were on the official list. I never see 12 kids. Dang! That is a lot of shopping to do. I will have fun but I wasn't expecting that many kids. If 12 children came to group at once I would have to run out the other door.

Hey all.. Christmas is coming on quickly. We haven't done much decorating except for lights on the fence. I should be putting up our tree but that would involve moving furniture around and my tree isn't doing it for me this year. Oh and I can't find the stockings.. how is Santa going to leave us goodies if we don't have stockings.

I haven't done any shopping yet. Going to start that within a couple days. I have a question for you. Every year, I decide on a dollar amount to spend on my kids and split in half. It tends to be about the same every year. For once, I have a something in mind for my oldest son. My husband tries to talk me down to spending much less money on them.

How do you made decisions when it comes to the budget for Christmas gifts. I pretty much won't budge. Maybe, I would take his thoughts into play more if he was throwing money into the gifts. He isn't and that's okay. He just isn't into presents. Well, he will do presents off and on during the year and not just because it's Christmas or a birthday. I am the other way around. I tend to not give gifts at non holiday times. Just wondering how you deal with conflicting thoughts on what to buy or how much can be spent on Christmas presents.

MELD Fundraising

I put in the request to transfer the funds that was donated for MELD. It will take a few days to transfer but when it does I will get started on buying the gifts for the children. I am thinking about throwing all caution to the wind and using it mostly on gifts but then I go back and say that I should use it for items that are on their wish list of what is needed. Anyone have any thoughts on what I should do?

I won't ask for donations anymore but I will keep the donate button should anyone ever feel like they want to give. You know if you strike it rich. Or you find that gold at the end of the rainbow.

I would like to thank everyone again very much that donated money to me to use for MELD. I stepped out on a limb and hoped that I wouldn't get my feelings hurt if no one choose to donate. I lost count on how many people gave. I think it was about five people. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for reaching out to give.

I would like to thank the people who thought about giving and just didn't have the money to give. Times are tough. Not everyone has money to give away and some people already give to other organizations and I understand that. So, thanks to everyone who gave anything to those in need. Even if it was only a dollar in the Salvation Army Kettle.

I will be postings pictures of before I wrap the gifts and after I wrap them. Thanks again and I promise you that you helped someone in more ways than you know. You helped the children and their Mom's and also you will give me some fun when I shop for the children.

I called MELD to find out more about the Christmas party. Santa will be there and I am so going. I can' miss Santa and I am honored to celebrate Christmas with the Mom's and their babies. He did say that it would best if I didn't bring the gifts because there is 3 groups that meet so I would only be bringing for 1/3 of the kids. So, that gives me more time to dream up what I want to get them.
I am thinking a card for each Mom telling her Merry Christmas and telling her how much I adore her child. Then, of course the present for her kid. I am having a blast just thinking about it. I suppose I should get working on it. He is suppose to send me a complete list of the names to make sure that I don't forget anyone. Plus, one little girl wasn't there last week and I so can't spell her name.

Dear Todd (birthfather)

You were my first love. I remember that bright smile and your laugh. I haven't seen you in many years but I feel that we share a connection. We share our daughter. Do you still think of her? Do you even know her name? am sorry because I don't remember if I gave it to you or not. I was really afraid of an custody battle to get our daughter away from her parents. It wasn't personal at that moment. I just couldn't risk uprooting her from her family that she had been with.
Oh how I wish things were different and we were able to watch her grow. She grew up without us. Do you still think of her as a baby? Or do you count the years?
I have met with our daughter twice now. She is beautiful! She has the brightest green eyes that I have ever seen. She has beautiful dark curly hair. Her smile lights up the room. I am getting to know her. I am not her Mom, but I love her just the same. I hope I can continue to see her and get to know her better.
She has graduated from high school and is going to college. She really likes to challenged when it comes to education. She works too. She is everything that I have dreamed her up to be and more.
I wonder do you still think of me? I really don't see you in my daughter. I mean as features of hers. Then, again, I only knew you for about a year so maybe somethings I just didn't notice about him. I am really sorry that you haven't been able to meet her. I think you would like her.

end of the ten week session for MELD

Tonight, was the end of my 3rd ten week sessions of volunteering for MELD. I asked the girls that came tonight to write down their children's name and ages so that I could buy them a gift and not mess up on the spelling of their name.

I received six names but a couple of the kids that were there tonight haven't been there too much of this ten week session but in the previous ones. Little E was there. I have blogged about her before. She is a doll. She is so on my list. Little Z wasn't there but not going to forget her. I guess I am going to end up buying for probably about ten kids.

I was told that next Monday there is a Christmas party for them and it sounded as if I was invited. I have to call and get details so I might be actually able to hand the gifts to them.