Author Archives: shannon2818

Actually, my four favorite words are not, “I love you, mom,” although that phrase would probably come in second. No, my four favorite words are, “I’m mad at you.” Maybe that sounds strange, but the way that BE has historically dealt with anger is by screaming, whining, and hitting. And, I can’t think of anythingContinue reading “My four favorite words”

On June 25, 2010, J, BE, BC, and I celebrated adoption day. We went to court to finalize our adoption and make our family legal. We were given an order of adoption, and later we received our children’s birth certificates with their new last names. I thought this would cement out position as our children’sContinue reading “Our parental status according to Turbo Tax”

This week, we celebrated BE’s 6th birthday. This was her 2nd birthday with us. I thought back a little bit about all that’s happened during the year and a half that we’ve known her. More often than I’d like to admit, I get impatient and frustrated with my kids. And I don’t always take timeContinue reading “Princess BE’s birthday”

Smith Magazine has this series called “Six-Word Memoirs.” The series invites readers to submit their thoughts on a variety of topics – but submissions are limited to six words. When I was reading through some of the entries I started thinking about what I would say about adoption. Here are a few tries: new familyContinue reading “Adoption in six words”

I get a lot of questions about adoption  from family, friends, and acquaintances. However, it turns out that most people are interested in domestic or international infant adoption, and since we adopted our children through the foster care system, I often don’t have much advice to offer. I usually acknowledge that everyone must make theContinue reading “Adoption à la carte”

A few weeks ago, I went to pick up BE from school early because she was sick. As a security measure (I suppose), the school secretary asked for BE’s birth date. I feel terrible whenever I get asked this question because I still have to stop and think about it. I told her the correctContinue reading “All mixed up: birth dates”

For as long as I can remember I’ve wanted to be a writer. I’ve been a little more serious about writing lately, mostly because it helps me make sense of what my family and I are going through. A while back, I entered NPR’s “three minute fiction” competition, which is currently in its sixth round.Continue reading “Writing reject”

Sometimes, this is my favorite room in our house: It’s all thanks to this: I confess, it’s true. When I have to use this room, I immediately lock the door. It’s the only room in our house with a lock. So, no matter how long BE and BC stand outside the door, knocking and yelling,Continue reading “My favorite room”

I’m excited to share my first guest post! This is from my mother, “Grandma G”, and this is her adoption story. _____________________________________________________________________________ I wasn’t prepared for the news that my daughter shared with me one night as we sat in a restaurant with my younger daughter and my husband. I was told that she andContinue reading “Guest Post: A Grandmother’s Adoption Perspective”

I’ve always been a little bit of a perfectionist. When I was not much older than BE, I remember deciding to do a homework assignment in block letters. It took a long time to write it this way, but I was stubborn – every letter had to be a block letter and I wasn’t satisfiedContinue reading “Searching for a connection: candy and Hello Kitty”