November 16, 2023
by Maralee
Comments Off on What to be “Aware” of During Adoption Awareness Month
November is Adoption Awareness Month and this year the word “awareness” is really sticking out to me. There have been seasons where I thought of it as “Adoption Positivity Month” and then years later it felt like “Adoption Shame and … Continue reading
November 2, 2022
by Maralee
Comments Off on I Don’t Need You to Lie to My Kid
I had an experience this last week that’s left me a little unsettled. I don’t like being unsettled. I took my daughter in for an appointment with a pediatric dentist. We typically all see the same dentist, but she had … Continue reading
January 20, 2022
by Maralee
Comments Off on How to Make Small Talk with a Large Family Mom
I had an awkward interaction with someone the other day. It wasn’t the first time. It certainly won’t be the last. When people see a large family, it’s kind of tough not to comment on it. In the immortal words … Continue reading
December 2, 2021
by Maralee
Comments Off on Adoption is Not the Happy Ending. It’s the Beginning.
*These were my remarks to honor the Nebraska Governor’s proclamation of National Adoption Awareness Month at our state capital.* When we first pursued adoption, it was because we wanted to be parents and that was not working out in the … Continue reading
May 11, 2021
by Maralee
Comments Off on A Rebuttal to the Mom Who Said it’s Okay to Prioritize Your Bio Kids Over Your Adopted Kids
Yesterday I listened to a podcast I typically enjoy. It’s about the Enneagram and the host (who is adopted) was interviewing a woman who aged out of foster care and is now a foster parent. I am not putting her … Continue reading
December 31, 2019
by Maralee
Comments Off on Teaching Kids to Respect Other Cultures Starts With Understanding Your Own
I remember being about nine years old the first time I realized my family culture was different from the culture I was growing up in. My mom had bought a boxed set of cassette tapes of “The News from Lake … Continue reading
November 22, 2019
by Maralee
1 Comment
November is National Adoption Awareness month and over the years we’ve been an adoptive family, my feelings about this month have run the gamut. In the beginning, I just wanted to post beautiful pictures of my beautiful kids and acknowledge … Continue reading
October 10, 2019
by Maralee
Comments Off on What I Would Go Back and Tell Myself The Day We Adopted
Dear Maralee, Today you will become a mother. I know they told you you would meet your baby son tomorrow, but the orphanage administrator decided it will be today. She will not tell you this until she walks into the … Continue reading
August 20, 2019
by Maralee
Comments Off on Why My Daughters Need Simone Biles
Dear Simone, My family is rooting for you. And not just because you represent our country, but because you represent us. My two little daughters sit next to me and cheer for you because just like you, they spent part … Continue reading
July 9, 2019
by Maralee
2 Comments
It has been a beautiful blessing in my life to be able to witness a lot of adoption ceremonies. Each time I’m present to hear the legal language, listen to the parents answer questions, and watch the faces of the … Continue reading