Adoption Journey Continues (everyday I grow a little more)

     I spoke with a teenage boy today who is angry. When we got to the bottom line I found he is adopted and he acts out against his AMom because he is angry that he is adopted. I told him that as a Birth Mother I want him to know that it is okay to be angry, and it is even okay to be angry at his Birth Mom, but in no way should he be angry with his adoptive mother for choosing him. This was a huge step for me to tell an adoptee that it is okay to be angry at a Birth Mother, and the truth is I was being honest. I truly feel that if Ashleigh is mad I pray that she isn't mad with her Mom or Dad. I feel it is okay that she is angry with me, and angry with her adoption, but I pray that she will always respect her parents and will ALWAYS believe and know that they LOVE her unconditionally. I pray that if she is or ever is in the future angry about the choices I made that she is angry towards the right person, ME!!!! It was amazing to have this talk today and it was amazing to hear myself say that it is okay to be angry with adoption, it is angry to be angry with the person that made the choice. It felt good to know that I could say that with no sadness and with total honesty..........what a beautiful day......

Family Vacation: St. Augustine, Florida Feb 15- Feb 17 2013

     St. Augustine, Florida what a beautiful place.

  Durand and I traveled there a couple of years ago and chose this place for a mini-vacation with all of our kids this year. A weekend away from life, away from fighting children, housework, and every thing else that is part of everyday life.

Don't the kids look like they are having a great time :). Believe it or not, it was freezing, oh so cold. Even that didn't stop us from having a great time with each other. The old jail was a great experiance and little Landen was our little actor....lol...didn't care who was watching, he was acting!!!!

The kids, believe it or not, did not fight too much :). At times I wondered to myself why we brought them with us for his birthday weekend, but as I watched them I remembered just how important they are to me, just how much I love each and every one of them. I was reminded of how much they truly love each other.

The old grave yard we went through was sad. So many grave stones with such young people buried, and I mean young. The kids enjoyed learning about the stones and the fact that up to 25 different people were burried in the same area and the stone represented the person that was on top. St. Augustine is a fun and, yes you guessed it, an educational place.

The oldest school was another great place to see. Talk about showing your kids how good they have it now a days? LOL!!!!!! Isn't it crazy how schools have changed? The kids liked this tour, with the wishing well and the big school bell that they got to pull and make ring. This was a fund stop and we all got a diploma :).

Ever wonder what a "Cracker" really is? We found this at the old museum.

This was another stop on our set of tours and the museum gave us so much to look at and even more to learn. The kids enjoyed learning and I don't think they even realized it :).

The fountain of youth, what a beautiful place. Durand and I both drank water from it so hopefully we will stay youthful....LOL. The tour here showed us how the ships sailed using the stars. Showed how Ponce De Leon was the first to truly land on America and how America was once Florida. They also shot off cannons which was a cool experience.

     I will finish our trip tomorrow because it took us two days to take our tours so I will continue tomorrow. If you ever want to enjoy time with your family while learning some new things this is a place to go. St. Augustine Florida, simply BEAUTIFUL :)