Difficult – S T R E A M S + T H O R N S

Six Things Not to Say to an Adoptive Parent

I recently posted a blog that I have been working on for some time. It took me a while to write it because I wanted to be sure it accurately conveyed my heart but was honest about something that it seems is lacking in the adoption community. I wrote it knowing that I was openingContinue reading “Six Things Not to Say to an Adoptive Parent”

The Ugly Side of Adoption

If you find yourself encouraged, follow my new blog at http://www.streamsandthorns.com for more posts like this one. I found this entry the other day while randomly flipping through an old journal: “January 2, 2013 Today, sort of in passing and sort of without even realizing it, I prayed a prayer. ‘Do something great through me… No matterContinue reading “The Ugly Side of Adoption”

Top Ten Highlights of 2013

I laid in bed this morning listening to the rain on the metal roof of our home, thinking about the past year and one thought kept resonating in my mind. We are crazy. Or at least this year almost made us that way. But by the grace of God, we are different people today thatContinue reading “Top Ten Highlights of 2013”

Broken Teeth and Broken Lives: If We Weren\’t "Just" Moms

We read the document line by line, our plea to the judge to make this brown-eyed girl our own. Our lawyer had drawn it up for us, ensuring that while this would be a lengthy process, it really was not all that complicated. “Richard Whittemore, married, pilot, resident at….” So far so good. “Ashley Whittemore,Continue reading “Broken Teeth and Broken Lives: If We Weren\’t "Just" Moms”

When Living the Dream Feels More Like a Nightmare

“These are our ‘good ole’ days’, you know?” I said to him as we precariously swerved through the potholes of the washing-away-street, us and our three kiddos all crammed up on our motorcycle going home after a dinner out because neither of us could decide who was less tired enough to cook. One day, theseContinue reading “When Living the Dream Feels More Like a Nightmare”

One More Month of "Normal"

Last November, we were living in NC for about a month and a half as Richard worked on his helicopter license. I started attending a MOPS (Moms of Preschoolers) group while we were there. It was very encouraging for me during that time and I met a lot of great women. One very sweet youngContinue reading “One More Month of "Normal"”

On Being Real

People like real people, but not many people like to be real. I know. It\’s deep. But why is that?! I have a theory and it goes a little something like this: 1. It scares us to be real.It not only scares us when other people are real, it scares us when we start toContinue reading “On Being Real”