BirthMom Buds Bulletin
December 2006
What's new with BirthMom Buds:
Just a little note to keep you up to date with all the great things we are
doing!
New poems ~ There are lots of new poems this month! Check them out on the
Inspiration page.
Cookbooks ~ Order your cookbook today to ensure delivery before
Christmas!! The cookbook features over 200 recipes from all members of the
triad. Makes a great Christmas gift! Checkout the
cookbook page for
more information.
New Showcase Pages ~ Check out the new pages on the
showcase! If you
are interested in having a showcase page,
email Coley.
Ornament Exchange ~ If you are participating in the Ornament Exchange you
should have your match by now. Don't forget to get your ornament in the mail by
Dec. 15th. If you have any questions, please email Amy.
Input needed ~ Leigh H. is writing an article for the Jan. newsletter and
needs your help. She is looking for your thoughts and comments on the past year
such as accomplishments or achievements in the past year as well as reflections
on your life and the changes in your life the past year and also your goals for
the upcoming year. Please
email them to Leigh. Thank you in advance!
Turn Trash into Cash for BBuds ~ Fellow member Joyce B. has brought an
exciting fundraising opportunity to us. By simply turning in our old cell phones
and used printer cartridges,
Cartridges for Kids,
will make monetary donations to BirthMom Buds. BBuds uses monetary donations for
shipping on the care packages, toll free phone bill, website fees, etc. If you
have an old cell phone or ink cartridges lying around,
email
Joyce and she'll send you a pre-paid postal envelope. This is so easy -
why not tell your friends and family about this too!
Adoption Spotlight: Focusing on any adoption or women's issues related web site, organization, individual, or issue.
Adoption Websites
Featuring Great Gifts
By Jenifer Hulburt
With Christmas (I can’t believe it’s already here!) right around the corner, I know that gifts are on everyone’s mind. If you know someone touched by adoption, then adoption gifts may be a great choice this holiday season. Whether you are thinking of gifts for your kids or significant other, parents or siblings, then I have some ideas for you! I have found a few great websites that feature adoption gifts. The following are just a few of the great websites I found:
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Adoption Shop |
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Many Hearts, One Beat |
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About.com's Adoption Gift Area |
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Adoption Greeting Cards and Merchandise |
The first website, Adoption Shop, is a great place to find gifts such as Adoption Infinity Circle Necklace, which is great for anyone in an Adoption triad. Or a book called “What is Adoption: Helping non-adopted children understand adoption”. This is a great gift that helps adults explain adoption to kids. It talks about topics such as “Positive use of adoption language” and “Possible reasons for adoption”.
The second website, Many Hearts, One Beat, was started by an adoptive mom who was so touched by her adoption experience in adopting her son, that she was inspired to start this website. The gifts featured on this website are geared more toward adoptive families. But they still have a few items that would be great for birthmothers as well. Their Signature Heart Pendant is a beautiful piece of jewelry. They also have adoption apparel that includes t-shirts and crew jackets, with the message “ADOPTION - MANY HEARTS ONE BEAT”.
At About.com and Laura Christansen’s website, you can find links to many websites that have gifts for those touched my adoption. On About.com you can find links to websites with Adoption Jewelry and Adoption Ornaments. On Laura Christensen's Adoption Greeting Cards and Merchandise page you will find links to websites such as A Mothers Charm and Heart and Seoul, which is geared toward international adoptions.
With Christmas fast approaching, I think we can all agree that it gets harder each year to find that perfect gift. Each one of these websites has something unique and inspiring to offer. You may even find something that you want for Christmas. Happy shopping!
Ideas and Insights: Some tips and ideas ranging from gifts for your birth child, creative ways to deal with being a birthmom, insight on things to do or say with your buddy, ways to shed some light about being a birthmom to those who just don't get it, and more.
How to Get Through the
Holidays
by Amy Morse
Merry Christmas girls!!! It is just amazing how fast this year has flown by. It feels just like yesterday that I was sitting at my kitchen table working on my Christmas cards for 2005.
So, how many of you have a hard time dealing with adoption emotions through the holidays? I am sure all of us who are reading this can raise their hand, and say that we need the counseling more than the next person. How many of you are able to see your birth children over the busy holiday season? When I was still living in Oregon, I never had a visit with Kaylee around the holidays, as they were too crazy. But we would always get together sometime in January right after the holidays. One thing that I do for Kaylee every year is buy her a Christmas ornament and write the year on the ornament. Also I will buy an identical ornament for my own collection and hang them on my tree each year. It just just another way to feel like she is here in my home.
And as if being a birthmom and getting through the holidays isn't hard enough, some of us may be away from our families seperated by many miles. How many of us have family traditions that you grew up with and you continue to do them now? I always loved the Christmas holidays in my house. My family would always go to a Christmas concert together sometime in the two holiday months. Then Christmas morning we would all open our gifts together, eat Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls, and in the afternoon go to a movie with extended family members. Still to this day that is what my family does. I am sad to say that this year I will not be home to participate with them.
Here are some ideas on how to get through the holidays:
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Buy a new ornament that reminds you of your birth child. |
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Go see a movie with family or friends. |
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Bake Cookies and give them to your neighbors, co-workers, friends, family, etc... |
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Donate to a Charity that supports adoption or children in general. |
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Write a Christmas card to your child and keep it for the future. |
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Donate food to a local food bank. |
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Serve food at a local homeless shelter. |
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Journal about your feelings on Christmas Day. |
I hope some of the ideas help make your help a little easier! And don't forget to reach out to your birthmom friends who are probably feeling much like you!
Buddy of the Month: All of you are appreciated, but each month we will spotlight a different involved member. You can also nominate fellow BirthMom Buds who you think deserve to be buddy of the month. For more info or to nominate a friend, visit the Buddy of the Month Page.
Jodi Campbell
is our December Buddy of the Month. We thought it would be neat to feature Jodi
this
month since we as a group helped Jodi and her family last December. Jodi wrote
her own bio this month. (Thank you Jodi!) Read below to learn more about Jodi,
her family, and how you helped her last Christmas.
I am the first mommy to my beautiful son Austin who turned 11 on November 7th of this year. I was 23 when I had him and am now 34.
I am now married for 2 years and 4 months and have 3 girls; Kaytlyn (14),
Destiny (7) and Savannah (4 on Dec 9th). Savannah has terminal brain cancer.
That was a blow to the heart. I flipped out up until a few months ago about
this; just the thought of losing another child kills. But prayers, church, good
people, Birthmom Buds and my other group Adoptions of Love; these friends are
helping me to come to the belief that she is going to live. She had her last
MRI on Nov. 7th (my birthson's 11th birthday) and what a true gift it was. The
tumor finally in 2 years has shrunk a tiny bit! YIPEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!! That
really was my gift from God on my son's birthday.....my son gave me a gift on
his day even though I wasn't able to talk to him. So, I feel she is going to
live; she will go through school, college, get married and have babies. She is a
true MIRACLE and our HERO without a doubt.
My favorite movie is "Sweet November” with Charlize Theron and Keanu Reeves. I
never knew I would be dealing with cancer in my own life with
a loved one, let alone my daughter, but, that movie is just awesome. Italian
food is my favorite. I am Italian so go figure! My favorite book is "Woman Thou
Art Loosed" by T.D Jakes. It's awesome and if any woman wants to be inspired and
be grateful, hopeful, and full of humbleness, I highly recommend this book. My
favorite quote is: "If you keep doing what you’re doing, you'll keep getting
what you got!"
Last but not least, last Christmas was the most AMAZING Christmas we have ever
had. You all were and are amazing. The girls were in amazement and awe. The
presents were just enormous and we can not ever thank you all enough for what
all did for us. We also went to go to Disneyland for Vanna's Make a Wish Trip to
from Dec. 10 - 14. We just had such an amazing Christmas last year. Thank you!
This year will be much smaller but, still full of love, gratitude, and
humbleness.
Christmas is my favorite time of year. I love all the lights, hot chocolate, making cookies with the girls, doing our family picture, decorating the tree and only having those lights on in the house at night. I just love the feeling, the coziness and the love.
Thank you for choosing me as "Buddy of the Month" for December. It is an honor to tell you about me and my family. The connection between birthmoms is very real and they can only understand.
Please keep praying for Savannah and our family. Blessings to you all this holiday season be careful, love yourself, and love others.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
~ Jodi and Family
You can keep track of Savannah's battle with cancer on the Caring Bridge page Jodi created for her.
Prayers Please ~ We have decided to add this section because so many of you have asked us to remember you or your loved ones in our prayers. We have never wanted to force religion on anyone, so if you don't pray, then skip this section and go on to the next! And if you do pray - add the people listed here to your prayer list. Mary (Snowprincess in our chats) has agreed to be in charge of this section, so please send your prayer requests to her - just put "BBuds prayer request" in the subject so she won't think it's junk mail! :)
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Jenifer Hulbert asks that we keep her brother as well as all the service men and women all over the world in our thoughts and prayers during this holiday season. |
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"Can you please pray for my 5 month old nephew, Kennek. He needs a liver transplant in order to survive. Also, please pray that his mother and other family members have strength. Thanks!" ~ Suzi Thompson |
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"Please continue to pray for Michelle's son, Grafton. He is home now, but still on oxygen and must be off oxygen until he and Michelle can fly home to be with Brian (Grafton's Dad) by Christmas." ~ Mary B. |
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"I am having a really hard time dealing with the adoption if you can ask for prayer for me. My birth daughter turns 2 in December and what was an "open" adoption has been turned into no contact. God has truly guided me and I really need prayer right now. Thank you." ~ Jackie E |
Birthday Buds:If you would like to have your own birthday or your birth child's birthday mentioned in this section of the newsletter, please email the birth date, your name or your child's name, to Amy by the 25th of the month before your birthday. For example, if your child's birthday is Jan 21, then you need to email it to Amy by Dec 25th.! So email Amy with those Jan. birthdays now! (Note: You can click on the names of the gals listed below to send them an e-card or email wishing them a happy birthday or thinking of them on their child's birthday.)
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Marilyn Morris's son Jacob (Christopher) celebrates his birthday December 4th. |
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Suzi Thompson's birthson Jacob will be 12 on December 4th. |
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Jackie Elliot's birthdaughter, Mariah Christine, will turn 2 on December 18th. |
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Brandy Mosley's birthdaughter, Phoebe, will be 3 on December 20th. |
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Jamie Daugherty's birthdaughter will celebrate her 2nd birthday on December 21st. |
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Angela Bray's birthday is December 23rd. |
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Roxanne Sim's birthson, Solomon Andrew, celebrates his birthday on December 28th. |
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Brandy Mosley celebrates her birthday on December 31st. |
Founder's Corner: A new little section to help keep you up to date with Coley and Lani as they share their lives, their thoughts, and what they're doing with BirthMom Buds.
Since Christmas time in each of our homes means baking up fun treats to share
with friends and family, we thought we'd share some yummy recipes with all of
you. These are two of our favorite Christmas time treats that we like to make!
Coley:
I couldn’t decide which of my favorite recipes to share with you! I love making
my Candy Cane Fudge during the holiday season. But then I decided to share with
you, Noah’s favorite thing to make at Christmas time and if you are in an
adoption that allows you to send gifts, make some up and send it to your birth
child. We are planning to make up a special bag for Charlie and his sister!
Noah’s Magical Reindeer Dust
Ingredients:
1 cup sugar
1 cup instant oatmeal
1 cup red and green (or whatever colors you like!) of colored sprinkles like you
use to decorate cookies
Directions:
Just mix all the items together and either bag it up for later or if you make it
on Christmas Eve, scatter it around outside. If you are giving it to someone,
attach a tag to the baggie with the following poem.
The Legend of Magical Reindeer Dust
(revised by Noah's Mom)
It has once been said,
That right before you go to bed.
You should sprinkle magic reindeer food,
To quickly bring Santa and his brood.
For many years the legend has been told,
To boys and girls, both young and old,
Sprinkle the food throughout your yard,
Then finding your house won’t be so hard!
The reindeer can smell the food for 100 miles;
Just do not leave it in big piles!
After you do this you must go to sleep very fast,
So Santa and his reindeer will not pass!
Lani:
Christmas time is
in the air and for me that means trying to be Martha Stewart. With all my
efforts I end up with great recipes that will end up on my table every year. Two
of my very favorite things to make around the holiday’s sweet and sour meatball
and little mouse cookies. They are so much fun to make and great for parties.
I’ll share the mouse cookie recipe and the sweet and sour meatballs are in the
BirthMom Buds Cookbook "Made With Love "
Mouse
Cookies
40 min prep (no bake) makes 2 dozen
Ingredients:
24 Oreo Double Stuff cookies
6 ounces semisweet chocolate
1/2 teaspoon
butter 1 ounce paraffin wax, chopped (see
Notes)
1/2 cup
chocolate chips (see Notes)
1/2 cup
sliced almonds
1 (3 ounce) package red decorating gel (clear)
1 (3 ounce) package green decorating gel (clear)
Directions:
1. Carefully twist Oreo cookies apart. Set aside the ones with the cream filling
on them; save plain halves for another use. (You could make crumbs for pie
crust.)
2. In microwave, melt chocolate chips and shortening; stir until smooth.
3. Holding cherry by stem, dip in melted chocolate, then press onto the bottom
of a chocolate kiss.
4. Place cherry and kiss onto the cream filling of the cookie. Let stem extend
over the edge.
5. Make ears for your mouse by placing sliced almonds between the cherry and the
kiss (before the chocolate sets).
6. Place in refrigerator until chocolate sets.
7. With green decorative gel, pipe holly leaves on white cream of cookie by the
mouse.
8. Pipe holly berries between the leaves with the red gel.
9. Pipe eyes on each chocolate kiss.
10. Store in airtight container at room temperature.
TIPS:
I used Almond Bark instead of the chocolate chips and eliminated the need for
shortening.
Maraschino cherries need to have stems and be well-drained.
Keep chocolate hot by putting in a bowl over a steaming pan of water. I used a
teapot, took the lid off and placed my bowl over it after melting chocolate in
microwave.
You can use clean eyebrow tweezers or something else to grasp the cherries by
the stems to dunk in chocolate.
Make extras because everyone at your party will want one to take home to show
around and to use as a pattern to make their own!
Inspiration: Little things to inspire a birthmom from poems, stories, and quotes to encouraging words.
Dear Santa
by Patty Savol
Dear Santa,
Today I'll write my list out
It really isn’t much,
Maybe just a phone call,
A picture, letter, or such.
Its
only been a month,
Plus a few days more,
Since the day I saw them take,
My baby out the door.
I swore I wouldn't cry,
and for days I didn't dare,
I knew that he understood,
I know he knew I cared.
But this year my list will be different,
No CDs, candles, or clothes,
U only want one thing from you,
And that's to let him know I love him so....
Perhaps this isn't an order,
That you can fill yourself,
So maybe you can ask God,
If he can offer a little help.
After
all He sent the angels,
That comfort my little man,
So maybe he could ease my fears,
I've done all I can.
So now I'll close this letter,
With a thank you, and a please,
Send my boy a piece of my heart,
Because this Christmas he won't be with me.
Love Always,
A Birth-Mother
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