BirthMom Buds Bulletin
February 2007

This month we celebrate four years of togetherness at BirthMom Buds! So sit back, grab a cup of hot chocolate, enjoy the newsletter, and celebrate with us!

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 ~ Check out the new poems on the Inspiration Page!
New Showcase Pages ~ Check out the new showcase page for Jeska K. and Debbie G.
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!
Congrats ~ Congrats to Michelle M. (Marmy in the forums) who got married and moved back home to Utah with her new son in January. We wish the three of you lots of happiness Michelle!

Adoption Spotlight: Focusing on any adoption or women's issues related web site, organization,  individual, or issue. 

Walking with BirthMom Buds
by Brandy Mosley

Happy 4th Birthday/Anniversary to Birthmom Buds!   Join me as we walk through the last few years with BirthMom Buds......

Birthmom Buds started out as a little inkling of an idea that was shared between our founders Coley and Lani in September of 2002.   That little inkling became a full blown website and organization in February 2003.   

	The first issue of the monthly newsletter was released in March 2003.
	Weekly chat nights began in April 2003.
	The Pregnant and Placing Program was introduced in June 2003.
	Birthmom Buds went national with a toll-free number in September 2003.
	Alicia Moser was given the pleasure of being our first staff member in January 2004 when she was announced as the Newsletter Manager.
	Healing Hearts by Sending Hope (our care package program) was introduced in February 2004.
	Birthmom Buds purchased the domain name that we are oh-so familiar with in March 2004.
	First live event (BirthMom's Day) was held in May 2004.
	Buddy of the Month section debuts in August 2005 and was coordinated by Tracy V.
	Birthmom Buds Forums were launched in October 2005
	Birthmom Buds publishes its first cookbook in November 2006 after working diligently to put it together over the summer.

The accomplishments and feats that Birthmom Buds has conquered is numerous and ongoing!  Imagine this, the group that we have all grown to love started with 2 (count them) 2 members (Coley and Lani), and now has over 800 members and has at least one Birthmom in every state in the US, and 5 countries!

Birthmom Buds has not only made a place for itself in our hearts, but on the adoption world as well. Many of our members are speaking to high schools, prospective adoptive parents, and others in the adoption community about their experiences as a Birthmom and advocating Birthmother rights and often mention BirthMom Buds in their talks.   The founders of Birthmom Buds presented a workshop on adoption from a birthmoms perspective and shared it at the 21^st Annual SC Conference for Adoptable Children in May of 2006.    Not only have our members branched out, but the media has also been known to feature Birthmom Buds.   BirthMom Buds has been featured in Adopting for Tomorrow Magazine, FM Magazine, Adoption Today, A Personal Touch on Adoption book, Adoption E-Weekly Magazine, the Spartanburg Herald Journal, College News of Ohio, Illinois, and Missouri, All You Magazine, Delilah Radio Show, Let's Talk Adoption with Mardie Caldwell,  Focus on the Family, and more!

So, as you can see, our beloved group of birthmothers is no longer a little group, it has become a group that is recognized not only by fellow birthmothers, but members of the adoption world, big and small.   

Happy Anniversary Birthmom Buds, and thank you to all who have brought us where we are today.  Look out adoption world, Birthmom Buds is here to stay!    

Ideas and Insights: Some ideas for gifts to your birth child or adoptive parents, creative ways to deal with being a birthmom, insight on things to do or say with your buddy, and ways to shed some light about being a birthmom to those who just don't get it.

What Does BirthMom Buds Mean to You?
By Jenifer Hulbert

As the 4th anniversary for BirthMom Buds comes around, I asked fellow members, “What does BirthMom Buds mean to you?” For many it’s an endless source of understanding. For me, that was a very important part. To me, BirthMom Buds means that you all can understand my bittersweet memories. I can say what I feel and not be judged. I can say when I’m scared and not feel even more scared of the reply. It’s an endless supply of support and understanding when I need it most, which I still do from time to time.

Following is what some of you had to say when asked: “What Does Birthmombuds mean to you?

	“BMB is my support, my leveler, where I can turn to and know that what I'm feeling will not be judged nor questioned but understood and supported. BMB is where I feel emotionally safe. I can allow myself to FEEL and express those feeling - good or bad and ..... it's ok.”  ~Lee
	“Wow, got an hour? Just kidding! I have made forever friendships here with great women. It seems like just yesterday when I had my first and was welcomed me with open arms after another online birth mom group turned me away because I "am not a normal birth mom." I would like to thank them for that now, because if they had not turned me away, I may not have found BirthMom Buds. I have watched this group grow in the past four years, and I am so happy that it has. I am so blessed to be a part of birthmombuds, and I am eternally grateful to Coley and Lani and the BirthMom Buds staff for all their hard work. I love all of you. Happy birthday Birthmom Elizabeth Buds.” ~Alicia M.
	“Birthmombuds has been my lifeline through this whole thing; it is my sanity and has helped me keep my head above water when I felt like I would drown.”  ~Shonna
	“Birthmom Buds to me means I don't have to put on the "face" when I don't want to. I can have a bad day and we have all been there to help us to understand and realize or look at something in a different way. It means I have met many wonderful women who I have come to call upon like family and dear friends. I have been able to look at Jessica and our adoption and help others while still helping to understand myself.”  ~Leigh H.
	“To me, it has meant acceptance, freedom from judgment and freedom to tell my stories, understanding, friendships, and healing.”  ~ Joanne
	“BirthMom Buds has meant so much to me. I have said before that I am closer to some of the girls here then my own family. I can tell them anything and they always understand.  I feel like there are my connection to the other side of me and if I could tell the world about the most wonderful people in the world if would be all of them. BirthMom Buds is not just a web site to me but like a birthmom’s hangout and they are more then friends; they are my family.” ~ Analiah
	"To be honest I am not sure how I found Birthmom Buds.  I think it was a combination of Internet Research and a referral from a local pregnancy care center.  I applied for a mentor and was assigned to Coley.  I was so excited to have someone to talk to who truly understood what I was going through.  Coley and I got to know each other over the course of my pregnancy.  I knew I made a life long friend. To me that is what Birthmom Buds is all about.  Not just the short term counseling but the long term friendships.  Being able to share your feelings not only about your birth child but life in general made me feel so comfortable. So Happy 4th Birthday BIRTHMOM BUDS and MANY, MANY MORE!" ~ Melanie Mosberg

Ladies, without all of you this website and organization wouldn’t be what it is. It is your understanding through those bittersweet memories.  It is your listening ear and you helping out those in their times of need that make BirthMom Buds what it is. But I know that as other women read what has been written above, you will find more comfort and warmth still. I know you all mean the world to me, as well as each other. Thank 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.

Instead of spotlighting one particular member this month, we want to feature our whole staff! Our staff members are not paid, they volunteer their time and do a great job at their tasks here at BirthMom Buds.  We truly could not serve as many women and do all that we do without each of their contributions. We here by declare, February , Staff Appreciation Month! Take a minute to let a staff member know they are appreciated.

Pregnant and Placing Coordinator: Melanie Mosberg found BirthMom Buds while she was pregnant and joined the Pregnant and Placing program then seeking a mentor to help her through the emotions of relinquishment and adoption. Melanie gave birth to her daughter, Sarah Grace, and placed her in an open adoption in May 2004. As she began to grieve and move forward, Melanie became the Pregnant and Placing Coordinator in the summer of 2005. She has matched over 100 pregnant women with mentors and enjoys doing so.  Melanie resides in Charlotte, NC and in her spare time enjoys reading, volunteering, theater, and sports. Take a minute and let Melanie know what a great job she is doing as the Pregnant and Placing Coordinator!

Prayer Requests Coordinator: Mary B. began coordinating the prayer requests in the winter of 2005 when we added the section to our newsletter by the many prayer requests we were receiving from our readers. Mary placed her son, "J," in a closed adoption 28 years ago. Mary has email contact with J's adoptive mom  and lovingly prays for and waits for a relationship with her birthson. Mary currently lives in Tennessee with her hubby. In her spare time, Mary enjoys painting and cooking. Take a sec and let Mary know she is appreciated!

Newsletter Manager: Alicia Moser was our first staff member becoming the newsletter manager in Jan 2004. She is an avid writer and had previously written many articles for the newsletter so making her the newsletter manager seemed only natural.   Alicia  also has many of her poems published on the Inspiration page. Alicia is the birthmom to daughter Brittany, age 13,  who was placed in a closed adoption. Alicia is married to her husband Wade and together they are raising their daughters Michaela (12) and Hannah (3). Alicia and her family live in Texas. In her spare time, Alicia enjoys writing, scrapbooking, and being involved in her church. Take a minute and let Alicia know appreciated her hard work is in making our newsletters special each and every month!

Birthday Coordinator: The "Birthday Buds" Section was Amy's own idea and it became a regular feature appearing in our newsletter as of February 2005. Amy got the idea after her daughter, Kaylee's, first birthday, thinking that it would be nice to share with other birthmoms when their children had birthdays. Amy shares an open adoption with Kaylee's family. Amy resides in Arizona and is engaged to be married in May of this year! Take a sec and let Amy know she is appreciated!

Buddy of the Month Coordinator: Brandy Mosley took over the task of Buddy of the Month Coordinator from Tracy V. in Novemember of 2005. Brandy is the birth mom to Phoebe, who was placed in an semi open adoption in Dec 2003. Brandy resides in West Virginia. Brandy enjoys reading, scrap booking, crafting, and watching scary movies. Let Brandy know she is appreciated!

Buddy System Program Assistant: Stacey  Fearnley joined the staff in August of 2006. Stacey placed her daughter, Brittany, in a semi open adoption nearly 18 years ago. She resumed contact with her daughter about 3 years ago. Stacey resides in St Louis Missouri with her high school sweetheart (not the birthfather) who she has been married to for 13 years. They have a 5 year old son together. Stacey enjoys reading, anything Disney, and the theatre.

Thank you to our wonderful staff!! Suzi T. is a chat host but has been having internet issues and hasn't been able to host chats lately but when she does she does a great job and we hope she is back soon. We also appreciate all the writers, supporters on the forums, mentors, etc... There are too many of you to to mention but you each make BirthMom Buds a great place for support!

And don't forget to thank our founders for their "little idea" that landslided into what it is today!

 

Prayers Please ~ We added 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! :)

"I just wanted to update on the last prayer request - things at home are not going so well, and I'm worried it will only get worse once things truly start happening. I just ask for you to please pray we can try to get through this smoothly. Also, I've started to get back into my church and am learning if it is what I want in my life again or not....with this though has come a lot of grief from friends and it's starting to test our friendships....please pray that I am able to find out quickly and painlessly who my true friends are during my process. Thank you!" ~ Tamara H.

"Please continue to keep my brother and all the other service men and women serving in Iraq and other countries in your thoughts and prayers." ~ Jenifer Hulbert

Birthday Buds: Around her birth daughter's 1st birthday, Amy Morse had the bright idea that BirthMom Buds should give members the opportunity to announce their birthdays and their birth children's bdays in the newsletter. If you would like to have your birthday or your birth child's birthday mentioned in this section, 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 March 21, then you need to email it to Amy by Feb 25th! So email Amy with those March birthdays now! We hope you enjoy the new section and thanks to Amy for her help with it! (You can click on each person's name to email her a birthday greeting.)

Tamara Hamlin celebrates her birthday on Feb. 8th.
Olivia Garcia's birthdaughter will turn 2 years old on Feb. 10th.
Dawn Blackburn's birthson, Michael Anthony, will turn 20 on Feb. 18th.
Jeska Kelly celebrates her own birthday on Feb. 20th.
Kimberly Letourneau's birthson, Cody, will celebrate his birthday on Feb. 25th.

Inspiration: Little things to inspire a birthmom from poems, stories, and quotes to encouraging words.

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