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Aunt Fern

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I recently wrote about the acceptance of our adopted children by our extended family. One family member has been so exceptional that she deserves an article dedicated solely to her. Both of my wife’s parents are deceased. All of us have a special need in our heart that only a parent can satisfy. My wife has an aunt that has filled the roles of mother to her and grandmother to our boys. Six months ago, Nancy and I were badly in need of a time of refreshing. Her aunt hosted us in her beautiful home in far south Texas. Everything … Continue reading →

More Midwest Family Friendly Travel Destinations

Fall is my favorite time of year. This surprises most people given that I was born and raised in Hawaii (but now live in the Midwest). Typically, they guess that summer is my favorite time of year. I do enjoy the summer months, but since I never got to experience the change of seasons as a child, I appreciate them more as an adult. (Save for the switch to winter.) Each year I make a concerted effort to visit as many seasonal attractions as possible. I target the outdoor ones, but have found some exceptional indoor ones as well. Here … Continue reading →

Camping Etiquette

My aunt lives just miles from where fire ravaged more than 250 homes in the Lake Tahoe area last month. According to officials, the blaze displaced 3,500 residents and caused more than $160 million in damage. Fire investigators are now saying that a campfire may be to blame for starting the inferno. In light of the tragedy that occurred at one of our family’s favorite vacation destinations I’ve decided to list some camping reminders. Summertime is typically when thousands of families take to the woods to enjoy time in the great outdoors. If you’re one of them consider some of … Continue reading →

Charlotte’s Web (2006)

Based on E.B. White’s classic children’s book and a remake of an animated movie by the same name, “Charlotte’s Web” is a wonderfully sweet and funny movie for the whole family. Dakota Fanning stars as Fern, a young girl who lives on a farm with her mother and father. They have been selling off their farm animals in order to buy the equipment they need to stay afloat, and when their sow delivers a litter, it’s known that those pigs will have to go too. When Fern sees her father getting ready to slaughter the runt of the litter because … Continue reading →

Slow Down, Grandma

If you are lucky, your parents and extended family will be almost as eager to greet the new family member as you are. But for children who have lost their connection to a trusted caregiver, they should have a period of time to adjust to their new parents, and have their new parents meet all their needs, before adjusting to other people in their lives. We chose not to have a big arrival party at the airport, just my father. My father greeted us first, then welcomed my daughter in a soft voice and did not try to touch her. … Continue reading →

Getting My Mind Right: My Doctor Said I Have Lost Enough Weight

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This morning, my doctor said the words that I have wanted to hear for a long time. The same doctor, who previously told me that I needed to lose 100 pounds, told me today that he thought that I have lost enough weight. I am now officially on a maintenance diet for life. I have done a lot of study of the popular diets that many of us are on or have been on at one time or another. The problem with almost all of them is that they are a temporary fix. True, an individual will lose weight while … Continue reading →

Adoptive Parenting Traits, Part 6

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I must admit that I never thought that I would be writing that this blog is the sixth in the series that discusses the desirable traits that a person should have that is thinking of adopting a special needs child. The person should have endurance, or staying power, and be willing to be persistent in getting the job done properly. I am going to focus on the challenges of taking our five boys on a trip to illustrate my points. Our oldest grown son and his family live in San Antonio which is about a four hour drive away from … Continue reading →