20041218-cruise-friends-memories Part 3

[dee47]

Originally posted by MrsMork
DH found out that he has a sister that was given up for adoption in 1949. Thru the wonders of the internet we located her this year!

Angie, first off, congratulations to your DH!

As an adoptive mom, I sometimes find the following to be part of my job description:

"Those of us touched by adoption can do something to change the world for the better by using positive adoption language. We may need to (gently) correct and educate our family, our friends, and our co-workers. As we become more accustomed to using positive adoption language, we'll discover that this way of speaking about adoption will feel just as natural as the old hurtful clichés once did – and hearing the old clichés will offend us as much as a racial slur." So here goes:

"Given up for adoption" is a demaning term -- it implies either that the child is property, that the the birthmom made a wrong (or enforced) choice, or that the adoptive parents get second best. A child can be "placed with an adoptive family." The birthmom can "make an adoption plan." But she doesn't discard, give up, or give away a child she carried for 9 months.

We've spent several days in Arizona with Keith's birthmom and her family. We were fortunate to be there when he was born, and I spent his first night in this world with him in a room the hospital gave us. We watched the birthmom and her family go through a monumental emotional struggle to go through with a plan that was heartbreaking for them, yet in the end they felt was the only CHOICE that would be fair to both Keith and his birthmom. When they made peace with their decision, they (literally) lovingly placed him in our arms. They never "gave him up." They never stopped loving him. And our story is far from unique.

Please think of what you say before you say it. Other words you may want to reconsider around me (and other adoptive parents / adopted children) are:

• "Real mom/ Dad/ Parents" -- there are no fake ones. We're Keith's parents because we love him and raise him. He also has birthparents or biological parents.
• "Natural Parents" See above. There are no unnatural parents.
• "Your own child" -- yes he is, thanks for asking. But if you mean a biological child, the correct term is "a biological child."

Stacey, I think your whining would not have been half as bad. Thanks for listening. I'm getting off my soapbox now.

 

[dee47]

Originally posted by seaulater
Dee-do you prefer DVD or VHS? Let me know and I'll see if I can copy for you.

Linda

Either one is great -- whichever works for you. AND THANKS!!!!

 

[scuba diver]

Originally posted by tinksdad
BTW, how did your DVD of the Dive Quest dive turn out? We got ours Saturday, but haven't had time to watch it yet.

Yes, it turned out great. The pictures we took did not come out well so hopefully Diana had better luck.

 

[seaulater]

OKAY, HERE IT IS, THE ULTIMATE DISNEY CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS FOR YOUR VERANDAH!!!! AN OUTDOOR, INFLATABLE, REINDEER EEYORE!!

Linda

 

[tinksdad]

Originally posted by scuba diver
Yes, it turned out great. The pictures we took did not come out well so hopefully Diana had better luck.

That's another thing we need to do is to download the pics from the camera. Some of them looked good on the small LCD.

 

[tinksdad]

Yeah, TOP


Now I'll get back to work.....

 

[seaulater]

OR, YOUR OWN SANTA JACK OUTDOOR INFLATABLE CHRISTMAS DECORATION!!!

Nothing like a 6 foot inflatable out on the verandah!

Linda

 

[dobelover]

Linda and Dee - I do have the tape if you need it. I reuse tapes all the time and this tape has Colin Farrell and a woman in a bathtub of bubbles for just a few seconds before the Wonder come on the screen. I would rather see the Wonderea

 

[dobelover]

Dee and Stacey - Don't mind whining or soapboxes, especially when they are followed by funny stories and inflatable santas on the veranda.

 

[seaulater]

Thanks Sue. I figured I'll just TIVO on Thursday and then copy onto a tape and send onto Dee.

Linda

 

[dobelover]

Originally posted by seaulater
Thanks Sue. I figured I'll just TIVO on Thursday and then copy onto a tape and send onto Dee.

Linda

Linda - guess I should join the 21st century and get TIVO, everyone I talk to really loves it.

 

[Annie12345]

Originally posted by scuba diver


I have to agree with the comments about how great this board has been. Meeting OhioMinnie and family was just another reminder of how much fun we will have going with friends (and how important the buttons will be with our screen names)

The real issue is what do we do when we get home. Who are we going to have to chat with about Disney/Cruises/Pre-meetings?

Our January 31/04 thread continued on for quite some time after we got back from our cruise (eventually we were moved to the community thread... we still keep in touch every once in awhile... we had lots of virtual parties, too...

I haven't had a chance to read all of the posts for today - my system keeps kicking me out... but I thought I'd let you know about the thrill of the first snow fall because that is what I've been *enjoying * since yesterday... it is blizzarding like crazy, and it's COLD!! It feels more like January than October, and we are not ready for this cold weather yet ... This wasn't supposed to happen until Dec. 11th when we leave for WDW ...

Please send "warm" thoughts our way...
- Ann

 

[dobelover]

Ann - I am glad you mentioned trouble with the boards, I have been having problems for 2 days lbm . I made our reservations for our shore excursions, all beaches. Warm, soft sand; gentle breezes; bright sunshine....can you feel the warm thoughts ,
Our dinner companions in '01 have become our annual cruising partners. I hope that happens for some of us.

 

[seaulater]

Okay, headed home. I'll check how many pages of "THE BOOK" I have to read in the morning.

Have a great night everyone!

Linda

 

[justmestace]

Linda...I saw those inflatables in the Disney catalog....we'd have to fill Eyeore's be-hind with sand, to keep him from blowing away!

Dee...thanks....not sure about whether or not they would have wanted to hear me...I was mad at *Disney* I may have ended up walking the plank!!
Your post was enlightening.....it's awfully hard for us to change our terminology after years and years...but with practice, we could all do it. One note: I know a few "Unnatural" parents...and also have close contact with someone who truly did "give up" their child..at the age of 2....something I likened to taking an unwanted dog to the pound....so for some, the term does apply. I can think of a lot worse terms for this certain person, though!

Told DS I'd let him play a game on here....off I go.

Sorry, Dee...I truly am not "countering" you....it's just sad that there are some awful "parents" out there.

Stacey

 

[WDWLVR]

Annie & Stacey - sent you both pms.

 

[magiroux]

Good Evening All....

I have been having alot of trouble with the dis boards since yesterday. Just keeps booting me out.

Diana, sent you a pm.

Well, I survived the birthday party sleepover Saturday. I ended up with half the Moms here watching the Sox game. A little too much wine for us all. We needed it after that game .

I will be coordinating the second group of late seatings and trying to get us linked with the first group that is already reserved. Diana is sending me the list.

Jenny - thanks for the laugh...too funny

Linda - Are bad singers invited to the caroling??? If so, I'm in!!!!

Stacey - you are among friends, vent away

I was thinking about doing the wine package to save myself some trouble but an average of $38.00 a bottle does seem high. I didn't even think of calling ABC Liquors to see if they carry the wine I like. Most of the wine I drink is no more than $10.00 a bottle (except for my 2001 Rutherford Hill Merlot, my favorite) so I am now indecisive???? I was thinking of lugging it from Boston but a stop before the port shouldn't be too much trouble.

Well, watching the sox again. Leading 2-1. Hopefully they don't embarass again

Mary Ann

 

[Dancind]

Mary Ann, there is a cheaper wine package, with bottles that you can buy off ship in the $15 range, it's about $25 per day I think. The $38 a day is higher end wines. We are bringing a few special bottles, but will probably be ordering several off the menus.

 

[scuba.mom]

Tina (Tinkfan) - I PM'd you. Let's see we can work it out. Sharon

 

[tinksdad]

Originally posted by justmestace
Linda...I saw those inflatables in the Disney catalog....we'd have to fill Eyeore's be-hind with sand, to keep him from blowing away!

Stacey

You're on your own girl! My DW says I'm already loaded down with luggage.......