Paul forwarded me this blog post from The Stranger’s blog titled: “Please Talk to Me About Transracial Adoption.” The most interesting part isn’t the post itself but the discussion in the comments. Fascinating and sobering. This is obviously a complex and multifaceted situation.

Colors NW Video Podcast dealing with the subject of Transracial Adoptions:

I’ll tell you what struck me in this and other things I’ve read - as an adoptive parent, you are never going to fix the void of lost parents, family and shared history. That’s a bit of a blow to the ego in some ways. Of course, obviously, adoption should never be about one’s own ego.

There isn’t an overflow of information, but there is some. I came across a book, Outsiders Within, that looks good too.

The blog post I mentioned above also references a CNN article that I had read earlier his week: “Do whites need training before parenting black children?” A fairly balanced report - I think the last sentence by the 15 year old adopted black son of a white family is as close to the bottom-line as you can get with this issue:

“White or black doesn’t matter,” he said. “What counts is whether the parents are ready to take responsibility.“

I spent an hour talking to my very dear, very good friend, Dana Roc. We were brainstorming together about what we were up to, our goals and dreams and how to bring them around sooner rather than later. We had a lot of good ideas and a few poor ones too. After hanging up though, I noticed two things: 1) my cheeks hurt from smiling and 2) I was filled with energy and inspiration. Connecting with friends and getting out of my own head is a valuable practice. I need to remember that!

And the completely different thought: I struggle with being a Christian and what I eloquently call “the whole church thing”. I know, I have a way with words, don’t I? As Amira is getting older, Paul & I are both wanting her to be in a church community who are talking about and changing their lives in and through the Christian conversation. But. I have no desire… zero… to go to a church that resembles any that I have been to in the past. I was raised in the evangelical tradition (Nazarene to be specific). I’ve gone to non-denominational Protestant churches too. And while there have always been a few people, fellow seekers of God and Truth, that I have connected with… I’ve usually felt more isolated and frustrated by my church going experience. Some of it is culture… I don’t connect/fit in with the typical Evangelical/Protestant church community culture. Some of the disconnect is that I am a fairly liberal Christian and I know if I am myself in that environment… it’s going to at best ruffle and at worst anger or offend people. In those environments, I feel myself self-censoring. I feel a bit claustrophobic because I squish who I am down and push it away. I did this all through high school and college (I went to Baptist high school and a Nazarene college) and I suffered depression and isolation because of it. In college, I wasn’t able to distinguish the fact that I was trying to shove myself into something that I just wasn’t shaped to fit into. I trust where God has led me and where He has taken me so far on this journey. I just don’t know where I fit into the church. I’ll confess that I haven’t explored a lot of other traditions - i.e. Presbyterian, Lutheran, Orthodox, Catholic, etc. I need to do that, of course.

I’m not sure where I’m going with this thought. Just saying it out loud, I guess. Sometimes speaking things out loud help me work through them better than when I keep in inside.

I’m jittery (in a good way)! I have to shake my hands to release the excited energy I feel when I think about launching my skincare line. As of today, I have the product, bottles/jars, labels, shipping boxes… everything is ready to go with Moment Skincare except the visual design/branding for the labels and website. You guys have been so supportive and encouraging… THANK YOU. You’ve helped me keep pushing forward on this project. This has been over 12 years in the making and almost 2 years as a labor of love. And here I am… almost there!

As I’ve described before, I developed this skincare for sensitive/troubled skin, but it is perfect for everyone. People, like me, who have sensitive skin remind me of the “canary in the coal mine“. We sensitive types are the canaries. Those without skin sensitivities should take special note. if ingredients in traditional products cause us to react negatively, it’s a smart idea to “leave the mine immediately” when it comes to these unnatural and often toxic products.

With this in mind, I’m excited to be launching products that are:

100% DEA-free
100% TEA-free
100% PEG-free
100% PPG-free
100% EDTA-free
100% Water-free
100% Glycol-free
100% Dioxane-free
100% Paraben-free
100% Phthalate-free
100% SLS/SLES-free
100% Acrylamide-free
100% Artificial Color-free
100% Artificial Emulsifier-free
100% Artificial Fragrance-free
100% Synthetic Preservative-free
100% Formaldehyde-free
100% Petrolatum-free
100% Sulfate-free
100% Lanolin-free
100% Alcohol-free
100% Cruelty-free
100% Urea-free
100% Talc-free
100% Soy-free
100% filler-free
100% vegan

I have six products. Four are still under development, but I’m launching with two. I’m proud of them:

#1 - Take A Moment Skincare Crème (50 ml - $41.95)

A luxurious, nutritional and restorative crème. 100% natural, 89% organic, this pH balanced (4.5-5.5) creme is perfect for all skin types (normal, dry, combination, mature and sensitive). Aloe vera, shea butter, jojoba and, evening primrose oils have a restorative, calming and anti-aging effect on the skin. And, of special note in this creme is the Rooibos Tea. Rooibos is a powerhouse ingredient adding to the antioxidant power this crème brings to your skin.

Ingredients: Organic Aloe Vera Juice, Organic Shea Butter, Organic Rooibos Tea Extract, Organic Jojoba Oil, DMAE, Emulsifying Wax NF, Witch Hazel, Evening Primrose Oil, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Black Willowbark Extract, Rosemary Oleoresin, Neem Oil.

Early Feedback:

“I bought this like I’ve bought so many other skin crèmes… on a wish and a prayer. But this time, I’m in love!! It’s creamy (works great for my horribly dry skin) but has no greasy feeling. My mom and sister tried it and they are hooked too. There is a slight tea smell, but it is soothing and pleasant smell. And, I love that it has no parabens! I’m almost out… I need you to send me another jar soon!” - K.A., Wildwood, MO

“This crème has a superb texture. It absorbs quickly with no greasy leftovers sticking to my clothes. I love the subtle smell of the rooibos tea too!” - A.T., Tempe, AZ

#2 - A Cleansing Moment (4 oz - $24.95)

A soothing, gentle and nourishing lotion cleanser. This 100% natural, 92% organic cleanser, packed with green, white and rooibos teas is special. After your first use, your skin will feel soft, smooth, clean and most of all nourished.

Ingredients: Organic Aloe Vera Juice, Organic Olive Oil, Organic Rooibos Tea Extract, Emulsifying Wax NF, Kosher Vegetable Glycerin, MSM, DMAE, Organic Green Tea Extract, Organic White Tea Extract, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Xanthan Gum , Vitamin C Ester, Panthenol Vitamin B5, Vitamin A, Rosemary Oleoresin, Neem Oil

Early Feedback:

“My normal to oily skin feels clean without being stripped. I no longer have clogged pores either. Washing with this cleans is a spa-like experience without the outrageous costs.” - A.C, San Diego, CA

“I love this cleanser! I couldn’t be happier with the performance of this product. Great job! Thank you!” – S.T., Vancouver, WA

“Love it! I did have to get use to no foam or suds – but it wasn’t hard to do because it worked better than any foaming cleanser I’ve used. My skin feels really balanced. Fantastic.” – S.C, Chicago, IL

“From day one, I noticed the difference in my skin. I loved it, but was still skeptical. I have rosacea and to say my skin is sensitive is an understatement. I kept using it watching for the tell-tale signs of irritation. It never came. 6 months later, my skin isn’t peeling, thin, red or angry. That’s huge! Thank you!” - E.M., Seattle, WA

I’m feeling the need to celebrate! And this morning, I had the idea to kick start this with a pre-launch sale. So here it is. 30% off any full size product! 1/2 oz sample sizes are also available at regular prices. For those of you interested in trying it, I’d love your thoughts and feedback. Here’s the product list:

Take A Moment Skincare Crème (50 ml, 1.7oz) - regularly $41.95, now $29
Sample size (.5 oz) - $12.95

A Cleansing Moment (4 oz) - regularly $24.95, now $17
Sample size (.5 oz) - $3.95

Email me directly with what you would like to buy and in what quantities and I’ll send you a PayPal invoice for the products plus shipping. For this sale, WA residents, I’ll cover your sales tax too.

I’m close to being able to cross this off my 101 Things list too.  Whee!

I prefer thinking of myself as an adventurer. Seeing myself as a woman ready for the toss and turns of the unexpected, embracing the unknown and the feeling of adrenaline and life as I take on the dream, the hope and the risk. Now, to match up what I think with what is. Because what is… is this. I’m risk-phobic. I don’t want to fail. I don’t want to be disappointed. I don’t want to be embarrassed. And what it comes down to is, simply… I don’t and because I don’t, I’m not.

We are in a transition time after 10 hard years of not being on the road we want to be on. At least, I hope this is finally the transition. After being on this road for so long, it’s hard to believe we could actually get off this road and start traveling a new one.

I get glimpses of the road that I want us to be on. There are two things I can’t see. One, exactly how to get from here to there. And two, where that road will take us. I keep reminding myself, first things first. First step, getting on the road… then from there, we can double-check our provisions, prepare our packs, tighten our shoelaces and begin the trek.

I’ve been stepping off our old road, moving in the trailless brush and woods. I hope I am heading in the right direction and not just going in circles. (Did I mention I don’t want to be lost either?) But while I’m speaking of circles, this is where I come full circle and embrace this place we are in. This is exactly what I want. This *is* the adventure.  And me, I’m an adventurer.

Tag Galaxy - check it out.  It’s a tag-based way to search through and view photos on Flickr.

This project has kept me looking more and longer anywhere I am. It’s been a great exercise. I don’t always love what I photograph - but the practice of looking and then looking again is a good one. I’m sticking with this project a while longer and see what else it has to teach me.

I spent nearly my entire weekend being in such beautiful surroundings and doing such wonderful things - it all screamed to be photographed. But, um, my camera sat on my desk. So, instead — you get some bright pink flowers. Here, it’s a cool, grey day and a shock of color seems welcome.

Our weekend was lovely. Friday was toasty and we opened every last openable window in the house. I spent a lot of time outside with Amira. We explored finding tadpoles (I wish I had pictures to share and compare with Natalie’s…), salamanders, a red-headed woodpecker with white spots on his back and a red-winged blackbird, and watching the aerobatic circus stunts of the violet-green swallows. We interspersed our front row seat to the nature show with tree climbing, cattail picking, dandelion blowing, rock tossing, and 50-yard dashes across the yard.

Later, while I did some much needed around-the-house kind of projects, Paul took Amira to the beach on the Hood Canal. They spent the afternoon tipping rocks and finding the little red crabs. Amira picked up and held 4 or 5 of the little guys in her hands. They talked with kayakers who shared stories of seals basking in the sun under the Hood Canal Bridge and saw them off again as they continued on their journey.

And that was just Friday.

It’s interesting how our eyes open and then awareness sets in, deeper and deeper.

The thing I can’t figure out is why some things, that our eyes have been opened to, pass and others dig a space into your heart and live there.

Before Amira arrived, Paul & I had talked in passing about choosing to adopt children rather than having our own. It was an idea but one that never really took hold. And then, of course, she arrived.

Over the past 6-8 weeks though, my eyes have been opened to adoption. It seemed like everywhere I turned, I would cross paths with another story about adoption, or family who had or were adopting, adopting information, etc.

Just a few that I’ve read, known and been impacted by:

• After the earthquake in China, officials there estimate 4,000 quake orphans so far.
• An extended family member on Paul’s side have been working to adopt twins from Haiti. Just before Mother’s Day, they were told that the visas for the children were denied. The father wrote an email and he said (and I paraphrase and don’t say it nearly as eloquently as he did)… “I can no more leave those two children in Haiti, or be satisfied with the term “failed adoption” than I could be if our Caitlin were trapped on other other side of international lines.“
• I’ve been out of touch with the Christian music scene for 15+ years. When I saw the news online… I cried for Steven Curtis and Mary Beth Chapman and their family who lost their youngest adopted daughter, Maria, earlier this week.
• A couple of nights ago, Paul & I watched a sweet film called Children of Heaven. While it has nothing to do with adoption, and the children depicted in the film had a stable home with loving parents… it reminded me of the needs that so many children have. And a few nights before that, we saw Juno - this one involving a teenage girl’s decision to give up her baby for adoption.
• I’ve had difficulty in recent years with my faith as a Christian. God’s grace, though, has kept me from wandering away - even though I’m confused and annoyed by it all much of the time. There are some tangible, and truly, easy directives from scripture though - that call us to action. One of those verses, that has surfaced for me from a variety of sources is James 1:27: Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.
• Antonia’s Line: a foreign Dutch film that is one of my dearest and favorite films. It’s intent is an argument for a post-patriarchal life. And while that is definitely the theme and thrust of the film, it isn’t what attracts me to it. What moves me about this film is the way Antonia brings in the outcasts, the unwanted, the damaged and hopeless into her family. The movie inspires and moves me to tears every time I see it.
• A friend of my friend, Amy - received the amazing news today that they have approved visas to bring home two beautiful children, Kora and Zeke, that they are adopting in Sierra Leone, West Africa.
• I am rereading a book I love called Sleeping with Bread: Holding What Gives You Life. There is a little section titled ‘Everyday Experience Is Divine Revelation’. This hit me hard. Because, one of the things that my everyday experience has been revealing to me… well, I’ve just been sharing it with you. Adoption.

So I still can’t figure out why, when our eyes have been opened, some things will pass and others dig a space in your heart. This one, as you might easily guess by now, has dug a space in mine and is living there.

Click here or on the pic to visit the treasury…

Lately, I’ve been taking a lot of pictures of flowers.  I think the color is what calls my lens to them.  And their form - their shape is complex and delicate.

To be honest, I like flowers - but they aren’t something that I usually like photos of.  There are so many and it feels like every way to look at them has been done before.  And still, I click.

And click again.

Yesterday, Amira & I picked up her Papa at the ferry terminal and got some lunch together.  She adores our weekly lunches with her Papa — the only thing that could make them better is Nana (who sadly has to be at work)… oh and crab meat.

This week, we’ve found out that Amira already has some finer tastes.  She loves crab meat.  Tuesday evening, we went to the grocery store and bought some crab.  She didn’t want to go to bed without having had some.  We promised her some crab the next day.   Paul is working all nighters - so when Amira woke up in the morning, he went in.  The first thing she said upon waking?  “Daddy, can we have some crab pieces?” All day long, it went on like this.  We finally pulled out the crab for dinner and Amira was shaking with excitement.

A new habit Amira has picked up is watching her shows with the closed captioning on.  She loves to read while watching.  Peep and the Big Wide World got her started with it - as the daily video on their website has a ‘CC’ option.  Once discovered, she never wants to go back to just watching and listening… we must read at the same time too!!

This is what is called a ’stuck hug’!  Amira loves to wrap her arms around your neck and say - “Oh no!  OH NO!  We’re stuck in a STUCK HUG!”  As I’m sure it isn’t hard for you to imagine… it’s one time in life that Paul and I just don’t mind being stuck at all.

I racked my brain trying to make a pun in this post, playing off of “bread and water”… and it being the staples of life. But my wit failed me. But this post is too yummy not to do, even without a dash of wit.

Last week, my landlord (heretofore known as the lovely and wonderful Ahmis!), invited me to dinner with some girlfriends of hers. We had a peaceful and enjoyable evening. We were all feeling pretty lazy after a day of work and play in the sunshine. We were spoiled to a delish dinner by our hosts. Everything was wonderful - but there were two standouts.

The bread. Peace Bomb by Dave’s Killer Bread. We had a mini-baguette of this tasty, tasty bread. Now, if you don’t like seeds, you aren’t going to care for this. Although, I still think you should try a slice. I’d describe it as: Hearty, nutty with a little bit of sweet. Yum. You can bet I’m going to pick up a couple of loaves of he Peace Bomb, Powerseed, and Good Seed varieties. They all look amazing - but you have to start somewhere!
And the ice cream. Okay, ice cream is actually a misnomer. It’s a non-dairy, non-soy, vegan, gluten-free, low-glycemic, organic frozen dessert. It’s way better than you might think from that description. Made with coconut milk (which has all sorts of healthy fats for you) and agave syrup (sweet but without the glycemic hit) — this stuff is amazing. We had a scoop of cherry amaretto with some fresh fruit and it was completely decadent. It’s called Luna & Larry’s Coconut Bliss. Not what you’d expect and totally, totally yummy.

Oh, and I have to mention one more thing. I gave up my addiction/obsession with diet Coke 5 or 6 years ago while on a food regimen that has you not eat any artificial sweeteners. It’s hard to believe it’s been that long ago - but it has. I truthfully thought that after I had finished the program, I would go back to my beloved diet Coke. But, I didn’t.. actually, I couldn’t. After a year of being off of the my dark bubbly elixir - I tried it again. And… ugh. I couldn’t take it. The taste was awful, the carbonation burned, and it felt like battery acid in my stomach. From then on, it’s been mostly water for me. About 2 years ago though, I discovered tea extracts (my favorite… peach by Pure Inventions) and have carried a mysterious looking brown dropper bottle of tea in my purse wherever we go. I’ve gotten more than a few raised eyebrows by people wondering what the heck I’m putting into my water glass at a restaurant. (Sidenote: why was it I just forgot how to spell restaurant?… It took me several tries until it came back to me.)

About 6 months ago, I started using Amazon Herbs. They have a tea that I really like. (full disclosure: if you buy tea or anything else from that link… I earn a few dollars) Well, we are out of our peach tea extract and I was casting about for a tasty alternative. I decided to brew a pitcher of the Amazon Herb’s Treasure Tea with two bags of blueberry herbal tea. And while it isn’t peach — Um… YUM! I also tried it with blueberry green tea…

and so, a three new addictions are born. At least these three are all good for me!

So this guy has something going on! I can’t watch him and be unmoved.

You’ve got to respect someone who is up to something like this man is. His mission, as taken from his website:

“I want to reform education in America from top to bottom. I want to be the individual responsible for making an entire generation of college graduates consider teaching before business or law school. I want to make it easier for smart, successful, and qualified people in their 30s and older to become teachers as well. I want to get America ready for an Education Tax if that’s what it’s going to take. But most of all, I want to be the spokesman for teaching’s nobility, the poet laureate of passion in the classroom.”

How do we clone this man?  We need more of him.