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My son made cookies with my mother this last weekend. My mother just rolled her eyes when she learned that my son had never seen a rolling pin. Until his cookie world was expanded on Saturday, my son thought making cookies meant taking packaged dough and placing the neat squares on cookie sheets.

Watching them bake cookies reminded me of tradition. When I was little all of the cousins went to my aunt’s house to decorate cookies. It was tradition. I always liked the little silver sugar balls and the redhots, that were supposed to be for reindeer noses,... more

I’ve discovered that I’ve become used to diversity. Isn’t that something to think about? While we were visiting my parents for the holiday, we all went to the local grocery store. The grocery store, Buehler’s, is kind of a local landmark. Once you’ve been there, no other grocery store looks quite as good. I miss having it where I am.

Anyhow, everyone had split up and I was standing in the drink aisle with my son. It was our designated “meet back here” spot. While I was standing... more

Hoping everyone has a Happy 25th and a great new year. I'm taking the day off, but I am leaving a link to one my simple gifts.

Link: Searching

Even if you completely overlook that the company I work for is linked to the auto industry, modern transportation has a big impact on my life.

1. My sister, my son and I came home on an airplane.
2. I am in Ohio today to celebrate the holiday with my family. It took me three hours by car. Imagine how long it would have taken by horse.

Modern transportation brought my family together and continues to bring us together all through the year.

I am writing this post because, if I don’t, my mother will badger me until I do. It’s self preservation.

Awhile back, I wrote about Anne Tyler’s book, “Digging To America.” Part of the story line is that every year two families that met at the airport while picking up their Korean adoptees have an Arrival Day party. At the first party, they thought there should be a theme song for the girls and all they could think of was “She’ll Be Coming Around The Mountain.”... more

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In my household the decision was rough. I talked about the “on again,... more

When your child is adopted, it brings questions. Even as I told people that today is my son’s birthday, some asked me the inevitable questions. Is it his real birthday? How did we know? How much information did we have? For the most part, I don’t mind answering the questions. A lot of them know that my birthday was chosen and we don’t know if it’s the actual date. It’s logical to wonder if my son is the same.

Today is my son’s birthday. He’s three years old and he’ll tell anyone who asks. One of my co-workers asked me if he understood his birthday... more

Chocolate – I’ve heard many people say that they don’t think there is anything that chocolate can’t cure. Unfortunately, I can think of some…but there is something about eating a piece of chocolate that makes me feel better (until I step on the scale).

Smiles – There have been quite a few studies about how smiling can really help your health. You can’t really force yourself to smile. I don’t think it works if you plaster a big fake smile on your face, but I’ve discovered that watching for other people’s smiles helps. Seeing my son when he opened his birthday presents or just watching complete strangers on the street makes my heart feel a little healthier each time.

Colored... more

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Awhile back, someone asked me if they thought they should adopt from Korea again because their first child was adopted from Korea. Based on personal experience, I would say no because... more