Have you adopted a child from the foster care system or internationally who was not an infant? Did your child come to you with a trunk full of emotional baggage caused by early trauma? Well, have you fixed the kid yet? No, may I ask why not? Isn’t a year or two enough time to fix a child who has been neglected, physically or sexually abused, starved, and who knows what else? Can’t you make your child behave, parents? When are you going to take credit for your older adopted child’s actions? Everyone knows it is your fault. Didn’t the school, therapists, neighbors, friends, and the police tell you that? Surely, they must know. After all, who knows your child better then they do? .

The Fourth of July is an opportune time to reflect on our country. Personally I choose to focus on the positive attributes of the U.S. on this day, and there are many. Additionally, as a naturalized citizen I never take my citizenship for granted; this country opened its doors to me and allowed me to become a citizen, and for that I am grateful.

There are several famous documents unique to the U.S. that I find particularly inspiring. One is the Declaration of Independence, and a great way to celebrate this country’s birthday is to reread it, if only this sentence:

As Julie shared in her post Adoption Website Under Fire, Adoption Media LLC is being sued for not allowing homosexual couples in New York to post a parent profile on their website. This company went through a similar lawsuit in the State of California. Both Lisa and Julie expressed their outrage at Adoption Media's position here and here, calling it discrimination against homosexuals.

One of the hazards of having a law degree is looking at any controversy from all sides. After all, as a lawyer, you have to defend the position of whoever is paying you to do so, right? I do not think this case is as cut and dry as the comments all over the Internet are making it.

What many of the articles on the Internet fail to disclose is the reason why Adoption Media is refusing to allow a homosexual couple to post a parent profile. The owners of the company are Mormons, and the Church of Latter Day Saints believes that homosexuality is a sin. Whether or not you agree with the Church of Latter Day Saints, this position matters in this lawsuit.

While scanning today’s free weekly paper full of local ads, I came across a coupon. Being an avid coupon clipper, I checked it out because it said FREE in large letters. A widow on a fixed social security income must be frugal you know. Especially when raising two teenage foster daughters. Remember that one of them has aged out of foster care and has no income. Call me old-fashioned or tell me I live under a rock. This is the first time I have ever seen a coupon for FREE STD testing. At first, I was stunned and then I clipped it out.

Let’s face it, everyone knows it but no one ever talks about it; white people are the best. They are what people should be. They have better morals, better values, and simply are, all around better people. Don’t believe me? Let’s make a list.

• Only white people are what nature intended
• Only white people are stable
• Only white people are not sexual predators
• Only white people have real relationships
• Only white people are religious and can have a relationship with God
• Only white people can raise good families

White people deserve more, simply because they are more, they are whole people.

Most people are familiar with visual flashbacks being a part of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). I have also written about emotional flashbacks. Another variety of flashbacks that is less well-known is called a body memory.

A body memory is a flashback that a traumatized adopted child feels in his body. A body memory can result from any form of trauma to the body. A good example is the amputee who continues to “feel” his amputated limb. Some people believe that even the cells of the body experience trauma and that body memories are the body’s way of releasing the energy associated with the trauma, just as a flashback is the release of the emotional memory.

If the traumatized adopted child does not know what is happening, experiencing a body memory can be scary.

In Julie’s recent blog, the issue of Adoption Media LLC not allowing singles and gay couples to advertise on their website was brought to light. It is not only on that website that you will find this type of discrimination; there are adoption agencies, states in the U.S. and countries that will not allow singles and gay couples to adopt.

My issue with this discrimination is that it has absolutely nothing to do with a person’s ability to be a good parent. A person’s sexual persuasion does not dictate their parenting skills. Heterosexual couples certainly don’t have a monopoly on good parenting.

What do Vietnam and Guatemala have in common? Both are included in the top 10 countries for sending the most children to the United States over the years for adoption. Both have been accused of adoption corruption by the United States . Baby selling, pressuring birthmothers into releasing, baby hunts, and bribes were included in the accusations. In response, Vietnam will discontinue adoptions to the United States . Reports say that they will honor applications from families who were matched prior to July 1. They will continue to process those applications. It sounds like any families still waiting for a match

 Kids love to feed birds, all different kinds of birds.  It doesn’t matter if it is tossing a few slices of bread into a pond to feed the ducks at the park, or tossing some popcorn to the seagulls at the beach, kids always get a kick out of connecting with the nature around them!  This little craft will not only keep your little ones entertained while you are making it, but after the fact as well, as they watch the birds enjoy the tasty treat that has been made for them!