Melissa | March 31, 2011
Have I mentioned recently how much we love the education our children are receiving?
Since the heart of classical education is developing children who love and know how to learn, we love that teachers use lots of ways to reinforce the information being taught. This week, we had the privilege of seeing PJ’s class perform 2 [...]
Melissa | March 30, 2011
Patrick really wanted to try raised beds in our garden this year. Our soil is mostly clay which hasn’t been a huge problem except for root veggies. He also claims raised beds are better because they warm up faster in the spring for earlier planting. I claim they also freeze faster and need more watering.
Anyway, [...]
Melissa | March 26, 2011
One of Grafted Families’ first outreaches was an Adoptive/Foster Mom’s Night Out. We advertised to the community and invited anyone who was an adoptive or foster mom or who thought she might want to be. It’s a pretty informal night with a pretty open invitation. I was stunned when I received phone [...]
Melissa | March 21, 2011
Ugghh. Why is my favorite season associated with the thing I hate most?
It is beyond me why anyone would want to stay inside to clean after being cooped up all winter.
It seems to me one should take advantage of the perfect-weather days of spring to do things like
garden
or learn how to ride a bike.
One of [...]
Melissa | March 19, 2011
More often than not, adoptive parents are threatened by their child’s birthparents. Maybe their afraid the birthparents will try to “get the child back” or are afraid that a child with forsake a relationship with his adoptive parents for a relationship with his birthparents. Maybe they don’t approve of the influence birthparents might [...]
Melissa | March 17, 2011
As were deciding whether or not to homeschool for next year, Bzz Agent launched a campaign for the Factor Tree–an online, supplemental math website. Convenient, huh?
Here’s what Factor Tree has to say:
What makes the Factor Tree so effective?
Provides the practice and repetition needed for a child to truly master key math skills
Use a skill-adaptive progression [...]
Melissa | March 15, 2011
One definition of a·vail·a·ble according to Webster is “present or ready for immediate use.” The disciples that Jesus called were available. When He called them, they came without reservation or excuse. They followed “immediately” and “at once.” (Matthew 4:18-22).
Patrick and I have always claimed that we wanted to be available. We didn’t want to walk away [...]
Melissa | March 14, 2011
In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, we’ll be eating rainbow nachos. The kids think there’s nothing better than being able to eat chips for dinner.
RED: Salsa. Fresh, jarred, mild, spicy. There are so many options.
ORANGE/YELLOW: Cheesy chicken dip. Combine melted Velveeta, a little bouillon, and cooked chicken. We did ours in the crock pot with [...]
Melissa | March 13, 2011
Multi-tiered, discarded furniture from educational institution for $1 + painted herb pots + sunny corner
Equals P.E.R.F.E.C.T
Melissa | March 12, 2011
When someone has a biological baby, we all know the etiquette on showers, meals, and hospital visits. Conveniently a pregnant woman carries around a physical reminder to remind us to throw a shower, plan a meal, and ask how she’s feeling and when she’s due.
Adoption etiquette is a whole different ball game. The invisibility of [...]
