The 2 Parter

As a single parent, Father's Day is always kind of a weird, reflective day. On one hand, I feel very blessed. Hannie and I have been blessed with amazing, really upstanding men in our lives. She has my Dad, and even my Grandpa. My boyfriend is GREAT with her. My neighbors (all her "uncles") are like surrogate parents. The world is full of good men, and I am thankful my daughter comes in contact with some of them almost every day. On the other hand, the reality is that I am raising Hannie without an actively involved day-to-day partner. I feel like I need to hold myself up to a standard of perfection because I am all she has. I frequently have to remind myself that this is my reality, not hers. Hannie doesn't know anything other than having one parent - and that I am the one that is upset about all of this. She is perfectly happy going about her day blissfully unaware of what is missing or not missing from our unconventional family

And then I remember that in all the ways that matter, Hannah has the same Father that I do. And he heals and redeems and mends the broken places. And I don't have to be a perfect parent.

Because He is.

It's been a Joyful June.  Here are some pics of my June-bug!

This is the clubhouse built by H and some neighbor kids.  

This is H mad at me because I apparently invaded her secret club.  

Kazapalooza and Why It Matters....

This was our 3rd Kazapalooza and I've written twice before about how important these adoption reunions are, but it's really nice to be with a group of people who really GET IT. It's like extended family I guess. Only I have shared things, experiences with them that I have not even shared with my OWN family. I don't know how to explain it, and unless you have lived it, you probably won't understand. As one AP mom said. "Kazapalooza is an amazing way to celebrate adoption, our children, and the friendships that formed because we all united by something only the lucky will ever know."


Throughout most of the year, our Kaz kids are the "different" ones. The ones who don't match their parents and/or siblings, the ones who don't have newborn pictures hanging on the wall. But one weekend a year, being different means being special. The older Hannah gets, the more she understands that being adopted is something to be celebrated. So even though it can be a hassle to take off work and drive far away and spend money we don't really have, we will continue to make Kazapalooza work. Because it provides Hannie with a much needed dose of Kaz identity and pride, and because we are so blessed to be involved in this unique community.

Now for those who actually read down this far...some much deserved eye candy!!