Wordless Wednesday Almost!

Come on ppl, I can only work with professionals!  

Lulu's at it again

She apparently doesn't appreciate her Mom's creativity.  See for your self.

Well I had fun!!!!!

Lulu and her Aunt and namesake Rose! (and a little photoshopping by Mom!)

photo shoot

Me and Lulu did an impromptu photo shoot a few weeks back and I just got the proofs.   I called myself photoshopping them before the pro's did their thing, and my friend Arilee brought me back to reality.  Better keep my day job ... oh wait I don't have one LOL.   Anyway here is some of the pics!

TTYL

Lulu loves money!

cheating

I am cheating.... I'm going out tonight and Lulu is having her first sleep over with grandma!!!!  But please check out her blog to see what she's been doing....

www.100percentlulu.blogspot.com

*** congrats Cristina!!!!!!

TTYL

Robbin

Tomorrow

Today has been a hard day.  today I had to face accusations about myself that were not true but there was no real defense.  Sometimes things are done in haste or in error and it can be a very costly mistake to live with.  What surprised me is that I looked over at my angel baby and I knew what mattered most.   I am leaning on the faith that I talk to my friends about.  If not faith, Lord please give me some FAVOR.

That's my post.   Sorry there isn't more to be said :(

Wordless Wednesday For Real

Wordless Wednesday

Birthday Thoughts

In one month Lulu will celebrate her FIRST birthday!!!!!!!  She just has too much stuff already!!!!   So instead of getting gifts, Lulu is going to give them.  Yesterday, I posted our link to clean:water.  It is an awesome organization.  In lieu of gifts, donations are made to clean:water on Lulu's behalf and it is spent to build wells in underprivileged areas.  

Surprisingly, I've met some opposition to this proposal.   Whenever I share with others that Lulu will not be having the traditional first birthday party, I am often given great "cost saving" ideals that would enable me to give her a party.  I've been told that I could give her a party and ask for money instead of gifts -- which to me is like having a wedding and asking for money  (to avoid a huge discussion about that, I will just say that's not my thing); one suggested I go to "the dollar store" and just at least decorate.   I'm not sure what would be the point of spending money when even $20.00 makes a huge difference in a project like this.  Lulu will have a cake event.   Cake, maybe ice cream (a signature drink for her Mom :).  We will take pictures and I'm sure the Grandma's and aunts will come, but we won't do any party favors, or invites, or anything like that.   I don't think that Lulu will remember much.  I believe that special days are important.  I pray that she will certainly have many special days.   I just want them to be special for her!  

More than anything, I know Lulu has all that she needs at this time.   I am blessed to have Lulu but it is because her birth parents did not have all they needed such as medicine and clean water that she is with us today.   Her mother died because of that lack of clean water.  I am mindful of that DAILY!!!  This matters to me, it matters to us and it matters to them.   Giving is not a requirement, I only want people to do what they want to do.  But I really ain't interested in the naysayers :(   

On another note, my sister had a Meet and Greet this weekend for Scotland Rose :)  

TTYL!

mycharity: water

mycharity: water

Posted using ShareThis

National Blog Posting Month

I tried this last year too!!!   But really, with FB its so hard to Blog.  Darn!   I'm gonna try though....

NABLOPOMO

Please if you are still out there.  SAY SOMETHING!!!!   Lulu said she's going to post on her blog too!

Ok anyway.....

Yesterday was Halloween.  We had an absolutely great time!  We had a really long day.  First my sister had  a meet and greet  with her friends (I think we got some pics somewhere).  And then we had a party and Lulu was a bumble bee.  

Here she is with Uncle Charles, cousin Chelsey and Buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

TTYL!

Back!

I'm here really!!!   I know its been an awful long time.   So much has happened.   I traveled with my two girlfriends to Ethiopia and picked up my little baby.  My insurance company refused to cover her and I finished school and have no job!   Well I could still sell real estate, so I kind of a job but not it is very very scary!!!!!  I want to blog my trip but I am exhausted!!!!   

I know I owe some of you updates.  I am working on it I promise.  Also, I will be posting about all things Lulu, on her blog www.100percentlulu.blogspot.com.   Now don't rush over there because there is nothing to see!!! But I am on it.  Really... just as soon as I get some sleep.   I am TIRED.

Lulu is the bomb and my family is completely enamored.  I love her dearly but this is a lot of work... I got some adjusting to do.

100 Things

1. food
2. water
3. clean water
4. cell phone
5. internet
6. clean clothes
7. toothpaste
8. money
9. car
10. heat
11. gas
12. love
13. friends
14. strawberry smoothies
15. hummus
16. TV
17. health
18. a good bra
19. pedicure
20. smiles from passing strangers
21. My God Children
22. Lye -- as in the kind you perm your hair with :)
23. Sonya -- my beautician to surgically apply the lye
24. OB Tampons
25. frequent flyer miles
26. Toms Toothpaste
27. Deodorant
28. God
29. Music
30. My Mac
31. 4 inch heels
32. Remote 
33. My Mom
34. Navigation
35. Yellow Legal Pads
36. Sex
37. Eye glasses
38. Instant Messenger
39. White Gap T-shirts
40. Green well worn head scarf
41. Peoples Court
42. Good Books
43. Butter
44. My brother
45. Camera
46. Education
47. Bible
48. Travel
49. Meditation
50. Orange kool-aid with Lemon juice
51. Thongs
52. Two pillows
53. Toilet paper
54. Birth Control Pills
55. Merlot
56. Hell - Any Alcohol!
57. Vision
58. 400 thread count
59. Freedom
60. Google
61. My reputation
62. Dajuan
63. Refrigeration
64. Furnace
65. Fan
66. Power
67. Stimulation conversation
68. Sunglasses
69. Fresh flowers
70. Blogger
71. Conscience
72. Youtube
73. Common Sense
74. Fruit
75. Clean Water
76. Shower
77. Facebook
78. Lulako
79. My Dad
80. People Magazine
81. Pictures
82. A good mattress
83. Blood
84. Insurance
85. Atlas
86. Perfume
87. Good will
88. Rosemary
89. Love
90. Family
91. Martini
92. Peace of Mind
93. All 4 seasons
94. The laughter of children
95. clean water
96. My fellow PAP's
97. Eyebrow Arch
98. Clean water
99. Humanitarian spirit
100. Clean water

Imagine 100 things that you CAN NOT LIVE with out

Now imagine living without ANY of them!

100 Things.... 

can you give 100  -- little/ inexpensive/ insignificant to you  -- things --- 

to someone that doesn't have those things that I can't live without?

I have a daughter in Africa.  I am going to get her in a month.  I am collecting 100 THINGS.... I have lofty goal set to get my baby.  Failure is not an option.  Because at 6 months she has lost more than I will every gain....

100% is the only options.....

More to Follow!

TTYL

Robbin

BTW.... check this out... http://thewaterproject.org/

Yay!!!

INTRODUCING

SCOTLAND ROSE LULAKO HOPKINS

Although this picture is a not the most current pic, its one of my favorites. Its like she is saying.... "um yeah... whatever!"

Yes I passed court. Sorry for the cryptic message in the last post. I felt it was important to post that because I had been working on it but I never finished it. But I wanted everyone to know my Babycakes is headed to the US of A!


Ttyl

Robbin

Faith not Fear

This post was previously written on 6/19/09 but I never finished it

So ya'll know I'm very kool, kalm and kollective right? WRONG... Last week I completely lost it!!!!

See what had happened was .....

I was blessed with this video from Amy E from her travels in early May, and i could never open it. So out of the blue one night Amy gets it fixed up and sends it to me. Now ya'll should know that Catrina is a video maniac and has been waiting on Lulu's video since way before she got her own referral. So any way I open of the video...1 minute and like 3 seconds....and I am completely torn. I mean is this my baby... can this be my daughter? She is so tiny, so helpless. Is she sick... is she OKAY????? I mean Lulu was VERY tiny when I got her referral and she is growing SOOOOOO slowly.

All the thoughts that run thru your head... its just overwhelming. I'm talking 5 days before court and am I really RECONSIDERING!!! SECOND GUESSING!!!! or God forbid REGRETTING?!?!?!?!?!

Can I take care of a sick baby?

Man, i just did not want to think about this. So I just got really really quiet. I think that EVERY parent worries about the health of their baby. Regardless if you give birth to a child or if you adopt a child, the fear of the unknown is VERY great. The problem is this. There are a ton of birth parents that discuss these fears. With their family, their doctor, their friends -- a therapist). They do extra test and obsess over the ultrasounds, they prepare a special diet and stay out of the way of smokers. But adoptive parents, we don't have the luxury of taking all of these precautions. We don't have the luxury of holding our little one and and assessing all the fingers and all the toes. This is obviously the first thing that a mother does after birth (not like she can send Baby back...). We require the same reassurances. So we rely on the monthly reports, the pictures, and the short 1 minute videos. And we assess. I'm telling you... I was not pleased with what I was seeing. I was terrified actually.

Added on 7/02/09

Enter my partner in crime Celeste  . So I reluctantly sent the video to Celeste (not Catrina, she's too perky lol). And Celeste instantly heightened my fears. Celeste and I have made this journey from the beginning and we have had some real heart to heart talks, so we know each others breaking point.

Well to make a long story short, after me and Celeste acted like complete maniacs, enter Valarie.....who traveled across the world to check on my little Lulu!!!

Say Hello to Lulako


Now Riddle me this...........

Off to the BAR!

Now come on guys!!!! STILL ME!


TTYL

Not Today....

I will wait on the Lord Because his timing IS perfect.

Remember him? Well maybe you can appreciate it now!





I am okay ya'll. If I had to pick between my timing and God's I would go for God's all the time. A Rolex that doesn't require a battery. I'm good!!!!


It's coming. Please listen and appreciate!

Culmination

Tomorrow morning will be a culmination of things

Tomorrow morning, a judge will wake up in Addis Ababa Ethiopia and don the honorable Black Robe
Tomorrow morning an uncle will travel many hours to say goodbye forever to the daughter of his brother
Tomorrow morning an agent will plead my case
Tomorrow morning a mother in Heaven will rejoice
Tomorrow morning I will become a mother
Tomorrow morning will be a culmination of things


It is 11:39 a.m. in Addis Ababa Ethiopia. Just one day from now my life will change.
Winds of time will come together. 

Forces bigger than me. 

Forces out of my control...

Eternal forces 

Decide 

Not my agency, not MOWA, not the judge, not the uncle, not me

A force greater than ALL of that.

24 HOURS

1440 MINUTES

86,400 Seconds

And I'll Be Counting EVERYONE!

Thanks guys!!!

Honestly, the expression I laughed I cried... (and I was in class tearing up!)  Just needed to say it.  BTW Tami... you know I got evicted off the island due to not making the income requirements of Island ownership.  But I'm fighting my way back! 

Thanks everyone!

TTYL 

Robbin!

Nervous

I only have a week until court and my nerves are in the toilet

1.  Can I really do this

2. Will I even pass

3. Am I ready

4. Is it too late to turn back

5. Maybe I should wait until I'm married (ha)

6. Is my daughter healthy

7. How will I support us

8. Will I find a job

9. What the HELL was I thinking

10. Is her hair ever gonna grow 

11. Will she like me

12. Will I like her

13. Will I find a daycare

14.  How will I pay for it

15. Will this nursery ever get done

16. Does it even matter

17.  Is she spoiled

18. Will I spoil her

19. Is this the right thing for her

20. Is this the right thing for me

21. Am I insane

22. Will I travel alone

23.  How the hell will I pay for it

24.  Will I stay in a guest house

25.  Will I stay in a hotel

26.  Will these ff miles get me a first class ticket

27. Who will pay for it

28.  When will I tell this new job that I have to take time off

29.  Will I pass court the first time

30.  How will I feel

31.  When will I get excited

32.  Will Gladney be able to get me in the first travel group

33. How will I finish that last paper for school

34.  Why am I so sleepy

35.  How will I manage our routine

36. What kind of car will I get

37.  Will I even be able to get one

38.  How the hell am I ever gonna catch up on these bills

39.  Will I make enough to support us both

40. Will I cloth diaper

41.  Am I insane

42.  Will her weight pick up

43. Is she ok

44. Will I trust in the lord

45.  Will she be a fit

46.  Will I be a fit

47.  Will these psycho's on the Boards EVER get a clue

48. Will I ever get to work

49. Will I ever finish my work

50.  Will I be grumpy when I come home tired

51. Will she love me anyway

52. Is she happy

53.  Will I ever see a picture of her smiling

54. Will it just be the two of us

55. Will my family love her

56. Will I love her

57.  Will she love me

58. Is this insane

59.  Is it fair that I can "afford" to raise her and her birth family can't

60.  Will we visit Addis soon

61.  Will we live overseas

62.  Will I EVER lose weight or just be a fat mommy

63.  How will I teach her to be a good person and not a brat

64.  Will she be smart

65.  Will she ever grow into her big head

66. Will I ever grow into mine

67.  Will she live to serve mankind

68.  When will the fears go away

69.  When will I love her like my own

70.  Will she know me when she first sees me

71. Will she grow up and regret leaving Ethiopia

72. Will she have brothers and sisters

73. Will we leave Michigan

74.  How will I discipline her

75. How will I continue to teach her her culture

76. Will having a child make me less marketable

77. Is it to late to turn around

78. Does my friends think I'm crazy

79. Do I care

80. Will she put prints on my stark white sofa

81. Should I sale it

82. When will I travel

83. Am I going to be lonely 

84. Will she be a lonely only child or a bully

85. Am I as crazy as the ppl on Yahoo groups

86. Is my daughter stolen

87. Is there corruption in this adoption

88. Did I pick the right name for her

89. Why don't I ever use it

90. Does she look like me

91. Will people lie to me and say she does

92. Is this the right thing

93. Can I do this

94. Do I want to 

95. Is it to late

96. Will I pass court

97. Will I travel soon

98. When will I hold MY DAUGHTER

99.  Will ppl be offended by my thoughts

100. Do I give a DAMN

yep... that was me recording all my thoughts in 5 minutes!!! I am losing my mind and very very nervous!

Patiently Waiting!

Hey there!!! I'm still here.  And I do not have a court date yet.   I am actually patiently waiting because God is doing SO MUCH in my life right now that I am busy busy preparing to bring Babycakes home.   I am rejoicing for my dear friends that passed court!!!  Valarie and Ms. D!  I am praying for the strength of those that are just waiting and waiting and waiting... Jeanine, Celeste! I am excited for those with new little faces to look at Catrina and Haze!  I am hopeful for those preparing and waiting, Tami,  Trice, Rayshell and Cristina A.  I am in admiration of those that are building there families (way to many to name)!  But I am most overwhelmed by what a blessing this experience has been for me.  My life is out of control right now.  Complete utter chaos, and not in a good way!  But I know that the God CONTINUES to take control of the timing, the finances and the everyday victories that exist in my life!

Nope I am not anxious for a court date.  I already HAVE a date, but right now only GOD knows!!!

READ THIS.....

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

NOW REALLY read it!

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

When times are hard it is SOOO tempting to try to find your own solution. I am struggling ya'll!!! And God continues to give me so many joys. He continues to make a way out of NOOOOOOOOO way!!! Why does he love me? Why does he remember me? Because I am his child. Because he will provide for me even when I have not been obedient. His love is the love that a parent has for a child, though they may discipline their child for being disobedient, they still continue to feed, clothe and love that child... Oh my Heavenly Father.... The greatest parent indeed!!!

This young man has a simple message to share!!! Please share it with him.



May you find the WAIT as an opportunity to build strength. Like a runner in training. Use this time to strengthen your faith and know that IT IS because HE said IT IS!

TTYL!!!!!

ROBBIN

Life lessons

Honestly, I am here! Really... just a bad blogger. But this is so cute, so funny and just exemplifies parenting. So many life lessons.....






It reminds of this Cosby great memory..... (sorry couldn't upload it)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jo_bn2blWSY

Could Rudy be any cuter? She couldn't even keep a straight face.

Oh how adorable those little faces are... our sweet little angels....

But eventually they do grow up!

Yep it will happen to all of us!!!! But there will surely be many life lessons and laughs along the way!

TTYL 

Robbin

Stand

Enough Said


Robbin

The call -- My ship has FINALLY come!

disclaimer:  Not your typical description, very long, kind of boring, and just pretty odd...

Okay... Sorry it took so long to write this post. I know for me reading about THE CALL is one of my favorite parts. I didn't think I could do it any justice until the shock wore off, but I didn't want to miss the opportunity to share this.

First of all, I must preference this by saying I am a MANIAC about this adoption.  I have a strong ability to retain details and I have sorted all of the possible scenarios of how this referral could actually come about.  I was CERTAIN, my call would come this week... I was almost embarrassed to share it with very many people because I didn't want to seem so certain, but I just knew.  

Anyway, so I usually don't go to school on Thursday but I went to a workshop at school and my mind was not on the phone or the computer.  I got home at 3:00 and I thought to myself... maybe I should email Abbey to ask her if Gladney was going to be open on Friday.  You see I was convinced my call was coming on FRIDAY.  Gladney really likes Friday and now Friday was not a normal business day.  Anyway, I didn't email her.  Let me back up a little.   After hearing that I could be coming close to being matched with a baby, I had emailed Abbey and asked her to email me first in case I wasn't near the phone, then I emailed her again and said maybe you should call me.  She was good about my craziness and told me she would definitely call me because "it's better that way".  

So I'm laying across the bed not particularly feeling anything.  Just eery, quiet and weird.  At 3:57 my phone rang.  817 area code.  I picked it up rather reserved, the call went something like this (yes I am ruining it for those who are waiting lol)

Abbey:  Hi Robbin

Robbin:  Hey Abbey 

very casual, cause you know we talk everyday NOT

Abbey:  How are you Robbin

Robbin: Um... well I don't know Abbey, how are you

Abbey:  Well I think your day is about to get much better... are you near your computer

Clearly Abbey doesn't know me, I sleep with my computer.  Mac is my man.

Robbin:  Its right here Abbey...

Abbey:  I'm sending you an email, let me know when you get, we can open it together.

Insert incessant laughing here.  Delirious insane, Coo coo for Cocoa Pops Laughing

Robbin:  It's here Abbey... Oh Lord, I have a referral

At this point I start thinking....who the Hell is home... I need support!

Abbey:  There are some pictures....

Robbin:  I see them...

Abbey:  Isn't she beautiful

Ummm okay, lets stop right here... she is umm very very NOT what I expected

Abbey:  Robbin?   Are you there

No response, just shock...

Abbey:  Robbin?

Robbin:  Yes Abbey, I'm here

Abbey:  She is 4 months

Email Tami:  "I'm getting a referral"

Tami: What are you emailing for? (of course you're getting a referral what's your point)

Me: No Tami, I'm getting the referral right now...

Abbey:  Robbin are you there.... did you see the little one where she is...

Robbin:  Um Yeah sure...

Email 7 other ppl:   "I'm getting a referral!!!!!"

Abbey:  Okay Robbin I need you to open the second document

Robbin:  Okay Abbey

My phone starts ringing OFF THE HOOK.  

Email Tami:  Why the hell are you calling me??? I'm talking to Abbey

Tami:  I need INFO!!!!

Abbey: Robbin are you there?

Robbin:  Yes Abbey, I see it (whatever IT is)

I know she is saying something.  Maybe its in Amharic.  I can't understand her.  Maybe I need an interpreter.

Google... Amharic interpreter Michigan

Abbey:  Robbin what are you thinking

Robbin:  Honestly Abbey?

Abbey: Yes

Robbin:  I hear a noise so I know you must be talking... but really I hear "wa womp wa womp, wa womp, wa womp" insert Charlie Brown teacher voice  " I am honestly not sure what you are talking about."

Abbey:  Robbin are you okay.

Insert incessant laughing here. Delirious insane, Coo coo for Cocoa Pops Laughing

Abbey:  You will have all of this in writing.  You can review it later.  It can be a lot to absorb.  I'll just keep going if that's okay

Robbin: Um yeah sure

Reviewing about a hundred emails from the same seven maniacs that keep calling my phone and start sending pictures

Tami:  Answer the phone!!!!!!!! Cutie!!!!!!!!! OMGGGGGGGGGcutieeeeeeeeepiiiiiiiiieeeeeeee

Abbey:  Are you  there Robbin

Robbin:  Yes Abbey, are you done?

Abbey: Well... um there is a little more

Robbin:  I have to go now Abbey

Abbey:  Well umm... I really am happy for you, I won't be in tomorrow and......

Emailing, sweating, hyperventilating. Completely not understanding what Abbey is saying... must be Amharic again.

Robbin:  Bye Abbey, have a great Easter, talk to you Monday.  Bye now.  Bye Bye

Abbey:  Um, okay Robbin, have a great weekend.

Call ended 4:27.  39 emails from friends later!

Can I tell you that it was the weirdest and most unplanned reaction, I get that.  It was not at all how I imagined.  And it took me three days before I was ready to even relive the oddity.

More of my reaction to follow.  But I really want to share this song.  Its very very fitting!  

I know People don't always feel like watching the videos, and a lot of times they are reading from a reader or have the volume down, but the song I have going is by an artist name K'jon. It is a TREAT. It means so much to me and my little one. I would love to share it with you!




Sometimes
It feels like
Everything
Is passin' me by
Every now and then
It feels like (feels like)
My ship has gone and sailed away
But I
I gonna be strong (gotta be strong)
Gotta hold on
It won't be too long

Now the tide is coming near
I see the waves flowing
Out there on the ocean
I know my ship is coming in
Just pass the horizon
And right where the sky ends
Cause out there on the ocean
Know my ship is coming in
But don't leave me hanging
I've been waiting to long
But this moment
My ship has finally come

I would travel to the seven seas
(I would even go)
I would even go wherever the wind blows me
(I'll do anything)
I'll do anything to find my destiny
It's like fightin' with gravity
And it's bringin' me down
If this world was really round then tell me how
It's just a moment for you to come around

Now the tide is coming near
I see the waves flowing
Out there on the ocean
I know my ship is coming in (coming in baby)
Just pass the horizon
And right where the sky ends
Cause out there on the ocean
Know my ship is coming in
But don't leave me hanging
I've been waiting to long
But this moment
My ship has finally come

Finally you come (around)
Around, around
I said finally baby

Finally you come (around)
Around, around

Finally you come around, come around baby

Super Duper Thank You to everyone that has reached out to me.  I was NOT prepared for all the support and well wishes.  It is an amazing and overwhelming feeling.  

Thank you for sharing in this journey.  

TTYL 

Robbin

REFERRAL!!!!!!!!!

Today is surreal.   Today is April 9, 2009 and today I saw my daughter's beautiful TINY face!

I will tell about the call later. 

I added music just for the occasion and updated my blog background.  

Oh yeah... she is 4 months old!!!

Lyrics of course.... Lauryn Hill TO GOOD TO BE TRUE!

You're just too good to be true
can't take my eyes off of you
you'd be like heaven to touch
I wanna hold you so much
at long last love has arrived
and I thank God I'm alive
you're just too good to be true
can't take my eyes off of you

Pardon the way that I stare
there's nothing else to compare
the sight of you leaves me weak
there are no words left to speak
but if you feel like I feel
please let me know that it's real
you're just too good to be true
can't take my eyes off of you

chorus:
I need you baby and if it's quite alright
I need you baby to warm the lonely nights
I love you baby, trust in me when I say:ok(its okaay)
Oh pretty baby, don't let me down, I pray
oh pretty baby, now that I've found you, stay
and let me love you, o baby, let me love you, o baby

TTYL

ROBBIN

NOT YET

No really, there has been NO movement.   Minutes feel like hours and hours feel like days.   I can't study.  And I know I have to.

So I picked a really cheesy song.  I know the video doesn't fit, but the words do!

For the life of me
I never thought that it could be
The way it stands right now
Emotions running high
Every night I wish that I
Could tell you how I feel
Those words are here in my heart
Oh but there is just
one missing part
How to put it together
How to say it right
And let you know that
Every night
I'll be dreamin'
Dreamin'
Hoping baby you will be there
I'll be dreamin'
[ Find more Lyrics on www.mp3lyrics.org/SVmc ]
Dreamin'
Hoping baby you will be there
Let me take time out
To try and find out
If this could be real
Cause reality scares me
I've been living a fantasy
How should I feel
Those words are here in my heart
Oh but there is just
one missing part
How to put it together
How to say it right
And let you know that
Every night
I'll be dreamin'
Dreamin'
Hoping baby you will be there
I'll be dreamin'
Dreamin'
Hoping baby you will be there



ttyl

Robbin

Madonna and Child

In case there is some confusion:

This is THE Madonna

And this is Madonna

adoption: a legal proceeding that creates a parent-child relation between persons not related by blood; the adopted child is entitled to all privileges belonging to a natural child of the adoptive parents

There is no different definition given for those that aren't the "normal" adoptive parents...I don't understand people that rally only for the rights and privileges of those that seem "normal".  I am a Black single heterosexual PAP (prospective adoptive parent), I don't want to be judged by the married folks that don't think its important for singles to adopt, nor do I want to judge those that are homosexual trying to adopt, or even judge those adopting transracially.  Because judgment is judgment.  

judgment:  generally refers to the considered evaluation of evidence in the formation of making a decision

Honestly, I am disappointed in the people that were happy to see Madonna's adoption denied.  Of course everyone preferenced their opinion by stating that they were absolutely not in judgment.  No one would ever say their true reason for being against Madonna adopting this little girl.  

Is it Racism?  - Are you opposed to it because of the transracial aspects.

Is it Classism? -Are you opposed to it because you believe that Madonna used her money to bully her way thru the system

Is it Religious Intolerance? - Does your religion give you Carte Blanche to decide who is and isn't worthy?

I think its just pure Judgism...  Yep I made it up.  How ridiculous to assume that money is enough to make the stresses of adoption any easier?  So it gets you to the front of the line.  But it is still as stressful and heartfelt an experience as any PAP feels when desiring to grow their family.   How ridiculous to assume its done for publicity or due to some trend... Really the same money that got her to the front of the line, could have easily bought her a few schools in underdeveloped areas with her name on them, that's publicity.  She certainly could have used that same money to find a less public situation with a more accommodating official just to get her a "matching" kid.  Nope, she returned to the country that gave her the wonderful son, that she loves dearly and has with her whenever she is seen out publicly who has clearly enhanced her life.  She returned to Malawi.   She did her homestudy, she did her embassy clearances, she paid her fees to get before the judge (while spending many more dollars in the country), she REQUESTED a waiver and she was denied.  

Who gets to judge?  Certainly not the same people that have stood or will stand before a decision maker asking for the same consideration -- an opportunity to parent a child.  Because after all, who has really earned it?  If only AP's and PAP's would stand up for the ideal of parenting by adoption and not the ideal of parenting by adaption.  I'm not trying to fit the "norm" I trying  to be a Mom. 

If Madonna had "just" got pregnant, she could've saved herself a lot of headaches.  Shame on her for not picking a more established program -- like Ethiopia  to get a healthy infant as young as possible.  Nope shame on her for trying to adopt a 4 year old ORPHAN.   How dare she, who the hell does she think she is.   Using her money and status to take a child away from her home...

I am so very confused.   

God bless Mercy... Or is it Lord Have Mercy

Ok, todays selection has a double meaning.   Absolutely better include the lyrics because you have to get past all those preconceived Madonna feelings to appreciate this one....

Ive had other guys
Ive looked into their eyes
But I never knew love before
til you walked through my door
Ive had other lips
Ive sailed a thousand ships
But no matter where I go
Youre the one for me baby this I know, cause its

Chorus:

True love
Youre the one Im dreaming of
Your heart fits me like a glove
And Im gonna be true blue baby I love you

Ive heard all the lines
Ive cried oh so many times
Those tear drops they wont fall again
Im so excited cause youre my best friend
So if you should ever doubt
Wonder what love is all about
Just think back and remember dear
Those words whispered in your ear, I said

No more sadness, I kiss it good-bye
The sun is bursting right out of the sky
I searched the whole world for someone like you
Dont you know, dont you know that its

Honestly not trying to piss anyone off... April Fools... You know I don't really care about pissing anyone off.

TTYL

Robbin

Waiting

Continuing with my very subtle hints by way of a musical parade. 

Nothing much to report here...

I give you this Green Day hint hit.




FOR  ANYONE I MAY HAVE LEFT BEHIND WITH THIS HINT.... THE LYRICS LOL!


I've been waiting for a long time
For this moment to come
I'm destined
For anything...at all
Downtown lights will be shining
On me like a diamond
Ring out under the midnight hour
No one can touch me now
And I can't turn my back
It's too late ready or not at all

I'm so much closer than
I have ever known...
Wake up

Dawning of a new era
Calling...don't let it catch you falling
Ready or not at all
So close enough to taste it
Almost...I can embrace this
Feeling....on the tip of my tongue

I'm so much closer than
I have ever known...
Wake up
Better thank your lucks stars....

I've been waiting for a life time
For this moment to come
I'm destined for anything at all

Dumbstruck
Colour me stupid
Good luck
You're gonna need it
Where I'm going if I get there...
At all....

Wake up
Better thank your lucky stars....

That's all I can say.... For now....

TTYL

Robbin

I'm So Excited

Since I'm limited with what I can tell you... I will serenade you in song. Don't be trying to guess LOL. And naw this ain't April Fool's. When I have something to tell ya, I will!


POINTER SISTERS!!!!! I'm So excited.... I'm about to lose control and I think I like it!



TTYL


Robbin

April Fool's

Today I played the best April Fool's joke on my FB friends and fam.  And now I feel really bad because I have to tell them I was just kidding......

I even had family calling me from out of town...

But I did get some great news today... no joke.   And Babycakes may be right around the corner.

I'll keep you posted

TTYL 

Robbin

There Is NO Me Without You

Anyone adopting a child from Ethiopia has either read, intend to read or been advised to read this book.  There is No Me Without You by Melissa Fay Greene is a must read when trying to understand the in's and out's of the orphan crisis in Ethiopia.

The book is the about the story of  Hargewoin Teferra  " a middle-class Ethiopian widow whose home became a refuge for hundreds of AIDS orphans, and about a few remarkable children who moved through her life." 

Sadly, Ms. Teferra has passed away.  Ethiopia has lost a warrior for children's rights.

TTYL 

Robbin

Not Angry, Just tired.....

                                

Suggestive emails with racial undertones are ridiculous!  So long Dean Grose!

In 2003 Kweisi Mfume, then president and CEO of the NAACP held a press conference rejecting streotypes of Black people in America.


"We are still living with the entirely untrue racist labels placed on African-Americans hundreds of years ago. We [African-Americans] do not enjoy sitting on our porches, nor do we frequently drink malt liquor from 40-ounce bottles. We do not wear our hats backward, nor our pants with one leg bunched up, and we certainly wear more than just Fila and FUBU. We love to swim. Also, few of us are afraid of dogs. Our hair is not nappy, our buttocks not big, our noses and lips not wide, and our legs are plenty hairy. Our elbows, knees, and heels are smooth and moist. We are not prone to stealing things and we think white women are ugly. We never buy cheap cars and put expensive stereo systems in them. As for the stereos we have, we always keep them playing at a courteous level. As for the cars, we always drive with our seats up and both hands on the wheel. We rarely use swear words, and our grammar is always perfect. The great majority of us think Snoop Dogg is lewd and inappropriate. We never call women derogatory names like “bitches” or “hos.” We do not smoke Kool and most of us have never heard of Newport.

We do not smoke Buddha, nor chronic, nor hocus-pocus, nor any other narcotics. We barely know the meanings of the words “fly,” “dope,” “trick,” “phat,” “dawg,” and “off the hook,” among others. Those of us who are musicians know what guitars and drums are and how to use them to make music. We rarely sing about guns or women. Our handshakes are not complicated at all. We do not like to make fun of white people. We never talk about the “white man” holding us down. We do not name our daughters after perfumes with “ita” added to the end. We do not necessarily like the taste of sweet potato pie, nor collard greens, nor fried chicken, nor watermelon. I don’t even know what chitlins are. Just about all the others I’ve forgotten are false, too. I hope this aids in the removal of racial boundaries and what not."

When asked if any African-American stereotypes are true, Mfume responded: “Well our dicks are huge. Oh, and we can dance like a motherfucker.”

TTYL

Robbin

Change?

This pissed me off.  It should piss you off too (cause its my blog and I said so).  I would love to hear ANYTHING that sounds like a different perspective on this...... 

I borrowed it from my friend Valarie's blog.... we both are at a loss for words (I know hard to believe right).

Oh yeah.   The NEW YORK POST published this......

I wanted to say little but come on.....  Two days ago a chimp was killed after attacking a visitor to his "mom's" home.    The tape was chilling.   This is what you do to a chimp out of control. 

Is there a correlation?

TTYL

Robbin