Heidi Saxton - Life on the Road Less Traveled

August 16, 2008

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Prayer for Couples Who Want to Adopt

The “Our Father” — the most basic prayer Jesus taught His followers — is an prayer that is especially appropriate for prospective adoptive parents. After all, we became God’s children through adoption … He understands a heart that yearns to connect, arms that ache to embrace.

August 13, 2008

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Memento Mori

There is nothing quite like the deaths of two friends — both of whom were just my age, one of whom left behind a five-year-old son — within a single month to make a person take stock. The early Christians had an expression: Memento Mori (remember death). This was not a morbid preoccupation with the Grim Reaper, but a mindset that helped the Christian to evaluate all of life with an eye on that which is of ultimate value: Family. Relationships. God. Heaven.

August 12, 2008

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Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

From Dawn Davenport, adoption expert and founder of “Creating a Family”: Hi all. Tomorrow’s Creating a Family show, Aug.13, will be on Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, and my guest will be Dr. Marcelle Cedars, director of the University of California at San Francisco Center for Reproductive Health. Dr. Cedars specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of PCOS. As always, the show is live from 12-1 Eastern Time, but you can listen to it anytime after it airs at the radio page of www.creatingafamily.com (click on radio page, then click on the play button) or download it as a free podcast from iTunes. You can call in […]

August 7, 2008

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When a Pet Dies: Letter from Heaven

My mother-in-law passed this on to me today. I warn you … it’s a tear-jerker. So go grab a tissue and a cup of tea, and settle in. This information might come in handy one day! (If anyone can help me with the original source, I’d be happy to post it.) Our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month.The day after she died, my 4 year old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. I told her that […]

August 6, 2008

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A Special Mother Is Born: Guest Post by Leticia Velasquez

I’d like to introduce to you the newest of our Extraordinary Moms, Leticia Velasquez. A gifted journalist and mother of three, Leticia is a strong advocate for families with children that have Down Syndrome. If you or someone you love is struggling with a prenatal diagnosis of DS, feel free to get in touch with Leticia at “Cause of Our Joy.” “God would never send us a special child,” I mused, caressing my pregnant belly, “our marriage isn’t strong enough.” I was deliriously happy to be pregnant at 39, for three of my five pregnancies had ended in miscarriage, and my younger daughter, Isabella, was […]

August 4, 2008

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Mother’s Helper: Guest Post by Allie O. Williams

“Look what we found!” exclaimed our son, Rob. As the oldest & tallest he was the default spokesman, thrusting a muddy mitt in my face, his fist clutching a clay encrusted hunk of plastic. “It’s Mary and I found it,” cried our littlest neighbor Maggie firmly asserting her role. “But it was in our yard,” hollered our daughter, Elizabeth.

August 4, 2008

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EMN Carnival #1: Tea Time!

I wanted this, our first Carnival, to be a friendly introduction to the women you’ll be hearing from now and again through EMN. We’re just getting started, and I’m hoping this time next month there are many more entries for you to peruse. But for now, just pour yourself a favorite cuppa, and “come and see.” (This is a picture of my favorite teapot … just ignore the tree!)

July 31, 2008

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Make a Difference – Become a CASA Volunteer

Today in her adoption column, Carrie Craft posts about the need for CASA (Court-Appointed Special Advocates) volunteers, who provide support services for children going through the “system.” Carrie notes that with the high turnover of social workers, the CASA worker is often the one constant source of support a child receives. If you are interested in making a difference in the life of a child, click here to get more information about a program near you!

July 25, 2008

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Join the Carnival!

August 1 will be the first-ever Extraordinary Moms Carnival. If you’d like to participate, please submit your entry by July 28 at 10 p.m. You can submit your entry here, or you can send me a link along with the following information: * Your name and blog * Your blog URL * Link to your post * Post URL * Your area of interest/expertise (adoption/fostering/special needs/grief and loss/etc. Please be sure to put the EMN logo on your blog, so I can add you to the blogroll!