Okay, I dated a few guys in college. I need to clarify this--before I went to Bible college, where I met my husband the day I walked on campus. That succinctly took me off the market at Bible college, but before I transferred I went to a state (party) school.
A guy I briefly dated, we'll call Mr. Video Pitstop. Just go with me here, okay? It was a crash and burn relationship that lasted maybe a few months. But it was mutual when it ended, and it needed to end. I found him on Facebook. He's a Facebook "friend" now, virtually, which is all that is needed with him.
Guess what he does for a living now? He is a teacher in another state for an online virtual school.
Oh my word, the irony.
Apr 29, 2009
Apr 27, 2009
ORCA Local Promotional Video
If you have ever seen a promotional video for Connections Academy (CA) it is from a national level and it well done, but quite generic. Here is Oregon Connections Academy's (ORCA) locally done promotional video. I know many of these people personally, and have enjoyed seeing how ORCA has met their needs with excellence. Thought you might like to see it, and maybe pass it onto to someone else if someone is checking out online learning.
Also, listen to some of the testing scores mentioned. Perfect? No. Off the charts? For a charter school, yes. Considering that Oregon, as a whole, only 3 out of 5 kids read at grade level. ORCA is much higher. Slam dunk. Why would the state not want to take notice of success? Money money money money money......
Also, listen to some of the testing scores mentioned. Perfect? No. Off the charts? For a charter school, yes. Considering that Oregon, as a whole, only 3 out of 5 kids read at grade level. ORCA is much higher. Slam dunk. Why would the state not want to take notice of success? Money money money money money......
LEAP
What is that? It stands for Longitudinal Evaluation of Academic Progress. Why do I care? Here is where Oregon Connections Academy (ORCA) saves me a huge headache. It's the annual progress testing built in to the whole program that tells me if my kid made his benchmark progress this year.
My printer is spewing out, count 'em, 44 pages of testing materials. Yes, it is a huge test, and I am feeling a bit nervous. Why? Not because I don't think he can't do it. As all of us people who school our kids at home know, our kids have their little rebellious moments where they decide to be a little passive/aggressive and not do something. Well, it can't be when we're taking this test, that is for sure. I am always afraid of that, because JM has a way of doing such things. I just told him if he doesn't try his best on this test (doesn't mean they all have to be right) he won't go on to third grade and will have to redo everything we are about to finish. His eyes bugged. Let's hope that will do the trick.
This is something ORCA is very proud of. ORCA's test scores for their students are unmatched in any Oregon public school. Traditional homeschool kids blow this test out of the water. We are proud of it, and have every right to be. Even on our worst days with our kids, watching them excel at these benchmarks makes our hearts swell with pride. Honestly, we wish the traditional public school world could get this excited about testing scores.
FYI--many of you know our home has caught some weird electronic bug. All things electronic have either broken down, or are on the fritz. No joke. BIG huge thanks to Tracy's husband, Brett, who spent his weekend uninstalling my whole hard drive, and reinstalling it all. As a result, my printer is actually printing--my laser printer. That printer hasn't communicated with my computer in about a month. Now, wish my fridge would stop making strange sounds and all the lightbulbs were working.
My printer is spewing out, count 'em, 44 pages of testing materials. Yes, it is a huge test, and I am feeling a bit nervous. Why? Not because I don't think he can't do it. As all of us people who school our kids at home know, our kids have their little rebellious moments where they decide to be a little passive/aggressive and not do something. Well, it can't be when we're taking this test, that is for sure. I am always afraid of that, because JM has a way of doing such things. I just told him if he doesn't try his best on this test (doesn't mean they all have to be right) he won't go on to third grade and will have to redo everything we are about to finish. His eyes bugged. Let's hope that will do the trick.
This is something ORCA is very proud of. ORCA's test scores for their students are unmatched in any Oregon public school. Traditional homeschool kids blow this test out of the water. We are proud of it, and have every right to be. Even on our worst days with our kids, watching them excel at these benchmarks makes our hearts swell with pride. Honestly, we wish the traditional public school world could get this excited about testing scores.
FYI--many of you know our home has caught some weird electronic bug. All things electronic have either broken down, or are on the fritz. No joke. BIG huge thanks to Tracy's husband, Brett, who spent his weekend uninstalling my whole hard drive, and reinstalling it all. As a result, my printer is actually printing--my laser printer. That printer hasn't communicated with my computer in about a month. Now, wish my fridge would stop making strange sounds and all the lightbulbs were working.
Apr 26, 2009
Apr 25, 2009
Our Weekend Plans Changed a Bit
This little guy is my fever kid. He spikes a fever on a dime. Here is our day. We dosed him earlier with Tylenol, and here he is as it wears off. Glad to know Pablo is taking care of him.
Apr 24, 2009
Our Trip to the Science Museum
I chaperoned a trip yesterday to the local science museum for BH's preschool. It was totally fun. It was totally cool to see his eyes light up. It was even more amazing to see him "get it". Link things together, construct a cause and effect scenario, create things, etc. I am more than excited to do homeschooling with him. Let's hope his curiosity isn't spoiled by the time we get to do that. So much fun!
Apr 23, 2009
Printer Woes
Time it took for me to figure out how to install new ink cartridges: 2 hours, no success.
Time it took for hubbie to do the same thing: 2 hours, no success.
Time it took to call tech support: 10 minutes on hold
Amount it cost me to get help from tech support: $9.99
Time it took the tech support guy to tell me to turn on the printer so the cartridge could swing over within view to be changed: 2 seconds.
Having my printer working: priceless.
Time it took for hubbie to do the same thing: 2 hours, no success.
Time it took to call tech support: 10 minutes on hold
Amount it cost me to get help from tech support: $9.99
Time it took the tech support guy to tell me to turn on the printer so the cartridge could swing over within view to be changed: 2 seconds.
Having my printer working: priceless.
Apr 22, 2009
Check Out This Website Sometime
I have it posted way over there under My Favorite Adoption Website. It's been there almost since day one of this blog. It could almost be skimmed over it one isn't careful. It's the Northwest Adoption Exchange. If you click on it, of course it goes to the homepage and tells you how great kids are that are in foster care. But did you know that you can look under "Waiting Children" and read about them?
And of course, about three or four times a year, I look. I want to buy a big house on a hill and bring them all "home". I want them to be "home" not in a "foster home" which feels like being Cinderella if you have ever spoken to a foster child. You don't quite belong, and you get the leftovers. Here is the group I want to bring home right now that I am fixated on. Click here.
There was a little African American boy on there last year named Kobe that I had my eye one. He was reposted after a disrupted adoption, and I have told several of my friends, "Give me the address, and I'll go get him." I knew he would be adopted quickly, and I see he isn't there anymore. I am very glad for him.
Anyway, if you ever just want to dream a little, see what these kids are like, etc. Check it out. IF, and that is a BIG IF, we ever adopt again, it will be a child from the foster system. And of course, there is a pair of the stinkin' cutest African American sisters there right now, that make me want to paint a room in my house pink.
Sigh......
And of course, about three or four times a year, I look. I want to buy a big house on a hill and bring them all "home". I want them to be "home" not in a "foster home" which feels like being Cinderella if you have ever spoken to a foster child. You don't quite belong, and you get the leftovers. Here is the group I want to bring home right now that I am fixated on. Click here.
There was a little African American boy on there last year named Kobe that I had my eye one. He was reposted after a disrupted adoption, and I have told several of my friends, "Give me the address, and I'll go get him." I knew he would be adopted quickly, and I see he isn't there anymore. I am very glad for him.
Anyway, if you ever just want to dream a little, see what these kids are like, etc. Check it out. IF, and that is a BIG IF, we ever adopt again, it will be a child from the foster system. And of course, there is a pair of the stinkin' cutest African American sisters there right now, that make me want to paint a room in my house pink.
Sigh......
Apr 17, 2009
A Slice of Last Friday....
Last Friday, there was a hearing before the Oregon Department of Ed (ODE) regarding amendments, challenges, etc of SB 767, the bill that has us virtual schoolers up in arms. Got the video of one of our reps rebutting many many many of the arguments against virtual schooling. Here is what Rep Wingard is rebutting.
1) Virtual schools (the company of Connections Academy (CA), based in Baltimore, MD) is profiting on Oregon tax dollars. We are outsourcing our tax dollars.
My answer, Oregon Connections Academy (ORCA) is an established non profit organization, in full compliance with all state mandated rules and regulations of a non profit. ORCA does contract with CA nationwide for curriculum. You'll hear Mr. Wingard continue this thought.
2) Kids have no accountability in virtual programs. A bald faced lie was stated at a hearing two weeks ago by a president of a teacher's union saying that there is no student supervision and that "five years old are left in front of the computer for hours."
My answer, shame on her for such a lie! Folks forget schooling, that is illegal from a child protective standpoint. Parents, from a coaching perspective, have to sign an agreement to do things such as 1) Stay in the same room as their student. 2) Take attendance. 3) Monitor their work. 4) Sacrifice their own schedule. 5) Understand this is a huge time commitment. If we don't sign and comply with that contract, which is very serious when you read it, you're out.
Another thing I noticed in this video....the huge lack of attendance of the ODE board members. Half of the seats are empty. A big concern has been raised recently that ORCA families are being shut out of testifying at these hearings. And now I see the ODE members aren't attending. Politics are getting nasty!
Jefferson High School, reference in this video, is right down the street from us. It's close cousin, Madison High, where our kids are allowed to attend, is also on the No Child Left Behind red list. It "should" be closed, but Mr. Wingard shows very succinctly, that rarely never happens.
1) Virtual schools (the company of Connections Academy (CA), based in Baltimore, MD) is profiting on Oregon tax dollars. We are outsourcing our tax dollars.
My answer, Oregon Connections Academy (ORCA) is an established non profit organization, in full compliance with all state mandated rules and regulations of a non profit. ORCA does contract with CA nationwide for curriculum. You'll hear Mr. Wingard continue this thought.
2) Kids have no accountability in virtual programs. A bald faced lie was stated at a hearing two weeks ago by a president of a teacher's union saying that there is no student supervision and that "five years old are left in front of the computer for hours."
My answer, shame on her for such a lie! Folks forget schooling, that is illegal from a child protective standpoint. Parents, from a coaching perspective, have to sign an agreement to do things such as 1) Stay in the same room as their student. 2) Take attendance. 3) Monitor their work. 4) Sacrifice their own schedule. 5) Understand this is a huge time commitment. If we don't sign and comply with that contract, which is very serious when you read it, you're out.
Another thing I noticed in this video....the huge lack of attendance of the ODE board members. Half of the seats are empty. A big concern has been raised recently that ORCA families are being shut out of testifying at these hearings. And now I see the ODE members aren't attending. Politics are getting nasty!
Jefferson High School, reference in this video, is right down the street from us. It's close cousin, Madison High, where our kids are allowed to attend, is also on the No Child Left Behind red list. It "should" be closed, but Mr. Wingard shows very succinctly, that rarely never happens.
Apr 16, 2009
This is Beauty
Have you heard the buzz on this? "Great Britain's Got Talent" show, just like the American version, had a stunner. Do you want to see Simon Cowell eat crow? Do you want to see what beauty on the inside looks like? I wish I could post the link directly here, but nothing on youtube will let me.
Please take a moment, and a tissue, and watch this lovely woman's dream come true. Mine did when I watched Simon be the ONLY person not giving this amazing woman a standing ovation.
Click here.
Please take a moment, and a tissue, and watch this lovely woman's dream come true. Mine did when I watched Simon be the ONLY person not giving this amazing woman a standing ovation.
Click here.
Apr 14, 2009
Discussion.....
It is the ten year anniversary of the Columbine High School shooting. Here are some of my thoughts. Definitely feel free to share yours:
1) I was at work at a Pregnancy Resource Center in NE Portland, and all of us jammed into a tiny little room riveted around a television watching the horrors. I remember watching live as Patrick Ireland fell out of a window head first into waiting FBI agents arms. He lived, but was critically injured.
2) I grew up in Colorado, no where near Columbine. Why? Columbine High School is in Littleton, CO, which is a very (at least back then) upscale neighborhood that was way too rich for my family's income. These were not impoverished children. However, I do agree with a lot of the stereotypes that we all have about snobby rich schools. Littleton, at least remembering them when I saw them at sporting events as a teenager, was definitely a snobby, overindulged school. Sorry, that is what I saw when I was a student in Colorado only ten years before the shooting. Does that mean that such a shooting was deserved? That is not what I am saying at all. I am sayingthe bullying that snobby kids can impart can be overly cruel. No bullying deserves what Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold did, at all. Ever. Period. Snobby school. That is all.
3) I am still sad to this day when I think back to that time. I have similar feelings when I think back to 9/11, which was way more catastrophic. But I don't feel that way about other equally horrifying things that have happened since then. I think the only reason I feel sad about Columbine is it happened before 9/11. 9/11, and I can say this honestly, really desensitized me to horrible things.
4) A friend of mine told me lately, and she is a sharp woman, that of all the latest school shootings, all of them-no exception-has one major component in common. This includes the college shootings that have happened lately. One thing in common. When she said that, I was all ears. All of the shooters had recently, without doctor's permission or knowledge, had gone off of their anti-depressants. I don't have a source on that....yet. Give me a bit to get back to her. I find that interesting, to say the least!
5) I question that statistic in Columbine. And I am willing to be wrong on either side of this point. Both Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris, Columbine's shooters, had been planning this horrible event for over a year. How does that timeline fit with their antidepressants?
6) I do pray for the victims of not just Columbine, but other shootings. For such immense violence to enter into one's day to day existence has to be shattering. It's one thing to know there is violence (ie being a soldier in a war). It's another thing to be sitting in your school cafeteria and for warfare type of violence to show up. So sad.
7) I just read a link about all the different myths that have come out of Columbine because of bad, initial reporting. Click here.
8) Pray none of this happens again. I hope my prayers are not in vain.
Thoughts?
1) I was at work at a Pregnancy Resource Center in NE Portland, and all of us jammed into a tiny little room riveted around a television watching the horrors. I remember watching live as Patrick Ireland fell out of a window head first into waiting FBI agents arms. He lived, but was critically injured.
2) I grew up in Colorado, no where near Columbine. Why? Columbine High School is in Littleton, CO, which is a very (at least back then) upscale neighborhood that was way too rich for my family's income. These were not impoverished children. However, I do agree with a lot of the stereotypes that we all have about snobby rich schools. Littleton, at least remembering them when I saw them at sporting events as a teenager, was definitely a snobby, overindulged school. Sorry, that is what I saw when I was a student in Colorado only ten years before the shooting. Does that mean that such a shooting was deserved? That is not what I am saying at all. I am sayingthe bullying that snobby kids can impart can be overly cruel. No bullying deserves what Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold did, at all. Ever. Period. Snobby school. That is all.
3) I am still sad to this day when I think back to that time. I have similar feelings when I think back to 9/11, which was way more catastrophic. But I don't feel that way about other equally horrifying things that have happened since then. I think the only reason I feel sad about Columbine is it happened before 9/11. 9/11, and I can say this honestly, really desensitized me to horrible things.
4) A friend of mine told me lately, and she is a sharp woman, that of all the latest school shootings, all of them-no exception-has one major component in common. This includes the college shootings that have happened lately. One thing in common. When she said that, I was all ears. All of the shooters had recently, without doctor's permission or knowledge, had gone off of their anti-depressants. I don't have a source on that....yet. Give me a bit to get back to her. I find that interesting, to say the least!
5) I question that statistic in Columbine. And I am willing to be wrong on either side of this point. Both Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris, Columbine's shooters, had been planning this horrible event for over a year. How does that timeline fit with their antidepressants?
6) I do pray for the victims of not just Columbine, but other shootings. For such immense violence to enter into one's day to day existence has to be shattering. It's one thing to know there is violence (ie being a soldier in a war). It's another thing to be sitting in your school cafeteria and for warfare type of violence to show up. So sad.
7) I just read a link about all the different myths that have come out of Columbine because of bad, initial reporting. Click here.
8) Pray none of this happens again. I hope my prayers are not in vain.
Thoughts?
Apr 13, 2009
It's Been a Few Day....Here Are Some of My Thoughts
* Easter. I love it, and I dislike it. I love the completion of God's work in the life of Jesus Christ. I have much hope for eternity in Easter, more so than Christmas. He is risen, He is risen indeed!
* Family is about to leave after visiting for several days. I love having family in and visiting. I am ready to have my regular routine back. School starts in our little classroom tomorrow afternoon.
* Captain Phillips. I have to be honest, I was skeptical. I didn't think he would come out of that situation alive. Hats off to all those who made that amazing rescue happen. Navy Seals, need I say more? Note to self, don't travel near the horn of Africa, even carrying a cargo hold full of relief supplies.
* I have earned it again. I have earned my company's annual incentive trip. It's true. The hubbie and I are going to Cancun in May, to an all inclusive resort, for free. I am so looking forward to it!
* With the family from out of town, we just spent a long weekend at a very simple yet fun resort here in our own state. Give me a few minutes with the digital camera, and I'll have some fun pics from that trip coming soon.
* Our kittens got the big fix. They also got declawed. Don't harass me! In the several years since I have had kittens, and yes, declawed, I have not been so judged. Apparently, it has become controversial. It's done. I am glad the furniture, especially the new leather sofa, will not be obliterated. Yes, they will be 100% indoor cats, and would have been regardless. We have raccoons and coyotes in our neighborhood, they are indoors. Period. I am glad that there were no inappropriate, overly affectionate overtures made between the two before the big snip happened. Whew....
* Tuesday before Easter, my parents arrive and my dad gets hit by a nasty stomach flu and holes up in his hotel for the next 24 hours. The night before this, a huge pantry shelf fell in our basement, breaking a bottle of wine, that made the most incredible mess and cost us $181 at Costco for some serious sturdy shelves. The day after he arrived and was in his hotel, our dryer went out. Have you functioned without a dryer for very long in a rainy climate? And like we have the money to fork out for a dryer after the $181 shelf fiasco. Had a 72 hour feeling of "what else can go wrong?"
* Whatever we did in 2008, we need to do again. We scored on our tax refund. Some of that has been taken up by the above new dryer purchase.
* Got one more dentist visit before this tooth is done. That tax refund is shrinking with every appointment.
* Happy Easter!
* Family is about to leave after visiting for several days. I love having family in and visiting. I am ready to have my regular routine back. School starts in our little classroom tomorrow afternoon.
* Captain Phillips. I have to be honest, I was skeptical. I didn't think he would come out of that situation alive. Hats off to all those who made that amazing rescue happen. Navy Seals, need I say more? Note to self, don't travel near the horn of Africa, even carrying a cargo hold full of relief supplies.
* I have earned it again. I have earned my company's annual incentive trip. It's true. The hubbie and I are going to Cancun in May, to an all inclusive resort, for free. I am so looking forward to it!
* With the family from out of town, we just spent a long weekend at a very simple yet fun resort here in our own state. Give me a few minutes with the digital camera, and I'll have some fun pics from that trip coming soon.
* Our kittens got the big fix. They also got declawed. Don't harass me! In the several years since I have had kittens, and yes, declawed, I have not been so judged. Apparently, it has become controversial. It's done. I am glad the furniture, especially the new leather sofa, will not be obliterated. Yes, they will be 100% indoor cats, and would have been regardless. We have raccoons and coyotes in our neighborhood, they are indoors. Period. I am glad that there were no inappropriate, overly affectionate overtures made between the two before the big snip happened. Whew....
* Tuesday before Easter, my parents arrive and my dad gets hit by a nasty stomach flu and holes up in his hotel for the next 24 hours. The night before this, a huge pantry shelf fell in our basement, breaking a bottle of wine, that made the most incredible mess and cost us $181 at Costco for some serious sturdy shelves. The day after he arrived and was in his hotel, our dryer went out. Have you functioned without a dryer for very long in a rainy climate? And like we have the money to fork out for a dryer after the $181 shelf fiasco. Had a 72 hour feeling of "what else can go wrong?"
* Whatever we did in 2008, we need to do again. We scored on our tax refund. Some of that has been taken up by the above new dryer purchase.
* Got one more dentist visit before this tooth is done. That tax refund is shrinking with every appointment.
* Happy Easter!
Apr 7, 2009
Apr 5, 2009
Madonna and Adoption
What do I think? I feel compelled to comment on her state of affairs right now because I have dedicated this blog to adoption. People do ask me my opinion of celebrities like Madonna and Angelina Jolie. Here is my three cents worth.
I am absolutely not opposed to celebrities adopting. Why? Because it gives great publicity to the whole adoption world. Remember, adoption used to have a dark, secretive side to it not so long ago. There is a stigma, especially among those considering adoption, that adoption is worse than having an abortion. Obviously I strongly and vehemently disagree with that. If perfectly chiseled cheek-bones Angelina Jolie can adopt children and show that the stereotype is false, then do it!
Yes, celebrities most likely get special treatment when it comes to adoption. They always get special treatment. I am sure their name gets rushed to the top of any kind of waiting list, etc. I can assure you this, as much scrutiny as celebrities are under, I am sure their legal ducks are in a row for adoption, just like mine are. And it's a small price to pay for the rest of us to get good adoption press.
Madonna.....good Lord, I really try to ignore her, I really do, but she makes it hard.
A few years ago when she adopted her third child from Malawi, I was perturbed. Why? She went into a country that has no formal adoption laws, bulldozed her way into the legal system that was unprepared for her and her "presence", cozied up to an impoverished birth father, and got her adoption. Even Angelina Jolie made the very short statement at the time, "I make a point to adopt from countries that have formalized adoption laws." I agree with Angelina.
For the rest of us masses, adopting from a country with no formalized adoption laws is just futility. We would never consider it. And it would cost us our entire life savings just to accomplish it. Madonna has resources that covers all of that.
So, what do I think now? To give the next saga a summary, if you haven't heard, Madonna took a little trip to Malawi again this last week to adopt a little girl she has had her eye on. She wanted to be in England by this weekend so her older children could have their prescribed time with their dad. Just reading the accounts of this little trip, it has the feeling that Madonna looked at this trip to Malawi as though it were an errand. For me, my "errand" to pick up my kids was absolutely stressful and life changing. Nope, with Madonna, we fit it into daddy's visitation. Gag.
I know Madonna sent her people there earlier, cleared out an entire hotel for Madonna's privacy, and prepared herself to pick up her new daughter and come home. Why? Because what Madonna wants Madonna gets, and that is not just my opinion.
Guess what? What Madonna wants Malawi doesn't approve of any more. Malawi has an 18-24 month residency requirement to adopt. That was waived by a starstruck judge a few years ago. It isn't this time, and the law makers of Malawi put the brakes on her little trip to pick up her next adopted daughter.
Here is the link, click here. Madonna left Malawi without the child she wanted.
Lessons learned, dot your i's and cross your t's when it comes to adoption. I think that Madonna needs to be brought down a notch or two in her little bid to think she can just show up and walk out with a country's child. The arrogance is insulting.
How about this? If she wants African children so badly, go to another African country where there are just as many orphaned children? Orphaned by AIDS and disease, just like Malawi. Madonna if you're reading (HA! That makes me laugh just to imagine) let me make a list:
Haiti, Ethiopia, Liberia. All three of those nations are wide open for adoption. What do I mean by wide open? They have formalized international adoption laws. They have an American embassy that is prepared to handle American adoptions. They have a court system that expects Americans to walk in the door and petition for adoptions. In other words, having celebrities like Madonna's show up won't bamboozle them and cause judges to be starstruck. It will have a chain of events that need to happen. This will guarantee a smooth adoption so that both the country and the adoptive family are legally covered.
So, I don't know. Maybe Madonna will go try and adopt from Iceland next. Why do I say that? Iceland has a strict no foreign adoption law. No one from outside of Iceland can adopt their children.
But what Madonna wants, Madonna gets.
I am absolutely not opposed to celebrities adopting. Why? Because it gives great publicity to the whole adoption world. Remember, adoption used to have a dark, secretive side to it not so long ago. There is a stigma, especially among those considering adoption, that adoption is worse than having an abortion. Obviously I strongly and vehemently disagree with that. If perfectly chiseled cheek-bones Angelina Jolie can adopt children and show that the stereotype is false, then do it!
Yes, celebrities most likely get special treatment when it comes to adoption. They always get special treatment. I am sure their name gets rushed to the top of any kind of waiting list, etc. I can assure you this, as much scrutiny as celebrities are under, I am sure their legal ducks are in a row for adoption, just like mine are. And it's a small price to pay for the rest of us to get good adoption press.
Madonna.....good Lord, I really try to ignore her, I really do, but she makes it hard.
A few years ago when she adopted her third child from Malawi, I was perturbed. Why? She went into a country that has no formal adoption laws, bulldozed her way into the legal system that was unprepared for her and her "presence", cozied up to an impoverished birth father, and got her adoption. Even Angelina Jolie made the very short statement at the time, "I make a point to adopt from countries that have formalized adoption laws." I agree with Angelina.
For the rest of us masses, adopting from a country with no formalized adoption laws is just futility. We would never consider it. And it would cost us our entire life savings just to accomplish it. Madonna has resources that covers all of that.
So, what do I think now? To give the next saga a summary, if you haven't heard, Madonna took a little trip to Malawi again this last week to adopt a little girl she has had her eye on. She wanted to be in England by this weekend so her older children could have their prescribed time with their dad. Just reading the accounts of this little trip, it has the feeling that Madonna looked at this trip to Malawi as though it were an errand. For me, my "errand" to pick up my kids was absolutely stressful and life changing. Nope, with Madonna, we fit it into daddy's visitation. Gag.
I know Madonna sent her people there earlier, cleared out an entire hotel for Madonna's privacy, and prepared herself to pick up her new daughter and come home. Why? Because what Madonna wants Madonna gets, and that is not just my opinion.
Guess what? What Madonna wants Malawi doesn't approve of any more. Malawi has an 18-24 month residency requirement to adopt. That was waived by a starstruck judge a few years ago. It isn't this time, and the law makers of Malawi put the brakes on her little trip to pick up her next adopted daughter.
Here is the link, click here. Madonna left Malawi without the child she wanted.
Lessons learned, dot your i's and cross your t's when it comes to adoption. I think that Madonna needs to be brought down a notch or two in her little bid to think she can just show up and walk out with a country's child. The arrogance is insulting.
How about this? If she wants African children so badly, go to another African country where there are just as many orphaned children? Orphaned by AIDS and disease, just like Malawi. Madonna if you're reading (HA! That makes me laugh just to imagine) let me make a list:
Haiti, Ethiopia, Liberia. All three of those nations are wide open for adoption. What do I mean by wide open? They have formalized international adoption laws. They have an American embassy that is prepared to handle American adoptions. They have a court system that expects Americans to walk in the door and petition for adoptions. In other words, having celebrities like Madonna's show up won't bamboozle them and cause judges to be starstruck. It will have a chain of events that need to happen. This will guarantee a smooth adoption so that both the country and the adoptive family are legally covered.
So, I don't know. Maybe Madonna will go try and adopt from Iceland next. Why do I say that? Iceland has a strict no foreign adoption law. No one from outside of Iceland can adopt their children.
But what Madonna wants, Madonna gets.
Apr 1, 2009
At the Capital
As I type this, my fellow ORCA parents are gathering at the state capital for a hearing on the charter virtual issue, specifically State Bill 767 and some other issues.
I have already seen some maneuvering with this hearing since last night. This was supposed to be a joint meeting between representatives from the House and Senators from the Senate. Some big wig in the Department of Education made a late night decision last night to make it strictly a house meeting. And that person is not a supporter of virtual schools. I am not sure what her motivations are, but it feels slimy.
Anyway, please pray for those Oregonian families are took a day off of work, put aside schoolwork today, and are making the huge effort to go and speak at this hearing. I pray they are heard, and I pray they see the bigger issues of this bill rather than just union dollars.
Please also pray for us. Our home will be deluged by a local news station tomorrow regarding this issue. It was a weird contact and connection to get this going. Trust me, I don't normally invite the local media into my home. All of us, me included, realize that the public needs to see what we parents do every day with our kids. We aren't just eating chips and watching Animal Planet. It is a huge time commitment, sacrifice and effort to do what we are required, by the state, to do every day. I want the camera to capture that.
Two other families are coming over to give a statement. Plus, ORCA saved me and had their media liaison call me to give me sound bytes. She is also coming, and in just talking to her, she is a sweet lady.
The impression I am getting this week from all the communication, the representatives are hearing us. This will be a difficult bill for them to pass. Word is getting out. However, the bottom line is this--the state of Oregon passed a resolution ten years ago to approve charter schools. A few years after that, they approved ORCA. Since then, during every legislative session, there are numerous bills to get rid of them before they really have had a chance to start. This state needs to stop being so oppositional to charter schools, and put their action where their legislation is, and that is to welcome charter schools. Not welcome them by approving them and granting them charters, then red tape them to death.
I have already seen some maneuvering with this hearing since last night. This was supposed to be a joint meeting between representatives from the House and Senators from the Senate. Some big wig in the Department of Education made a late night decision last night to make it strictly a house meeting. And that person is not a supporter of virtual schools. I am not sure what her motivations are, but it feels slimy.
Anyway, please pray for those Oregonian families are took a day off of work, put aside schoolwork today, and are making the huge effort to go and speak at this hearing. I pray they are heard, and I pray they see the bigger issues of this bill rather than just union dollars.
Please also pray for us. Our home will be deluged by a local news station tomorrow regarding this issue. It was a weird contact and connection to get this going. Trust me, I don't normally invite the local media into my home. All of us, me included, realize that the public needs to see what we parents do every day with our kids. We aren't just eating chips and watching Animal Planet. It is a huge time commitment, sacrifice and effort to do what we are required, by the state, to do every day. I want the camera to capture that.
Two other families are coming over to give a statement. Plus, ORCA saved me and had their media liaison call me to give me sound bytes. She is also coming, and in just talking to her, she is a sweet lady.
The impression I am getting this week from all the communication, the representatives are hearing us. This will be a difficult bill for them to pass. Word is getting out. However, the bottom line is this--the state of Oregon passed a resolution ten years ago to approve charter schools. A few years after that, they approved ORCA. Since then, during every legislative session, there are numerous bills to get rid of them before they really have had a chance to start. This state needs to stop being so oppositional to charter schools, and put their action where their legislation is, and that is to welcome charter schools. Not welcome them by approving them and granting them charters, then red tape them to death.
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