tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35860543.post5226416777726731343..comments2023-04-12T04:58:59.365-04:00Comments on Party of 5: Open Book 2008!!!!!!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05046870363509253257noreply@blogger.comBlogger87125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35860543.post-90893469857250611552008-08-24T16:21:00.000-04:002008-08-24T16:21:00.000-04:00I know question time is closed, but I thought I'd ...I know question time is closed, but I thought I'd leave a comment. I thought it was great when I read that you told the boys that when they grow up they would sleep with another man or a woman in their beds. I don't have kids but I do think it's so important to reinforce ideas like this from a young age. That way, it seems normal from the beginning and they grow up to be tolerant and also unafraid to be who they are.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35860543.post-86800810668860601212008-08-16T19:50:00.000-04:002008-08-16T19:50:00.000-04:00We love your blog! Question: How much do the boys ...We love your blog! Question: How much do the boys weigh these days? from Randy & Kelly in MemphisAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35860543.post-79664042008959383412008-08-14T19:47:00.000-04:002008-08-14T19:47:00.000-04:00I've been reading for about a year and a half now....I've been reading for about a year and a half now. I absolutely love your blog. It is the first thing I read when I get to work and log onto my computer every morning (I don't have internet acess at home)! I have been away on summer vacation, I hope I'm not too late. I have read virtually every book you've mentioned on this blog. I wish you'd mention the books you recommend more often because I always go right to get them and they are always gems. ALWAYS! So, my question is: Can you tell us what book you're reading right now? <BR/>From a huge fan,<BR/>Julia in Portland MaineAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35860543.post-48415003717853454542008-08-08T19:51:00.000-04:002008-08-08T19:51:00.000-04:00hiI'm a regular reader & our adoptiive fam...hi<BR/>I'm a regular reader & our adoptiive familiy loves your blog! Thanks for putting it out there!<BR/><BR/>Do the boys ask about their birth dad?<BR/> <BR/>Our oldest just started to have imaginary phone calls with her birth dad ( who we don't know -yet!).<BR/><BR/>LoriAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35860543.post-86548672759131596162008-08-07T20:52:00.000-04:002008-08-07T20:52:00.000-04:00We are an adoptive family (Ethiopia) in Chicago. W...We are an adoptive family (Ethiopia) in Chicago. We love your blog and hope you never stop because we learn so much from you! (Your boys are about a year older than our daughter so we are just one step behind with your stages and phases!) We're ready to start sayng prayers with our daughter so we are thinking about how to do a simple famly prayer. Our quesiton is What is the prayer that you say with the boys every night? I Know you have mentioned that you do prayers each night. :)<BR/>Steve & Kimberly and Mia age 3Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35860543.post-20857734203512620022008-08-07T20:31:00.000-04:002008-08-07T20:31:00.000-04:00I am a little late in commenting, but wanted to in...I am a little late in commenting, but wanted to introduce myself as a reader in Chile, South America. My husband and I have three beautiful kiddos through domestic, transracial adoption in the US and we are now headed to Haiti to adopt two precious baby boys - not twins, but merely 4 months apart.<BR/><BR/>No question from me! I'm just looking forward to reading your answer to all the other 80 or so ... (:<BR/><BR/>GOD bless,<BR/>Stephanie<BR/>http://iansadoption.blogspot.comStephaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03603244678280067360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35860543.post-27007919977296866442008-08-07T11:49:00.000-04:002008-08-07T11:49:00.000-04:00How on earth are you going to find time to answer ...How on earth are you going to find time to answer all these questions?!!!! (You don't have to answer this one.)<BR/><BR/>GailAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35860543.post-88068893953780018492008-08-07T11:34:00.000-04:002008-08-07T11:34:00.000-04:00I'm Tamara from Southern California been reading f...I'm Tamara from Southern California been reading for a little over a year now. LOVE your blog and I think you have the coolest funnest (is that a word?)family! My question is<BR/>How much weight did you gain during your pregnancy? And how did you stay so fit? (you looked GREAT EVEN when you were OVERDUE!)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35860543.post-61601928905522858322008-08-07T00:23:00.000-04:002008-08-07T00:23:00.000-04:00Well since I think you are in the east and I am no...Well since I think you are in the east and I am not, I am probably too late and that is okay. I have not had the time for blogging so much lately, but I have left comments in the past. I love your insight and congratulations on your new baby! We too are a family of five and have some common ground (some)<BR/><BR/>I know that you write boooks I have figured this out from some comments that others have left in the past (or I should say I think I figured this out, because maybe I mis-understood) I have tried to find these books and have not been able to. is it open ended enough just to ask for a link, to said books? thanks and keep up your wonderful blogging, your precious children are adorable! think you will ever adopt or give birth again? <BR/><BR/>and I completely understand the feeling of wanting the all natural birth. but those babies come the way they want. :)happy momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14263373246534854227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35860543.post-6678546492264365892008-08-07T00:01:00.000-04:002008-08-07T00:01:00.000-04:00I have a couple of additional questions, I hope yo...I have a couple of additional questions, I hope you don't mind! <BR/><BR/>What are the boys' favorite videos? <BR/><BR/>How much t.v./ video time do they have on a weekly basis? <BR/><BR/>I am really impressed with all of these thoughtful questions. I am very much looking forward to reading the answers.kirbmomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01405940481297802893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35860543.post-60738369325090932692008-08-06T19:59:00.000-04:002008-08-06T19:59:00.000-04:00We are Dan and Sue from Hartford CT. Someone else ...We are Dan and Sue from Hartford CT. Someone else asked if you have any regrets about the boys that you'll do different with Meera. Here's the opposite question from me. Tell us one thing that you did with K & O that you will definitely do the same with Meera?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35860543.post-65108125016740037422008-08-06T17:28:00.000-04:002008-08-06T17:28:00.000-04:00All these serious questions! I feel like I've got ...All these serious questions! I feel like I've got to lighten the mood! Hope this isn't too late (I'm past the deadline!) <BR/>If you two could go anywhere on a 4 nite vacation for just the two of you where would you go?! <BR/>Smiles,<BR/>Sherri (been reading from Montreal for about 8 months)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35860543.post-50929974474601648752008-08-06T17:25:00.000-04:002008-08-06T17:25:00.000-04:00My question is for Braydon! I have been a proud re...My question is for Braydon! I have been a proud reader of the JMBlog since March '07! My x-girlfriend first got me hooked! Now she's gone but the blog remains! LOL!! I love it when Braydon posts. It is hard to find blogs with men who post on things that really matter. Thanks Braydon! And your photos and videos are awesome! My question is how do you make it work doing the big time career thing and the big time father thing? I hope to do it too some day and like the females who see H as an inspiration I see B as an inspiration. But there arent many guys out there who are doing it (at least not that I know). What are the tricks you've learned to make it work? What advice do you have? And most important (for me right now) how do you find a partner (female partner) that can really make it possible? If you guys ever come to Seattle I want to meet you ALL (dinner on me!)!!!!!!!!!!!<BR/>Jose in SeattleAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35860543.post-21335809223593881332008-08-06T15:49:00.000-04:002008-08-06T15:49:00.000-04:00Hello Johnson-McCormick Family:) I don't have a qu...Hello Johnson-McCormick Family:) <BR/><BR/>I don't have a question per se. I just want to say I LOVE YOUR FAMLIY. I discovered it last year and have been an avid reader snice then (minus the last few months leading up to graduation). <BR/><BR/>Heather, you are such an inspiration. You come across as a strong woman who is a great mother and wife. I love how you are raising your kids (esp. how you do incorporate the twin's heritage into your family life). As someone of African heritage, I must admit I was a bit skeptical at first on how things were going to work. And even though I know that things are not perfect (by this I mean I do feel like there are somethings that the boys might be missing out on ... but on the other hand readers don't know everything) now I know that LOVE IS MORE THAN ENOUGH. You love your babies and they love you and Brandon.<BR/><BR/>I really do pray that someday GOD will bless me with a man who is as loving and supporting as Brandon comes across. Hi Brandon. <BR/><BR/>Congrats on Meera:) She is a beautiful baby. <BR/><BR/>Sidenote: am not sure you know this but the word "Dreads" is actually derogatory. I am told that the origin comes from the the saying that folks with locks looked 'dreadful' with their locks, which gave birth to the modern name 'dreadlocks' for this ancient style. From what I understand, people refer to the Twin's hairstyle as "locks". <BR/><BR/>Good luck with everything:)T.A.Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04722573510957628302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35860543.post-4378601652711473472008-08-06T14:08:00.000-04:002008-08-06T14:08:00.000-04:00We read your blog as a family - we are a waiting f...We read your blog as a family - we are a waiting family (we live in Colorado, adopting from Ethiopia). Our kids and us LOVE your stories! We have no friends or family who have adopted and we feel that your blog is helping to prepare us for what lies ahead (as much as we can be prepared!) especially the issues about race etc. Our question is do Kyle and Owen know about the blog? How long will you keep doing it? Thanks for blogging!<BR/>from the Josephs in DenverAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35860543.post-53487107515240628742008-08-06T11:19:00.000-04:002008-08-06T11:19:00.000-04:00Hi! I'm a grad student at Stanford and have been r...Hi! I'm a grad student at Stanford and have been reading pretty much every day now for a little over a year now. I read mostly because I find daily inspiration here to keep going as an ambitious female in academe. Thank you for giving living color to the POTENTIAL to have a strong family and a powerful career as a woman. You are literally the only proof I have that it might actually be possible for me. And believe me, there are many days when I really need that to keep going (I'm sure you get it). One thing I love about your blog is that it gives me so much food for thought in regards to gender (both in terms of partner/relationship and parenting). So my question is this: Now that Meera is in the picture do you think you will raise her any differently than you raise the boys in regards to gender? Do you think it is more important to be aware of gender in your parenting now that you have a girl, or is it no different than before? Do you and Braydon talk about this stuff? And if you're willing to answer an open ended question: how do you think about gender/parenting differently now that you have boys AND a girl??? Would love to hear your thoughts. Again, I really appreciate your blog. Thanks for not being afraid to put it all out there. And thanks for being a real life example that it can work as a HIGH-ACHIEVING MOTHER!!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35860543.post-71992621187646698342008-08-06T11:03:00.000-04:002008-08-06T11:03:00.000-04:00When you were adopting, did you ask for twins? If ...When you were adopting, did you ask for twins? If so, why?? Did you ask for boys? If so, why??<BR/><BR/>--Terel from Detroit MI (daily reader since Dec. '06)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35860543.post-65335802856566772622008-08-06T06:11:00.000-04:002008-08-06T06:11:00.000-04:00I love your blog...My name is Kelly, i'm 21, from ...I love your blog...My name is Kelly, i'm 21, from ohio (originally MI), i have adopted haitian siblings, GO HAITI!, i found out about your blog thru my mom, cheryl.<BR/><BR/>what i'm wondering, is if you could do it all over again, would you give birth first, and then adopt, or do it the same way you did?<BR/><BR/>~kellyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35860543.post-63177418829544746572008-08-05T23:13:00.000-04:002008-08-05T23:13:00.000-04:00Hello Heather and Braydon.I'm a lurker and I love ...Hello Heather and Braydon.<BR/><BR/>I'm a lurker and I love it. I don't even have a bona fide blogger name. Perhaps that's the next step. I found your blog through my sister Chandra and it brings me a lot of happiness when I read it.<BR/><BR/>I'm 29 years old and I'm in graduate school studying biochemistry. I am married to a wonderful man who enjoys computers on a level I have a hard time fully comprehending. I am one of 11 children and it enriches my life. They bring me happiness, peace, security, and lots of laughter. <BR/><BR/>Thanks for the smiles and keep up the great work. <BR/><BR/>My question is for Brayden. I often send your posts to my husband. You have no problem (seemingly) articulating your thoughts and feelings. Your posts are sweet, well written, and so loving (so are yours Heather).<BR/><BR/>My question is this....do you find it hard to be the same kind of man (big hearted blogger) around other men?<BR/><BR/><BR/>Thanks again for allowing me to see and read about your amazing family.<BR/><BR/>KeelyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35860543.post-76591682155407896872008-08-05T21:23:00.000-04:002008-08-05T21:23:00.000-04:00Hi Heather and Fam-It's Marsha Bowersox, a for...Hi Heather and Fam-<BR/><BR/>It's Marsha Bowersox, a former student of Heather's (MA, 2002)and a big fan of your blog for many reasons. I love the living, thinking, moving sociology incorporated into your daily lives. I love that you take the time to tell others about how you're parenting. And most of all, I love that you're phenomenal role models for someone like me-- kids are definitely in the long-term plan, but how? when? where?why?!?<BR/><BR/>I started reading during some long, lonely days in the place I currently call home- Transylvania, Romania. Email, blogs, and really any link to friends & family really brighten my days.<BR/><BR/>My question: Is it truly possible in 2008 to raise kids without gender biases?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35860543.post-8826590595947204862008-08-05T16:31:00.000-04:002008-08-05T16:31:00.000-04:00Hi Party of 5, This question is for Heather.Have a...Hi Party of 5, <BR/><BR/>This question is for Heather.<BR/><BR/>Have any of your colleagues offered unsolicited advice about the blog (i.e, be careful what you post; aren't you worried about security?; etc.)?<BR/><BR/>I'm curious because my fellow grad students seem to always say that about my blog.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for taking the time to answer my question.<BR/><BR/>Gooch<BR/>Chicago, ILGeorgiannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13380439924263691644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35860543.post-24126218442524447972008-08-05T14:28:00.000-04:002008-08-05T14:28:00.000-04:00Hi Heather and Braydon,I'm Martha and I have been ...Hi Heather and Braydon,<BR/><BR/>I'm Martha and I have been reading your blog for quite a while. I'm not sure how I came across it, but I check in every day. I love your eloquence and reading about your kids' antics! I graduated from college a few years ago and currently live in Boston, where I try to help women get social services in a community health center... so social inequities are something I think about a lot. <BR/><BR/>My questions: Did the boys help decide on Meera's name? Did they accidentally tell it to anyone before she was born?Marthahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13785165754569638122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35860543.post-86568268046871358342008-08-05T13:00:00.000-04:002008-08-05T13:00:00.000-04:00Hello HBKOM!This is Eden, i've left a few comm...Hello HBKOM!<BR/><BR/>This is Eden, i've left a few comments before but i think i'm still considered a lurker :) I've been reading for over a year i bet - yeah over a year as i remember last year's open book challenge! I'm a horse-lovin spanish(foriegn lang'in general)-learnin gotadeskjob girl in the heat, i mean, heart of Tennessee. 27 no kids but plenty of animals. So i finally came up with a question - you guys ever think to add a cat, dog or pet to the mix? it'd be fun! ;) i know Alex has that cute pup & all..Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35860543.post-48705901367377655002008-08-05T06:36:00.000-04:002008-08-05T06:36:00.000-04:00Hi My name is Tamsin and i live in Western Austral...Hi My name is Tamsin and i live in Western Australia with my Husband and 2 boys (also very lively!) aged 6 & 4. I found your site via a site given to me by a friend with a daughter from China. I dream of adopting our next child but at this point it seems it will have to be just that ...a dream. Thank you for your great blog, you have a lovely family.<BR/>My question is Do you live in a culturally diverse community? I ask this because i do not and it worries me that a child from a different culture would find this hard if we do get to adopt from Ethiopia as we would like to.<BR/>Thanks AgainTizhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10253051376849754211noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35860543.post-68391431187964020032008-08-04T20:18:00.000-04:002008-08-04T20:18:00.000-04:00Thank you for your blog. My husband and I adopted ...Thank you for your blog. My husband and I adopted our two children from Ethiopia in February. We have our own blog at http://lifeinhebend.blogspot.com<BR/><BR/>Do you feel that most people treat K., O., and M. equally now that M. is here? I ask because I worry about the effect having a biological child could have on our first two children.Life in the Bendhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07189559359188393372noreply@blogger.com