Author: metime

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What I want you to know: when someone you love commits suicide

Ten years ago, my cousin took his own life. I can hardly believe it’s been that long. In ten years I have graduated from college, fallen in love, gotten married, bought a house, birthed one child, and adopted another. My cousin will do none of those things. My cousin was three years older than me […]

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The tradition of pie

I really have no idea how this tradition started, but I would be remiss if I didn’t share photos of our annual “Jafta gets a pie in the face” tradition. It started when he was 5 years old. I’d made a cheesecake for Thanksgiving.  I’m not sure that the kids have ever witnessed me making […]

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A Giving Tuesday giveaway with MINTED

There are so many great options for holiday photo cards, but I’m a big fan of I’m a big fan of Minted because their cards are sourced from a global community of independent graphic designers. Their cardstock is thick and includes a recycled option, and their designs are fresh and modern. But a huge draw […]

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Kidizen: upscale clothing that is friendly to the environment and the wallet #shopkidizen

The one area where shopping consciously has been a big struggle for me has been clothing. Fair trade clothing is expensive. I love the idea of recycled clothing, but I really don’t have the time or energy to scour second-hand clothing stores. Enter the shopping apo Kidizen. It’s an upscale, online, second-hand clothing shop with […]

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That’s what SHE said: Perspectives on Ferguson

If you are a person of faith, look to your scriptures or holy texts for guidance. Seek out faith based organizations like Sojourners and follow faith leaders that incorporate social justice into their ministry. Ask your clergy person to address antiracism in their sermons and teachings. If you are not a person of faith, learn […]

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Avoiding the holiday hangover

TOGETHERNESS OVER THINGS. We’ve got a large family but we don’t necessarily have a large Christmas budget. We’re working to prioritize time together above finding the perfect gift. This year, in the weeks leading up to Christmas, we’re going to try to find one small thing to do every week as a family—looking at Christmas […]

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The time my kids did my makeup for a Buzzfeed video

Last week a friend of mine who works for Buzzfeed asked if my kids and I wanted to take part in a video they were making. I love Buzzfeed videos. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. If my kids ever feel like I embarrass them on the internet, vengeance is theirs […]

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16 things you learn as an adoptive family

FOX Or the email, in some cases, when you first hear about the existence of a child that has been matched to your family. ABC A real parent changes diapers and catches puke with her hands and helps with homework and worries about her kid every day. A real parent keeps their child’s best interest […]

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What language should kids use when referring to Black people?

I recently got an email asking about how what words children should use when describing someone who is Black, and I thought it was a great question. With her permission I’m sharing it here. Dear Kristen,  I recently heard my (white) 4th-grade son refer to another kid from a soccer team as the “African” kid. […]

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What I want you to know about my abusive relationship

Being in an abusive relationship is one thing, leaving an abusive relationship is another….and having that abuse escalate after leaving is hell. I was with a controlling, verbally and emotionally abusive man for 12 years. I knew he was abusive, but I loved him. So I stayed. Then I found something that I loved even more […]

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#TBT: The celebration of color

A couple of you suggested I just boycot the color thing, which would be a perfectly sane thing for a mother of four with intact boundaries to do.  However, a) I have no boundaries and an instense need to follow the rules and be liked by my son’s teacher, and b) Jafta is anxious about doing […]

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On not “firepitting” our marriage (or our children)

It’s one of those things that a lot of people do . . . that tendency to live your best life when others are around. A prime example of this is our backyard firepit. We pull it out almost every time we have guests over. We love sitting around it, listening to music, talking, or […]

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