I'm sorry to see you go, Erin. I haven't been active online in the last year or so but I am so grateful for the linkup as it has connected me with many other adoptive parents. Enjoy your family and know we're always here if you decide to come back!

Great advice! I struggle with this one but I know everyone is much better off when I do.

I think we all have strong feelings about our names and that caseworker was incredibly insensitive to think it wasn't a big deal. We kept our daughters' first names; however, changed one daughter's middle name. Her middle name was after her biological grandfather, who was a meth dealer and addict; not exactly a legacy we wanted to pass on!!

I was wondering, as I read the post, if Mariyah was a baby or older when you adopted her.

Funny that you post this today. I am entering a writing contest about health care and identity, the deadline of which is today. :)

I was born with a heart defect and spent a lot of time in and out of the hospital for checkups and pacemaker changes. Just last year I had an episode of atrial fibrillation and had to be cardioverted. Thank goodness it hasn't happened again!

My son has been to the ER twice. The first time was when he was almost six, on New Year's Eve. He was being silly for his sister, fell backwards and hit his head on the wooden part of our couch. He literally cracked his head open. The second happened about seven months later, on the 4th of July. He was running, slipped and fell on his grandparent's hardwood floor, splitting his chin open.

So, like you, I am familiar with hospitals. I have a dark sense of humor and find my hospital experiences humorous. :)

I think it is great! Don't be so hard on yourself. ;)