Sunder's Movie

Here are parts 1 and 2 of Sunder's adoption movie. This is what I do for a living. I absolutley love working with adoptive families to create a beautiful memento of their adoption journey. I never tire of seeing the video footage of families being united. I hope you enjoy it!

ADD update and 6 months with Sunder

I want to thank everyone for their outpouring of support for the whole ADD situation. I spoke with our family therapist who specializes in adoptive families. After her expert opinion and the knowledge of our own child we are doing what we believe is right. We are NOT having her tested. In fact I think what she is suffering from is occasional boredom in the classroom! She is currently interested in Egyptian history. I got her a few books from the library and wouldn't you know it? She will sit down with those books, totally entranced, not moving a muscle for OVER AN HOUR! Even I can't do that! This child does not have ADD, THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!

Sunder has been with us for 6 months! Unbelievable. She is starting to put 2 words together and try to make conversation, which is super cute. 6 months was a landmark for her because she has now been with us longer than she was with her foster family. So I think by now she really knows we are her family forever. She still doesn't do well with kids her age. I think she feels threatened by them still after her months in the orphanage and needing to defend herself. She acts out, hits and says "NOOOO!!" to any kid her size within a 20 foot radius.

I am anxious to share with you some of Sunder's adoption movie which I finished last month. But my computer is currently undergoing an upgrade so I'm not quite able to get it posted here. But stay tuned!

The Kindergarten Establishment

I figured it would happen sooner or later. But I didn't figure it would happen this soon. But, sigh, here we are barely half way through the kindergarten year and already I am butting heads with the public school system.

It is now "strongly recommended" by her school that we go through a formal process to have Riley tested for ADD. Do you want to hear my thoughts on ADD? Do you really want to get me started on yet another made-up condition by the pharmaceutical companies to pump our kids up with their drugs? Or how I can longer purchase a night-time cough suppressant for my miserable child, but apparently I could easily get her a prescription for Ritalin?

Oh, but wait, I was told by my daughter's school, the end result doesn't have to be drugs. Well, thank goodness that makes me feel so much better. Rather I am told that if she can be "formally" diagnosed with ADD that she will receive spacial treatment, especially in regards to the CSAP tests. She can take the tests in a quiet room and not be timed. Am I mistaken, or is the purpose of the CSAPs to judge how a school in performing academically? What about the fact that my daughter will wonder why she is being treated differently and wondering what is wrong with her?

I am sure some kids really do have this condition. But I think there is a whole group of kids that are just really active and physical. Yes, my child has problems sitting still. Yes, she can be ultra-sensitive. Should she receive special treatment and a label because of it? Mind you, this is the same kindergarten class that just played BINGO and was told by the teacher that "everyone is a winner".

I am just starting to see what I am really up against and frankly, I am very concerned.

5 Years Ago...

This scrawny scared baby was placed in our arms.

Here she is today.Hard to believe it's been half a decade. It's been a great 5 years with this beautiful girl!