But we are now back from the AAC conference where we hooked up with (in alphabetical order) Bacchus, Jenna, Judy, Margie, Marley, Shannon and Suz. If you haven’t gotten to meet any bloggers in real life, it is weirdly like meeting an old friend because right away you KNOW them. It was WONDERFUL!
Our panel was actually attended by people (twelve of ‘em — Pennie counted) even though I thought everyone would cut out for DMC. And I think it went pretty well. I loved the diversity of our experiences so I felt like it gave a broad picture of living open adoption under different circumstances.
Pennie had a great time and I was teasing her about becoming an adoption activist. (She said, “Maybe, but I’m not gonna start a BLOG!”) I think it was empowering for her to be around people who understand and respect her experience and hearing Jenna talk made her realize how things ought to have been different for her. It’s not that I want her to have added pain to her adoption experiences but I think it’s important for her (for anyone) to feel empowered enough to look critically at how she was treated because she ought to have been treated better. (We both cried during the panel and then Jenna cried, too. Which is what we get for making fun of the lone box of kleenex sitting in the center of the circle of chairs.)
Pennie is pretty much out about being a first mom but I think it meant a lot to her to be around women who don’t just know theoretically what she’s going through but KNOW what she’s going through. She’s already talking about next year’s conference!!!
The kids had a great time (hotel swimming pool) and now we are all tired and shocked that we actually have to go to work tomorrow. So unfair.
And here is Noah breakdancing with his friends at KidzArts about an hour before we hit the road to Cleveland! He’s the third dancer, just in case you can’t tell (his hair is as long as some of the girls’ I think)! Video courtesy of Abby and please note how she found a way to include Madison in on the fun. Oh and Abby’s youngest? The one with the impressive headstand! (These kids — minus two teenagers and two toddlers — make up our homeschool potluck crowd.)
Seriously awesome to meet you. Agreed. Feels like old friends. I could have (and wanted to) talk to you forever. It was wonderful meeting Pennie too. She is such a beautiful woman and exudes love. I really enjoyed meeting her. Wish her the best with the new baby. Like you, tired, and I am still in Cleveland. This stuff is draining. I got one short post out. Will write more during the week. Not sure I will post that pic of us. LOL. It aint purty.
Hugs to your family.
Yes, we are much prettier than that picture of us indicates! Suz, we have to meet up again because I felt like I just didn’t get enough time to talk to you and then I know we were all hammered-tired!!
Of course the picture will be gorgeous! Sorry I had to dash and run. I’m still traveling, an hour delay in Houston. It was so good to see you and great to meet such wonderful new people.
Dawn, so SO good to see you again; just wish the time could have been longer.
Pennie is wonderful.
Love, love,
Judy
Love the kids dancing. Did Madison not want to dance? All those kids were just great! I truly hope someday I can meet you, it would be so fun.:-)
I can’t wait until you’re all rested and you can tell us all about the conference. I’ve been greedily checking my google reader for other bloggers’ updates, too.
P.S. The kids’ dancing is awesome, but Madison’s opening is my favorite part because it wasn’t rehearsed, I just said, “When I point at you, introduce the Whetstone Breakers,” and, without hesitation, she just put her announcer voice on and did it. She’s a natural.
I need to write about it but I am currently EXHAUSTED. What a weekend.
Also: I love Pennie. That is all.
She loved you, too! I knew she would!!
Glad to hear it went well!
Heather, next year they’re going to have two regional conferences and Ray said one will be in Sacramento. Pennie really wants to go (I have family there). If we did, maybe we could meet up there?
Noah and Lena are naturals.
All the kids looked like they were having a BLAST! Fun times.
Pennie sounds like a sweetheart. I’m glad the conference went well for all of you!
Dawn, it was so so good meeting you and Pennie and your family, and of course meeting and seeing everyone who was at the conference! That time at lunch on Sunday is something I wish we could all do every single month – man, we could change the world I think!
Ditto Pennie – same re her friend, Noah, Brett and Madison. I have to tell you that I wasn’t prepared for Madison’s smile, omigosh it’s absolutely radiant. I want to bottle it up so I can see it over and over, what a sweetheart!
Hugs to you, wish everyone was closet, because it was that much fun!