Cathartic journaling of an adoptive mom.

Latest Posts

  • Believe

    Believe

    What my daughter needs is words of encouragement. It’s her lifeline, especially when she struggles, when she doubts herself.  A parent’s belief in the kids’ success comes before the success.  I believe god help my unbelief.  As I speak power into her heart, “you are smart, you will succeed, you will overcome this challenge” I…

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  • First stanza – The pillar of salt, looking back

    After seven years of self-employment, self-driven activities, I applied for a job. I stumbled upon the opening on LinkedIn and in the spot of the moment I applied. I already had the first interview and it went really well. Hundreds of people also applied though. Waiting to hear feedback. So I’m in the middle of…

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  • Mindset

    Mindset

    “The damage is done. Let’s see how we can fix it.” On the receiving end, if someone with authority says that to you, instead of discussing consequences, it’s pure grace. You don’t sweep the issue under the cover. But the approach is not punitive. It’s constructive. Literally. Last week, an adoptive parent said that his…

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  • Work in progress

    Work in progress

    We don’t just have an opinion. We have perspective. Language is powerful. It was brought to my attention that our approach to our role in society, or our opinion of our contribution, is meek. I’m not a fan of self-proclamation. I’m uncomfortable tooting my own horn. But as Paul says in the Bible, we are…

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  • The road to healing

    The road to healing

    My experience as an adoptive parent tells me that the hard part is only now beginning. The ability to trust again, to rest, to find pleasure in simple activities. For some, the ability to still enjoy life in the midst of chaos may have been their saving grace. The adults have a better self-regulating system,…

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  • The gift of imperfection

    The gift of imperfection

    I got a call yesterday from Jackie’s English teacher. She acknowledged Jackie’s language skill but encouraged us to help her or pay attention to her spelling. I love Jackie’s phonetical writing. It’s endearing. Conrad as a native speaker didn’t spell much better when he was her age. I honestly had no concern about her English…

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  • Inner-circle

    Inner-circle

    To belong. To be seen. To be loved. We are an odd bunch, but we resonate with each other. We felt it was high time to create a space for adoptive families to meet again. It has been a challenging season, from pandemic and isolation to war and generally parenting small people with different personalities,…

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  • Outsider

    Outsider

    I went to a launch party for a print magazine. I have been so busy, so involved in so many projects, this attendance didn’t even register as something out of my comfort zone. My friend was supposed to come with me. I was excited. There was a dress code and fancy famous people, influencers and…

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  • Serving with different gifts

    Serving with different gifts

    I received a donation from family and a friend, to help with the refugees. We don’t have a lot of wiggle room money these days for unforeseen large expenses , so we accepted their generosity. A burden of grace. The oil belonging to the widow in sarepta.  Being available to serve, to pick up and…

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  • Impromptu interview

    https://violetaaltmann.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/interviu-adoptie-19-martie-31922-2.31-PM.m4a

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  • Math

    Math

    The “attitude of war” is becoming all too familiar. The emotional rollercoaster in our pre-pre teens has began a while ago. We would be in denial not to acknowledge it. The difference is stark between a 5 years old and a 8 years old.  Something triggers her. Maybe she didn’t sleep enough, or too much.…

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  • Love your neighbor

    Love your neighbor

    It was brought to my attention that we have never had good relationships with out Ukrainian neighbors. Land was disputed. Nationalism was inherited from generation to generation. We rarely visited each other. My parents took a trip to Ukraine when I was my daughters age, and I got lost there, just for 30 minute, enough…

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