(A)Dad, an introduction

Hey Folks,

I'm a dad with two adoptive children, Puppy (2yrs - boy) and Firefly (5mos-girl). Heather and I have open relationships with most of the birth parents so far, and it has gone really well. Puppy's birth parents are out of state, and Firefly's are an hour away. I look very similar to Puppy's birthdad, some might think we are brothers, so many people assume he his our biological child. Firefly is multiracial (caucasion, african-american, ?) and so our little family is excited as we experience and look forward to all the challenges and unique growth that come with being a multi-racial family.

I am trying out this blogging thing because 1) I'm an extrovert to the max and if I can't share it with someone, it ain't real; and 2) I'm beginning to think that there aren't enough adoptive fathers who are reflecting about their adoption experience and sharing their thoughts and experiences with others online. I hope my viewpoint and frame of reference will provide a fresh and needed perspective on the experience of becoming and being an open adoptive family.

A big value for me is growth, and as it takes a village to raise a child, I think it takes a community of thinkers and risk takers to get us to that place of wholeness, belonging, and peace that we want to experience in our families. I don't want to invent the wheel (please excuse the excessive use of cliches - I'm a high school football/track and field coach and I'm addicted to them) so I'm hoping to learn from you all and hopefully I'll be able help others as I'm open about what I'm learning.

I've never done this before, so I'm sure I'll be rusty and somewhat unknowing when it comes to interacting smoothly with this format, but my goal is to be honest and hopeful in all situations. Here's to growth.

Peace.