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Sunday, February 27, 2011

Can I Talk to You in Your Office?

Having a houseful of kids is a blast, but it can be a challenge making sure everyone is getting all the attention they need. When it comes to my kids, I don’t want to “love them all.” I want to “love them each.”

A few months ago, on a whim, when one of the little ones needed a moment with me, I said dramatically, “Please come in and speak with me in my office,” with a sweeping gesture onto the front porch. (It was the only quiet spot available at the time, where we could talk in private.) It was a defining moment. From that time until now, when one of my kiddos needs some one-on-one time she’ll say, “Can I talk to you in your office?” It might be my bedroom or theirs, a porch or quiet spot in the garage, but it becomes “the office.” Sometimes it’s a serious conversation about hurtful words at school, or changing bodies, or a dream. The conversations are usually short and sweet, but have sometimes involved longer, more serious situations, grief and tears. What a precious honor to have a little time to be face-to-face, heart-to-heart and soul-to-soul with my amazing child!

Now they do it with Dad. “Can I talk to you in your office?” No computer, no phone, no interruptions allowed. “The Office” has become an important tool to make sure that each member of our large, loud, crazy brood gets what he needs.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

You may qualify for Thousands from IRS

Ok. I know I've posted before on this topic, but I want to make sure that you know how big this is. Part of the health care reform bill recently passed had to do with adoptions. Here's an expample- if you adopted a child from the state in 2010 and are receiving a subsidy, yours is considered a special needs adoption. Even if you paid NOTHING in expenses for your adoption, if you make less than $180,00ish a year, you will get about a $13,000 check from Uncle Sam. If you adopted internationally, you can get up to $13,000 of your expenses refunded. Even if you finalized as far back as 2005, you can amend your return and start a college fund, buy some groceries or plan a vacation. Make sure you do your homework and find out if you qualify. Send me a message or call and I'll let you know more details.