Holiday Mayhem

Hi Opus!Glad you posted! I check this board all the time! Our Thanksgiving was so great. Though, I've got to say, it was very hard dealing with no baby yet... This is really more difficult than I ever expected, and boy, do I feel dumb! But we'll get through it. It was great to see my family. And it was kinda cool having the snow, too. Very pretty. We did get our decorations up Saturday.. house looks pretty cute. It's our first Christmas here, we just bought it/moved in last month. It's exciting for us! I didn't even know about the Polar Express train in N. Conway! The only time we're up that way is on our way to the Saco River for our annual canoe trip in the summer. That is a fun time! But the Polar Express train sounds even better. I'll have to remember that, for when we do have kids! Yeah, I hear ya with the PATS. I can't even believe they are still in first place for their division, it's really pathetic. I get sick to my stomach every Sunday from nerves just watching them! I'm happy Bruschi is back, and he seems himself again, and so happy. And Brady seems like he's getting his temperment back, too. I'm a huge Brady fan (in fact, will likely name our child either Brady Anthony or Brady Lynne!) but the last few weeks his attitude and the way he's been barking at the other guys has been getting to me. I heard that Branch said something to him and that's why he's settling down. I'm glad, he's too good to get like that. I do think he needs to dump Bridget though!:evilgrin: OK, ok, so I'm just being selfish! LOL! Well, good to hear you had such a fun Thanksgiving! Take care,

Hi opus, Thanksgiving went well..crazy but ok..feed 19 people. It was a bit crowded but everyone still ate!! My tree is up but not outside lights. I think everyone is doing it early( yes, I noticed that too) just because there is o time in the reg season to get it done. Its like "just get it done!" AHH teddy Bruschi...he is so cute... my sons flip when I say that....MOM!!!!! I say "oh for heavens sake he cute like my kids are cute"...hmmmm He just seems to be such a nice guy. I use to be a bruins fan but not anymore...never really watched the celtics. Although I will be going to a game in dec, my daughter is dancing with her school at the pregame. Why could't have been the patriots??? Don't really like basket ball. Do you know if anything happened with the bill about opening records here in Mass. I didn't find anything.

oopss..just realized it was mass.adoptive parents...did I butt in!!

dpen, You're always welcome here, I wish we could rename it the Mass Triad forum. I'm glad you asked about Mass SB 959, here's a blurb I read at one of the websites about the public hearing they had at the State House in October: MA SB959 Hearing on Thursday, October 27, 2005:

Hi all.

Well, Thursday turned out to be a fantastic day for everyone here in Massachusetts! The weather was perfect and the turnout for the hearing was overwhelming. This is the first time I have ever participated in something like this, so my perspective is that of a rookie; excitement, awe, inspiring, and impressive. For me, it was like attending the Academy Awards for the first time. Every where I looked I saw stars, the movers and shakers in the Adoption Community; people whom I've only heard of, or corresponded with by phone or e-mail the last few years, who are now in front of me and all joined in a common cause.

Our bill was supposed to be heard around 11:15 but there was another bill ahead of us and the testimony on that ran well into the afternoon. We finally got in around 1 p.m. and got started. I would say the turnout for SB959 was about 40-50 people, at least 20 of whom testified. Adult men and women from 21 to 70 years of age, of all races, religions, and backgrounds, spoke from their hearts to the issue of why it's so important to have full and complete access to our original birth information, as well as it being our basic human and civil birth right. Their statements were very powerful and informative, so much so that the panel of senators and state reps engaged each of them in discussion with questions and positive remarks. New Hampshire Senator Paul D'Allesandro came in and gave his testimony, as did N.H. State Rep. Janet Allen and N.H. A.A.C. Rep. Paul Schibblehute. Joan Clark from the ODS here in Boston testified along with Deb Blanchard and Susan Hicks from the ABC Committee. Adam Pertman spoke for at least 15 minutes, with about 5 minutes of discussion afterwards. Massachusetts Senator Jarret Barrios came down from his office to give testimony. He is an adoptive father of two and is committed to the passage of this bill. Marley Greiner, Executive Chair Woman of Bastard Nation was the last to speak. Her testimony was, for all intents and purposes, the icing on the cake. She gave the facts and statictics with regards to the civil rights now being denied to the citizens of the state of Massachusetts and reitterated that these rights need to be restored here, as well as all across the nation. The only black spot at the hearing was when a representative from the NCFA got up to speak. As usual, and which is their arcaic standby argument, he tried to correllate the fact that access to our birth records would result in more abortions. He spoke for approximately 2 minutes and when he brought up this subject, the panel shut him off immediately and questioned him as to what he was talking about. Fortunately, even the panel knew this bill is about civil rights, not abortion, and basically told him so. He left shortly thereafter.

The whole day was a very positive and enlightening experience for me, and I believe for everyone else involved, as well. We did what we set out to do, which was to get a hearing on our bill, and it couldn't have gone any better. The panel will vote on this bill within the next two weeks and, barring any unforeseeable event, the bill is expected to pass. I will be sending any updates along as I get them.

Carla

O.R.I.N.E.

[url]http://groups.yahoo.com/group/openrecordsinnewengland/[/url]

[url]http://www.petitiononline.com/SB959/[/url] There is a YAHOO website put together by the MARTA group (MA Rights To All) where you can join and get updates. They are trying to get folks more involved as everyone thinks this bill stands an excellent chance of passing. There is also an online petition (the URL is posted in the blurb) that I hope that every Mass forum member will consider signing.

Hi Julie, I was very sorry to hear your match fell through, but hang in there, it'll happen. And I know when it does you and your husband will be incredible parents. The Polar Express, I hear, is very cool. Its on the Conway Scenic Railway and it goes from N. Conway to Bartlett. Along the way they serve hot chocolate to the kids, and read the book aloud, when they reach Bartlett (the "North Pole") Santa comes out and hands out a sleigh bell to each child (just like the story). Unfortunately, it's gotten so popular, that they have had to initiate a lottery the last 3 years, and we've lost out. Oh well, maybe next year. I would never, ever knock Tom Brady. I don't know where this team would be without him this year. BTW, Brady Anthony has my vote!

Hi Opus,Thanks for your kind words. We're hanging in there. I feel a lot better this week. Thanksgiving was tough, but it's better now. We don't stay down very long usually. :-) Thank goodness! I may sign up for that lottery now! I think that must be such a great experience for a young one. I hope you get in next winter! I'm watching the Pats game right now. Still no score, just about the end of the first quarter. We better do alright! I'm sure you're watching, too! Have a good one!

Hello all- Turkey day went well here (because I didn't have to cook! Just show up!) - Newport sounds like a good time - we went a few years ago for the weekend and did the Christmas tour of the houses - it was fun! We haven't done the Polar Express - I think I have a few years before my daughter will get it - Though I would like to go myself! They have local ones here out of Newburyport and Haverhill (though the scenery just isn't the same!). The tix go pretty fast for that as well. Julie - I hope things go better next time around! Every type of adoption has it's pitfalls but the rewards once it over make you willing to go through it all over again! Where is Niccum? I saw a few posts that it looks like things are getting a little tougher for her process as well - hope you get some answers! Around here we are preparing for a series of firsts - tomorrow will be a year since we met our daugher in Russia, following week will be her 2nd birthday (first with us) and then of course her first family Christmas with us. She is the first grandchild on both sides and our families are quite close (location and they hang out without DH and I) so we are in for quite a bit of holiday mayhem here! And we can't wait! Karen

I hope Niccum is OK. Has anyone heard from her? How about this snow? Blech. I hear another storm is coming tonight. Reminds me of last winter... Yep, I watched the Pats game yesterday. Nothing to write home about but least they won. They have a pretty easy schedule the rest of the way so its conceivable that could win the rest of their games. I don't think they'll go far in the playoffs. It looks like it could be the Colts year.

Ahhh - what happened to the forum for MA folks? it looks like they consolidated some? but I don't see a sticky explaining what's up anywhere??? Anyhow - I haven't heard from Niccum - I just saw a post on the China board that she may drop out of the process due to changing requirements. How did everyone like that snow? Yech! I took the day off only to get stuck out on the roads - I had to pull off and wait it out - we got about 18 inches here in Andover... How's everyone else?

Thanks Ktates, I hope next year is better, too. I am feeling better though, so I think Christmas will be okay. I'm freaking out right now because my Brady boyfriend is getting beaten!!! (okay, I may be delusional.. but so worried about him now!) I said when I heard he'd be on the cover of SI that it was a jinx.. Oh, I hope I'm wrong! I feel better now. :-) On a lighter note, we're in Worcester and got socked with this storm. Took me over two hours to get to work Friday (work only about 45 minutes away!) It was scary, glad it's over, and hope it's not going to be a tough winter this year. How's everyone else doing? We had our annual Christmas party last night at my Aunt's, it's always so fun. Dh's family's party is Christmas Eve, which is nice, I'm glad our families do these parties so on Christmas Day if you want to stay home with your kids (if you have kids... sigh) then you can do that without feeling like you *have* to hustle over to see the rest of the family. It works out good for us.

Hang in there Julie - I know Christmas (or any holiday) is tough when you are waiting. You think next year you WILL have kiddos in the house...and then that year comes and no such luck. We were preparing for another holiday with no kiddos last year when we got the call for a referral and to travel...so you never know...hang in there!