Still lots of people visiting!
Aug. 29th | Posted by Nicky
37 comments
All the time I am amazed at who reads our blog… Here are some of the places people have said hello to “Sugar and Spice” and I: stores, the park, the beach, adoption gatherings, a funeral, a wedding, friends’ houses, Ethiopian hotel, on the phone, on-line discussion groups.
Even though we in no way still get the traffic that we did around the time of our adoption, all of you are still visiting. And I just wanted to say thank you for stopping by! I started this blog for two reasons: 1. to keep up with family and friends, and 2. to provide a resource and perhaps some inspiration for adoptive and pre-adoptive families. Three years later, I consider it a worthwhile endeavor. The bonus has been that this blog is a bit of a journal for me too. I mean sure, I keep it light and don’t share a ton of personal stuff. but it’s helpful just to catalogue the joys in our life.
Thanks for visiting!
If you have never left a comment before, please leave one below. I’d love to hear why you visit, and/or what you would like to see more of on the Rowan Family Tree blog!
Cheers;
Nicky, Jrock, Sugar, Spice, Maggie, Laughlin, Vega and Haatim. And 8 fish.
Hi!
I started following your blog right around the time you guys got your referral!
I love your gardening stories and photos. My fiance and I just got into gardening this year. By the sounds of it, we need to invest in an irrigation system in our raised beds like you guys have! Very cool!
I had to laugh one time when I was introduced to someone by my sister, and this woman greeted me with “are you Ruth of Ruth’s Rambles?!” I was a bit shocked but stammered out that yes, I was that Ruth. She hugged me and told me that she’d been reading my blog for months and that she loved reading about our lives, etc etc. It was more than a little disconcerting that this person I’d never met or heard about before was telling me about posts she’d loved and wondering what had happened in a particular area of our lives!! And yes, friends often ask me how things are going, based on blog posts they’ve read. It’s funny and a bit strange, too, at times!
Anyway, yes, I read your blog faithfully and plan to continue!
Blessings,
Ruth
Glad you enjoy the gardening stuff, Veneessa – it’s definitely our summertime hobby!
Ruth – it is kind of neat it’s such a tool for keeping in touch, isn’t it? Sometimes I just wish I knew what was going on with other people too…
Hi Nicky, I love reading about your life with your beautiful daughters. I don’t know how I came across your blog – but I follow along because it is hard to find blogs written by Canadians who are interested in adoption. I live in a small town in northern, BC with my husband and two children. My husband and I are both 35 and our kids are 12 and 8. We enjoy the outdoors, fishing, hunting and golfing. All activities that we do with our kids. I love your raised gardens. We aren’t gardners but occassionally discuss the fact that it would be fun to try sometime. Unfortunately, we don’t get quite enough sun, mostly rain so we would be limited in what we could grow. If you are ever interested in coming up to northern BC, let me know. Living on the coast is beautiful – fishing for halibut and salmon on a calm day is a great way to spend a weekend.
Hey Nicky… just wanted to respond to your post. I still visit and love that you share your life, your adventures and your learnings. I feel like I have learned so much from you and always look forward to your photos and wisdom. Thanhks for continuing to share and make me feel so welcome to follow along. A
Clearly I meant “Thanks for continuing to share and making me feel so welcome to follow along” (how terrible!!). A
I have been following your blog for awhile now. We have also adopted a little girl from Ethiopia. We are celebrating our 2nd year with our little girl. I have used your hair recipe and love it. Still practicing with the hair but you are my inspiration. Thank you for all the pictures and great stories.
I have been reading your blog for quite a while – from referral, I think. We have been trying to adopt for 3 years and no end in sight. Your blog gives me hope, inspiration and an honest expression of what an adoptive family experiences together. So thank you for sharing and allowing me to read about your lives. Many days are very challenging for me but I hang onto the hope that someday it will be our turn and your blog is one thing that helps me to hope.
Allison
Lani – I grew up in Northern BC! but on the dry side of the mountains.
Andrea – so glad tyo hear that you still enjoy it! I’m so glad I met you via blogland.
Tina – another hair elixer addict! I just made another recipe the other day myself.
Oh, Allison – I know what a terrible long road this can be. Sometimes other people’s happy stories were all that kept me going wither. Keep the faith, my friend – it will happen!
I started to read your blog two years ago when my husband and I were starting our adoption process. At this time we did not no much about adoption and we had to made a decision about which country we want adopt and which agency. Your blog was one of the first one I found on the web. I enjoy reading your adventure during the waiting time and I celebrate with you the day you receive your referral. You help us so much to learn about adoption (challenges, issues) and Ethiopia history. I am glad to have the opportunity today to follow Sugar and Spice adventures.
That’s so neat, Naomi – I’m glad you joined us in the Ethiopian Adoption community!
Don’t forget, an ‘almost hello’ at a choir concert
lol
Hi! I have been reading your blog for awhile now. Not sure how long, but before your referral. I guess that makes me a long term creeper. lol
My husband and I live in NL and we are waiting for a referral 0-36 months. We are #86 on the infamous list. So hopefully our time will come soon.
I love your blog. It is so interesting and your girls are adorable. Blog reading is what gets me through the wait! Thanks for sharing with us all.
alicia
Hello
Trying to remember when I first found you ?
I remember your referral video like it was yesterday . The clothes you started sewing !
I love the little graph at the top, the spike for when you where in Ethiopia and we all needed news.
I am so grateful for all you write and share with us. I love the video’s of the girls I have loved watching them grow over the year.
I look forward to future posts and seeing how things change.
Thanks for writing and bringing me along.
Shannon ( with Imagine since 2007 and waiting for my day to use the hair miracle )
Oh yeah love all the hair tips and photo’s keeps my dreams alive
Kari – I wish you had said hi! lol
Alicia… ah – the list. Keep the faith!!!!
Shannon- yes, that Imagine bankruptcy was such a crazy time. I remember playing PR person for the orphanage there… it was even crazier than it was in Canada, with no news. But I’l sure glad we had ths blog stuff in place at that time. Or else none of us would have known anything.
Hi… I’ve been reading your blog for over two years now. I check it at least twice a week. I have found it to be a constant source of information and have loved seeing the girls develop since they have come home. It’s sort of a solice to come here and see that it really does happen! We’re so happy for you guys and do hope to meet you all when you are out west visiting family sometime.
I should really comment more often as I always love your posts. Hi to you all and thanks for everything…
Heidi in Lloydminster
Hi,
I’m a college student from the mid-western U.S. and I’ve been reading your blog for awhile, but I can’t remember when I started! I’m not really connected to the adoption community in any tangible way, but I stumbled upon the blogging community and have read a few blogs for years now. I really enjoy your blog. Thanks for sharing it!
I have been reading since before the referral of your lovely daughters. I have learned so much about adoption, ethiopia and a plethora of other tidbits from following your posts. We too are still waiting with Imagine and hope to one day put all the knowledge we are accumulating to good use.
Thanks for sharing all your wisdom as well as the honest ups and downs of life with your girls.
You are a great communicator as well so your blog is “easy reading”.
Candice
Mom to 3…waiting for number 4
Hi, I’m one of the ones who has never (as far as I can remember) commented. I started reading your blog around the time of the bankrupcy and read it faithfully to this day. My husband and I are one of the imagine families affected by that horrible day, but we’re a little behind you as our dossier had just gone over to Ethiopia a month prior, in June 2009.
I love reading your blog and I definitely appreciate the resources you post.
Hi Nicky: Can’t remembered if I’ve ever commented before. Been following your blog for quite a while. Last Thursday (12th), got a referral for a 4 month old baby girl. We waited over 28 months for a referral. We’re so happy. Love reading your blog and looking at the pics. The girls are so cute!!!!! Plus, I think I’ve watched your referral day video a hundred times (along with many others). Watching stuff like that kept me going until the day came for us last week. Love the stories about your pets too! We love our dog and cat just like you guys do with your pets—still remember the video of Hamish with the stuffed toy and shaking it to death on the kitchen floor. As well, followed closely when the Imagine bankruptcy happened. We’re from Woodstock, NB.
Hi!
I live in Toronto and I have been reading your blog for 6 + months. It all started when my hubby and I were researching adoption and wanted more info / feedback / reviews on adoption agencies in Canada, and somehow your blog popped up. I have been addicted ever since!
I love reading your blog for your honesty, insight, candor and most importantly, advice. How blessed we are for modern technology (the internet and blogs). I don’t think we could have made it through the home study process without the advice and mentors that we have met in the online and local adoption community. Blogs are an added source of information that I am forever thankful for.
Funny enough, we attended a reading with Ola Zuri when she was in Ontario for her book tour earlier this year. She had some wonderful books and articles with her. One included the magazine article featuring you and your husband. I wanted to raise my hand and say “I know them!
Thanks for letting us be a part of your journey. I would LOVE to read about anything to do with attachment, bonding, etc…
Enjoy the rest of your summer.
Stacy
Proud waiting Mom-to-be
Hi Nicky,
I think i follow you for 2 years or something like that, we are with Imagine also and hopefully one day it is our turn! I love your blog and i always look forward to your posts, It gives me hope and it is so much fun to read and enjoy… And yes I hope i can use hair miracle one day!
Thanks so much for sharing your live with us on the net and giving me hope…
I also hope you had a wonderful girls weekend!!!
PS I have a blog but it is very dutch and lately i’m not in the mood for writing.
hello! we are a fam of six with twin girls from et! love to read about adoption and twins. that’s why we read!:)
I’ve been following since just before your referral. We got our referral for brothers ages 2 and 4 around the time you were in Ethiopia. I keep you in my google reader and have “starred” things like the magic hair elixir, your injera recipe, and the guide for new adoptive parents. There are many blogs that I have deleted from my reader after the family received their referral and were home and settles, but yours keeps me interested! I only wish that I could chronicle my travels, crafts, and adoption (pre-referral, referral, and post-referral) as well as you do, Nicky!
Heidi – I am glad we connected through Jrock’s mom!
Sammy – that’s neat… what keeps you coming back? Any particular connection to you?
Candice – I had to laugh at the “great communicator” (like Regan, he he) becuase I amt he worst speller of all thime!
Laura – I’m glad our blog was up and running at the time of the bankruptcy – I know it was real resources / connection for a lot of the adoption community.
Paula – congratulations! Wow, as Jorck says, you have been reading a long time if you remember Hamish and his Tickle-me Elmo. Two years later, but we sitll miss our little friend.
Stacy – that’s funny.. I didn’t even know Ola went on a book tour. We did like that Okanangan Life article – they did such a great job. Look forward to some more attachment stuff as we had some interesting stuff happen this weekend (oo the suspense)…
Maria – your blog is very Dtuch – and super ORange ha ha! Lovely family
Holly – heh, I would love an invite to your blog, if possible
okanaganfca (at) gmail .com
Teaugue – neat to meet you! Your boys are cute and I’m glad you posted…. I’ve only been to Portugal once, but I sure enjoyed it! Can’t wait to see your pics from Angola!
Thanks everybody for leaving comments! I (and Jrock) are enjoying this so muchm, we’re reposting this entry so it’s high on the page and even more people see it.
Cheers!
Nicky
I’ve been following your blog since before your referral when I was researching adoption agencies. I was most interested since you used the same BC agency I was going to use. At the time I was interested in signing up with Imagine and just about put the cheque in the mail when they declared bankruptcy and I changed my mind. Now trying to adopt transracially from the US and find your blog an inspiration. It keeps me going as I’m searching for agency number three to try in the US after one prospective placement fell through(and other ups and downs). Love the tips on black hair
Rebecca -Vanderhoof
I can’t remember when I started following your blog but it was before the girls got home to Canada.
I’m in Italy and I’m a Canadian with an Ethiopian-born son. We have a 3-continent family LOL!
I’ve posted before and sent you private emails, I am currently in the process of trying to obtain Canadian citizenship for my son.
I love the girls and your family, I hope one day we can meet in person, you are such lovely people!
ciao from Torino,
Anna
Rebecca – I’ll have to keep the hair tips and tricks up then
Anna – Wow – what a lovely way to live – the dolce vita in Italy with a son from Ethiopia.
Hi,
I found your blog at the beginning of the summer, although I can’t remember how, now. My husband and I are just starting the process of adopting two little boys from South Africa. I am South African, my husband is American, and we live in Denver, Colorado. When I first started reading your blog, none of our adoption plans had formulated. So it really feels like it has been a long time! I have loved following your family. Your daughters are lovely and it is so encouraging to see families that look like mine will along some future day.
So thank you for being so open.
Caitlin
Hi Nicky,
I’m a friend of your sister and started reading your blog after Ena and I met at a wedding a couple of years ago. I was chatting with your Mom and sister and somehow adoption came up (I had a friend who was pursuing adoption from Ethiopia through Imagine at the time.) Well, they told me about your blog and I’ve been reading ever since. I work with children and families and love all of the general parenting resources/ideas for toddler activities you post and I end up passing on!
Carrie.
Hi there,
I have been reading your family blog for I don’t know how long. We adopted our daughter thru CAFAC and brought her home just before you headed to Ethiopia on your journey.
I just love your blog. The stories, the stuff you do with the girls, the adventures! Truly fabulous! Hopefully one day we will cross paths and/or if I ever get my butt in gear I will invite you to check out the blog Ive been saying I’ll start for a longtime now, ha!
many more beautiful times with your ladies, and thank you for sharing with us.
Mandi, Jon and Nesh.
Hi There,
I think that I have been following your blog from its beginning (when you created it I think that you linked to it from the CAFAC chat group). We had originally been planning to adopt from Ethiopia, which is why I was on that chat group, although we have since adopted twice through the BC Ministry (a sibling group of a girl and a boy in Feb 2008, and another boy last Dec… they are now 5, 4, and 1 1/2 years old). I love following the adventures of you and your children. They are awesome little people! Liz
Caitlin – south Africa seesm to be a great program… good luck!!!
Carrie – so neat you found us through my sister… you must enjoy when she appears here too sometimes
Glad you found us!
Mandi – do let me know when you start that blog
lol
Liz – I hardly check the CAFAC group anymore… just a time thing, but what a great group of people. So glad you found me! Sounds like you have some awesome little people too!
Hi Nicky!
A very late introduction here!! I started reading your blog (well the other one!) almost from the beginning… Our adoption journey took approx 4 years here in the UK – we were thankfully helped by CAFAC… Our two darlings (son & daughter) came home to London UK in March 2008 aged 3 months and are now thriving
and will be 3 years old in December…
I adore your blog and check in a few times a week for news/fab hair/parenting/adoption issues/etc/etc tips and also… The Photos..! The Photos keep our dream of moving to BC alive – like the adoption our immigration process is very long winded… One day (not too far off) I hope we can all meet up at a Families With Children from Africa Group or camp or something!!!
hugs
Trudy
Trudy – so glad you posted and I got o know more about oyu. So you have twins too! How wonderful.
It would be so neat to see you here across the pond one day!
Thanks Nicky!
I’ve pm-ed you via the e-mail form on the Canadian Children From Ethiopia group but added a photo & am not sure if it’ll now get through to you as the photo might be too big?!?! Sorry I’m obviously not as technical as I’d have hoped : )
Trudy
I will check my inbox!!