Stealing an idea from fellow blogger Julie, I present to you The Good in our adoption that happened in 2006. Yes, following this post will be an inevitable "The Bad" post. As my Husband always says, "You take the good with the bad." True, true.

1. Our New Jersey shore vacation. Not only did we have a nice time on the beach but the Munchkin and I experienced some bonding that we hadn't in the past. She enjoyed spending time alone with me and we were able to take some walks and just play together.

2. Finding my therapist in early 2006. Without her guidance, insight and prodding (sometimes gentle, sometimes with a pitch fork), I would not have made the emotional advances I have in this past year. Even though our sessions are not always comfortable, I learn so much about myself both inside and outside of adoption even if it takes a few days to process.

3. Nick's birthday week visit. It was a blessing for me to watch my two children interact on Nick's first birthday. Also, the help that D gave me in those final preparations was priceless. The week we spent together was lovely. Also, along with this one is the photo shoot we had set up with a local photograher and friend. The resulting photos were so beautiful. I am proud to hang them on our family portrait wall.

4. Blogging here at adoptionblogs.com. This experience has been a rewarding one. Not only am I writing on a daily basis which is cathartic and enjoyable but I am learning things from my other blogging cohorts. I have learned things from my readers, both good and bad. I also feel a sense of accomplishment in sharing our story, the good and the bad. It has helped me in so many ways. Thanks, guys!

5. The Munchkin's birthday visit. Some things went poorly (see the next entry) but it was very healing for me to be present at this birthday party. After the emotional massacre of the first birthday and my inability to make it out for her second birthday, just being there, however emotionally taxing, was something I simply needed to do. In doing so, I further proved to myself that even when things are downright wretched for me on an emotional basis, I am able to be there for the Munchkin which is what my ultimate goal is as a birth mother in open adoption.

6. Getting brave enough to talk about Munchkin's placement and the adoption on our family blog. I made an announcement earlier this summer, shortly after the last of m in-laws were informed of the adoption, to our readers on the family blog. This included real life friends, co-workers and others who we have become close with over the blog's two year life span. The ending result? Oh, a few comments which grate on my nerves but an overwhelming undercurrent of understanding. A few of the friends who read the entry were some real life friends who had also experienced unplanned pregnancies and ended up parenting their children, which is why I had never found the courage to tell them in our everday conversations. Two of these women wrote me special emails, not necessarily "commending" me, for that would have felt wrong, but saying that they understood on that core level and that they did not, in any way, judge me. I needed that this year. This whole point, right here, was a huge step in my healing process: being able to talk about my daughter freely, without censoring myself. It was a necessary and needed step in my healing process.

7. Munchking meeting her birthfather. Of course, this wasn't necessarily about me. However, their meeting was a load off of my shoulders and my heart in so many ways. I celebrate for both of them in my heart and soul.

I have one more. But I'm saving it. Of course, my next post will be "The Bad," and you can't end on a bad note. So I'm saving my favorite one for after that...

These were some great things this year. I look back at this list and smile. I have come a long way this year. Especially when you look at the forthcoming list, it is easy to see how my emotional journey has been an uphill but rewarding battle.

Stay tuned for the not so good!