Adoption and Foster Care

Ethiopia – what not to wear?

Even for a trip to a third-world country I need a fashion consult. In many ways, I'm more concerned about what I should wear...

Ethiopia – preparing my head and heart

Whenever I tell someone I'm going to Ethiopia, they say, "You must be so excited!" And of course I am. But there is something else...

Ethiopia: Time to book our flight!

It wasn't quite 6:30am. I was sitting on my living room couch, as I often do in the morning, writing a new blog post...

Ethiopia: a tentative timetable for travel

When I woke from a deep sleep in the murky pre-dawn hours, I remembered a dream. In my dream, I had two weeks left to...

Flooding forces a confrontation with fear

My sister-in-law Sally has been following my blog posts on the flood that forced us to evacuate our offices June 2. Sally is a professional...

THE BABIES! And I don’t mean the movie…

I was sitting in a wi-fi cafe in a Seattle grocery store during a visit to see my brother when the call came. It...

Starting to bond, from 9,000 miles away

I can't show you the full pictures. I wish I could, because the faces are achingly sweet and enchanting. But until a certain little boy...

Ethiopia: It’s time to start believing

For months I've been telling people that I'm going to Ethiopia. In some small part of my mind I wasn't sure I really believed...

Ethiopia: more delays and waiting

I don't know how they stand the waiting. I'm impatient and I'm just going along for the ride. Brian and Keri deGuzman of Paradise Valley...

Ethiopia: the babies await

Every night before they go to bed, Jesmina and Musse deGuzman say prayers for their new little brother and sister. Jesmina, who is 3, asks...

The stories behind three remarkable moms

This web-exclusive article supplements our May 2009 print feature story, "Oh, Mama!" in which we published the essays of the winning cover mom and...

PARTY ARTICLES

Time to Paw-ty

Celebrating your favorite furry friend Call me crazy, but when my husband and I adopted our first dog together, we threw her a birthday party complete with cake, streamers, guests, appetizers, games, and more. Was...

Unique Ways to Host a Joint Birthday Party

My brother and I have birthdays that are just one day apart—his on March 3rd, mine on March 4th, and our oldest brother just a few weeks later on March 21st. Fast forward 31 years...

Out-of-the-box Birthday Party Ideas in Phoenix & Tucson

Wanting to do something a little extra special for your child’s next birthday party? Maybe it’s a milestone birthday—like turning double digits or entering the teen years. Or perhaps your child has requested to...

Birthday Traditions & Clever Theme Ideas

Childhood birthdays are unlike any others. I have fond memories of waking up on my birthday morning anticipating all the fun that was in store. With three kids who had birthdays all in the same...

Out-of-the Box Birthday Party Ideas

Wanting to do something a little extra special for your child’s next birthday party? Maybe it’s a milestone birthday—like turning double digits or entering the teen years. Or perhaps your child has requested to...

Party Etiquette

Whether you’re hosting a party or attending one, you may be wondering—do people really RSVP anymore? What about goodie bags, are those still a thing? Do I need to stay with my child at...

How to Throw a Birthday Party that Won’t Break the Bank

I remember the days when birthday parties consisted of colorful balloons, streamers, a simple cake, and the classics like musical chairs and tag with a few friends. Times have changed and suddenly it feels necessary...

How to do a drive-by birthday party

As we get deeper into quarantine, people have gotten creative with birthday celebrations. One result: the drive-by birthday party.

Home pool party? Hire a lifeguard!

Drowning happens silently and quickly. That’s why children are at risk even when — and sometimes especially when — adults are nearby. Even a "designated pool watcher" can avert his or her eyes for a...

Hiking birthday party

For a child who loves adventure and outdoors, turn a hike into a birthday party.
Tour de Liam, Biking birthday party theme, bike race, outdoor activites, arizona parties

Bike race birthday party

When there are lots of neighborhood friends who love to ride their bikes together, host a birthday party that feels like an official bike race.

Island birthday party

Pool parties are popular in Arizona. Make a stylish upgrade at your next birthday party by incorporating décor and details that will transport guests from the desert to a tropical island paradise.

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