Christmas Happies for You

I have two friends who call them "happies" -- you know, those little unexpected gifts you receive around your birthday or at Christmastime? This week my son's cello teacher gave him a little "happy" consisting of chocolates and two very nice pencils (which I am hoping soon make their way into the family pencil bin). I'm in the midst of getting a few such happies ready for my daughters to bring to their teachers before Christmas break.


One of my favorite little gifts to give recently is honey from beeline, a company in Chicago's Lawndale neighborhood offering transitional (and green) jobs to people with barriers to employment (such as having been incarcerated). But I don't buy the honey because the company empowers people, much as I admire that. I buy it because it truly is the most delicious honey I have ever tasted. (And, no, I don't know the folks at beeline, just adore their honey which I discovered after ordering it from Peapod.)


Well, in the spirit of Christmas happies, I have one for you. I've loved what "Love You More" has brought to me and to my family since creating the Facebook page. New friends (and, yes, I'm talking to you Pam Blackburn, among others) and hearing so many perspectives, ideas and insights from other people who have children by adoption. I've met new authors whose work (and lives) I respect. Hearing the wide array of responses about everything from attachment issues to older child adoption to favorite books to parenting a child with special needs provided great help to me as I wrote "Love You More." (Thank you.)


In the new year, I'm planning on sending a monthly one-page newsletter to people who are interested in reading about adoption and parenting and want to know what's going on with "Love You More." Among other things, it will contain short book reviews, recommended resources for parents, ideas for projects to do with your kids and links to articles that made me angry, made me think or encouraged me. To that end, I've added a "subscribe" form to this blog.  


So, what's the "happy"? Even if we've already been in contact via email, sign up for the newsletter through the end of 2010 (it's through "Mad Mimi," a secure site) and you will receive a "Love You More" button. You could even tuck it away for Valentine's Day and give it to someone you love. On the first day of January, I'll draw (at least) two names of people who will win either a "Love You More" teddy bear or a tote bag. You can see the "Love You More" stuff here -- and yes, if you are imagining that I played around with these in a moment of deep, dark procrastination while I was finishing the book, you're absolutely correct. But they're kinda fun, right? And who doesn't like perks?


So page up a bit, enter your email (pinky swear I won't misuse your information) and if you want a "Love You More" button, include your mailing address and I'll get it out to you. 


Enjoy all of your Christmas happies this season.








P.S. If filling out forms isn't your thing, you can always just shoot me your email address and I'll sign you up for the newsletter. Include your mailing address if you want a button (and if you want to have your name drawn for the other whatnots). Email jen@loveyoumorebook.com.