Where Have We been?
As some of you are aware, Jonathan, affectionately known as "Daddy" in our house, recently took on the responsibility of running for political office. His campaign for Manchester, VT Selectboard (similar to a City Council), demanded much of our family's time and energy as he dedicated himself to engaging with the community, understanding its needs, and advocating for positive change.
To ensure Jonathan could fully commit to the campaign, we decided to temporarily pause regular updates on our website and social media channels.
Becoming Daddy and Papa
“The best things in life are usually the hardest to accomplish,” says the statement flowing across Thomas and Jonathan West’s widely viewed Instagram reel. Their journey to becoming parents has embodied these words and although they are now fathers of four adopted children, the path has been riddled with obstacles.
Emma’s Story: A Story of Love & Loss
A few weeks prior, we matched with a birth mother in Texas. Not all the details were precise, and she still needed a sonogram, but we were told to get ready because we were having a girl. Her name would be Emma, so that's what hung above her crib.
Her Lucky Coin | A Watch Battery
We never imagined that a watch-sized battery could be so dangerous. One morning Charlotte told us she had just finished eating her snack. The comment was odd because we hadn't given her anything to eat since we had just recently finished breakfast, so we prodded further only to hear her say, "I swallowed my lucky coin."
Stop Saying "Be Careful"
Children need our love, support, and guidance in so many ways.
They need to know they're loved, they need to know they have our support, and they need to know we'll always be there to guide them when times are tough.
They don't need to hear us tell them to "be careful" all the time.
American Monsters
We sent four kids to school today after talking to them in detail about yet another school shooting in America.
NO, I’M NOT BABYSITTING MY OWN KIDS
If you’re a dad, you’ve inevitably heard one of the following while out doing something with your kids.
CHARLOTTE’S STORY
In September of 2015, just around 5:00 pm, Daddy, Grace, and I were just sitting down to eat dinner. Little did we know our 2nd daughter had just been born. It wasn’t our intention to adopt twice, let alone two infants only 5-weeks apart, but later that night as we were all getting settled into bed our phone rang.
GRACE’S STORY
A friend of ours who was adopted at a young age once reminded us that our daughter's story belongs to her and no one else. Adoption stories can be extraordinary in many ways, but they can also be heart-wrenching and painful for adoptees and their families.
IT’S OKAY TO BE A UNICORN
In another stunning turn of events, the reading of this book was canceled in an Ohio School District after parents were concerned that the blue and purple unicorn underneath a rainbow-colored title.
ANTIRACIST BABY
During the Supreme Court confirmation hearings for Ketanji Brown Jackson this week, Ted Cruz singled out multiple books while questioning the judge about her stance on critical race theory.
LGBTQ+ HATE
Did you know you can be evicted from your home for being GAY in over HALF OF US STATES!?
