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Merry Christmas!!

2009-12-07T18:59:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas! All our best to you and yours!

Flickr set of our Best of 2009

YouTube video of our Best of 2009 set to music

A year into transracial adoption

2009-11-08T17:40:00.000-08:00

On October 27 we celebrated a year since Micah Devon entered our lives. It's gone so fast and it has been such a blessing. When we took Micah home we knew there was going to be more to adjust to than waking up in the middle of the night and less freedom on Friday nights. We had agreed to a transracial adoption, and with the reality of race being a towering social construct here in the United States, we knew our lives would never be the same. We entered the journey trepidatiously and with our eyes wide open, having done lots of reading and having had frank discussions with African-American friends. We knew many would think it not quite right, but we were not deterred.

A year into this experience we have learned a lot. We have received all types of reactions to our family make-up from supporting to disapproval, and pretty much everything in between. And we know we, and Micah, have a long way to go on this journey, and likely the road isn't easy. But there has been something that has been gained that I believe portends hope.

In a number of small ways the experience of raising an African-American son has helped my racism. I admit it. I am racist. I think if everyone is honest this is a reality for everyone. We are all racist. Our society encourages us to place a lot of our individual identity on our skin color, and we are taught from an early age to differentiate ourselves from others with different skin colors. So, in spite of anti-racism training, living in a diverse neighborhood, and having been a minority for four years in Japan, I knew from before our adoption experience that I was racist.

My experience thus far with Micah has by no means eliminated my ability to see race. But it has given a new humanity to that viewing, in particular when relating to African-Americans. The example that hit the most home to convince me of this change took place last week watching Grey's Anatomy. The episode was about a boy facing the end of his life after two years of fighting a serious illness. His name was Wallace and his picture is at right. After a year of hugging, kissing, cuddling, and observing Micah, all I could think about was Micah in the same predicament, and tears wouldn't stop springing to my eyes. Couldn't see race, all I could see was my son, who've I've invested all my hopes and dreams in. In this way I related to an African-American in a way that would have not been possible had Micah not entered our lives, and had I not known him so intimately.

These personal steps forwards probably mean little overall in the debate about transracial adoption, and beyond that to our societal construct of race. And I am sure both myself, and Micah, will face many more difficult situations due to the irreversible course we set down just over a year ago (and I'll admit I have more responsibility for that course than he does). But I can't help to believe that these glimpses, where we truly see we are all one humanity (even for just the splittest of seconds), means hope for race relations, even if it is only one person/moment at a time.

Bike/Ferry MI/WI Adventure to start 8/8

2009-08-01T19:16:00.000-07:00

The below map is automatically adding photos to the locations they were taken along our trip. You'll be able to see upload photos on Flickr stream and videos at our Youtube account. Those following Dan on Facebook or Twitter should get photo/video updates as they are posted.

The below map shows the planned trip itinerary

View Bicycle/Ferry MI/WI Trip August 2009 in a larger map with full distance details etc

It's Official

2009-05-18T19:44:00.000-07:00

We capped a special day with friends and family just after 1:30 when a Muskegon County Judge announced that Micah's adoption was finalized. It was a wonderful time and a real blessing to consider the addition Micah has created in our lives!

More pictures and videos of the celebration

Adoption Day almost here

2009-05-16T11:50:00.001-07:00

Micah was placed in adoptive placement with us Nov 18 and exactly 6 months after that (the minimum) his adoption will be finalized May 18. We're totally excited and can't wait to celebrate the big day. I'm sure there be pics and vids from the event the evening of.

Mother's Day Weekend

2009-05-10T18:08:00.000-07:00

We spent a nice weekend at home, tending the yard, going for walks and enjoying some good food. Mom and Micah both liked the Mother's Day special, Creamy Fennel and Potato Soup.

Weekly update - Race, and weekend

2009-05-04T08:42:00.000-07:00

Very interesting article on race in the New York Times this weekend.

Link to Article

Posted new pics and vids as well after a weekend with Grandma and Grandpa.

Back from DC

2009-04-13T16:03:00.000-07:00

Dan's brother Justin and sister-in-law Kata life in Washington D.C. and as it had been a few years we decided to take advantage of the Easter weekend and make a little visit. It was totally worth the 22 hours back and forth in the car. Micah travelled like a trooper and Washington D.C. was at the peak of spring. Cherry blossoms, tulips and green grass everywhere. We took in some sights, had a great time catching up with Justin and Kata and just enjoyed a great weekend.

Full Flickr photos

Hangin' out weekend

2009-03-29T15:17:00.001-07:00

Kicked around, relaxed, got Micah in the Johnny Jump up for the first time, updated Boxee and am digging the PBS and Pandora apps, and of course enjoyed the symphony. You have to say that when your wife is playing!

Johnny Jump Up Vid

Sorry it's been a while

2009-03-09T19:13:00.001-07:00

I see it's been six weeks since I posted. Not so hot. Things have been moving a long though. We made it through a number of colds, recuperated in the warmth of Florida and are now back slogging through the last of winter. We've been enjoying a few movies (most recently A Very Long Engagement), new music (U2's No Line on the Horizon) and of course stories in the media (well not too much to enjoy there recently - maybe if they just shut up for while. . . .). So check out our Flickr pics or You Tube vids at the side and stay caught up.

Finding his hair

2009-01-25T16:49:00.000-08:00

Besides starting teething, and rice cereal, this was the week Micah found his hair. He is quite enthralled and anytime you put him with his head over your shoulder he is soon pulling on his locks!

Lovin' Apple TV

2009-01-17T11:10:00.000-08:00

Just got an Apple TV and am loving it. The media center is complete! Got it loaded with Boxee, and can enjoy music, photos, streaming TV from Hulu.com and Comedy Central, YouTube etc all from the sofa. Now all they need to do is get streaming Netflix on it and I'll be all set.

Apple TV

Race in America

2009-01-17T11:04:00.000-08:00

Great article in the recent The Atlantic. We do live in a confused racial environment and the nuances of that are explored masterfully in this article. Of course I am speaking from the perspective of a white male.

The End of White America?

Holidaze

2008-12-26T10:46:00.000-08:00

What a great holiday season with Micah, our little bean! In spite of the crazy weather and non stop shoveling, it was great to spend time with family and catch up after a crazy 2008. Highlights were Micah playing in his new jumperoo (thanks mom and day sybenga) and listening to our favorite new song (Happy adoption day - here for MP3, thanks to mom and dad rinsema).

More pics and vids.

Holiday Card 2008

2008-12-06T09:48:00.000-08:00

Happy to share Holiday Greetings with you! 2008 was a momentous year for the Rinsema-Sybenga's as we grew to three. We captured at least some of moments on our digital camera.

Click here for a slideshow of the pictures we chose for our postcard along with full descriptions. Once you have arrived at the slideshow we recommend clicking pause at bottom left, then clicking "show info" at top right, and then advance each slide at your liesure by clicking "next" at the top center option so you have time to read the captions.

Have a wonderful holiday season and great start to 2009!!

Thanksgiving weekend

2008-11-29T18:12:00.001-08:00

We had a great four days spending time with family and enjoying the season.

Official Week

2008-11-22T07:56:00.001-08:00

Our adoption of Micah became official this week when we recieved word that a Muskegon County judge had signed the paperwork for an adoptive placement for Micah with us. And the day after that we all travelled to Grand Rapids for Dan's US Citizen Naturalization Ceremony. So some big life changes became official and we are excitedly looking forward to the future!

Micah gets his shots

2008-11-14T17:10:00.000-08:00

Seems like just a few days ago we took Selah to get her two month shots. Strangely, it seemed much less a to do the second time around. Micah is doing well, he is up to 11 lb 3 oz, and he took his shots with just a few screams before they were smothered by the pacifier.

Meeting the Sybengas

2008-11-11T15:16:00.000-08:00

Micah has met most of the Sybenga extended family (sorry Dad and Justin) over the last few days. It's been great and family are loving meeting this snuggly bundle.

YouTube Video of Tongue Peek-a-boo with Oma

Most recent pics at Flickr

Great recipe

2008-11-10T19:34:00.000-08:00

Enjoyed a great dinner with our neighbors the other night and just had to pass on the recipe we made as an appetizer. Got some great cheese from our local "Cheese Lady" and made roast pumpkin "fondue". The roasted pumpkins looked great right out of the oven and the ingredients in the cavitity of the pumpkin just went together mavelously.

Roast Pumpkin w/ Cheese "Fondue"

We'll post more pics of Micah soon. He is doing great!

Adjusting

2008-10-30T03:48:00.000-07:00

Micah has been home for almost three full days now and we are all getting adjusted. He is a melty baby, loving to have his head rubbed and not content to fall asleep unless he is in your arms. Maybe that was why the bath wasn't so popular. Oh, and yes, changing boys is definitely more of a gamble than changing girls!

Micah's home!

2008-10-27T09:43:00.001-07:00

Today we travelled down to Portage and picked up Micah from his fantastic foster care mom. We so appreciate the job she did with Micah while she had him for 6 weeks. He had changed a lot from when we had seen him just over a week ago. He's a strong little guy moving his head around and sticking his tongue in and out. We love him!

Flickr Pics

YouTube Video of feeding

Transracial Adoption

2008-10-25T12:37:00.000-07:00

We have been thinking about this a lot (obviously, see below post). We're sure we are going to learn a lot about the social construct of race through this process. We're a little nervous because it's obviously a big responsibility to make sure that Micah grows up with healthy identity. To that end here are some resources we came across that we thought were worth sharing.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/17/us/17adopt.html

http://www.nabsw.org/mserver/PreservingFamilies.aspx

http://rinsema-sybenga.com/pdfs/culturalcompetencetransracialadoption.pdf

http://www.nysccc.org/T-Rarts/TRBillofRights.htm

http://www.nysccc.org/T-Rarts/Articles/whiteswhoadopt.htm

http://adoption.about.com/od/africanamericanhaircare/ss/blackhaircare.htm

http://racerelations.about.com/od/parentingrace/i/transracialadop.htm

http://www.childwelfare.gov/systemwide/cultural/adoption/trans_related.cfm

http://www.pactadopt.org/press/articles/transracial.html

http://www.pactadopt.org/press/articles/Pre-adopt%20TRadoption.pdf

http://www.pactadopt.org/press/articles/savior.html

A New Journey

2008-10-24T19:46:00.000-07:00

Last Friday we got a call from Catholic Charities who said they had child that they thought would be right for us to adopt. On Sunday we travelled to Portage to meet him. On Monday we told the agency we were ready to go forward and today they confirmed that we can pick him up on Monday, October 27. Micah was born on September 14, about five weeks early, and last week his mother went to court to release her, and the unknown father's, rights. Initially we will take him home as a foster care child but adoption papers will be filed within days of him being with us and once signed by the judge here in Muskegon (likely before Nov 1), it will become an adoptive placement, which will need to be finalized.

The last month has been a very difficult one for us and even this moment is still very bittersweet. One child doesn't replace another and we still are grieving Selah. But, we are also extremely grateful for this opportunity as we were very worried the situation would drag on and we were not looking forward to a holiday season with an empty home. We can definitely see God's hand through this process, most noticabley that on September 17 our case worker in Kalamazoo was with us when we gave Selah back to her mother, and an hour after being with us, brought Micah home from the hospital, maybe even having us in mind at that time. So we praise God for his goodness, and also ask him for strength as we begin this new and exciting journey with Micah.

A few pics from our visit with Micah from Sunday are posted at the below link.

Flickr pics

Thanks to all of you for your support over the summer, into the fall, and now into this new chapter. We truly have felt the blessing of community.

Sincerely,

Dan and Sarah

Back from Chicago

2008-10-13T14:51:00.001-07:00

Where I ran my first Chicago Marathon (search results under rinsema to find my time). My dad came down from California and we thoroughly enjoyed the course and all the screaming fans. Best part was that first sip of Goose Island 312 Urban Wheat Ale that we got after arriving back at Grant Park. What a rush!