Book Review: Mary Scary

I really wish I could whole-heartedly recommend Andrew Cosby’s 2007 kids’ book, Mary Scary. The lyrical poem flows with a light, nearly perfect meter, and the artwork is friendly, and cartoonishly beautiful.

Here's what I like about it: Mary is eventually adopted by a stable, loving family. She feels unhappy because she doesn't feel peace with her identity. This is resolved when she meets her birthparents (who happen to be Mr. and Mrs. Boogeyman.) And the book ends with a very positive affirmation that all four of Mary's parents "made it work, 'cause that's what family does." I love that it gives hope that openness in adoption can work - and that sometimes, openness can be the way through which an adoptee finds peace. '

There are some challenges that still might make the book too hard for your kids, though: Mary is placed in a bassinette at an orphanage, and “the last thing they needed was one orphan more.” Still, the nuns take in Mary after reading an anonymous note that said, “I am forced to give up this wonderful girl.” No explanation is given, though. Mary is seen to be different and “wrong.” Mary is adopted several times, but returned each time. Kids being read this book could probably latch on to Mary being unwanted, teased, different, “wrong,” and rejected.

Want something kid-friendly, scary, and positive tonight? Try Monsters, Inc.!

And here's a bonus family activity! Make these together:

Recipe here!


Happy Halloween!

Making Sense of Your Adoption Story

In the first recap of the Adoption at the Movies contest responses, Brandi-lin shared about Juno. Today, Michele shares about another movie that helped her make sense of her own adoption story.

My favorite adoption movie is "Immediate Family".  As an adopted child I always had the same questions that I'm sure most other adopted children have.  This movie really helped me realize that many biological parents have different reasons for putting their baby up for adoption.  Sometimes these parents are willing to commit to such a selfless act of love for these children with nothing more than the best interest of the child in mind.  I also love the bond between the parents in the movie...my favorite part is when the mom's are dancing to "Into the Mystic".

New to Adoption at the Movies? Check out the Adoption Movie Guides on the menu bar. Also, like Adoption at the Movies on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter for updates, thoughts, and cute pictures J

Now in Stores: Monsters University DVD Release

Just in time for Halloween, Disney and Pixar are releasing Monsters University. While the film does not directly tie into adoption, there are several positive themes presented in a pleasing package. Characters learn to accept others, to be kind to kids who are unpopular, and to accept responsibility for their actions. Surprisingly for a Disney film, there are no "magic solutions." Mike and Sully do succeed, but they do so through hard work, and they suffer real consequences for their poor decisions. Some kids who have been adopted, or who have been in foster care, will resonate with the characters' struggles to fit into new environments. The theme of expectations of an individual based on their parents' accomplishments may be difficult for some viewers.

Overall, Monsters University is a very good film. Thinking of buying or renting it? Click over to the Adoption Movie Guide of Monsters University for some discussion ideas!

Movie Recommendations for Cross-Cultural or International Adoption

The first Adoption at the Movies contest ended a week ago, and by now the winners are enjoying their first look at Closure. I want to share the winners’ film recommendations with you. Cross-cultural adoption introduces new aspects to the life of a person who has been adopted. Identity questions are often asked early on. Searching may be much more challenging than in the case of a domestic adoption. Here are four films that Adoption at the Movies readers have found helpful and meaningful as they relate to cross-cultural adoptions. 

Liz shared about a very powerful, first-person documentary that connects with her own life story.

My favorite adoption film that I've seen recently is the PBS documentary First Person Plural by and about Deann Borshay Liem. Borshay's film is so moving because she is not only a wonderful filmmaker, but a brave subject as she turns the camera on 

herself and her own adoption story. It is raw, vulnerable, and unflinching in its exploration of transracial and transnational adoption, as well as search & reunion. As an adult adoptee who has experienced reunion and knows how inexplicably complex, thrilling, and excruciating it often is, I found Deann's willingness to film her reunion process incredibly courageous. I related so much to her confusion, conflicting desires, grief, and awe. I particularly appreciated her candidness about trying to integrate this tectonic shift into her identity, her feelings of belonging to both families/cultures, and how emotionally isolating the process can feel at times. Her follow up film In the Matter of Cha Jung Hee is also wonderful. Both are must sees!

Jessie shared about another documentary:

My favorite movie is called Somewhere Between. It chronicles the lives of four Chinese adoptee teens in America. Check it out at http://www.somewherebetweenmovie.com/

It's so raw and powerful that my friend's dad, a hardened navy vet, cried in the movie theater. Each story is relatable in some way and the movie touched me immensely. It's honest in the fact that it deals with birth parent searching and the pain that these teens experience. It deals with race, non-traditional families, abandonment, and the classic growing up story. There is no sugar coating, just a human connection. It's not only my favorite adoption movie, but my favorite movie.

Finally, Brandi-Lin shared about two films that have helped her find healing in her own story:

I am a Korean adopted woman, who is actually adopting :) My favorite adoption film? I would have to say it's a complete tie between Juno and Kung Fu Panda 2. I think Juno has a great look at the birth mother's perspective. It was humorous and the ending was beautiful, in that the baby went to be with the adoptive mother. Being an adoptee watching a movie like Juno gave me perspective as to what life could have been like for my birth mother as she waited to give me up. The humor in light of the great sadness gave me some healing and realization that we are all people just trying to make it in our very diverse circumstances. Kung Fu Panda 2 had me crying and laughing. I think the obvious physical difference of Po and his father made it clear to me that Po was adopted. But watching Po realize he is adopted and learning to love himself was heartwarming for someone who also has had a similar journey.

Finding any new favorites yet? Look for more adoption movie recommendations over the next week!

Movies Aren't Just for Off Hours (Post from The New Social Worker)

Quick! Name three celebrities who have adopted a child in the last decade.

Easy, right? I thought of Angelina, Madonna, and Nia Vardalos. I’m not sure why Angelina came to mind and not Brad, but, well, now I’ve thought of four. Why do we know this?

Adoption stories are in our media; their growing presence suggests a growing audience for stories about adoption. Filmmakers see it. In the last few years, adoption has been featured in Despicable Me, Kung Fu Panda 2, Meet the Robinsons, The Odd Life of Timothy Green, Juno, What to Expect When You’re Expecting and Martian Child, among others.

In a somewhat cyclical relationship, film is formed by public consciousness and, in turn, forms public consciousness. Filmmakers give audiences what they want (a story) rather than what might be more helpful (thoughtful, thorough information on adoption).

Read the rest at The New Social Worker

Family Movie Night

I recently wrote an article in Adoptive Families magazine. It's a quick look at ten films worth watching, with some topics for conversation afterwards.

Chilly fall and winter nights are perfect for cuddling on the couch and enjoying a movie together. Watching a flick with an adoption or foster-care storyline, or themes of identity and belonging, can not only entertain, but lead to a thoughtful conversation about the way your family was formed. Here's my lowdown on films you've probably heard about—some handle the topic poorly, some handle it well—with talking points. Get the popcorn ready!

How can Meet the Robinsons, The Tigger Movie, Kung Fu Panda, Despicable Me, and Moonrise Kingdom be a part of your family movie night?

Read the rest at Adoptive Families and pick one of the movies up tonight!

Now in Stores: Pacific Rim

Pacific Rim is the sci-fi monster/action movie that shows how humankind (sort of) comes together to find off the invading, gigantic, vicious Kaijus. It did well in the box offices, taking in grosses of more than double its $190 million budget. People like to see humans beat monsters, I guess. It released in stores a few days ago.

While Pacific Rim focuses primarily on the fighting between people and monsters it also shares some of the interpersonal drama between the people doing the fighting. Brothers are separated. A fallen hero returns from self-imposed exile. And, oh yeah, an adoptive parent who rescued a young girl several years ago now needs to acknowledge that she's grown, that life circumstances have changed, and that he needs to let her enter the world on her own, apart from his protection.

It's not a particularly deep film, and it's not supposed to be, but it does provide grounds for reflection on a couple relevant issues. Thinking of renting it?

Click on over to the Adoption Movie Guide of Pacific Rim!

Your Favorite Movies and the CLOSURE Contest Winners

Adoption at the Movie’s first contest has concluded! Thanks to everyone who entered, everyone who participated, and everyone who helped spread the news! There were many insightful entries, and the Closure and Adoption at the Movies team found eight winners!

Congratulations to Liz Latty, who will receive a DVD copy of Closure, and get to have a Skype meet-and-greet with Bryan and Angela Tucker, the filmmaker and subject of the documentary. Also, Bryan and Angela  Tucker were so thrilled with the turnout that they are providing not just one - but SEVEN screener links to Closure! Congratulations to Angela Kienzle, Julia Gaglione, Jessie Lutz, Lori Holden, Mary Clare Evans, Brandi-lin Ebersole and Michele Bonk! You'll all get to see Closure at home! Congratulations to all of the winners! Their favorite adoption movies will be shared here on Adoption at the Movies over the next couple weeks! Keep checking in; your new favorite movie might be waiting for you to find it!

Some of the great movies recommended were well-known films; some with overt adoption ties, and some without. Others were lesser-known, independent productions or documentaries. Here are some of the films you listed as your favorite adoption movies:

 Thanks to everyone who entered, to Bryan and Angela Tucker for their participation, and to everyone who helped spread the word! Keep an eye out for the Closure DVD when it releases in December! Adoption at the Movies will be back after the weekend with more of your favorite adoption movies, and with more new Adoption Movie Guides!

Adoption Movie Guide: Up

How powerful does an animated movie have to be, to bring viewers to tears within the first ten minutes? Pixar’s 2009 film Up is that powerful. 

Young and awkward, Carl Fredricksen idolizes famed explorer Charles F. Muntz. When Muntz is disgraced amid claims of fabricating a discovery, Carl is still steadfast in his belief in Muntz. 

Carl soon meets a friend, an outgoing (and also awkward) young girl named Ellie, who also dreams of exploration. 

They meet, become sweethearts, marry, dream of a child, prepare a nursery, find that they’re infertile, mourn their infertility, plan new dreams of exploration, save towards those dreams... 

find their dreams consistently postponed by more urgent needs, reach retirement, finally get enough savings to make their journey, and then Ellie grows sick and dies. All within the first eleven minutes and thirty-eight seconds of the movie.

Instead of giving up on life, Carl again creates a new dream. He commits to move his (and Ellie’s) home to Paradise Falls, an exotic location in South America where their childhood hero Muntz engaged in some important exploring. Carl gets there – and finds that Muntz is there, but that Muntz isn’t who he seemed to be. The film moves from the deep to the fanciful, and Carl joins with an (awkward) young scout named Russell on a kid-friendly adventure.

The Adoption Connection

Carl and Ellie came up against infertility, like so many other families in real life (and in cinema.) The Odd Life of Timothy Green and What to Expect When You’re Expecting are two films that covered it fairly well. Unlike most cinematic families dealing with infertility, though, Carl and Ellie decide not to adopt – instead, they choose dreams other than parenthood, and pursue them. They manage to live a full, happy, love-filled life. This could be a message of wisdom and hope for prospective adoptive parents who have been driven to desperation by infertility. There’s always a way within your control to live a meaningful, fulfilling life, it just might not look like you expected it to. Maybe for some, that means adopting an older kid or a sibling set from foster care rather than being matched with an infant; for others, it might mean choosing mentorship rather than parenthood. For others, it might mean holding on and pursuing parenthood, but choosing to approach it from a different mindset that finds meaning along the journey, and not only in the destination. All this from a cartoon. Bravo, Pixar.

Positive

There’s so much to like about Up. It’s hopeful while being honest about disappointment, loss, and grief. And that combination – honesty and hopefulness – sounds like the healthiest outcome for anybody – connected to adoption or not. Carl (and his companion Russell) have experienced loss, but approach life with hope and they both demonstrate the ability to be heroic and nurturing.

Challenges

Carl’s young companion Russell is from a split family; he feels neglected by his parents. He pines for the days when he could spend “boring time” with his father. But on the plus side, Russell is able to find a father figure of sorts (actually, more of a gruff-but-caring grandfather figure) in Carl. Also, Carl’s childhood hero turns out to be a villain, much like Flint experienced in Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 and like Turbo experienced in… well… Turbo. Kids who’ve been neglected might react negatively to each of these scenarios. And although Russell does find companionship in Carl, it is important to note that Carl is a complete stranger to Russell. Young kids might need help developing the nuanced understanding that, while you probably can find parental-type, good influences – you probably shouldn’t try to find those influences in just any random stranger.

Recommendation

If you haven’t seen Up, see it. The first ten minutes might be the most powerful, grown-up-oriented entertainment you’ll see all year. The rest of the movie is positive, hopeful, and both kid- and family-friendly. I recommend it for adults to see by themselves or as a couple, and for families to enjoy together. Up gets my first ever “all ages” recommendation. Enjoy.

Questions for After the Film

What adventures would you like to have?

How can someone have sad things happen to them, but still try to have good adventures?

Share Your Story, Win a Movie - Adoption at the Movies / CLOSURE Giveaway!

To help celebrate a year of family movie nights and film-fueled conversations, Adoption at the Movies is teaming up with the folks who made the Closure documentary to generate some more conversations and to give away a few fun prizes. How to enter: send an email to AddisonCooperLCSW@gmail.com and share what’s your favorite adoption-related movie (and, if you feel like it, share why!) Several responses will be shared on Adoption at the Movies to help get more conversations rolling. If you pick a movie that I haven’t reviewed yet – I’ll probably review it (and give you credit for suggesting it). And two lucky people with the most unique suggestions or most touching anecdotes will win some cool prizes.

CLOSURE Trailer from Bryan Tucker on Vimeo.

Closure is the story of transracial foster care adoptee Angela Tucker. In this documentary, her filmmaker husband Bryan Tucker chronicles her journey towards answers, openness and healing. When Adoption at the Movies reviewed Closure, people asked how to see the film. Closure is currently screening in theaters around the country and it comes out on DVD in December! SECOND PRIZE: Be a Movie Reviewer! See Closure at home now! Second prize is a screener link to Closure. If you don’t know what a screener is – Screeners are how reviewers see films that aren’t released yet. Bryan will provide you with a secret link to a full copy of the film. Want to be a movie reviewer? Write your own review of Closure and I’ll run it on Adoption at the Movies. Not into writing? That's OK. You can still enjoy being one of the first people to see Closure at home! FIRST PRIZE: Your Own Personal Meet and Greet Reception – when Closure comes out on DVD, you’ll get one of the very first copies – and a 10-minute call on Skype (or the phone) with Bryan and Angela! Bryan and Angela would love to hear your response to their film, and can share from the experiences they've had throughout their journey.

Let’s hear your stories! Enter by sending an email here (addisoncooperlcsw@gmail.com). The contest starts NOW, and runs until 11:59PM PST on Thursday night. Check back Friday to read some of the responses, and to see who wins! And please help spread the news by sharing this on your Facebook, Twitter or blogs!

Adoption Movie Guide: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2

Flint Lockwood grew up idolizing trendy inventor Chester V. He aspired to become an inventor himself and, (in the first Cloudy movie) creates the FLDSMDFR, a machine that can convert water into food. Unfortunately, the machine goes out of control and Flint’s town of Swallow Falls is overrun by food creatures – talking strawberries, walking pickles, and monsters made out of tacos and cheeseburgers. The first film ends as Flint manages to stop his dangerous machine. The second film begins as Chester V comes to Swallow Falls promising to clean up the mess made by Flint’s machine. Unfortunately, this will require all of the residents to vacate the town for a while. Even more unfortunately, Chester V (like Guy Gagne in Turbo) is an unworthy hero. He secretly intends to capture the FLDSMDFR and put it to use for his own gain. He also captures the newly-created food creatures. Flint joins with other citizens of Swallow Falls (and his father) to stop Chester V.

 The Adoption Connection

There is no direct adoption connection in Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2, but there are some parent-theme moments. One character is perceived as vicious, but it’s later revealed that she is a mother protecting her babies. Flint is, like many adolescents, distant from his father; he eventually shares a bonding moment with him which brings joy to both father and son. In a particularly sad scene, a very cute baby character has bonded to one of Flint’s female companions, but is temporarily abandoned. I can imagine this being a trigger for some kids. Finally, at the end of the film, many of the food creatures receive offspring. They basically come out of nowhere (actually, they’re generated by Flint’s machine), but this could be confusing for kids who are trying to figure out where they came from (I’m adopted, so I wasn’t born to you. Maybe I came out of a machine?) It probably won’t be a problem, but it’s at least worth checking in.

Strong Points

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 is a fun movie with beautiful visuals. It may be the most visually interesting movie I’ve reviewed since Life of Pi, and it seems likely to inspire lots of imaginative play among its probably target audience of preschoolers and early grade school kids. The film also has some positive messages which are lightly introduced, or at least hinted at. “The Life Lessons of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2” (not coming to bookstores near you anytime soon), are:

1.  Kids, your parents love you. It’s OK to interact with them.

2. Bullies aren’t necessarily going to be bullies forever. They may become your friends one day, if you treat them kindly.

3. Not all scary things are actually dangerous. Not all idolized things are actually good.

Challenges

In an effort to protect his father, Flint leaves him behind while he sets off to save the day. Flint unintentionally created a situation where his dad would be left disempowered and unable to impact the fate of his own hometown. This nearly exactly matches the circumstances that touched me profoundly in Beasts of the Southern Wild, where a low-income community in a dangerous locale was moved against their will to a safer area. It made me think and write quite a bit about the ethics of imposing help on others – a theme which is certainly relevant to at least some forms of adoption (I work in foster care adoption). The theme is played much less dramatically here, and Flint’s dad is able to interject himself into the action, anyway.  (Also see: 12 Things You Can Do to Make Sure Your Adoption is Ethical)

I also struggle with the film’s message about bullies.  It’s true that bullies are acting from a set of circumstances from which their actions make sense to them. Many times, they themselves are hurting and sad. They’re also valuable people who need friends, support, and nurturance, and the film conveys that. I just wish they’d also added a little bit of a caveat that it’s OK to not let yourself be bullied prior to the bully changing his ways.

Weak Points

The grandfatherly/guru-like Chester V is actually evil. His kind words to Flint hide his intentions to use Flint for his own ends. This is unfortunate. Flint admits that Chester was his idol. He explains, “I wanted to be” Chester. But Chester was pursuing his own gain at Flint’s expense. This might hit too close to home for some kids who’ve been in the foster care system. Many have real-life experience of trusted and admired adults acting selfishly at the child’s expense.  

Recommendations

At its heart, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatball 2 is a bright story of friends and family working together to save a beautiful world. The friends share a close bond; even though Chester tries to isolate Flint from his friends, the friendship is never really threatened. It’s not a particularly deep film, but it is a fun and happy tale. It’ll probably be the most fun for kids ages 4-8.

Questions for After the Film

The baby marshmallows popped right out of Flint’s magic machine. How did you get where you are?

Have you ever looked up to someone that wasn’t actually very nice?

Have you ever been scared of someone that actually was nice?

Are you being bullied at school? (Or, who at school is mean to you, that you wish would be nicer?)

What is the most fun you’ve ever had?

If this is your first time here, welcome! Please check out the other Adoption Movie Guides; and also follow Adoption at the Movies on Facebook! You can also find me on Twitter @AddisonCooper  and come back tomorrow for our first anniversary contest!

One-Year Anniversary of Adoption at the Movies - Contest Coming Soon - Big News

** THE CONTEST IS LIVE NOW! Send an email with your favorite adoption movie to AddisonCooperLCSW@gmail.com ** Contest runs through 11:59 PM PST Thursday October 17! More details here! http://www.adoptionlcsw.com/2013/10/share-your-story-win-movie-adoption-at.html  ****

Adoption at the Movies is one year old! Thanks for being a reader, and for enjoying these movie reviews! I’ve got some good news to help celebrate!

angiescakesandbakes.blogspot.com

Adoption at the Movies is running a contest! I'm excited to celebrate AATM's birthday with a documentary that I believe in. Closure is a documentary about a transracial foster-care adoptee's quest to find her birth family. When the Closure review came out, some folks asked how they could see it. On October 15, Adoption at the Movies will announce a giveaway contest – and the grand prize is a copy of Closure plus a short Skype meeting with Angela Tucker from the Closure documentary and Bryan Tucker, her husband and the filmmaker! Stay tuned!  And in the meantime - get to know Bryan and Angela ahead of time by reading their interview

In the most recent The New Social Worker, I wrote a feature on Closure. You can read the article (and the whole issue) of TheNew Social Worker for free here.

Adoption at the Movies will also be appearing in Adoptive Families Magazine this month with a three-page spread covering several movies! It comes out next week; keep an eye out for it – and get your copy at http://www.adoptivefamilies.com/

I hope that the reviews are helpful, fun and entertaining. Please use them with your families, and share them with your friends!

- More reviews soon, and a contest on the 15th!

Addison

Adoption Movie Guide: The Flintstones (Barney and Betty adopt Bamm-Bamm)

Flintstones... Meet the Flintstones... They’re a modern Stone Age family…

Well, actually, the 1994 cinematic version of the Flintstones features two modern Stone Age families. Fred Flintstone has married Wilma, who came from a wealthy family. Fred’s work at a local mine isn’t sufficient to provide Wilma with the luxury she is accustomed to – and Wilma generally seems OK with this, but money is a concern. Their neighbors and close friends, Barney and Betty Rubble, have been unable to have children. Fred secretly loans Barney some money so that Barney and Betty can adopt Bamm-Bamm. To thank Fred for this, Barney secretly switches competence examinations with Fred. This was a bigger deal than Barney realizes; with Fred’s score assigned to him, Barney is the lowest-scoring employee and is marked for termination. With Barney’s score assigned to him, Fred is promoted to vice-president, and is tasked with firing Barney. Now, the Rubbles and Flintstones have to cope with their strained friendship while Barney also has to figure out how to convince the adoption agency that he should still be able to keep Bamm-Bamm.

How is This Relevant to Adoption? 

Barney is excited to be a father. He rejoices that there will be “someone to carry on the proud name of Rubble.” He asks whether he’ll be a good dad. The Rubbles’ adoption of Bamm-Bamm is a central element to the backstory of the film.

Strong Points

Barney is certainly excited to be a father. Fred and Wilma are – initially and ultimately – supportive friends. Wilma overtly supports Fred’s assistance to the Rubbles.

Barney acknowledges that adoption will require a substantial life change. He doesn’t have an unrealistic, idealized view of parenthood. He knows that “from now on, I’ll be spending 24 hours a day attending to the needs of a helpless little boy…” and yet, he still excitedly pursues parenthood. 

Barney and Betty are excited to adopt Bamm-Bamm even though he has some difficult behaviors, is easily startled, and has speech delays, and even though others say unkind things about him. They don’t give up, and he eventually attaches to them.

Challenges

Some children could come away from the film thinking that the Rubbles bought Bamm-Bamm, rather than realizing that they had to have money to be able to provide for him. Parents will need to make sure that their kids don’t apply this misinterpretation to their own story.

One adult suggests that all it will take to help Bamm-Bamm overcome his behavioral challenges is, “a little love.”  

Concerns

Fred requires Barney to keep his assistance a secret.  Secrecy and adoption are usually a dangerous combination.

Barney eventually announces, “I owe my son to Fred.” I can’t help but think of how awkward the obligation and indebtedness expressed by this sentiment may eventually be to Bamm-Bamm.

When Barney and Betty go to the adoption agency, they are initially presented with a monkey. The scene is played for humor, as the monkey is actually intended for two adult monkeys. The scene could be interpreted as insensitive.

It’s a little surprising to say this about a Flintstones movie but – there is a lynch mob scene. Also, Bamm-Bamm and a young friend are kidnapped and their lives put in jeopardy.

Recommendations and Conclusions

I wish I could give The Flintstones a wholehearted recommendation. The characters are well-loved, and from one point of view, the film captures a family’s realistic, excited, and friend-supported approach to adoption, followed by a strong commitment to their child in spite of difficulties.  Unfortunately, I have to temper the recommendation because of the way in which secrecy is woven into the film, because of the potential to misinterpret the adoption of Bamm-Bamm as a purchase, and because of the scenes of peril – lynch mobs and kidnappings are particularly scary, especially for a film that features a semi-anthropomorphized dinosaur. So, here’s the recommendation: It could be a good film for your family – but watch it yourself before showing it to your kids.  Some other films showing a family’s pursuit of adoption are Martian Child, Meet the Robinsons, and The Odd Life ofTimothy Green, but none of this capture quite the same angle as The Flintstones.  

 

Questions for Discussion

Why was it important for Barney and Betty to have money if they wanted to adopt Bamm-Bamm?

What made Barney and Betty good parents?

What made Fred and Wilma good friends?

New to this site? Check out the other Adoption Movie Guides!  Also - find us on Facebook and follow me on Twitter!