If I Don't Say Anything...People Can't Get Offended, Right?!

I like love to talk (mostly about nonsense). I think I really am one of those people that does enjoy the sound of my voice. There have been times throughout this journey (so far) that have both left me speechless (which previously, had never happened to me). Also, there are times when this journey has forced me to take a cold/hard look at issues that I previously had the privilege to never think about. Sure, I took multicultural classes in college and graduate school. I read the books, wrote the papers, participated in class discussions, and then I went back to my little privileged world. Now, we are stepping into the realm of becoming a multi-racial family. We knew this when we signed up, but I don't think we really KNEW what that meant, and truthfully, we still don't (gasp). We have and are reading books (ok, sometimes I read them and summarize them for Kevin and then we discuss...Mr. Man is too much of an engineer, he likes looking at numbers, not words--don't worry...he has done *some* reading too). 

Let me switch gears for a second. I would like to do a couple of posts on race and ethnic issues (I primarily use this blog as a journal and outlet for myself), but tonight I was reading THIS article about the controversy over the phrase, "Gotcha Day" Gah! Just when I thought I was getting the hang of the appropriate adoption language!!!!! (i.e. birth family, adoption plan, etc). "Gotcha Day" is the phrase that some adoptive families use to commemorate the anniversary that an adopted child becomes part of the family. Some, maybe you are reading this and think that I sound like a complete moron for not realizing that phrase isn't necessarily all rose petals and rainbows. Well, I didn't realize that...OOPS!!!!! The article that I linked above by Karen Moline, made the argument that the term "gotcha" is akin to killing a bug and saying, "gotcha!" Some adoptees in the article voiced their opinion saying that, while the term "gotcha" is cute and cuddly for the adopted family, it is disrespectful to the birth family and the fact that while the adopted family "got you" the birth family "lost you" and in the case of international adoption, the adopted child lost their home country and culture. Whew, you still with me? I'm not even still with me...

While I'm not particularly attached to the phrase, "Gotcha Day," I was of the persuasion that it was kind of cute and cuddly and I had envisioned us having "Gotcha Day Celebrations." Now, not so much. This is why, sometimes, I think it would just be better if I stopped talking altogether. I hate the thought of saying something offensive, especially when I said it because I was just too ignorant to know better...such a yucky feeling! Well, not talking isn't an option. So, what do you think is a good phrase? We are going to celebrate and commemorate the day, but what should we call it?! Some alternatives I read in the article and have seen other places are, "Adoption Day" or "Family Day."  Family Day resonates with me because we could celebrate both families. (On that note, the only thing I have come up with is lighting a candle for the birth family and talking about them and praying for them).  So, here I am asking for thoughts, ideas, opinions!!!!

Do you have any creative thoughts/ideas on what we can call, "Gotcha Day," and what would be a fun way to honor the birth family of our child? Negative or mean comments need not apply, and be really careful with your 'constructive criticism,' I'm sensitive and not all criticism is constructive ;)