Mariska Hargitay relied on faith in God during painful adoption process

By
Monica Pop
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I believe that when celebs and other influential people speak openly about certain subjects and issues, they help raise awareness.

Actress Mariska Hargitay, best known for her years-long role of Detective Olivia Benson in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and her husband, fellow actor Peter Hermann, welcomed their first child in 2006, two years after they got married. At the time August was born, the actress was 42 years old. However, her age didn’t bother her and she believed she had her son just at the right time.

“August has changed everything! You know, I think because I became a mom later in life, everything in life means more,” she previously told Traveling Mom. “Every day is deeper and richer and more soulful.”

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A few years after he was born, August asked for a sibling and Mariska and Peter were as eager to make their family bigger so they decided to adopt. Finally, they met a woman who wanted to give her daughter up for adoption and believed Mariska and Peter would be the perfect parents. The couple was even present when the baby was born, but then the birth mother changed her mind.

It was a devastating time, but they didn’t lose hope and kept contacting their lawyer and social worker were relying on their faith in God.

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Some time later, another woman who was about to give birth to a child she couldn’t care for was introduced to Mariska and Peter. This time, things went smoothly and the couple adopted sweet girl Amaya Josephine. The baby’s birth mother was black, but that wasn’t an issue for the couple. In fact, Mariska said: “We were excited to have a multiracial family, because that’s what the world is, and we want our family to reflect a realistic microcosm of the world.”

“I’m deliriously happy,” a then 47-year-old Mariska told People.

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August was very happy he got a sister he could play with. “He is over the moon,” Mariska said at the time. “He calls her his baby because he says the whole thing was his idea. He always talks about how he’s going to protect her. He’s going to be a great big brother.”

Shortly after, the welcomed another child into their lives. One day, their lawyer called them to ask how Amaya was doing and that’s when he mentioned there was a baby boy who was born two months prematurely and needed a home. When he told them that the baby’s name was Andrew they saw it as a sign because a dear friend of them named Andrew suddenly died before that.

“I don’t really know what to say about it, other than it was a no-brainer. Peter and I both thought, Let’s do it! I’m in!” she said. “It was like…a miracle. And I don’t use that word lightly. I’ve never made a bigger decision so quickly. The whole thing happened in a total of two days.”

Six months after adopting their daughter, Mariska and Peter adopted baby Andrew. Now their family felt complete.

“Adoption was a bumpy ride — very bumpy,” Mariska said. “But, God, was it worth the fight.”

It’s so awesome that this celeb couple was able to give two children a loving home.

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She took a photo of her daughter, but when they looked closer they froze

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Monica Pop
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Most parents enjoy taking plenty of photos of their children and posting them on social media, especially when it comes to important events such as first day of school.

A mom named Joy Mills is not any different. When her daughter, Brooke, was about to start seventh grade, Mills decided to celebrate it with a photoshoot. She asked her daughter to pose next to the tree in the yard.

At one moment, she stopped in order to take a look at the photos and that’s when she noticed something that chilled her blood.

On the tree, there was a huge snake stretching along the trunk, perfectly blending with the color of it.

In order not to make sudden movements, Mills didn’t tell her daughter about the uninvited guest but told her to safely get away from the tree.

“When she realized what was behind her she was speechless,” Mills said of her daughter. “We couldn’t believe it when we looked at my phone at the pics and just how close it was and we had no idea.”

Luckily, the snake didn’t do any harm to anyone, and Brooke ended up with a cool story to tell her classmates.

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‘American Idol’ singer C.J. Harris tragically dead at 31 years of age

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Monica Pop
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C.J. Harris, the 31-year-old singer who stunned the country with his enchantingly soulful voice when he ended up sixth on American Idol’s 13th season, passed away on January 16, 2023.

Before trying his luck on the show, he was part of The X-Factor and The Voice, but only had his breakthrough in 2014.

During the audition, Harris stunned the judges, Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban, and Harry Connick Jr, with his powerful performance of the Allman Brothers Band’s song Soulshine. He dedicated his touching performance to his late father.

“You sing because you have to sing, not because you want to sing,” Keith Urban said to Harris. “And I mean that in the deepest way. … That’s why it’s so believable and real.”

As the show progressed, Harris attracted many fans. His performances of Can’t You See by the Marshall Tucker Band and If It Hadn’t Been for Love by the SteelDrivers made him a fan favorite.

Once the show was over and he made a name for himself, Harris went on the show’s live tour and later on he had a chance to perform with one of his biggest idols, former Hootie & the Blowfish singer Darius Rucker. The two performed at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2014.

Harris released his debut single, In Love, in 2019 and on New Year’s Day of this year he shared with his fans that new music was coming soon.

Unfortunately, a few days ago, he went into cardiac arrest at his hometown, Jasper, Alabama, and was rushed to the hospital, but nothing could be done. He was just 31.

The news of Harris’ passing was announced to the media by Deputy Walker County Coroner Danielle Calloway.

American Idol shared their condolences and fond memories of Harris on Twitter.

“C.J. Harris was an incredible talent, and the news of his passing deeply saddens us,” they wrote. “He will be truly missed.”

Harris’ childhood wasn’t an easy one. He once shared with The Hollywood Reporter that his mother was his first musical influence. “I was six years old and my mom was in prison,” the singer recalled in the interview. “She would sing to me over the phone and tears would just flow out of my eyes.”

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Harris learned how to play the guitar all by himself after his grandfather gave him a broken one when he was still very young.

“He had one in the shed and it had three strings on it,” Harris revealed in the interview. “He said I didn’t need to buy a whole new set of strings. So I would tune it in a way that when I strummed it, it sounded like it’s in a key of whatever.”

Harris worked hard to get to where he was, but sadly, his life ended tragically. May he rest in peace.

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Pierce Brosnan’s daughter married in secret just days before her tragic death

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Monica Pop
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When Pierce Brosnan met his first wife, actress Cassandra Harris, back in 1977, she was still married to husband Dermot Harris, with whom she had two children, Chris and Charlotte.

Brosnan was said to have been smitten by Harris’ charm and beauty. She was five years his senior, but he fell for her instantly and the two married five years later. After the passing of Harris’ first husband, Brosnan officially adopted her two children. The couple went on to have a child on their own, son Sean.

“We just clicked as a family,” the actor once revealed. “To begin with I was Pierce, then I was Daddy Pierce, and then I just became Dad. Charlotte and Chris have just been amazing in my life.”

When Sean was welcomed into the world, the family seemed complete. But then, in 1987, Harris received the news of the devastating diagnosis. She battled ovarian cancer for four years before passing away.

Brosnan recalled that the night he lost his wife was the longest of his life.

“I was in a helpless state of…confusion and anger. She was comforting me,” he told People as he opened up of the tragic loss he suffered.

“She has made me the man I am, the actor I am, the father I am.

“She’s forever embedded in every fibre of my being. She’s there with me every day. I was so blessed to have met someone like that.”

As expected, the loss affected the children as well.

Charlotte witnessed her mother struggle and losing the battle with the horrific disease which led her to drug and alcohol addiction.

Unfortunately, ovarian cancer haunted Charlotte again when she was diagnosed herself. She underwent through an extremely hard treatment and tried to be optimistic, but just like her mother, she lost the battle. Charlotte passed away on June 28, 2013, at the age of 42.

Days before her passing, she married her boyfriend Alex Smith in an intimate ceremony attended by her closest family and friends.

Pierce Brosnan paid tribute to his daughter. “On June 28 my darling daughter Charlotte Emily passed on to eternal life, having succumbed to ovarian cancer,” the actor said, as per The Guardian. “She was surrounded by her husband Alex, children Isabella and Lucas and brothers Christopher and Sean.

“Charlotte fought her cancer with rare grace and humanity, courage and dignity. Our hearts are heavy with the loss of our beautiful dear girl. We pray for her, and that the cure for this wretched disease will be at hand soon. We thank everyone for their heartfelt condolences.”

Today, Charlotte’s children are all grown up. Her daughter Isabelle is just as beautiful as her late mother.

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Harry claims he was shut out and ‘never invited’ by William and Kate after George was born

By
Monica Pop
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It looks like Prince Harry’s memoir Spare didn’t spare anyone, not even the youngest members of his closest family.

Among the many revelations, there has been one involving Prince George. In fact, Harry opened up about the relationship with his adored nephew and how things between him and the now Prince and Princess of Whales changed following his birth.

George was welcomed into the world on July 22, 2013. The entire family, along with every Brit out there, was delighted with the arrival of the new addition to the royalty.

Harry, the proud uncle, never missed a chance to share with the world how happy he was with his new role. However, according to the memoir, things didn’t turn out as he expected.

“I was an uncle. Willy and Kate had welcomed their first child, George, and he was beautiful. I couldn’t wait to teach him about rugby and Rorke’s Drift, flying and corridor cricket – and maybe give him a few pointers about how to survive life in the fishbowl,” Harry wrote in his memoir.

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Back in the day, when George was born, Harry was asked how he felt about becoming an uncle, to what he replied, “When I saw him [Prince George] he was crying as all babies do, but it’s fantastic to have a new member of the family. I hope my brother knows how expensive my babysitting charges will be.”

Further, when asked what his ‘duties’ will likely involve, Harry explained, “To make sure he has a good upbringing, to keep him out of harm’s way and make sure he has fun. The rest of it I leave up to the parents.”

Two years later, when Princess Charlotte was born, Harry was overjoyed, but sadly, he wasn’t home at the time which didn’t mean he didn’t share the joy with his family. “I went to Australia for a round of military exercises, and while there, I got word: Willy and Kate had welcomed their second child. Charlotte. I was an uncle again and very happy about it,” he wrote in Spare.

Youtube/Inside edition

When Kate and William moved into Kengsington Palace as they needed more space following George’s birth, Harry moved into Nottingham Cottage, which is within walking distance from William’s home.

Being that close to one another, Harry was convinced he would be spending plenty of quality time with his nephew. But it didn’t turn out to be the case.

Harry wrote it was “nice to get out of the old place, but even better to live in front of Willy and Kate,” and he “could see myself dropping in to see them all the time.” He even imagined “throwing himself on the floor” to wrestle with George. But the reality was different.

“I took it for granted that I would be invited to their house at any moment. But the days went by, and it didn’t happen,” he explained. “I understand, I thought. They’re busy! Building a family! Or maybe… three’s a crowd. Maybe if I get married things will change.”

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According to royal experts, Harry’s words may affect George. Angela Epstein of Daily Express said that Harry might have” overlooked the damage he could do” to his nephew.

“So given the way tragedy arced his young life, surely Harry’s concern for his own nephew, George, would be a matter of auto-fill. As the doting and fun-loving uncle, Harry has always displayed affection for his brother’s three young children,” she claims.

“So the possibility that George, as second in line to the throne, could be harmed in any way by the Duke’s rage against the monarchy should surely be a concern to him.

“Sadly, that doesn’t appear to be the case. As a result, George, just nine and barely out of short trousers, may well find himself inheriting a damaged and diminished monarchy,” she added.

Mike Coppola/Getty Images for 2022 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Gala

The Royals still haven’t commented on Harry’s book and it looks like they are not even planning on doing so.

When William and Kate left the Open Door Charity in Merseyside, a reporter asked the Prince if he had read Harry’s book yet. Later, while arriving at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, a reporter shouted “Do you ever plan to comment on Harry’s book, sir?” but neither got a response.

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As of Spare, according to the publisher, Penguin Random House, around 1.4 million copies, in a form of hard-copies, e-books, and audio formats were sold on the first day of the release in the UK, United States, and Canada. What’s most, it already topped the list of top-selling publication on the UK Amazon site and is expected to be the greatest seller of 2023.

“We always knew this book would fly, but it is exceeding even our most bullish expectations,” Larry Finlay, managing director of Transworld Penguin Random House, said.

“As far as we know, the only books to have sold more in their first day are those starring the other Harry (Potter).”

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Lisa Marie Presley’s ex-husband Nicolas Cage reacts to the news of her passing

By
Monica Pop
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Lisa Marie Presley’s tragic passing was announced hours after the 54-year-old singer-songwriter and only daughter of ‘The King of Rock and Roll’ went into cardiac arrest in her LA home.

Her death comes three years after her son Benjamin Keough died of suicide, aged 27.

As tributes continue to flow in for Presley, who gave her final interview two days before her tragic death when she attended the Golden Globes event where she offered her support to actor Austin Butler who played her father in Baz Luhrmann’s biopic, her ex-husband Nicolas Cage broke his silence and opened up about her passing.

“This is devastating news. Lisa had the greatest laugh of anyone I ever met. She lit up every room, and I am heartbroken. I find some solace believing she is reunited with her son Benjamin,” Cage wrote.

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The two started dating in 2001 but split in early 2002 just to reunite again and tie the knot in August that same year. The marriage between Cage and Presley lasted for three months only. They called it quits in November 2002 and Cage refused to make any comments regarding the split.

“I did not talk about the marriage and I am not going to talk about the divorce. But I loved her,” he reportedly said, as per ET.

Presley on the other hand was more forthcoming. “We’re both so dramatic and dynamic that when it was good it was unbelievably good, and when it was bad it was just a f**king bloody nightmare for everybody,” she said back in the day.

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Presley was married four times, to Danny Keough, Michael Jackson, and Michael Lockwood. 

Lockwood, with whom she shared her twin girls, also issued a statement following Presley’s death saying he is focusing on the girls and helping them cope with their mother’s tragic passing.

“Michael had been hoping for a speedy and complete recovery because her children needed her. It is very sad it didn’t turn out that way,” his attorney, Joe Yanny, stated. “Michael’s world has been turned on its ear. He is with both of his daughters now.”

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Lisa Marie Presley’s death came as a shock to her many fans. May she rest in peace.

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Woman followed by strangers walks up to a random guy and whispers “help” in his ear

By
Monica Pop
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These days this world seems to be an unsafe place so it’s no wonder people feel a bit scared when they need to get somewhere all by themselves during late hours of the night. To be honest, this is especially true for women who are considered easy target by thieves and rapists.

Source: Flickr

In case we ever face a situation where we are followed by strangers, we shouldn’t panic, but do our best to remain cool-headed and think of clever ways of getting ourselves out of trouble.

One quick-thinking woman was all by herself when she noticed three strange men were behind her, following her every step. She then saw a random person, got near him, hugged him as though she knew him, and whispered into his ear why she did that. The man named Dane Weeks walked the scared woman home.

Source: Instagram

He then tweeted of what happened and said he doesn’t usually take that route, but this time, he was distracted by his phone and took a different way. That unconscious decision led to saving a woman in need.

Source: Twitter

Weeks wrote, “What’s crazy, I rarely walk down this block. I normally take one way to the train but the way I took is when I walk my dog. I guess my distraction of me watching the debate led me down that path I rarely take to the train. So I guess I was meant to there at that particular moment.”

What’s most, the two became friends and shared phone numbers. Weeks offered to walk her home whenever she needs that. “We exchanged numbers, I told her my boyfriend and I would meet her at the train anytime if we’re home. The route she have to take home she has to walk under the train tracks, no other way, plus it’s dark. She said she would call again, I hope she do. I will call tomorrow to check in,” he added.

Weeks and the woman spoke after the encounter. She said she was very sorry for the inconvenience, but he assured her it was no big deal. Instead, he was very glad he found himself in the right place, at the right time.

Source: Instagram

The woman explained how the three strangers stared at her while she was on the train and got off it when she did. She entered a store hoping they would leave but they were waiting for her outside the store. The woman knew they were after her and hugging Weeks seemed like her way out of that scary situation.

“She saw me, and noticed I had a smile on my face looking at my phone and that’s when she knew I would welcome her. She apologized, she felt how shock I was at her untiming hug. I told her I thought it was a set up at first, she laughed because she said that’s New York mentality,” Weeks wrote.

Source: Twitter

Weeks even met her 5-year-old son and was glad she choose him to help her that night.

Knowing there are people like Weeks in this world, we feel more secure and our faith in humanity is restored.

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Todd And Julie Chrisley Reveal When They Are to Report To Federal Prisons

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Monica Pop
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Todd and Julie Chrisley of Chrisley Knows Best, a reality TV show revolving around the lives of Georgia real estate tycoon Todd Chrisley and his wealthy family, were sentenced on Monday months after they were found guilty in a tax evasion case.

A federal judge sentenced Todd Chrisley to 12 years in prison plus 36 months supervised release while his wife, Julie, was sentenced to 7 years in prison, plus 36 months supervised release.

“The seriousness of the Chrisleys’ crimes cannot be understated. After they defrauded community banks out of tens of millions of dollars, they hid millions of dollars from the IRS, all while going on television to boast about how much they spend on designer clothes,” prosecutors wrote in the sentencing memorandum obtained by Channel 2 Action News. “And when they learned that they were under investigation for those crimes, they involved their own family members and friends to obstruct justice.”

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The prosecutor was reported to have said, “The Chrisleys have built an empire based on the lie that their wealth came from dedication and hard work.

“The jury’s unanimous verdict sets the record straight: Todd and Julie Chrisley are career swindlers who have made a living by jumping from one fraud scheme to another, lying to banks, stiffing vendors, and evading taxes at every corner.”

The couple requested the courts to approve a motion for bail pending appeal, which would grant them bail while they await the appeal process to finish. On top of it, they requested the surrender date to be extended three weeks. However, both their requests have been denied and they are expected to report to prison on 17th of January.

Todd will serve his sentence at the Federal Prison Camp Pensacola in Escambia County, Florida, while Julie is expected to spend the next 7 years of her life at Federal Correctional Institution and Federal Prison Camp Marianna.

According to reports they both will be placed together with other non-violent criminals.

“They’re almost like a college dormitory situation. There’s usually no fences or barbed wire, or things like that. There’s obviously monitors and cameras and so on, but it is a fairly relaxed atmosphere,” veteran defense attorney, Paul Cambria, said. “The camps are basically for white collar, non-violent — a lot of dollars-and-cents kind of crimes, things where violence is not involved.”

Currently, Todd and Julie’s daughter Savannah Chrisley has taken custody of her younger brother and sister.

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