The past few days have been pretty active for our clan. From throwing parties to running races, we've been caught up in the fun activities that make the everyday work/school routine more bearable.
Tonight, the kids and I rented movies while Brian was working. While I was lying on the couch, watching movies with my kiddos, this wave of emotion swept over me. And, all of a sudden, I realized how fantastically lucky we have been.
I know there's families out there who are waiting on their adoption, and my heart goes out to them. And, I am sure that they've heard a million times, the real journey starts when the kids get home. Its true, in a way, but there's a lot of changes that took place in me during the process of waiting. So, I believe the real journey begins once the decision is made to adopt. Its just that it doesn't end when they come home.
And, now that the kids have been home for over five years now (can you believe that?), its funny how time can fade the memories of those raw emotions a bit. I have forgotten how we celebrated the kids birthdays at home while they were in the orphanage. Time has softened the sadness I felt when we were met with delay after delay.
After five years, I tend to forget what it took to make the four of us a family. And, for some reason tonight, as I was lying in the couch and the kids were eating popcorn in their recliners, I realized something: This was my dream six years ago.
And, if you'd asked me six years ago, I probably would have told you that I wasn't even sure it would really happen.
I may have even told you that it probably won't happen. Depending on the day, and whether the mailman had brought any good news or not.
The simplest thing, just chilling with my kids, didn't come without tremendous trials. And, while I dread homework Bonnie brings home, and I get frustrated with The Boy Who Can Ask A Million Questions, I have to remember the alternative is none of that. Its unthinkable.
I feel so blessed tonight. And, my prayer is that anyone who is waiting will see their dream fulfilled like ours was. A few years from now, may you be snoozing on the couch while your kids spill popcorn down the side of the recliners. At home. Together. And, you wouldn't have it any other way.
Persevere.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Counting My Blessings
2 comments:
I read your blog back then...and was starting my own adoption process. I loved your photos of Alaska and related to your frustration. So many bloggers from back then have stopped blogging or blog much less often (I am one of those) but I think that is a celebration of the normal that we have now. Drama and angst provide so much more material.
"The simplest thing, just chilling with my kids, didn't come without tremendous trials. And, while I dread homework Bonnie brings home, and I get frustrated with The Boy Who Can Ask A Million Questions, I have to remember the alternative is none of that. Its unthinkable."
I love this. It's so true. The hard things are bearable because the alternative is to miss them altogether, along with all the wonderful things.
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