Our Kids' Reactions ....

 

Many have asked us how the kids have responded to our adoption plan.  This all happened very quickly and they didn’t have much time to adapt and adjust to the plan.  God had that part covered and He has prepared each of their hearts for this new journey. 

We also have felt it is important to know how, or at least try to gauge, how our 4 children we are currently blessed with feel about adopting again and all that goes with that.   We asked them all as a group and individually before we actually started the process and we have done so again along the way.   They have all said “yes” with different levels of enthusiasm and excitement.    Corbin was initially a little more hesitant and had more worry about the financial piece.  He is old enough to understand that this process is expensive and that we are not a family that has a lot of excess money.  He took that part of his concern and started reading a book that was on the table “Adopt Without Debt.”  While we were driving somewhere recently  Seth  asked if we could go see the new Despicable Me movie in the theatre.  I just about drove off the road and hit a tree when I heard Corbin say back to Seth “We can just get it at Redbox when it comes out there.  That’s a lot of money to go to the theatre.”  So many life lessons big and small learned and realized along this journey.       

Seth was very quiet initially.  When Kristin asked him individually he said to her (and was completely serious), “If you and Dad think this is what we should be doing then I support it.” … She said back to him, now tell me the 11 year old version of that “right thing to say” statement!  He said in all honesty that he supported it and felt like it was a good thing.  Not long after they had that conversation Kristin was dropping him at his friend’s house to hang out and this friend’s mom told her that Seth mentioned to Michael at school that we are adopting again and he was really excited about it.  Wow, we didn’t even think he was talking about it to others, but clearly, if he told his best friend at school he is supportive of it and we are so thankful!

Alex, he was excited from the moment it was announced to the family.  He cheered and was so excited.  We weren’t anticipating that response from him.  He and Kylie had a sweet connection from the day she came home and they had the whole first year together as he wasn’t in school yet.  Their relationship has gone through more downs over the past year with Kylie growing and having an opinion, but it was good for us to see his excitement.  He was the one that kept asking when he could share it at school.  He wanted to tell people immediately!

Kylie has also been excited.  She is one of the reasons that we are on this journey (more on that in our next blog post).  She has expressed wanting a sister and although we know she does not understand what all comes with that, we know it will be good for her (for many reasons) to have a sister to relate to.  We will see how excited she is when she has to share her room and her toys!

We recently showed them the photo that was sent to us of our new daughter and told them this is their sister and shared her name and the little bit of information we were given about her.  Again, they all expressed their unique forms of approval.   Alex said things that remind us that he is constantly listening to us and our conversations about the process and how birthdates often aren’t really known for sure.   Kylie said with absolute seriousness “I wonder if she’ll be able to play tennis.  I’m going to teach her.” (that would be after Kylie learns how to play tennis, ha!).  And each of the boys wanted the picture sent to them to have on their IPods.  A different process than last time for sure.  They would all love to travel to Ghana with us, if only the money tree in the backyard would start sprouting! J  When learning the cost of plane tickets, the travel to Ghana will be reserved for us adults!

This is a journey that we are all on, not just Kristin and I.   As parents, every decision we make greatly impacts the children God has given us whether we realize it or not.   We are praying constantly that these 4 children become individuals who truly love and live their lives for God not because of mom and dad but because that is what is in their hearts.