Little Readers

These two funny kids grabbed some of my old books and decided to 'read' to each other!  They had the best stories!  The littlest one started and said, "Once upon a time far far away..." then the older one took over and said ...."there were two friends who lived far far away..and there were many games...far far away."  Then our daughter said, "and Jesus will be with them...."

I know the children over hear many conversations about the adoption and the process that we are in.  We are guarded with our words knowing that little ears are near and little minds are active to take even minor information and turn it into something major just because it is unfamiliar to them.  In times like these when the kids are playing or story telling about adoption are times when I know they are understanding and internalizing what they hear talk of.  It comforts my heart to know that their little hearts are being moved and stretched to understand what adoption means in the acceptance of a new life into our family.

MJ, the 2 1/2 year old that is quite verbal, told me the other day that he wasn't going to play with his new sister.  He told me that he was only going to play with his new brother, him and all the boys that he could name were going to have this great time playing together.  MJ went into a cute story of the adventures they were going to have together.  After listening I asked, "what about your sister?  She might want to play too?"  to which he responded, "the girls will play with the girl and the boys will play with the boy.  She is for Quinn and Buggy."

Speaking of cute kid stories and how they are processing the meaning of adoption, I have one from my nephew who just turned 3 years old.  He is a talker too and quite a story teller.  After watching an episode of Wonder Pets on t.v. where they rescued a baby elephant from Africa, my nephew said, "Africa!  That's where Uncle Todd is going to pick up the kids!"  Later my nephew went to the kitchen to play.  He was opening the lower cabinet and sitting inside then would exit the cabinet again.  He told his mom that he was getting on an airplane and going to Africa to pick up some kids like his Uncle Todd.

This gave my sister an opportunity to talk to her child about adoption, and in three year old terms, what that meant for the new cousins he would have.

It's wonderful to see the impact that the adoption will have not only on our children and family, but on the families and friends around us too.  Spreading the joy!  I pray that that's how it happens.  For now, I can only imagine but one day I'll know first hand.