One month ago today, we carried Moses and Miriam through a crowded airport to meet a waiting crowd of friends and family.
As we walked toward the gate, I fluffed outfits and fussed at Paul to make sure we all looked presentable after 30 hours of traveling with infants on our laps; one of which puked on us for 6 days straight due to lactose intolerance.
I tried to unravel myself from the grip of the other one, who clung to her Mama with fingernails dug deep, for a week straight, and kicked at anyone who tried to come near us. Every time this happened around Ethiopians, they tsk-tsked at me.
I knew they must have thought the new Mommy had Americanized the little habesha overnight. I knew we must have been a sight; what with her perched high in my arms, clinging and shrieking and swatting at people, with her giant pink hairbows and new outfits...
But I later learned that the tsk-tsk noise that Ethiopians make actually means they are touched. They knew she loved me.
And now it's been one month of that new love,
and we are all in it.
I have rocked and rocked and rocked and rocked little girls to bed who just can't get enough "Mommy".
I have cried with joy, and jumped up and down outside of a little boy's room after watching him fights sleep to gaze into my eyes for one...more...second.
I have stared up the staircase in total disbelief, listening to a tiny little Ethiopian princess unexpectedly yell one word repeatedly from her crib for the first time...
"Mama...Mama...MAMA!!!!"
I have watched my children fall in love with each other,
help each other,
teach each other,
and HEAL each other.
I have fallen in love with Paul all over again.
How could I not?
And every day, Jesus is my strength. I get to talk to him all day long, and ask for enough strength to mother 4 children under 5 years old. And He gives me more than enough. Every day. I keep asking anyways, but I know He's there, holding me up, even when I don't ask.
So after all the writing about what I thought adoption was going to be like, now I can tell you what it IS like...
It's beautiful...
And it has proven to me that
He really does know Best.
And it has proven to me that
He really does know Best.
How can you read through this post and not smile?!?! :) You have such a beautiful family!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!!!! Love, Pat
ReplyDeleteAll the "falling in love" -- the kids with each other, you and Paul again -- it really got me. Just love it. You know where to lean, Missy -- keep leaning, girl, and I'll keep praying. Enjoy.
ReplyDeleteReading with longing in my heart......wondering where my children are since HE called us to parent "them" who've we've yet to meet or see....waiting has begun even now; waiting for direction as to the where? and the how? And I read your post with tears and joy for you and yours. It's awesome to see the end of your journey of waiting and discovery, to your journey now of love and life all together. Wonderful! Thank you for writing.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Those children are beautiful.....your blond haired ones and your dark haired sweeties. ♥♥
ReplyDeleteOh how beautiful! I get every word. Adoption is so beautiful. I didn't know that the "tsk tsk" meant that Ethiopians are touched. Boy that makes me feel better. I thought I was getting "fussed at" too. :)
ReplyDeleteAmy Perry posted your link on her Facebook page. I am so glad she did. What a beautiful story!
ReplyDeleteAwesome!! I love your "about Me"...my children can live with less and I can do more! What a beautiful heart you have! We are in a similar calling, but foster care, at least for now.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your story!