A lot of people ask me if our children know about the adoption and although, they clearly know, it’s more…“do they understand?”
SJ is obviously too little to understand anything more than sippy cups and apple sauce. Bents is a little more inquisitive. He will ask questions about his new brother or sister and then in the same breathe ask for a popsicle. The mind of a 3 year old. But Parker? Parker blew my mind.
He is always talking about his “new brother”. Yes, he calls it a “him”. Not because we have told him to. Not because we even know if it will be. But more because that is all he knows…brothers.
His main concerns are:
“Where is he going to sleep?”
“Can we name him Soupy, Raf, or Deena {in the rare case that it’s a girl}?”
“Don’t let him play with my cars.”
Other than that, he’s just like mommy, very anxious to meet his newest sibling.
You know those silly pre-k activities that kids bring home every day? Most of the pictures are of some big blob that they painted and they call it a house or a truck or a pony.
I would get stacks and stacks of P’s creative house blob drawings on a daily basis.
But one day, there was something in his pile that really caught my attention….
“I had a dream that…everyone would have a family.”
I truly couldn’t believe what I was reading. But my heart broke in a million pieces when I realized…
“He gets it.”
He truly gets it.
No one prompted him to say it or feel it or have the teacher write. Heck, the teacher didn’t even know we had JUST started the adoption process. Yes, this paper is from over a year and half ago.
She asked Parker what his dream was for the world and he responded with, “…everyone would have a family.”
And then at the beginning of Kindergarten this year P brought me home a new picture of his “family”. Of course, I loved it…because who can’t love the imagination of a 5 year old when it comes to stick people and giant eye balls.
I hung it on the refrigerator and days went by. Maybe even weeks.
But one day when I went to grab the milk out of the fridge I caught a glimpse of it and realized….WAIT…that’s not our family. That family has 6 people and a dog.
I thought for sure he must have included one of his friends from school or a cousin or neighbor. But when I asked him about it, this is what he pointed out…
So sometimes when I sit back and wonder to myself, “Do these boys understand? Do they know what it means?”
I remember back to this pre-k project or to this drawing of our family and I remind myself that their hearts are big and they are anxiously waiting to be new big brothers.
We are almost certain that our child is already born. They are already waiting for us and they don’t even know it.
I just hope they know how blessed we will feel to become their forever family.
OMG Mandy- I am in tears- this is incredible! We had a similar moment with Julianna in preschool on her last day, the teacher had them write on a print out that said “I want to thank Mommy & Daddy for…”, she asked her student teacher to help her print “for giving me a sister”. gahhhh- mommy heart melted big time, as I am sure yours did when you saw P’s artwork! I wish you all the best as I continue to follow your adoption journey- hoping the rest of the process goes smoothly and we can meet the newest Rose family member very soon! xox
Awww, that is the sweetest! I love sibling love. Being an only child it’s so neat to see how important brothers and sisters are to each other! Miss you friend!
As a mommy (and a 2nd grade teacher), I so so so love this post!
Thank you Megan!
That is just about the sweetest thing ever. God is working in your son’s life…preparing him to welcome your newest member. I am praying that your forever family will be complete soon.
Thank you Shay! It’s so fun to see what God has done in the hearts of our children. Just when I thought they would never ever understand…God shows me that THEY do!
That sweet sweet boy of yours! You can tell he has such a sweet heart!! I loved reading this!
It’s funny because sometimes when he is driving me crazy I forget how sweet he truly can be. You are gonna love adding a boy to your mix! Boys love their mommas! 😉
What an amazing post…this literally brought tears to my eyes!! Your boys (and new baby) are so lucky to have you as their mother. It’s obvious that you have taught them values and appreciation; great job! 🙂
Awww, thank you so much! That just made me tear up because sometimes I think I am never doing anything right. I appreciate your comment!
This is beautiful! It’s amazing how much our kids really understand and “get it!”
Thank you Anna! It blows my mind that he understands so much even at 5.
Oh this makes my heart so happy!
🙂
🙁 made me tear up. Your boys are so sweet! I can’t wait for you to get your baby!!
I love when they are sweet….less cool when they are beating each other up. LOL! We are so excited to get our placement! Praying that it’s soon!
That is so beautiful! This post made my day, what a sweet boy you have!
Awww, thanks!!
Oh, the tears are flowing! Seeing those moments when they really “get it” are always so beautiful. And what wonderful stories to be able to tell your new little one when he/she is old enough to understand. Praying for you guys as you continue through the adoption process!
~Abby =)
I’m making a folder of all of the pictures that Parker keeps drawing. It’s so sweet to see that he already has our newest child placed in our family even before he/she arrives!
Omg 🙁 that’s the sweetest thing ever. I have been reading your blog for over 6 months now. I truly cannot wait now for your new baby.
My daughter brought home almost the exact same picture while we were waiting to adopt her brother. It is amazing how they understand, and it is amazing how much they now love each other 🙂