Telling the LITTLES

Our kids have known for years that we would adopt if God wanted it for our family. Noah in particular has asked over and over that we adopt. He desperately wants a brother and he knows that pregnancy does not guarantee another boy in the house!  He didn't seem to understand that adoption, for us at least, didn't guarantee a boy either. We don't know what or who God has planned for our family, and while we're more confident each day that we will adopt at some point, we are not sure that that time will come in the next year. We definitely pray over the desires of our kids and know that God can speak to us through them as he can anyone, but we're learning quickly that adoption, any adoption, is a messy business. It is so important to us that our children to have reasonable expectations as we walk through this process.

Telling J was tricky, and it took a lot longer than I expected, but when J, Amos and I told the littles, it was JUST FUN!

Noah immediately started dreaming of bunk beds and super hero sidekicks. He wanted a boy. No, two. No, THREE! They would all love Star Wars, Legos, and Science, and they would all get along just like his BFF's at school.

Miriam squealed and declared that she wanted twin baby girls. She would share her room with them, but she wouldn't change their diapers. At night, when they pooped, she would come and wake me up.

A sibling group of TWELVE!
Another Noah!
A 12-year-old, 7-year-old, and 5-year old with matching genders.

The main thing that we impressed upon the two of them was that Mom and Dad were going to classes to LEARN about this type of adoption. 

We couldn't be certain that we'd adopt at the end of the class. 

Although it was exciting and fun to think about, there would be sacrifices along the way, and there would be some days that were no fun at all.

Did they have any questions?
Three hands in the air.

Can we name them?

How long will it take?

What if we don't like them? 

Can we send them back?

Can we please NOT adopt 12 kids?

What if we just get more girls?