gotcha day glory and getting ready for adoption

maybe you're not like me.
maybe you didn't have days when you (over)thought about people's excitement about your child's adoption.
Maybe you didn't count the number of people "following" you or commenting on posts or facebook comments.
Maybe you didn't have days where you thought "I better write something or my people [whoever 'my people' are] will stop reading my blog."

You see, when all the fanfare of the adoption is past (for most followers that's the gotcha day video). you go back to normal. you seemingly anonymously slip back into the adventure of life called raising your children.

It reminds me of how people tell you to spend 2x as much time preparing for marriage as you do planning your wedding. You see, you're marrying a wonderful sinner... so don't get too caught up in the dress, the cake, the invitations, etc. Or else you'll be shocked to find yourself less prepared as a spouse. and don't think that marriage is just awesome. it is a lot of work! sure, there's a balance of excitment and preparation...but don't just dream.

In the same way it is easy as we approach adoption to idealize these kids. To make them idols as we think about them from afar. or to think only of the gotcha moment. YES we should long for them, love them, etc. But, we shouldn't fool ourselves into thinking they're more than they are.

So, let me invite you to repent (with me) of the attention-seeking we're prone to desire...that's perhaps exposed more after the adoption is complete and you're 'normal' again. and let me invite you to think as much about parenting your child as getting him/her.

You're adopting a sinner. not every day is going to feel like your gotcha day. not every day will there be people (you don't know) cheering you on. you're going to need a lot of grace. love. information. support. don't get too caught up in the magic moments (although they really really are a taste of heaven) or the blogging.

but maybe you're not like me.

oh for a thousand tongues to sing

The house is quiet. Our children are upstairs sleeping in their room and Hunter and I are snuggling on the couch. Neither of us can believe the privilege we've been given in parenting Lucy and Isaiah. Here are a few favorite moments from getting home:

• Lucy brought gift after gift to Isaiah when we first got home (several of which have been around the house for a long time, but we always talked about how they were for Isaiah). She kept walking up and saying "this is for him" or "this is for you". She was SOOOOOOOO excited for him to be home. it was completely adorable.
• When Lucy woke up from her nap this afternoon, we came downstairs and after 5 minutes she asked if she could wake up Isaiah. "I neeeeeeeeeeeed him." After Hunter and I felt somewhat emotionally conflicted this morning about sharing love/attention and whether Lucy would understand...my heart leapt with joy at her delight in her brother. I'm sure we'll pray forever that our children will love each other.
• Dancing like crazy, singing and giggling together as a family of four this afternoon. It doesn't get much better than knowing that your son usually is restrained about laughter and then watching him spontaneously bust out laughing at Lucy multiple times today. and she did the same with him. and then of course they repeated the activities 15 times. So stinkin adorable.
• All the love and support, notes, texts, etc. we've received from friends and family. it all means the world to us.

"And my soul wells up with a Hallelujah"