kids, books, and birthmoms

Well, a few weeks ago (probably soon after Miss Bear started sleeping through the night), we decided to continue our adoption with Ethiopia and bring our second darling daughter home next year. Yay! A little nervous, like always when we make these decisions, but also trusting our faith in Him is bringing us right where we're suppose to be.

A week ago I read the most amazing book called "It's Not Okay With Me." It came highly recommended by one of my adoption buddies many months ago. I think she said it changed her life, so I bought it and it sat on a shelf for several months. I finally picked it up and began reading. I couldn't put it down. It certainly focuses on Africa and Janine Maxwell's (the author's) cause, but it also encourages you to find your own cause and nurture it, feed it.

We celebrated Birth Mother's Day with Miss Bear's birth mother and her family 2 weeks ago. It was sweet and went too fast. Justin and I gave C a framed poem with a picture of C and I the first day we met, a picture of C, Miss Bear, and I together about a month ago, and a darling picture of Miss Bear. It was complete with Miss Bear's hand print next to the poem. SO cute! But have you ever tried finger paints with a 3-month old? Don't! (They make a fist when they feel the paint). Below is the poem. No, I didn't really write it. I found it on the internet and then tweaked it to fit for our family.

Our Miss Bear

Once there were two expectant mothers.
One carried and cared for Miss Bear beneath her beating heart.
She became Miss Bear’s Birthmother.
The other carried the hope of Miss Bear within her.
She became Miss Bear’s Mom.
As the days passed, Miss Bear grew bigger and stronger.
Her Birthmother knew that she could not give Miss Bear all she wanted for her after
birth.
Meanwhile, Miss Bear’s Mom was ready and waiting for her.

One day in December, her Birthmom and Mom found each other.

They looked into each other’s eyes and saw a friend.
Miss Bear’s Birthmom saw the life her Mom could give her.
Miss Bear’s Mom saw how much her Birthmom loved and cared for her.

They decided that what Miss Bear needed was both kinds of love.
So now Miss Bear has two families.
One by adoption, one by birth.

Miss Bear will always have her home where she can have:
her questions answered, her boo boos bandaged,
lots of laughs, and much needed hugs.

And a place where she can find:
answers to her questions,
her image in the mirror,
and a part of herself.

Two different kinds of families
Two different kinds of love
Both a part of Miss Bear.