"Last"

It has been a week of "lasts" and we have big upcoming week of "firsts"! I can not believe that a year and a half later, our children will be in our home in 3 days!!

I realized as we were having a family sleepover in our backyard tree house last week that it was the last week that our current 2 year old would be our baby. I tried extra hard to appreciate and baby him this week:) Today was the last time I would be waiting at the bus stop with "just" 3 kids. The last time we had a playdate without M and Z present, tomorrow will be last family function without them. Today was my last day of work before they are added into the crazy morning equation... Bittersweet lasts followed by exciting firsts!

I had coffee with a fellow adopting friend last night (last time to have Scott home to put three kids to bed!) and her situation is vastly different from mine as she met her child and THEN chose to adopt her, and a much older child, but we are in the same boat in many ways- adopting a brown child into our white families, "friends" and family not getting it, second guessing every decision yet knowing it is the right one, and looking to all the unknown challenges of the future, advocating for our child... Always refreshing to spend time with someone who DOES get it!! Wish more in our circle stepped into our shoes so they could get it, too (and leave fewer orphans in this world!), but it is all God there:)

I printed out and organized a collection of Lingala words and phrases to bring with us to meet the kids, in an effort to communicate a bit. Avery and Bennett loved them! Avery wants to bring them to school to share with her class, which I said she could do when I got back from the airport. Not sure if I am pronouncing anything even close to properly, but hopefully something can be helpful there! They are happily reading and learning a few phrases. Did you know Simba means hug? Not sure if that is a true Lingala word or not, but it is on my list!

To all my true friends --- Olingi yo