At First Sight...

So, it would seem that being a mommy of three already has me busy---our first meeting with Ethan and Andru was one week ago, and no blog post yet!


We left last Friday morning for the trek to South Carolina. Two flights and an hour and a half drive later, we were fluttering around our hotel room pretending not to be terrified about the meeting that was about to occur. Where do you even start? At this point, we have talked to the boys everyday, sometimes multiple times a day, thanks to the wonders of Skype. But still...what if they didn't like us NOW? What if we arrived at their door to find out they wanted nothing to do with us?


Brian and I held hands wordlessly on the drive to the boys' house. Gabbi's endless stream of conversation was never so welcome. About five minutes away, Brian and I both worried that we might throw up or cry. Either way---not world's greatest impression of your new mommy or daddy. Brian said he felt like he was about to go on the most important interview of his life. I knew exactly what he meant---we had two short days to show them that we were loving but firm, nurturing and fair, and to spoil them just a little bit, so they knew we liked to have fun, but wouldn't set a trend we can't follow up on at home. 


Opening the door to their foster parents' house, we didn't know what to expect. The first few minutes were awkward, at best. The boys didn't want to come out. We waited expectantly like strangers come to pick up a kitten. Gabbi saved the day (doesn't she always??) by marching into the boys, handing them our gifts and saying, "We got you presents. You're my big brothers!" End of story. And just like that, the spell was broken. The boys came forward, gave us timid hugs, and began the whirlwind of show and tell. "Come see my room!" "Come see my toys!" "Come play soccer in the yard!" All of the above completed, it was like we had never been apart---never been strangers. It took all of about three minutes to know that these were MY kids---little people who would change my life forever. They already have, in so many ways.


Packing their bags for the hotel--I wondered at all of the little boy STUFF. Cleats, and tiny swimming trunks. Superhero t-shirts, GI Joes, no blankies. (Big boys, and all that) Leaving for dinner, we piled in the car, a family of FIVE. Brian grinned into the rear view mirror the whole way to the restaurant. Once there, big brothers took charge of little sister. They held her hand across the parking lot, tucked her into the booth between them, ordered her a milkshake just like theirs. She was, and is, in awe of them.


I loved that moment, sitting across from the three of them in the booth, realizing that this was it---those three little faces are my future and my joy. Dinner was chaos, and perfect. Shopping at the store was a challenge, and just right. We got back to the hotel room, changed for  swimming and returned for a movie and popcorn. 


That night, our family of five snuggled together under the covers. We spilled popcorn in the bed, read stories and pretended to watch a movie. My little boys made room for their sister and held my hand. They all said prayers, and Gabbi taught them our night-night song. That moment, that first moment that felt like real life, is all that matters. I know there will be tears and time-outs. I know that Ethan and Andru will argue with each other and with Gabbi. But I also know that we are a family, and that's what counts.