He called me "mama"

This morning, I opened my computer to the sound  of my Skype phone ringing. Andru was calling. 


He was having an "off-night" last night, and he was sent to bed before he could show me his pumpkin. He also got a new cell phone (still not sure if Miss Shirley was just trying to pacify him, or if its actually activated...) He said he didn't have any numbers in there. I said he could put mine in. He said, "Okay, mama, I'm ready!" MAMA. I still don't know if he meant to say it. I'm not sure I care. I just know that when he said it, I didn't want to answer for fear of ruining it. 


Miss Shirley and Mr. Bob, who I am fairly certain are saints, have been calling us Mom and Dad since the day our scrapbook arrived. No Brian or Emily. The kids refer to us as "my new mom" or "the dad". It would have been a bit frightening if they had called us mommy and daddy right away, but that doesn't mean I don't want to hear it. (I am impatient...its been established.) 


I am still overwhelmed by how...normal their reaction has been to all of this---if there is a "normal" in this situation. They are two little boys, presented with a new family and a new life, and they are interested. They call at least once a day, usually twice. They fill us in on their day--what they ate, what they played with, if they got in trouble at school (usually, the answer is no...). I look forward to their calls, their voice, their stories. Monday, we read bedtime stories to each other. I found this wonderful book called I Love You So Much that talks about an unconditional love for our children from the day we meet (not the day they are born. The day we meet. An important distinction.) They read me Star Wars and Superman. Excellent. Next up from Mommy will be The Kissing Hand, which I am fairly certain is the sweetest raccoon story ever written. I cry every time. I try not to cry on the phone with the boys, for fear it will frighten them. Why is new mommy always crying? Poor boys. They do not suspect the emotional household they are now a part of. I cry at Folger's commercials. Why not my new children who just happen to be sweet, smart and wonderful???


I don't expect every day to be good, or easy. But I do know that God has chosen these boys for us, and us for them. They are in my heart, and I suspect that has always been true. One week from today, I will board a plane. One week and five hours from now, I will get to hug them. They have the whole weekend planned. Friday; out to dinner. Saturday; we get to watch their football and soccer games, and then play in the park. Sunday; church if we are feeling ambitious, and then go-karting. As a mommy of a little girl, I have to remember that I am in boy-land now. 


Love.