House on a Mound: 6 months already?

Monday, November 07, 2011

6 months already?

6 months ago I stepped off a plane with a little boy who barely knew me and whom I barely knew. We had spent the last 4 days together after only meeting briefly 5 months before. And during the brief meeting my JP was not happy about talking with me or his Daddy or sitting with us. We were forced to bribe him with dum-dums to get him to sit on our lap or not cry when we touched him. Joey and I came home and wondered how long it would take this child, who we had prayed for nearly 3 years, to adjust to coming into our family. We had anticipated meeting this child of ours for years and dreamed of how our life would look with a little boy but then we worried that somehow he might be frightened and terrified to board a plane and come across the ocean only to be forever with these white strangers. That small, sweet, scared little boy did board a plane with me and his Grandfather. He endured a long journey without a whimper or typical two-year old episode. He was strangely still and quiet for a tike his age. Now knowing him as a mother does, that behavior came from a scared and insecure place within his confused heart.

Today he has been home for 6 months. He is a happy, sweet, sensitive, and very smart little boy. His English is as good as or better than his peers. He is learning his colors and numbers quickly. He loves "choo-choo's" and cars and screeches every time he sees a fire truck with it's sirens on! His favorite food is french fries and he can spot a Chic-Fil-A from a mile down the street. JP goes to school two days a week and bible study once a week. His best friend is his little sister who loves to run up and down the hall with and who he likes to push in her baby doll stroller. He has fit in perfectly to our family. That's not saying it hasn't been a hard and we are still getting to know each. Our love for him has grown and I'm sure if he could say it he'd tell you the same thing.