I hope...

Jake and I have many times talked about how others may view our multi-colored family.  Of course, in my husband's words, Liberty resembles him, and I must have had an affair which is how Bella was born!  This makes me laugh to think about.  As the girls and I get out and about (which is not often, those of you with toddlers understand that everything runs on THEIR schedule) we are often stopped and the girls are showered with compliments from strangers.  Liberty has started to blush when they do this, and Bella, the wild child that she is, yells out something or gives them her mean face which shows all 5 of her teeth.  

Even more wild are the numbers of people that stop me and say that Bella must look just like her dad...as her and I look as different as night and day.  Except to those who see Bella and I first thing in the morning-our hair is quite wild and similar! 

A couple of weeks ago in Wal-Mart the cashier lady was very probing with her questions, so much so that it made me uncomfortable.  She said, "her daddy must be black, isn't he, because you don't get hair like that from a white daddy".  Those were her words exactly.  It stunned me because I wasn't quite sure how to answer.  Finally I stuttered out, "well, her birth-dad was African American, but her dad is not".  When I get nervous I start to talk, and talk, and talk some more.  Jake has told me many times, to just be quiet, silence is not a bad thing.  Well, silence terrifies me.  

Questions and assumptions such as the above really cut to my heart.  As much as I try to bury them inside...I just can't all the time. I truly hope that the people around can see the way our family was built in love. 

I hope that you all see, how the love for our children radiates off of our faces. 

I hope that you know that color means nothing.  It is love that builds a family.  Just because our children are not mirror images of our looks, doesn't mean that they aren't mirror images of our personalities.  Liberty follows her dad so closely that she trips when he is near, whether it's in the garage, or in the shop, or in his lap in the feed truck and tractors.  Her eyes are constantly following him, his hands, and what he is doing.  Bella wants nothing more than to be near me, to copy my actions (especially jumping!) and to kiss our lips.  

I hope that you know that being a "mother" does not always mean that you physically gave birth to a child.

I sincerely hope that you do not feel SORRY for us.  Many have said, I'm so sorry you couldn't have your own children.  Please do not feel sorry.  God intended for us to do this, for us not to have our own biological children.  He intended for us to work through his hands, and adopt our beautiful girls. We do not question what is, we thank him, for showing us the way.  

Will we adopt more?  We're just waiting on God to show us the way.