Reality of Older Child Adoption

Maybe those Americans will just go away if I don't look at them, and don't you dare touch my backpack. And three hours of pure sadness, confusion and lots of tears. It is not always 100% cute.

It would not be fair for me to only post our highlights and how cute our new son really is without giving the harsh reality of posting the truth about what it is like to adopt an older child. This is what we experienced this afternoon, all of which would be so much easier to deal with if we were in the comforts of our own home, not in a hotel in a city so far from our loved ones. And while we know that time will heal many of his wounds, it is still a sad reality that any child has to endure this at such a young age. Bryson has no idea right now that his little life is going to change for the better as all he knows is living in an orphanage. The same orphanage that he grieved for hours this afternoon crying, screaming and so very sad. He is also the little boy that his feet are so dirty and calloused that I can not even get all the dirt off in one hour of soaking in the tub. He is also the same little boy that is saving food in his backpack to make sure he gets to eat later. He is the same little boy that at meals is shoveling in his food so fast he is choking. I do know that all this shall pass, but as a mother, as another human being, this is very difficult to watch. I am posting not just the pure cuteness so more people can rejoice with us when we see his little feet straight, when he can sit at the table without shoveling food in fear he is not going to get enough and his backpack is filled with toys and not food! Little things, but huge in the life of an adoptive family of an older child.

Asking that you now redirect all your prayers to these issues listed above. I read this verse today. It made me think of Bryson as the sparrow and me the momma making a nest for him to feel secure, loved and a place of rest. "Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young- a place near your altar, O Lord Almighty, my King and my God." Psalms 84:3