They have such a capacity for love. It is inspiring.
I tried to explain adoption to Madeline tonight. It went something like this:
Me: There are lots of ways to make a family. Mommy and Daddy can love each other so much a baby grows in Mommy's belly like what happened with you and Owen. But sometimes, some mommies cannot take care of their babies so some really nice and very wonderful people adopt them and make them part of their family.
Madeline: That is so nice mommy. Why can't their mommy whose tummy they grew in take care of them?
Me: Yes, Madeline, adopting is really nice. But sometimes the mommy who's tummy they grew in doesn't have the resources like money or food to take care of their baby. (at this point I really didn't want to get into the idea of maternal death so i skipped that part).
Madeline: But you won't let someone else adopt Owen right?
Me: No, Madeline, you and Owen are ours and my heart would break into a million pieces without you. You and Owen will always be ours.
Madeline: Good mommy, I think Nelson would miss Owen (I guess she felt really secure in her place in our family and I'm pretty sure Nelson would not miss Owen). Mommy, I have a good idea, why don't you grow a baby in your belly and then let someone adopt it. That would be so nice.
Me: Maybe, probably not.
Ok, so I don't think she totally understood that, but at least we tried.
I cannot wait to meet the luckiest little girl in Ethiopia. Ellen, you and Breagan are such amazingly wonderful people. We are all lucky to have you in our life.
