Being different!

Every once in a while having a family that is a little bit different can be hard for our kids. The little ones still don't notice it but Peter and Molly have certainly realized that we don't look like a traditional family and people aren't always kind when they don't understand. We went to Middletown yesterday for a day of fun on Main Street - Santa, sleigh rides, holiday trains and other fun. We all had alot of fun but Peter was a bit reserved on the way home and later in the day Molly and he finally confided in me that two things had made them uncomfortable while we were out. The first was when a very nice older lady who knows our family asked which of our children were adopted and which were our "real" children. I have gotten used to this question - specifically with the older generation so I quickly said "All of the kids our our "real" children and Peter, Molly and Ellie are all adopted." My theory is that we want to make sure the kids understand that we are a family through and through and they are all our "real" children but we also don't want to dismiss questions of adoption because that is also something very special about our family. It upset Molly that the woman did not seem sorry about making such an uncomfortable statement and we talked about how that is part of our job as a famliy - not to judge people for not knowing any better than to make that staement but to help them understand so they hopefully don't make the same mistake with other people. The second issue came up while we were in line for the sleigh rides and another older lady who does not know us was trying to figure out who Peter's mother was to ask if she could give him candy. He repeatedly pointed to Bob and I and the lady did not understand because we were a different color than Peter. He finally brought her over and she the understood that she had been looking for a set of black parents out of habit. This infuriated Peter because it happens quite a bit when we are at places where people don't know us. We had a nice talk about how Peter might handle the situation next time - possibly with a bit of humor and Molly acknowledged how hard it must be sometimes to be different from most of your family. We talked about how special our family is and how important it is to always remember that families are created by God and his vision is perfect in every way. Molly ended the conversation perfectly when she said "God brings children together with the parents they are meant to have - that's why we all fit perfectly into Mama's arms no matter how big or small we are!" I feel very blessed that the kids and I have an open relationship and we can talk about things that are uncomfortable or upsetting - I hope that they continue to come to Bob and I for guidance as they grow! Being a kid is not easy but we are raising some pretty incredible kids - Yes, its my blog and I get to brag!

Lizzie with her cookie monster backpack - she loves to pretend that she is going to school with Ellie!

My big girls ready for school!

Lizzie and I headed out to a playgroup with my two cousins - it was so much fun to see them and spend some time catching up!

My girl is loving going to school. She had a great first week. Miss Newman said she is wonderful - fits right in with the class and follows along with her classmates! She comes home exhausted and ready for a nap but energized but what she is learning.

Ready for some decorating of the tree!

Our five beautiful kids in front of our adorable Christmas Tree!

Everyone snuggled up! We were trying to get a Christmas card picture but it didn't really work out!

Elizabeth is all snuggled up in he giant stocking.

Molly looked like such a teenager to me - it was freezing in Middletown.

First stop - donuts at Park and Rec so Daddy can introduce the kids to everyone.

Next stop - Papa's office! He didn't know we were coming and left! We were not happy!

Molly loves the chocolate sign - my little goofball!

Santa came to hand out candy canes!

As you can see, some of the kids were more impressed with Santa than the others. Annie was thrilled but poor Lizzie was scared out of her mind! It was kind of comical!

My beautiful Bean!

Molly Girl - she was a trooper with just a sweatshirt on!

Annie Bananie loved the whole event! She is just like her Mama - she doesn't like to miss anything!

Mr. Grump -a-lump!

Buggy fell and would not leave Daddy's side!

On the sleigh ride going down Main Street in Middletwon - doesn't get better than this for Annie!

Annie could have stayed on the ride forever - she loved the horses and got her Daddy to agree to take her horseback riding when it gets warmer!

The kids with Danny and Star - the beautiful horses that we so friendly!

We had a great day in Middletown - they do the coolest things there! CHC is sponsoring Midnight on Main Street on New Year's Eve and we can't wait to go with Auntie Ann and Sister Anne! Amato's Toy Store on Main Street has the coolest holiday train display I have ever seen - if you are in the area you should stop in and see it! We are hard at work helping the elves get ready for Santa and we have five firm believers in this house - probably the last year for that!

GNM - ILY!