September 30, 2008

Mark your calendars! Aiden will become an official member of the Ramos family on September 30! I wasn't thrilled when we got the date, I wanted it to be sooner, but at least we have a date, right!? Hopefully this adoption will go more as planned and once we leave the courthouse, that will be it!

We are going to Aiden's biological maternal grandparent's ranch in Wyoming for labor day weekend. We are really excited. They are super great people and we always have a good time with them. The boys are excited to ride horses. Ella loves Grandpa Bryson and I love how much the grandparents have embraced all of our children. How fun to have so much new family!

(warning: Cheese Alert!) I went to a foster in-service last night entitled "Spirituality in Parenting". It was more like an open forum for discussion and it was really inspiring. We had a wonderful turnout and great participation. One of the thoughts that was brought up was trying to reconcile the joy we feel when we know a child can be adopted into our family with the sorrow you feel for the biological parents who are losing a child. Is is right to celebrate the misfortune of others? Is it right to hope that a parent won't succeed so that you will be able to keep that child? I know that we've gone through all of that, both as parents, and with our extended family. As I sat and listened to the comments of others, I was overwhelmed with gratitude for Aiden's mom. What a sacrifice she's made for her little boy. I know that she loves him, and because of that, she's willing to put aside what she wants (essentially) and do what's best for him. I'm also grateful for her parents. They've welcomed us with open arms and are a wonderful support. I'm glad that we can all do this together, that I don't have to feel like I'm taking this child from anyone. And I am so glad that Aiden will have his bio mom and grandparents in his life.

Hooray for foster care for giving parents an opportunity to change their lives, and hooray for adoption for giving children and families a way to come together and begin new lives!