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I’ve been absent from the Love Thursday scene for quite some time. In fact, I came back on my personal blog just in time for the creators of Love Thursday to announce that they are no longer participating in the meme. I decided, however, to continue it as I felt so lead. Why the specific absence on the adoption blog? Well, to be honest, I ran out of recent pictures to share and that was really hard for me to even process. As an everyday parent of our son, I have a constant slew of pictures available to me to show off my love for him or his love in general. As a first parent, I don’t have that constant onslaught. When I ran out, I felt emotionally devastated. I felt like a fraud of a parent. So, I quit.
Then we had a visit which resulted in the above picture.
I love nothing more than watching Nicholas and the Munchkin interact. (Okay, I actually like it when the Munchkin, JD and Nicholas all interact but getting three kids in one picture is absolutely, 100% impossible.) This picture was taken just after I had told the Munchkin to give Nicholas a kiss. My camera, of course, stalled and I missed the actual moment. However, from the looks of this picture, the Munchkin seems to be wiping off what I know to be Nicholas slobber. You see, Nicholas is an open mouth kisser. When you ask him for a kiss, he comes at your face, mouth agape. I can’t tell if Nicholas is amused in this picture, having slobbered on his sister, or if he is distraught that someone is wiping off his kiss. Either way, it seems very brotherly and sisterly to me, doesn’t it?
I feel somewhat normal again, having recent pictures and memories of my children together. It’s hard when you have to admit that you’re not a normal parent. Even adoptive parents fall under the general heading of normal; they’re the everyday moms and dads that kiss boo-boos, wipe butts and tuck sleepy children into bed. They have the slew of pictures. Even if they are sending pictures to the birth family, it’s hard sometimes for the members of that first family to be an on-looker: to see the pictures but be removed from the action contained within the shot. All the same, I love every picture I receive but I truly cherish those that I was involved in taking and/or making.
I love watching my children play. I love how the Munchkin interacts with both of her younger brothers. She doesn’t treat Nicholas any different than JD; she could give or take both of them at any given time. She offers hugs, kisses, instruction, demands and occasional whacks without prejudice. I love creating these memories and smiling as I look back upon them, even when I’m filled with a sense of longing. I know I’m blessed to be able to create these memories. But really, I feel that the children, more than me, are blessed. They’re most important to me and their interaction will benefit all of them as they continue to grow.
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For some of my past Love Thursday entries, read:
1. When I’m Just Interrupting.
3. Easter Eggs.
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Photo Credit: ©2007 Jenna Hatfield
