bibliomom

So, we’re over a week into co-habitating with adoptingmama and her lovely family …

Oh, wait, did I completely fail to mention that we were doing that? My bad ;-P

Let’s back up.

Last summer, adoptingmama decided they were really, really going to be leaving the idylls of Hawaii in order to return to the rain laden charms of Seattle. (Okay – all of you rolling around on the floor crying, “Why? Why? Dear Lord WHY?!” can get up now – she has her reasons.) Being a tidy and organized person in both mind and house, she wanted to get all her waterproof duckies in a row.

“So, I want you to ask Scott before you answer, but would it be okay if we stayed with you guys while we’re looking for a house there?”

“You know we’ve talked about this before.”

“I know, but I just want to make sure …”

Of course my beloved husband said it far better than I ever could: “All the rest of your sisters have lived with us – why not her?”

And that’s the point, really: family is ultimately a decision. Adoptingmama and I didn’t grow up together and don’t share a biological tie, but at this point we’ve decided we’re family, so it’s all good.

She’s afraid her family will wear out their welcome – I’m afraid she’ll drive herself crazy trying to get my kitchen floor clean. (“Do you have a putty knife? I think I can get this up …”) She keeps stressing out about imposing on us – I keep reminding her that she’s the one living in a basement. And Scott just keeps saying that as long as they don’t charge us for all the play therapy her kids are giving Bug, it’s all good.

(Have I mentioned that I adore my husband?)

So it’s been fun. Maybe not quite as much fun as when all ten of us were staying all their place in Hawaii with warm beaches and vacation time to burn, but still fun. ;-)

Right now, it’s the middle of the night and I’m sitting in front of a warm fireplace, watching the snow fall. I’m sick with a cold, you see, and was able to sleep half of yesterday because I had someone else to help take my kids to Church, feed them and clean up after them. Tomorrow, God willing, we’ll all wake up to another fun day of playing and homeschooling, hot tea and knitting, and generally spending our time taking care of our children, our husbands, and ourselves. We both know that life is a gift and that every day is a blessing, so we’re trying to make the most of this special time our families are spending together.

I have four sisters. Two of them are biological. The other two are by choice. I know that whole, “it takes a village thing,” but it doesn’t really work for me. I think it really takes what I am blessed enough to have: a family.