Yesterday, the G.A.L. came by and told me that at Baby Girl's first court date (the first one that will determine permanency) will be on November 24th. Guess what? We will be on vacation. I'm so disappointed.
However, she also told me that they will reccommend starting Baby Girl's case with a concurrent plan of reunification with birth mom AND Termination of Parental Rights (TPR). This means, at the end of the next 3 months, which ever plan has had most progress, that's the one they stick with. Since birth mom has only showed up for one visit, I'm guessing TPR will soon follow.
Last night, I told all of this to my Mom and we had a LONG, LONG conversation. Mostly, about us adopting a child of another race. Though this has crossed my mind, and already we have had to deal with some strange stares in public, it seems more real now. I am excited to think that we could have a multi-racial family. However, another part of me is concerned that Baby Girl would feel so obviously different. When we take Baby D out, it isn't obvious that he isn't our son. With Baby Girl, such is not the case.
Her beauty captivates me. I love the way her dark skin looks next to our pale complexions. I love her dark lips and her jet black hair. I love it when she stares at me with her deep, dark eyes. I love the way her head smells. I love how her nose crinkles when she yawns and how she burps like a grown man. My heart is smitten with her and for me, when I look at her, I do not see skin color, but my daughter whom I love so very much.
Now, I want your opinion. I know that God has already placed the love in our hearts for Baby Girl, and we have not even considered NOT adopting her because of her race. This is not a black/white issue. This is not an issue of prejudice.
What I want your opinion on is, if you HAVE children who are of another race (or bi-racial children), or if you are planning on adopting children who are of another race how do you (or will you) deal with the hurtful things other say? I know that they will come, because they already have.
How do you (or will you) discuss with your child, as they grow older, WHY they look different from the rest of the family? I want to have as much knowledge as possible on what it is like to be a multi-racial family. I want to absorb all of the information I can so that when I'm faced with challenging comments or people who are simply hurtful, I will not lash back but respond in love. Should I even be concerned about all of this?
I know God has purposed her into our family for a reason, and that through it all He will show His unfailing love to us all. Thank you for your support and encouragement as we journey down these foreign paths.
However, she also told me that they will reccommend starting Baby Girl's case with a concurrent plan of reunification with birth mom AND Termination of Parental Rights (TPR). This means, at the end of the next 3 months, which ever plan has had most progress, that's the one they stick with. Since birth mom has only showed up for one visit, I'm guessing TPR will soon follow.
Last night, I told all of this to my Mom and we had a LONG, LONG conversation. Mostly, about us adopting a child of another race. Though this has crossed my mind, and already we have had to deal with some strange stares in public, it seems more real now. I am excited to think that we could have a multi-racial family. However, another part of me is concerned that Baby Girl would feel so obviously different. When we take Baby D out, it isn't obvious that he isn't our son. With Baby Girl, such is not the case.
Her beauty captivates me. I love the way her dark skin looks next to our pale complexions. I love her dark lips and her jet black hair. I love it when she stares at me with her deep, dark eyes. I love the way her head smells. I love how her nose crinkles when she yawns and how she burps like a grown man. My heart is smitten with her and for me, when I look at her, I do not see skin color, but my daughter whom I love so very much.
Now, I want your opinion. I know that God has already placed the love in our hearts for Baby Girl, and we have not even considered NOT adopting her because of her race. This is not a black/white issue. This is not an issue of prejudice.
What I want your opinion on is, if you HAVE children who are of another race (or bi-racial children), or if you are planning on adopting children who are of another race how do you (or will you) deal with the hurtful things other say? I know that they will come, because they already have.
How do you (or will you) discuss with your child, as they grow older, WHY they look different from the rest of the family? I want to have as much knowledge as possible on what it is like to be a multi-racial family. I want to absorb all of the information I can so that when I'm faced with challenging comments or people who are simply hurtful, I will not lash back but respond in love. Should I even be concerned about all of this?
I know God has purposed her into our family for a reason, and that through it all He will show His unfailing love to us all. Thank you for your support and encouragement as we journey down these foreign paths.