Listening In

Daddio overheard a conversation between the boys...

Bobcat talking to Bubba: "Jesus puts the baby in the tummy. And when Jesus puts baby Hannah in Mommy's tummy, wouldn't it be cool if we could see Him do that."

Okay, so now let me do some explaining... Bobcat is referencing the Annunciation, except he figures (I guess) that since Jesus is now in heaven that the Holy Spirit doesn't need to do that part, the way He did with Mother Mary. Second he's six, and we have not (and won't anytime soon) explained how we normal people conceive. Third, over the camping weekend one of his prayers during the evening rosary was to have a baby sister named Hannah. I'm not sure where he picked up this name... but it is kind of odd in the sense that this was a serious contender when we were coming up with girl names back in the day.

Knowing how much the boys want more siblings brings so many emotions to the surface. It could be really easy for them to not want anyone else in our family... there are three of them and why would they want to share Mommy and Daddy with anyone else, not to mention the background they come from... not that they fully connect with it, but it is there. But that just isn't them... it never has been. From very early on they were asking when they could have more brothers and sisters, I remember the first time Bobcat was serious and '7 more' was his answer... he likes nice round numbers. It warms my heart that they are open to that, but it breaks my heart too knowing that wanting more kids isn't enough to make it happen. It involves homestudies, paperwork, classes, and waiting... at the mercy of others.

So what do you tell that six year old who is looking up at you and asking when can they have a baby sister/brother (the same six year old who forgets on a regular basis that he and his brothers were not born of your womb - even though it has only been 2 1/2 years since they came home to us)... for us, just remind them that they need to pray for it. The same thing I remind myself.