Book and Media Review--Adopting a Joyful Christmas

After I posted about Do You Have a Little Love to Share, I was interested in learning more about the experiences of Gary and Joy Lundberg in bringing five children into their family through adoption. Here is an article written by Joy Saunders Lundberg about how they found each of their five children through adoption. 

To read the article, click here.

Book and Media Review--Do You Have a Little Love to Share

On occasion, my adoptive mother heart needs to be reminded of the big picture. Sometimes I need another self-pep-talk about how this process is about a child, and about our family. The paperwork and waiting is just a means to the end. It is not the end.

And music speaks to my soul.

So I turn on this CD--Do You Have a Little Love to Share? The Lyrics are by Joy Saunders Lundberg, who is an adoptive mother of five; the music is by Janice Kapp Perry, and the result is a rich spectrum of perspective and feelings about all the faces of adoption.

Hard questions are addressed in song such as "Do you love me as your own?" Another message portrays a birth mother who has empty arms, aching for the babe that now fills another set of once-empty arms. I love that one, because it reflects a birth mother's decision as one of wisdom, love and selflessness.

Some songs are written in jubilant celebration--a father doting on his baby girl, a mother enamored and filled with gratitude for her son, or the celebration of diversity among family members that share the same last name.

This collection of songs is one that I reserve for moments when I really want to connect with the adoption process. It's not all light-hearted music--some of the messages are more profound than fun. But I feel like it has been heaven-sent to me in those moments when I need a beacon of hope to make the next step a little brighter.

If you'd like to hear a sample of the songs, click here. I give it high recommendations for anyone involved in the adoption process.

I'm Just David

In the last several months, a few of David's friends have welcomed baby brothers and baby sisters into their family. Naturally, this has brought up the discussion about when David will get a baby brother or a baby sister. He remembers to ask Heavenly Father for this blessing in every prayer he says. And if either of his parents forget to pray for this blessing, he reminds us and we'll say a quick prayer to include our faith with David's to see this miracle through.

This has also given us occasion to talk to David about his birth. The fact that Heavenly Father sent him to our family. And he grew in AP's tummy before he came to our family. 

I want David to know the miracle of adoption in his life. I want him to know that he joined our family through adoption. I want him to know and love the people that surrounded his birth. I want David to feel comfortable talking about it and asking questions whenever he wants about this event in his life.

That's just what it is. Adoption was an event at his birth. It's not a label. It doesn't define who David is. And it most certainly doesn't designate who he will become.

The other day when I was working on our adoption website, and the subject had been on my mind for several days running, I asked David a question to see what frame of reference he has around adoption.

Me: David, are you adopted?

David: No. I'm just David.

That was the most perfect answer I've ever heard.

There's no "just" about it. He is our David, who lives life bigger than anyone I know.

He is David. No extra labels are really necessary. 

He knows who he is, and that's what is important to me.