Different than us, but the same

So, a while back, Reagan informed us he didn't think he wanted a black baby sister. At first, this startled us a little. We don't know what may have triggered his thoughts since he and the other boys knew from the start that our new addition would be from Ethiopia and she would indeed be considered black. We didn't panic, but we were curious why he would be worried? He did what any other 5 year old did and told us he didn't know. Perhaps just a random thought, perhaps just a feeling of someone new coming into the family, or perhaps just a change that facilitates conversation? We may never know his rationale at that moment, but the rest of the story is pretty cool.

Late Saturday after Isaac's basketball game, we went out to eat at Chilis. Food was good, conversation was good and laughter abounded as we shared stories. Melissa and I sat on one side of the booth and the boys sat on the other side. We finished our meal, rather we ate all we could and got a to-go box and then ordered dessert. Funny, since the boys were full yet ate all the dessert. Isn't that the way it's suppose to work? Anyway, as we were eating our dessert, a family sat down in the booth behind the boy's side. A mother, father, 3 boys and a baby girl. Melissa and I immediately noticed the little girl. Just as cute as could be with curly hair and full of energy. I would say she was about 2 years old. The family was as white as our faimily, with the exception of the little girl. She was noticably darker in skin color. Obviously, our minds went into an adoption mode. The little girl was at the end of the table in a high chair so we had a clear view. She looked our way and we started making a connection. We let the boys in on our fun and then Reagan immediately got out of the booth to investigate. We told him to say hi and she would probably respond. He did and she smiled and they had a moment of 5 year old to 2 year old communication. Whatever that entails. They both laughed. Melissa took this opportunity to inform Reagan that his baby sister may be like this little girl. He seemed to be more at ease with this as it was a visual illustration of something going on only in his mind.

During this process, we have been open and tried to explain everything to the boys. We can't control their thoughts or questions. We encourage them to ask questions so they might better understand. The funny thing is, Reagan is not the only one who has posed this same question. We have been asked numerous times why we chose Ethiopia. Truth is, we have reasons and it makes sense to us. Ethiopia or America, white or black doesn't matter to us as we will love that little girl just as much as if we brought her home from the hospital. Although she will look different on the outside, she will be the same as our family on the inside and that is what matters.