Jessica Kelso

I have GOT to make it a priority to start writing more! I updated my status on Facebook with something related to Thrasher and someone mentioned that I should write it down to show him one day. I’m horrible at doing things like that – so the best I can do is keep my blog updated so they can one day read it.

There hasn’t been any updates on the adoption process as of yet – but we’re hoping for that to change this next month! I am definitely getting sick and tired of taking him 45 minutes each way to visit with his younger half-sibling who he doesn’t even play with! I understand why they try to keep up these visits but it’s silly when they are so little and T is about to be adopted. His birth mom never comes anymore, and his older sibling hasn’t been in a while either. We’ve been asked recently by his case worker and several friends if we plan on having him still see his half-siblings when we adopt him…and I think we’re leaning more towards no. The caregivers of his siblings aren’t the most reliable and the thought of trying to plan meet-ups with them sounds like it would be rather difficult and wouldn’t last long. Down the road when he learns that he is adopted and has half-siblings – if he has any interest in spending time with them – we will definitely make it happen.

I’ve been reflecting and thinking back through a lot of the things we’ve been through with T to this point – and it’s amazing to see the changes in him. I know a lot of what he’s been through has to do purely with age and also introducing a sibling to him at such a young age but I also know a lot has to do with his past and the way he was brought into this world. I don’t know exactly what he went through in those first few months or even in utero or birth (I truly believe how you are birthed also affects you – but that’s another topic!) but I do know he was taken away from his mom – the only person who had ever cared for him and was placed into a stranger’s home. From everything I’ve learned about children and loss at such a young age – this has a huge impact on them. Being first time parents to a scared little boy who was just taken away from the only person he had ever known was a challenge. I can still picture his scared face looking around the new room he was in staring at a new face trying to rock him to sleep. The countless nights we spent in that rocking chair talking and crying together….I thought they would never end. I felt so sad for him yet so extremely exhausted and emotionally overwhelmed myself. It’s been almost 2.5 years since those sleepless nights and I really believe God and the beauty of time time has started to heal him.

He has become quite the big brother and is starting to take that role to heart. At church in the nursery we are told he is constantly watching out for Nola. If she falls, he picks her up. He hands her toys and shows her how to use them. She follows him around and doesn’t leave his side. Watching their relationship evolve brings tears to my eyes – even typing this right now! I never knew how special it would be to watch. She adores him and I adore them. I’m so thankful for the opportunity to stay home and be 100% involved in their little lives.

This was my Facebook status from today. . . “Who knew that 2.5 would be my favorite age yet? It’s taken a long time to get to this point but I am thoroughly and completely enjoying my little boy! Let me never forget what he’s been through and remember as tough as it’s been – it has helped make him who he is and who he’s becoming! Come on, adoption!!”