There are days Steve and I wonder what we have done... a large family, later than most in life, children from questionable backgrounds...some days are challenging and long. Amongst those challenging days are the joyful moments we will cherish forever--the firsts, the fights, the STORIES, the laughs. Each child is unique.
Nick--our first, our dream, our promised one. A great son--good looking, sophmore at Augustana, doing his best to navigate our complex world. He likes cars, is articulate, and could probably sell you his shoes. We have not met anyone yet who hasn't told us what a great kid he is. We are very proud.
Alexis--Nick prayed for years for her...I remember the day we picked her up (age 3 1/2 months) from her Grandma Kathy...we celebrated with the best angel food cake we ever had complete with pink icing...we are in the car with Alexis all strapped in and Nick says "This is the best day of my life!" A daughter, a sister, our love.
Charley--arrived at age 3 1/2 with the longest hair, flip flops, and a pair of plaid shorts. He did not like that first bath! His memories then were of cheese sandwiches at St. Anthonys window in downtown Davenport. When they picked him up he had just one toy...a man. Oh how your world has changed. Charley looks amazingly like Nick at the same age. And such a mild mannered good little (not so little at age 10) boy. Mom's very best helper around the house! And ALWAYS with a cheerful heart!
Xavier--we thought you would never stop crying. You cried for 2 years every night. You arrived to us just 6 weeks after Charley at age 8 months. You still are overly sensitive at times but are blessed with that middle child position in the family. You are our daily challenge but can be so loving to all around you. And handsome!! Oh my. The girls one day...we better prepare now.
Joe--you are the only child to receive a new name. There were just too many Roberts already to have another Robert Cummins in the Quad Cities. It took us a week to decide whether to take you. We thought with 4 children we were done... but you were a brother! Age 7 weeks, a full head of hair, and a totally different disposition than your brother. Daddy slept with you in the chair for the first 2 years and it was a rare night you did not awaken him from sleep. Poor Joe, also very sensitive. There was a time they did not know if you could see, you received daily physical therapy for the rigidity the cocaine left in your body. You did not speak....but just this past week you graduated from your speech IEP at preschool! Yeah!
Cariyana--an interesting meeting...respite complete with 16 hours of nursing care per day. What were we thinking? We could make a difference of course! The run has been more than challenging but you have risen to the challenge--no more feeding tube, just oxygen at night now, and no more nurses! Its rare they say that this can be accomplished. We say its environment...now if the rest of the things straighten out so we can give you wings to live on your own one day!
We are so blessed. We have a unique family. Not once have we ever regretted adoption. Not once have I ever thought these children did not come from my womb. My love for each of them is amazing. God give me strength to see your will be done.
He created them male and female and blessed them. --Genesis 5:2
