Sometimes when I talk about “open” adoption, people start having anxiety attacks. ??There is a long list of familiar questions that I field each time I bring up the topic. ?? I don’t believe open adoption is the right choice for every family and in every situation but I am very grateful that we have had the blessing of having relationships with several of our children’s genetic families. ?? ??From my perspective, my children are very much a product of environment AND heredity and I LOVE what both sides of that equation bring them as amazing little individuals. ??When I get to spend time with my children’s birth families, I value the things I see in them that I know THEY contributed. ??When my babies are little, I tend to see their birth families in them. ??As they get older, I am more likey to see my children in their birth families. ??It is a very cool thing. ??I find myself loving their genetic siblings to pieces. ??They have a piece of MY kid in them too and that makes them off the map special in my book. ??With Amanda’s permission, I wanted to show you some pictures of Ty’s birth siblings (because I know my family will really enjoy seeing these!)

From left to right: ??Arie age 5, Christian age 7, Ty age 9, Ryleigh age 4

This week Arie, Christian, and Ryleigh came over and spent the day playing with our kids. ??Too fun! ??Arie and Tori were born 3 weeks apart so I have long hoped they would be friends someday.

 

 

 

Christian and Ty had a lot of fun playing video games together all afternoon. ??I know – you are totally shocked to hear that – hee hee.

 

Don’t you just want to squeeze these little cuties? ??I sure wanted to. ??So I did!!!

 

Arie asked if Tori could come home with her LOL. ??The girls had a wonderful time playing and painting nails. ??At one point, I had to laugh at how they both cautiously approached me to let me know they had spilled my bottle of nail polish remover all over the bathroom floor. ?? Again – you are so shocked to hear that – Tori was involved – of course disasters would occur. ?? I could tell they had planned out their little speech together before they came out and told on themselves. ??It was quite adorable.

 

Troy wanted his picture taken too so he jumped into a shot with the girls.

 

Sometimes it’s confusing to kids when discussing genetic siblings. ??The girls were asking if they were sisters too since they shared a brother. ?? Why not? ??:) ?? I have had very open talks with our kids about genetic siblings in this past year and my kids think it’s pretty cool. ??Just more people in their life to love and to be loved by. ?? ??That’s just good for everybody.