The other day we were out visiting some of Jared's family and his little cousin Gioia was there. Gioia is a first cousin of ours, she is 5 years old, and just the sweetest little girl. Aunt Janie got pregnant with her, completely out of the blue, when she was 39 years old. Janie always wanted kids, she tried for several years with her first husband, and nothing ever happened. When she got married a second time, they tried for a while, nothing happened. I imagine at the time she conceived, she probably didn't think she'd ever get pregnant. So at almost 40 years old, Janie became a mom. Janie and Donald are wonderful parents, Gioia is very blessed to have them.
This post was going to be about Gioia, lol. I was just going to reflect on our last meeting with her a couple weeks ago. We got to grandma and papa's and Gioia was just sitting down to watch The Little Mermaid. She had never seen it before. I however was trying ever so hard to resist the urge to sing and dance to every song! I loved that movie growing up. Anyways... When we first walked in Janie was telling Gioia to say hi to me and Jared. Gioia looked at me and said "I don't remember you.". Her mother then explained who we are, but I know that we've never been around Gioia enough for her to really know us.
I love little kids, but if I was just meeting your child today you probably wouldn't think so. You see when it comes to new people, or children, or even animals, I have to warm up to them first. Everyone thinks with how much I've been around kids, or that seeing as I've been a nanny, or the fact that I want to be a mom, that I would be perfect for taking charge of the nursery! Or leading a children's class! Or maybe I'd be a great teacher! And I'm just like... ahhhhhh no! If I don't know the parents well, or the kids well, I don't know what is expected from me. I don't want to scare the child away, or get in trouble with the parents because I let them have candy or something. I just kind of lock up and panic not knowing what to do. I would be an excellent teachers assistant, and maybe after I know the group well, a good substitute. Just like an adult, a little one is a stranger to me until I get to know them. Anyways.... Back to Gioia.
Gioia warmed up to us pretty quickly that Saturday. She started by playing catch with us throwing little foam balls. Jared played with her some, while I was caught up watching the movie. Next thing I know, Gioia is climbing up in my lap to watch the movie with me. She's asking me questions about the movie, and when a scary part comes she wants me to hold her tight. Let me tell you, my heart just melted for this little girl. Jared picked her up and swung her around. She goes "Ahhh, that was kind of scary at first. Will you do it again?". What a sweet little girl! Jared swung her around several more times before we left.
When we left I was thinking all about how I want a little kid like Gioia. Or maybe like my niece KK, or even like my little brother Stuart (and he's a brat half the time). But these are all kids who have warmed up to one or both of us. I think I would probably love any little kid after they have warmed up to me. And there I am, back to dreaming of adopting a child. Being able to take home a kid who likes to wrap their arms around my neck would be a dream come true.
We were given a number to call that is for the adoption agency that works with the children's home we would like to adopt from. We have no idea what to say during that call! I was really hoping to go through the people we know that have worked at the children's home in the past, rather than to call them directly, but all my best connection with the children's home gave me was the number for the adoption agency. So... suggestions? What do we say?