When I Grow Up.....

What do want to be when you grow up and why? That was the question of the day in Mrs. Worth's fourth grade class. I opened my desk and got out my bright orange paper to begin the assignment. I already knew the answer to that question!

Rrring. Rrring. I was irritated for sure. I pulled my hands out of the dishwasher twice already to answer the phone. Both times it was a telemarketer trying to sell me a five year subscription to TV Guide.

As I walked to the phone with dripping, sudsy hands I thought I would let this salesman have it! I grabbed up the phone and in my grumpiest of voices said, "Hello."

As quick as I said it I decided I had to change my tone. Somehow I knew my world was about to change forever!

I switched back to my happy self, cleared my throat and sweetly said, "Hello! This is Amy."

"Hi Amy! How are you today?" she asked.

I did not recognize her voice, nor did I think it was another sales call. But who was she?

She said, "I am not supposed to be doing this, but I couldn't wait to tell you and I have been unable to contact your caseworker." My heart is beating with excitement! She continued, "I've just come from a meeting and it was a unanimous decision. We have two little girls that need a home and we feel you and your husband are the right couple!"

My childhood dream of becoming a mother was now a reality! My husband and I had just completed our adoption classes that week. I never imagined we would have a family so soon.

"How old are they and what are their names?" I asked as I jumped for joy around the living room. "What do they look like? Please tell me everything!"

When I heard their names. I was instantly in love. I had an overwhelming peace that the girls were my daughters.

The placement was going to happen quickly. We visited every few days for two weeks. We wanted the girls to get to know us as much as possible before moving in. They were only five and three and half years old. This was going to be a big change for all of us!

During the first week of visitation our caseworker called with what might seem to be an impossible choice to make. She told my husband and I that she had two young unwed mothers that were putting their children up for adoption. She informed us that we could adopt one of these babies instead.

My husband and I had already prayed for God's wisdom. We knew we were following God's plan with the girls. It was not a difficult choice for us. We told her no.

Within 2 1/2 weeks our daughters moved in. The transition couldn't have gone any better. We were an instant family. I was a proud mother that couldn't stop smiling!

They called my husband daddy right away. My 3 1/2 year old called me mommy, but not our oldest. She called me Amy. I thought it might take awhile with her to trust me enough to call me mom. She already had a biological mother and a foster mom too. They had one unsuccessful placement. I prayed that the girls would understand that this was their final home. No matter what problems might arise we were willing to work through them. These kids are home now and they aren't going anywhere.

We settled in to a normal routine and began our new life together. My husband and I never realized we could be this happy. I still longed to hear her call me mommy, but I would be patient. I wanted it to be her decision and not something she was forced to do. I got used to being called Amy.

I overheard the girls talking in their bedroom one day. Our oldest said to her little sister, "Do you want to help me make mom a Mother's Day card?". Tears flowed instantly. I ran into the bathroom and quietly shut the door.

She had never referred to me as mom before in any conversation! I sat on the toilet and cried tears of joy. She had accepted me as mom in her heart and that was good enough for me!

This article is my submission to the blog challenge sponsored by Darlene Schacht , Author of The Mom Complex.