The end of a Chapter and beginning of another

I'm not even sure how to begin this post.  This week has been a whirlwind of emotions.   John's parents came in from Korea for John's graduation.  We shared many dinners with them and then they spend the next day cleaning and packing his room.  I can't really describe the mix of emotions I felt upon entering his room after they finished packing.  It was so empty.  The room has been the hub of a teenage boy for the past 3 years.  We are excited to prepare the room to welcome our new little man but to walk into the room emptied of all of John's things was hard.

What an unexpected 3 years we just experienced.  It seems like it was only yesterday the idea of hosting the boys was presented.  We rushed to paint the room, buy some bunk beds,  and within two weeks had two teenage boys living with us and here it is already over.

I think this summer will be like none other.  I just said goodbye to a boy I never expected but mothered for three years and will hopefully meet a little boy I have longed to mother for over three years.

Sometimes I pause and am in awe of how God connected us all.  He had this amazing plan.  He brought two boys into our home who we though we would just host for one year and we have turned into family.  We have learned more about our little mans birth country and culture and been given a gift to understand it far better than we could have ever learned from books.  We have become like family and made life long connections, and the finances for our adoption have been provided for in a way we never expected.

Today we saw John graduate.  He has accomplished so much and should be so proud of himself.  He has graduated with honors, conquered the culture and another language, and been able to blend both culture and connect both his families.  It hurts my heart a little to know this phase is over.  Our kids were so small when they came and we have made some amazing memories.

I left a hotel parking lot tonight after saying goodbye with my little girl sobbing saying she feels like she just lost her best friends.....what she really lost was a very good big brother.