Thanksgiving 2008

SAMANTHA
MAYA
GABRIELA
ISABELA
SISTERS ~ MAYA, ISABELA & GABRIELA

TWO VIDEOS: ONE WITH ALL THE KIDDOS WISHING EVERYONE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING. 2ND ONE IS A CONVERSATION WITH MAYA.

How I told the girls...

I can't believe that it's been 2 months since I posted on CC's World! Life has been a whirlwind since mid-July when we brought Maggie home. I just realized that I never shared the story of how we told the 3 little ones about Maggie's arrival, so I guess I'll share it now :)

I was so nervous about telling Gabriela, Isabela & Maya about Maggie. I just didn't know how they would react, if they would understand. I've been so close to them since they were born, always with them, hanging out, doing things together...and I knew that those things would change when we brought Maggie home. I asked Ashley if she had told them about Maggie, and she said no ~ she thought I'd want to do it.

So, I came over to the house one evening, around bedtime. All of the girls were getting ready for bed and Gabriela wanted me to come and read her a story. So, I read her a book, and we just laid in the bed and chatted. Here's a little of how it went:

G: So, CC...what's new with you? (wow - loaded question!)

CC: Well, there is something I wanted to tell you about, Gabriela.

G: Ok, what?

CC: You know CC & Uncle have wanted to have a baby for a long time now?

G: Yes, I know

CC: Well, we are going to get a little girl to come and live with us and we're going to be her new mommy and daddy.

G: (squealing) a GIRL?!?!?! when?

CC: in a few days

G: how old is she?

CC: she's 1 1/2 years old

G: oh, so like Samantha's age?

CC: yep, a little smaller than Samantha

G: What's her name?

CC: Maggie Joy

G: oh, Maggie Joy. So, she's going to be my new cousin?

CC: yes, she is.

G: wow, that's awesome. Now, let's go tell the girls.

**** Before heading off to the girls' room, I just sat back and thanked God for this sweet little girl and how - just like that - accepted Maggie as our own.

CC: Maya, I want to tell you something.

M: Ok, CC...come in my bed and tell me.

CC: I wanted to tell you that CC & Uncle are going to get a new little girl to come and live with us.

M: What? A girl? (that seemed to be the theme for the night) You're going to have a little girl?!?!

CC: Yes, a little girl named Maggie.

M: Hey! Her name starts with a "M" just like mine (huge smile!)

CC: You're right it does

M: I can't wait to meet my new cousin, Maggie. I love her already, CC.

CC: I love her too.

M: Hey, CC....don't forget though...I loved you first :)

CC: I won't forget, Maya. (choking back tears)

M: Now go tell Isabela

*****

CC: Isabela, want to hear some good news?

I: Sur-a (sure)

CC: CC & Uncle are going to get a new little girl named Maggie and she's going to be our new baby.

I: You are getting a little "gurl"?

CC: yes, we are.

I: Wow! Is she going to yours For-ev-a?

CC: Yes, she's going to be our little girl forever.

I: I'm going to love my new cousin forever. Can you bring her over here now?

CC: Well, not right now. She isn't here yet...maybe in a few days.

I: Ok, well, make sure you bring her by so we can give her big kisses.

******

Could those 3 little girls be any sweeter? I mean, seriously! God knew what He was doing when He blessed me with those 3 sweethearts, in preparing me to be a momma, by being their aunt. They have taught me so much about love and acceptance in their short lives. Even now, recalling those special conversations, brings tears to my eyes.

We don't spend as much time together but the time we are together, is that much sweeter.

And I couldn't ask for better cousins for Maggie. They have loved her with an unconditional love, full acceptance and have never questioned one bit of how it came to be. There was no reason to worry about telling them...I should've known that they would respond as they did.

Moving forward, 5 months later...the screams that once greeted me at the door "CC's here! CC!" have now been replaced with "MAGGIE! Maggie's here!, and oh, hi, CC" But that's ok....I had 6+ years of greetings...I'm more than happy to pass it on to my little one, who never knew love like that, before she met the girls.

I haven't posted any pics of Maggie with her cousins, for security reasons, but since you can't see her face on this one, I thought I'd post it :) This picture was taken the first time Maggie went over to play with the girls.