I’m finding that my days lately require me to keep my planner with me at all times, but maybe everyone already does that? I tend to leave it at home, or lose it all together. Last week was so busy that I also carried around a mini chalkboard that my sister gave me for writing daily to-dos on. That actually really helps because I can write down the most important things going on in a day on it, and it’s right in my face. Of course my kids sneakily add things to it, such as, “Buy ice cream.”
I took Larkspur, Beatrix, Seth, and some friends on a day trip to Richmond last week. It was probably the most fun I’ve had in awhile. We started at the plant sale at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden and then visited Hollywood Cemetery. Both are places mentioned in (affiliate link) Remarkable Trees of Virginia, and we had fun hunting down large trees and the graves of some of our presidents. If you are ever in Richmond, Hollywood Cemetery is absolutely beautiful, and definitely worth a stop. I want to go back right now!
We celebrated Gabriel’s fifteenth birthday last week. We lost power during the second half of the day and it was out till almost midnight, but thankfully I had made his traditional cheesecake the day before, and his requested birthday dinner was grilled hamburgers. Our birthday traditions include starting the day with a special breakfast followed by opening gifts. There weren’t many surprises, because I mainly shopped from Gabe’s wishlist. I did buy him a new Bible, maybe not top of the wishlist for a teenage boy, but definitely a surprise! One of his requested items was a new helmet (he buys, repairs, and sells dirt bikes) and I was more than glad to buy him one of those. He also received a camera to attach to his helmet, and he should have a lot of fun with that.
I wish you could have seen him opening his gifts surrounded by his adoring family. Mabel was his “helper” and opened most of the packages. I don’t talk much about adoption, but it’s the most beautiful, precious part of our family. Gabe is such a gift, and I am always marveling at the way God brought us this boy from across the ocean more than nine years ago now. Our family wouldn’t be our family without him. There is no “us” without Gabe.
One of my big fears over the years has been that he will grow up and leave us, and not want to be part of our family anymore. Those fears are unfounded, but I am good at coming up with things to be afraid of. A few weeks ago, Jonny and I were talking about the future, and out of nowhere Gabe told us that he plans to live close to us when he’s an adult. He said that it just seems like a good idea, to stay close to your family. I don’t think he meant for that statement to be a big deal but it made me cry, and put those silly fears to rest. What a miracle it is to love someone into your family and into your heart forever.
Annie Kitching says
Oh, my. For obvious reasons that touched my heart so deeply.
Whitney H says
What a beautiful phrase and idea — that you can “love someone into your family!”
I love it! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Bee says
Happy for you and for him :). You all seem to really belong to one another. Happy belated birthday to Gabe!
Rahel says
Happy Birthday to Gabe. I just started to think how many years I already follow your blog… years and years… and I see your kids grow up and new babies being born and I ask my self so many times- how do you and Jonny do that? It is still a marvel to me 🙂
All the best to you and your family!
Heidi says
Happy Birthday Gabe! I’ve so enjoyed watching you grow along with your lovely family. Mabel & he have had a special bond ever since her birth and its beautiful to see that continuing. ❤️
Marilyn says
Ginny, what a beautiful post concerning Gabe. Gabe is such a fine young man and a blessing to all. Thank You for the information on the Hollywood cemetary. I always get such a positive feeling whenever I read your blog. Wishing Gabe a year of happiness and blessings. God Bless.
HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY GABE
Marilyn
Indo says
Of course your precious son’s words bring tears to my eyes as a mom to a sweet boy whose life we’ve been grafted into through adoption. I can’t tell you how totally beyond fortunate we are to be his family. He’s seven now, but those words of Gabe’s were profound. Awesome that he’s into dirt bikes too. My husband was the same as a teenager. A great skill and interest that he’ll carry with him through life!
Love your post.
Sandra Davidson says
What a wonderful young man and how blessed you all. Are to have him join and be part of such a beautiful family. Please wish him a Happy Birthday from Canada.
Joan says
Ginny Thank You for sharing the photos from your trip. The Hollywood Cemetery is certainly a place to visit when in the area. Gabe is a wonderful young man.
Gabe wishing you happiness and blessings.
Joan
Marion says
Ginny you and Gabe were blessed when he was added to your family. Thank You for the lovely photos. You have a beautiful family.
HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY GABE
Marion
Cathy says
My best friend had an adopted brother, and he’s the one that stayed the closest to home and cherishes it the most.
You are all lucky to found each other.
Bridy says
Love is a powerful thing. I can imagine Gabe will cherish all his memories with his family and only want to create more as he grows.
Emily DeArdo says
So precious, Ginny. Thank you for sharing! 🙂
Jess says
I have an adopted son as well and those same worries….thank you for reminding me to put those fear based thoughts aside!
cynthia says
What gentle words and healing thoughts you convey so simply. We are all inspired as we read and gaze upon your beautiful photos. What a wonderful glimpse of family life! You are bringing a great blessing to the world through these posts.
Anne says
What a beautiful post. Happy Birthday to Gabe. It’s hard when a child you have loved for so long grows up and wants to start their life on their own. It’s a natural course that we take no matter how hard. It’s so nice that he wants to stay close though. I guess in your Country, moving away could be a very big move, whereas on our little Island we would never be more than a few hours away. x
gorgeous photos x
Eydie Searles says
We also have a “bonus child” who magically joined our family. And while there have been plenty of bumps along the road, Mathieu, who may look nothing like our other children, especially in pigmentation, is our son and we are grateful for the gift.
Like you, I’ve speculated over the years whether he’ll disappear out of our lives one day. However, recently as he looked forward at the last year of his college journey, he commented that he planned to look for work as close to home as possible because he wants to be near his family. My heart is full.
Susan says
Very touching. You are all very fortunate that you found each other and have bonded so strongly. God bless! Is the picture of the cat yours? Is it a Maine Coon cat? I’ve always wanted one. Maybe one day! Love your blog and your heart!
Wendy says
What a wonderful young man! You are all blessed!
karen says
A love story! I cannot believe how many years it’s been….Gah! I keep saying to my husband all the places I want to see in VA when he retires and we can go away for more frequent trips. You are making my list longer and longer. In a good kind of way!
Cindy in NC says
May all children be so loved. You are all blessed to have found each other.
Rachel Wolf says
Oh, Ginny. So beautiful. Goosbumps and chills. xox
Angela says
oh my goodness.. 15 already!!
Happy Birthday Gabe!
Maria says
Happy Birthday, Gabe! How wonderful that adoption has been such a blessing for all of you.
Jill says
Thank you for sharing that story, Ginny. Our son is adopted, and though only 4, I too at time share your fear, all the while knowing it’s unfounded and pure crazy making (especially since my little guy is still in night diapers and I’m worrying about adulthood!). Gabe sounds like such a gentle soul and such a taproot of your family, as all your children are. Light and love to you all.
Eileen says
Happy Birthday to Gabe! WOW, 15 yrs. I remember the day you posted that Gabe was home with you and your family, seems like yesterday!
I must comment on Mabel’s hair-I love it so! My GD (a month older than Mabel) had some really wild hair, stuck straight up… Put a smile on my face every single day as does Mabel’s when I see pictures of her.
Brandy says
We’re adopting a three year old and seven year old through foster care and I worry every day that maybe when they grow up they won’t want to be part of our family. We’ve had them 19 months already and they are so integrated into our lives that we can’t imagine life without them.
Kerry says
I think I’m feeling particularly vulnerable today, but your words about Gabe made me cry. Thank you for sharing.
jen says
me too
Sheryl says
Beautiful
Heather says
Fellow adoptive Momma here. I understand your heart, and know just how big a blessing those words were to you!
Laurie says
This post made me cry. Gabe is such a handsome young man with a beautiful smile.
How lucky you are to have him as part of your family.
Marisa says
What a beautiful post. What a tender heart Gabe has. I cried too.
sonrie says
I love your comment about Gabe and family. My husband and I are going through our home study now, and one of the “helpful” comments people like to share is the worry that someday an adopted child may want to leave home. Obviously it is something that just makes me worry, and is a nonissue at this point. It’s sweet that he feels so connected and would want to stay near.
Elizabeth says
that’s really beautiful! It’s such an amazing thing to see children grow into soon-to-be-adults and that they will continue their story of their lives and always have you and Johnny in this story!!! God bless you! may you know His LOVE!!!