Going to the Chapel...
Today, my stepsister Wendy and her fiancé Michael are getting married! It may have taken them years to find each other, but I think everyone agrees that it was well worth the wait! They are perfectly suited to each other, and I'm sure that years of happiness lie ahead for them both.
Vika is going to be their flower girl, and Eamon will be one of the ring bearers. Wendy asked them to be a part of her wedding just a couple months ago when she really had a chance to hang out with them at my mom's birthday party. She said that after getting to know them, she realized that "they really are part of the family," and they should be a part of her wedding as well. Now, if any of you adoptive parents out there are feeling a little offended by this statement, I would like you to understand that Wendy has never really been around adopted kids and their families before, and neither has Michael. Since our kids were older when they were adopted and did not speak English, Wendy honestly did not know what to expect as far as them feeling a part of our family. I was actually quite pleased by this statement because one thing Wendy wants more than anything is a child. She is such a warm and loving Auntie to all her nephews and her niece (Vix is the only girl!), and she will be wonderful with her own kids. However, due to my own experiences with infertility, I expect everyone to have trouble getting pregnant. I think that after getting to know Vika and Eamon, if Wendy and Michael should have difficulty having a baby, they will be more open to the idea of adoption as a way to increase their family. It's as if our kids are little adoption ambassadors! I wonder if Vika understands this on some level because at the rehearsal dinner, she spent most of her time either hugging Wendy or plopped on Michael's lap. She was definitely working the charm! Most likely, she just wanted to share the spotlight with them, but it is nice to think that she may have had more altruistic motivations. : )
Here are pictures of Vika and Eamon when they were trying on their wedding clothes. Unfortunately Eamon's shoes are WAY too small, so we may have a bit of a scramble on our hands to get him some that fit. As an emergency back-up, we could have him wear Vika's black boots (and just hope no one notices the flowers engraved on the heels). I’ll post actual pictures from the wedding later.
Vika is going to be their flower girl, and Eamon will be one of the ring bearers. Wendy asked them to be a part of her wedding just a couple months ago when she really had a chance to hang out with them at my mom's birthday party. She said that after getting to know them, she realized that "they really are part of the family," and they should be a part of her wedding as well. Now, if any of you adoptive parents out there are feeling a little offended by this statement, I would like you to understand that Wendy has never really been around adopted kids and their families before, and neither has Michael. Since our kids were older when they were adopted and did not speak English, Wendy honestly did not know what to expect as far as them feeling a part of our family. I was actually quite pleased by this statement because one thing Wendy wants more than anything is a child. She is such a warm and loving Auntie to all her nephews and her niece (Vix is the only girl!), and she will be wonderful with her own kids. However, due to my own experiences with infertility, I expect everyone to have trouble getting pregnant. I think that after getting to know Vika and Eamon, if Wendy and Michael should have difficulty having a baby, they will be more open to the idea of adoption as a way to increase their family. It's as if our kids are little adoption ambassadors! I wonder if Vika understands this on some level because at the rehearsal dinner, she spent most of her time either hugging Wendy or plopped on Michael's lap. She was definitely working the charm! Most likely, she just wanted to share the spotlight with them, but it is nice to think that she may have had more altruistic motivations. : )
Here are pictures of Vika and Eamon when they were trying on their wedding clothes. Unfortunately Eamon's shoes are WAY too small, so we may have a bit of a scramble on our hands to get him some that fit. As an emergency back-up, we could have him wear Vika's black boots (and just hope no one notices the flowers engraved on the heels). I’ll post actual pictures from the wedding later.
Eamon is so working the GQ attitude! What a ladykiller!
And I'm sure Vika had a ball being a princess for a day. This is right up her alley! Or aisle, I should say. :-)
Your kids look darling! Your post made me wonder about how our family will feel about Pineapple. I know they have good intentions, but I am always surprised when I hear statements like your stepsisters. It is not offensive to me it just makes me think. For awhile I lived with my Aunt and Uncle when I was growing up and all of their kids were adopted- they had 4. It didn't occur to me at all to think or feel whether or not they were really a part of our extended family. They just were. So I am surprised when I hear things like that. I have heard stories of adopted kids not getting in grandparents wills or being excluded from gift giving, etc. I don't understand it. I am glad that your step sister was able to see that there is no difference between adopted and bio kids as far as them being part of the family. Thanks for your post.
very cute pictures. that statement did strike a cord with me. I am glad you said what you said about your sister.