This little moment

Today I told our two older sons, Seth and Gus, that a significant change had occurred and it was now more likely we'd be adopting the girls rather than seeing them leave our family at some point.

True to form the eldest, Seth, asked lots of detail questions. All the facts, ma'am.

Also true to form, Gus, the 12-yr-old, was quiet for a moment to let it sink in and then said, "I think I'd like that."

Given that Gus probably has the most conflict with the girls on a day-to-day basis, and also experienced the greatest loss in direct correlation to their arrival (he lost his big bedroom when we divided it in half and then began sharing the new small room with his baby brother...tough stuff to cope with when you're 12 and wanting privacy), I was really surprised to hear him say anything positive.

I asked him to explain.

"Well," he said, "after putting all this work into raising them I'd like to see how they turn out...you know, to see if they grow out of being brats."

I burst out laughing and told him it was the last thing I'd expected to hear.

But I secretly tucked away, in my proud mother pocket, his view that he is helping to raise them. What a good boy.

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