We never dreamed we'd become parents again, especially since our own five children have flown the coop, living on their own.
We have five children, all in their twenties. Some have children of their own, making us instant grandparents.
Thought we were done with childrearing, but we adopted three little boys from Alaska. They are Native Alaskan children, who were in desperate need of a home/family situation. They are younger than some of our grandchildren.
We couldn't be any happier than we are right now.
Our three newest sons are brothers, ages seven, four, and two. Their names are Kiawak, Tudliq, and Kakak. They are adorable with their broad, dark-tanned faces, stick-straight, thick hair of blue-black, and uptilted eyes that seem to disappear whenever they laugh, smile, or cry.
Our sons have been with us for about six months now; life with them has been nothing but an ongoing adventure. We had to learn some basic Inuktitut in order to communicate with them; they've since learned some English, which has been easier on all of us. Inuktitut is a very hard language to learn, as we have found out.
Our five grown children have fallen in love with their new little brothers; they are their best friends. They spend as much time with them whenever they're in town. The grandchildren love their little cousins as though they've known them all their lives; their dark skin, hair, and funny-shaped eyes don't bother them in the least.
I didn't think we would ever get used to having small children around our house (other than our grandchildren, of course). It's gotten to the point where their tears, tantrums, toys scattered all over hell and creation, and endless questions are second hat to us. We enjoy each moment with our new sons, both good and bad.
We wouldn't have it any other way.
We've decided to keep their names as is to pay tribute to their Native heritage; they have American-sounding middle names. Kiawak's middle name is Johnathon, while Tudlik's middle name is Wayne. As for Kakak, his middle name is Raymond. We both decided this was best for our boys.
Maybe down the road we will tell them about their Inuk heritage (what we've learned, that is), explain to them why they were adopted (their parents were killed in an accident over a year ago; the younger two really don't remember their parents, but Kiawak misses his parents terribly; he cries sometimes), and why we took them in as our own.
I guess we were missing our grandchildren, having small children around our house, so we decided to try adoption. We haven't regretted it for a moment.
They're our boys, and we are tickled pink they are!
