50 Shades of Family

Vacation

We got the call. Earlier last week we received a call and email that told us we were matched with a child. He just turned five years old, his birthday is July 25, he comes from a very troubled family, never had any siblings, and he loves planes.

The only bad thing that they listed was that there are no family medical records, so they have no idea if there is a disease that runs in the family. We don't mind though, knowing Christian he will somehow find the boys family. They didn't send a picture of the boy because they don't have a current photo of him.

Oh, and his name is Kenneth.

We explained the phone call and email to the other kids, and they were quite ecstatic. In fact, Teddy was more than happy to help set up a room for him. It was the first family project in a long time. We decided to paint it a light blue and make the ceiling look like clouds. Christian also got some model planes to hang from the ceiling, and even a much bigger one to rest in the corner. I think it's perfect for a 5 year old boy. I only hope he likes it too.

Teddy has been pestering us about when we were going to meet him and bring him to his new home, and every time we respond with "I'm not sure".

We do know.

We're going today.

"Where are you and Dad going?" Phoebe asks as I hand my bags to Taylor so he can load them in the car.

"We are going on a short vacation." I answer. Not only do we want to surprise them with a new sibling but with the push of a button they can fly out to us themselves. "We should be back in two days."

"Well, what do we need to do here?" She whines. I roll my eyes and cross my arms.

"Invite Alexander over, or Navy and Ava. Sophie should be here at times too. All I'm asking is that the house stays clean, in order, and Teddy doesn't have a bed buddy every night." I explain but decide to clarify a part first. "Alexander better not be staying the night here either. I'll have Gail play chaperon."

"I know, Mom. Okay, What about Juliet? Is she staying with us or Grandma and Gramps?" I was still trying to decide on that.

"Your grandparents. You'll have your hands full with Teddy. You don't need a baby too."

"I agree." Christian comes up behind me and wraps his arms around my waist. "You don't need a baby for another thirty years." I smile at his tone of voice as well as the look on Phoebe's face.

"Why do you act like she is the oldest of us?" Teddy asks rounding the corner. We all eye him with a 'duh' look.

"She is the most responsible of the two of you." Christian states and I just nod in agreement. Ted throws his arms up and starts listing of the reasons why he is the more mature and responsible one, and it's only about three reasons.

"Okay, we're going now." I say and take Juliet in my arms who has been rolling around at my feet the whole time. Christian leads the way to the convertible that he will be driving to take us to the airport. I strap Julie into the car seat in the back and then climb into the front. Teddy and Phoebe trickle out behind us and watch Christian strap in, starting the engine.

"So," Christian slings his arm across the back of the seat as we both turn back to look at our kids. "We can't know where your going." I cover my smile with my arm and look at Christian allowing him to answer this time.

He smirks, "Nope."

After dropping Juliet off at Christian's parents and telling them our real plans they wished us the best of luck and sent us on our way to the airport. We parked the car and quickly got through security before we were free to order a beverage.