7 years.

Gabe and Noah have been apart of our family for 7 years. It simultaneously feels like the time has flown and also that they’ve been with us forever.

I thought to celebrate Adoption Day, I’d tell you about what they’re each like, right now, in spring, 2022.

Gabe. He’ll be 11 years old in a month. He has endless questions about the world and the way things work. He wants to know the details of machines and appliances and any technology. He shines in math, Latin, and science. He’s not a bookworm in the way some of the rest of us are, but does enjoy reading nonfiction, especially encyclopedias…anything about science and animals and engineering. He’s passionate about games and puzzles and most recently, Sodoku. He’s the family speed-cuber, and can solve 9 Rubix cubes. His record is 39 seconds. Gabe is loving and kind and affectionate, never too cool to climb on my lap and cuddle. He’s been dubbed “the most patient of all the Gentinos,” and I tell him often that’s something I need to learn from him. He loves children and animals and adults–especially older adults. And is still enthusiastic about his Pokemon collection.

Noah. He’s 9 years old. Everyone already knows Noah as the “bug expert.” That’s a passion he’s had as long as we’ve known him. He’ll pick up any and every bug and creepy crawly thing, and has gotten multiple — I mean multiple — bee and fire ant stings. It’s just worth it to him to investigate the creature world he loves. He teaches us how to wonder in the minutest details of God’s creation. He’s become very savvy about identifying poisonous snakes and spiders. Which is good. But I’m not convinced he has anything to worry about. Last week, at the river, a copperhead slithered over his bare feet, apparently un-threatened in the least by him. Noah is a friend of nature! He is passionately strong-willed, zealous for justice, has lots of big feelings, and yet has the most tender heart — which not everyone gets to see. He loves fiercely. Of all our kids, he dug into his stash of Easter candy and made up candy-filled eggs for David and me and sneaked them into our room. He loves babies and animals and really all people. He also loves Lego’s, puzzles, and audiobooks.

I’ve loved the last seven years with these two precious souls. It is a gift to be their mom.

(April 24, 2015)