I am NOT the nanny!

We're slowly getting back into the groove of our school year routine. School starts next week for Graham, but today was our first day back to Toddler Story Time at the library. Graham was happy to see that Abby is in his class and the two of them spent the session running around the back of the room in their own little world.

Before story time started I was waiting in line for a new library card as mine has mysteriously disappeared. Last time I saw it, I allowed Graham to "take care of it" for me in an effort to quiet him down in the car. The woman behind us in line was intently watching Graham, smiling at the two of us, and the following conversation ensued-

Random Lady-He's (motioning to Graham) just adorable!
Me: Thanks!
Random Lady: What do his parents look like?
Me: Well, you're looking at his mother (said with a smile of course!)
Random Lady: Oh, I thought you were the nanny!
Me: Nope, I'm his Mom.
Random Lady: (after a few moments of silence she whispers the following) Is he an adopted child?
Me: (whispered back with a smile on my face) Yes, my son was adopted but we don't need to whisper because it isn't a secret.
Random Lady: (said with extreme sarcasm) Hmmmm, interesting thing to do. (she then walks away VERY quickly)

Ok, message to the world-Those that know me, know that I LOVE to talk about adoption. I am a huge advocate and feel so blessed to know that an unfathomable number of variables had to line up in the universe for our son to make his way to us. BUT, that doesn't mean that I'm open to entertaining ignorant comments from random or even not so random people. I am proud that we were able to navigate the ropes of adoption successfully a first time and are in the midst of doing it again. I do wonder though, why people feel it's appropriate to negatively comment on the make-up of my family. I have a hard time believing that if a "mini Melissa" was following me at the library today that anyone would have felt the need to comment. On the other hand, I've also had some really great conversations with total strangers out in public. I think the best way I've been asked about Graham was by a Target employee. She was watching Graham play with a ball and said the following "Did your beautiful boy make a special journey home to join his family?" In my opinion, that was a great and respectful way to open things up for a conversation. As it turns out, her son and daughter-in-law were waiting to be united with their son from Korea and seeing Graham made her very excited. I think it's now my personal mission to educate people about positive adoption language.

Trying to choose which cd to borrow...

Waving good-bye to Abby