Unconditional Love

So I have to say it. I Love these boys so much and they have taught me an unconditional love. I thought I new what it was to love unconditionally but to be here with them and live with them I have had the chance to experience something so different and amazing.  These boys have come from parents that are on drugs, abuse them, want nothing to do with them, or have died.  I found out the other other day about Emma's story. My heart broke and made me love him even more than I already did. The other day I found out that Emma's dad was blind and when he was little he and his dad were crossing the street and he told his dad to wait and not go, his dad didn't hear him and got hit by an 18 wheeler right in front of Emma and died.  Talk about the saddest thing I've ever heard : ( Emma is the sweetest, most loving, vivacious kid.  A lot of times he uses his humor and funny ways to hide his insecurities and the things going on inside of him, but regardless I love him just the same and think hes an amazing kid.  He has truly stolen my heart and even though these kids have been through some rough times the Lord has blessed each of them and turned their lives around for the best.  They all see Christian Counselors weekly and I think that really helps them cope with whats going on inside of them.  I truly feel I'm mom to 16 of the sweetest boys in the world.  They're not perfect but they look after me and love me like I'm one of them and they mean the world to me.  When I walk through the gate to the house they all run to greet me and help me with any bags I'm carrying.  They want to be near and around me at all times. I love that the smallest things in the world mean so much to them. I bought a pineapple yesterday to share with the boys and getting 2 pieces of a pineapple made them smile and so happy. Life can't get much more rewarding than that. To see them smile and to see them happy gives me so much joy.  On Saturday I made spaghetti in my room and about 6 of the boys all crowded around my door and wanted to help me cook. So I put on a movie on my laptop and let them help me make spaghetti and it was the sweetest thing ever. They were so happy to help and sit there on the cold floor and cook noodles over a gas grill and watch a movie over a laptop.  That humbles me so much and teaches me about the little things in life. I know I will be forever changed from this experience and it will be so hard for me to leave these boys. I took the three oldest boys in the house to the movies the other day; they had never in their life been to a movie.  They later told Abby about their day and it was so cute to see how they described it. They described going to the movies as this momentous event when I look at it as a natural occurrence at home. They didn't care what they saw they just loved being there and getting that opportunity.  I am so humbled and thankful by the fact I can be here with these boys and learn their type of love.  Unconditional Love!