One Year Ago

It is hard to believe that one year ago Scott and I entered Baby House #1 in Novokuznetsk to meet our second child. One year ago today we met Sam for the very first time. The routine was the same as it had been 3 years prior on our trip to meet Sophie. We were taken into a room to meet with the doctor and the director of the baby home. They gave us information regarding Sam's health, background, and personality. They then led us to a playroom where we were to wait until they could bring us our baby. They proceeded to tell us that it was his naptime and he would probably not be in the best mood. Sure enough he was very teary and our first visit was short. But I will never forget his precious face.

On a later visit we took him outside to the playground where we could just spend time with him and take pictures. He was very cuddly and happy. He did not smile the entire time but he would smile at us and I could not believe I was going to have to leave this little 9 month old baby. I kept telling myself but it would probably be only 8 weeks or so before we would return to finalize his adoption.

So on our final visit with him I told him I would be back soon to get him. He played peek-a-boo with me as he was carried up the steps by one of the caregivers. It was a long good-bye. I don't know why but I could not stop playing with him. I did not want that moment to end. Maybe somewhere deep inside I knew it would not be 8 weeks but much longer.

As I went to bed last night I was a thinking about this anniversary. Knowing that it had been a year since I first met Sam and that his has only been home 8 weeks was a little hard to comprehend. Sometimes the reality of it all just doesn't make sense.

This morning when I went in to get Sam out of bed and he held his little arms out to me and had such a big smile on his face that it was almost a laugh nothing else mattered anymore. He is home. Whether it was last summer or this spring he is home and we are a family.

One year ago I had no idea how long Sam's adoption would take. One year ago to I didn't know how strong my faith would be and how I would learn to trust God's perfect timing.