1 year!

A little bit of our first year with William... many of these have never been posted on my blog.

We first met William Michael exactly 1 year ago in a meeting room in the Lakeside Hotel in Fuzhou City, Fujian province. To be perfectly honest I don't think anything I had read or learned prior about adopting a toddler could have possibly prepared me for the last year. It's been quite a roller coaster and sometimes a difficult road. I've sometimes wondered...why us? Why were we chosen to be his parents? I don't ask myself that now, for I believe we were always supposed to be his Mommy and Daddy. We have always kept in mind the events that have made William who he is...his short life has been traumatic at times: abandonment, surgeries and different sets of parents. Our son's strong 'will' is a part of his personality and has helped him to survive the changes and will someday help to make him a determined young man. William has grown to trust and love us and we love him dearly. I can say assuredly that he's now an integral part of our family. His beautiful smile, engaging and sweet personality and infectious laugh light up a room instantly. He gives enormous hugs that come from his heart. The secret to our marriage (ours will hit 20 years soon) has been a dogged determination to never give up, to make it work even when it's hard, love unconditionally, to compromise and sacrifice as needed, and have a deep faith in God. We use these same principles with all 3 of our children. We don't really know what the future holds for us....whether we'll be called to adopt again or not. What I do know is that we're forever changed by our children, and the events and country that brought them to us...we hope to continue to give back by being mentors to adoptive parents or assisting in some financial way to those who would like to adopt. My very favorite quote is Gandhi's, " You must be the change you wish to see in the world." There are millions of orphans in our world that need families and each of us can make a difference, one child at a time. We feel very blessed to be a part of our children's lives and for that we are forever grateful!

2 years ago I started this blog as a way to help with the long wait to adopt our second child from China. I could have never imagined the impact it has made on me as support and making friends, quite a few of them lifelong ones. I've recently considered shutting down my blog now that our little son has been home a year, but just don't have that in my heart to do. I'm not going anywhere, for you have given me so much....there are so many waiting for their children and I'll be right alongside watching and supporting you when your children arrive.

With much love and heartfelt thanks for all your support, prayers and good wishes this past year,

Gail