On February 6, 2014, I saw this precious boy’s face for the first time. I knew immediately that he was my son. As I literally trembled while reading about him, I simply knew.  A few short weeks later, I flew to China to work with orphans in a different province, but knowing that my son was in the same country.  As I worked side-by-side with friends, I got updates from his orphanage.  And while we waited for Pre-Approval from China to adopt him, I flew home, leaving him behind but knowing I’d be back for him.  Mounds of paperwork and agonizing months of waiting later, here he is.  The precious boy I fell in love with is now my son.  Running around and riding bikes with his siblings.  Part of our family.  Laughing and soaking in life.  Ornery, getting into trouble, and trying to smile his way out of it.  Oh, this boy.

A year later, so much has changed.  For all of us.  We’ve stretched and grown, and Dumpling has too.  We’ve fallen completely in love, and hopefully he has too.  Or at least I hope he will in time.  And I sit and watch him play outside during an unusually warm February day, feeling incredibly thankful to the One who knew my son before he was knit together in his first mama’s belly. I am humbled and grateful to be his forever mama.  What a precious honor to be the mama to all of my children. This right here is what life is all about.