Surgery two-DONE!

Can you imagine bringing this little face in AGAIN--knowing what was in store for him?

I think he had an inkling--but was trying to distract himself with the cars in the waiting room...

He went about his business--drooling on his hospital gown and looking all cute....

And he went through the surgery like a champ--and relaxed the next day in his hospital crib watching Nemo and demanding juice!

I got to sleep by his side for three days--and stare at his precious face--and wonder how on earth I was so lucky? Well--I don't believe in luck--but how did our family get the HONOR of being this beautiful boy's parents?

I got to stare at his almond eyes, and pouty, precious lips--much the way that I stared at my biological kids as newborns in the hospital--wondering how on earth--any child could be so perfect?

This journey has been hard-for Sam-and for us as parents. But I cry with joy today that we have gotten over the hump. That his surgeries went wonderfully--and he will have a perfect little foot! (and by perfect--I mean functional--although to me-every bit of him was perfect from the minute we met him)

God has blessed us. We have an amazingly strong and perfect angel in our presence. He was burned, abandoned, and lived in squalor for 17 1/2 months.

God placed him into our hearts and our family for a reason. I was not sure why. I thought that we were meant to help another child. I thought that we were hearing the "call" of the Lord to not abandon or forsake any of His children. I thought that we could "save" another from a life in an orphanage......

What I did not count on, was that God had a trick up His sleeve. See, while we were busy in the adoption logistics, and travel, and then Dr. appointments, and hospital stays.....

we realized that we had not "saved" Sam at all. For darling Samuel Darrin--came into our lives, and our family, and saved ALL of us.

He has given us JOY. He has given us the gift of his strength. He has given us his unfaltering love and affection. He has given us the gift of his selflessness. He has given us the example of perseverance against all odds. He has given and given and given....

and we have received. Sam's gift to us is SO much greater than anything we could give him. He is the epitome of a "gift". We could not imagine anything greater. We cannot wait to "unwrap" his little self and watch what he will do.

We are so very blessed--and so very grateful.


Blessings to all of you---

and a belated Happy Chinese New Year and Happy Valentine's Day!

Amy

xoxoxoo