Finalized

We are a family of 14.

Hard morning.  All the way there Abram was telling me, "you're taking me back."  Each time I would say, "I'm so sorry, no."  But he in no way believed me.  When we got to the Civil Affairs office, when we started finalizing the paperwork, he was so hopeful.  Watching the door, every moment for her to arrive.  After one hour, the Orphanage director came in, she had been stuck in a traffic jam.   It was clear that his hopes were fading, but when she came in, he looked around for his foster mom anxiously.  When she didn't appear, he slumped in my arms.

As we left that place, the last place he saw her, he sobbed.  We sobbed.  The reality was profound of his broken heart.

He cried heartily for an hour, until the car pulled up to a place to shop.  We got out, went to lunch, and his disposition entirely changed.  He was playful again.  He was chatty.  He was ready to ignore the anguish for awhile.

We've had a most fabulous afternoon and evening.  He was even playful with Daddy before Daddy left to catch the flight back home.   He's thoroughly charmed his older sister and me.  Everyone we encounter thinks that he is a foreign boy.  Such a change after having six children who are by their hair color and eyes, so clearly Chinese.

We're going up to bed, but I'll post more photos in the morning.  I am so hopeful that he'll be able to have a good night's sleep.  We're also going to try a bath, since everything seems to be going so well.

Thank you for all your prayer for us.  We are ever so grateful for our fabulous agency (Children's House) too, THEY have pressed hard, and believed in us and this precious boy...it is thanks to them that my heart is as full of joy as it is tonight.

Adoption.  It is a miracle, every time.