A Year Ago Today

We finalized our adoption of Samuel FangZhou Mason in Chengdu 1 year ago today. It's been a wild ride.

Since we've been home Samuel has been to a Cardiologist, an ENT, Urologists, an occupational therapist. He had tube's placed in his ears, and had one surgery. And will need one more. He's also been seen by a geneticist and an orthopedist. He completed 6 months of kindergarten at the public school, and has seen 3 different speech therapists, He'll start first grade in a couple of weeks and will finally begin speech therapy at school.

But this is not what makes Samuel special, it's not his collection of physical needs but his strengths that are so amazing about our little boy. From the first day we met him he claimed us as his and never looked back. He seems to have no remorse or sense of loss. In fact since he's finally gained the ability to relate some of his memories of China he seems to really grasp that he has so much more with us.

Not to discount his time in China because he obviously had someone very loving to take care of him. He is quite affectionate and hasn't had any trouble attaching to us. His sister is his best friend and she'll have a hard time remembering he ever wasn't there. Though when they fight it can be vicious, they always make up with hugs and extending forgiveness.

The trouble attaching was more for me, the mom. It was difficult, to say the least, to accept this little boy who had a full blown personality with a few behavioral problems and couldn't speak English for months. But over time he has won my heart. We have great conversations now and he is so inquisitive it's a joy to watch him learn new things every day.

He has an amazing personality, he loves people and is so hospitable whenever someone walks in the house. He serves with a smile and loves to ask questions. He wants to know about people places and things. Imaginary play is one of his favorite things to do with his sister. He likes to play daddy. He also likes to build things. Good thing we already had a full supply of legos.

He is a typical boy almost fully americanized but with parts of his 6 year Chinese history that may always remain a mystery. For now that doesn't seem to bother him.

Not everyone understands what we've done. I think some people think we've adopted out of some contrived duty or obligation. But that's not it these children are ours, a gift from God, this is not some "project" I've taken on, some philanthropic endeavor to make the world a better place, we've adopted these children to be a part of our family they are not some anomaly to our family. They are a blessing.

It's not always easy but is anything worthwhile in life in easy? And while there are days I imagine life without them, please don't judge me for that, truly I could never live with out them

a year ago at the orphanage:














And this month with his family except for Ryan: