Last year before teenagerhood!

Today is Joseph's 12th birthday. I remember seeing him being born. He was so beautiful, black hair, dark skin, dark eyes...it was definitely LOVE! I tease that it was my easiest delivery of them all, I didn't feel a thing; that's because Joseph is adopted.

Joseph was my first adoption. I was blessed to be chosen by his birth mother to be his Mommy. His birth mother was a wonderful young woman, she was engaged and going to college and did not feel able to parent at that time. She had not "planned" on getting pregnant and had even considered abortion. Through an intermediary I begged her not to have the abortion and told her that I would adopt her baby, no matter what the special need might be or what race he would be. We went through all the legal channels that needed to be taken, so when the time came, I was at the hospital to see him being born!

I had already given birth to my own two children and had worked in the hospital mother/baby unit for several years, so this wasn't a new experience for me, not technically any way. But it was new in that it was my child being born, but I was not in any pain, so could really pay attention to his birth without distraction. I was the birth mother's coach and helped her progress through the labor and delivery. I stayed in the room with her and Joseph and cared for them both. The next morning I watched him get circumcised (I'd done that many times before also) and we went home after 24 hours.

People have asked me if I love my adopted children as much as my biological children. Without doubt or hesitation, I can say: YES! Each child is a different personality, but each is a special gift to me, from God, that I cherish and love without reservation.

I have had many joys with Joseph through the years. It blesses me to see him grow into a Godly young man. It is my privilege and honor to be able to homeschool him and spend every day with him. I am thankful to God for allowing Joseph to be my son. He is a wonderful son, little brother AND big brother to his siblings. He loves his family so dearly.

Happy Birthday son, we all love you!