See that stick?

In eight or nine years I think we are going to have to use it to beat away suitors. Isn't our boy so handsome!?

He's also seven years old today.

I can hardly believe it was seven whole years ago that I walked the amazingly beautiful beach in Pine Knoll Shores, NC, waiting for news of his birth in nearby Morehead City. I picked up otherworldly translucent mother-of -pearl pieces, the remaining inner parts of shells, their rough outer parts beat away by the waves, and thought of his brave and beautiful birthmom - how she was being tried by her experience and how she was choosing of her own free will to hold on to what was most glowing and precious in her own self by doing what she felt was right for her son. Seven years later I am no less grateful for her choice, no less sure that she was guided by God's hand as she sought to be, no less in awe of her example of obeying the guidance she received.

That afternoon the social worker brought us a hospital card bearing the imprint of his tiny, wrinkled feet. He assured us that the baby had huge cheeks and was very, very cute. Ah, he was right. We learned when we met our little A two days later at the local chapel.



What a miracle.

Happy birthday to my big boy.