Our first meeting

We set out yesterday morning for our Korean agency's office. We were scheduled to travel to Carson's foster family's home. We were all so excited and nervous!

This was taken in the parking garage while waiting to be let into the family's apartment. It was a very nice building with a playground across the street. I just pictured Carson playing there. When we entered the apartment, Carson was just standing at the door with his foster mom. He cried a little bit. We took our shoes off--thankful for the boys' new, no holes, socks--and sat on the floor. She quickly served us strawberries, kimbap, and orange juice.

Carson was very busy and into the entire tray. He was so cute giving us strawberries and his foster mom was so very welcoming and friendly.

He continued to warm up to us and started playing. He has such a little personality. I think he might be a bit of a wild boy like Ben! :)

I could contain myself no longer and had to kiss him.

I was so happy that he didn't even flinch. He looked up at me and grabbed onto my necklace. I whispered in his ear, "You are my son." I have longed to claim him. Those are words that he has never heard before. He is 15 months old and has never been called son. And in that moment--just like with Lindsey--I understood so much more of my own adoption in the Lord. I simply longed to call him son. I wanted him to know he has a family. He is wanted, loved, cherished and worth every hard moment of waiting. He will never be alone.

This momma will always proudly claim him as her own!

(Note the curls on my baby boy!! :)

This lion was a stuffed animal that we took turns sleeping with before sending in his care package. He picked it up like a baby and patted its bottom. His foster mom said it was his favorite snuggle toy--isn't that awesome?

The boys loved how he would just plop down right on them. I was so proud of how Ethan and Ben interacted with him. There are many miraculous moments in adoption and watching my two oldest with my youngest was one of those. The Lord completely prepared their hearts.

After about an hour, they walked us back down to meet our driver. We snapped one quick family picture.

The look on Tim's face says it all.