Friends...

edited to decrease stress in my readers
During this seemingly never ending zig-zag journey to my son I've personally redefined myself in may ways. For example, I've discovered that I have more patience than I ever believed possible, that my emotions completely rule my digestive system and that friendship is on the front burner for me, now more than ever. In adoption, the friends travelling the journey understand the journey and are priceless...


I love Rascal Flatt's and some of his words from Stand describe the emotional valleys of adoption so clearly...


like a candle in a hurricane
alone and helpless, like you've lost your fight
like a novel with the end ripped out
the edge of a canyon with only one way down

But with the support, kindness and selflessness of a few dear friends, the E.G.'s, I can always come out of the valleys...

Cause when push comes to shove
you taste what you're made of
you might bend till you break
cause it's all you can take
on your knees you look up
decide you've had enough
you get mad
you get strong
wipe your hands
shake it off

Then you stand
Then you stand

I'm so very privileged to have these friends, both new and not so new, standing by me during this journey.
They are by my side when I'm in the deepest valleys and will certainly be there for the mountainous peaks.
They know who they are.
I hope all of our children, both present and future, have each other's backs.
I hope Benjaminh's Vietnam buddies will come to understand how lucky they are to have the mommies that they do.

Here is Benjaminh's first Vietnam buddy, on the highest mountain peak of all...
The one we call Homecoming.

And now, 6 weeks later in all of his drooly glory.
Seriously, could he be any cuter?