He LOVES me!!!!

One thing we quickly became aware of when Cana first came home was how long true bonding and attachment takes when adopting a new child whether they are an infant or older child. It's not something that happens right away...it's one of those things that you take day by day and it can take years for a deep, true bond and attachment.

One of the greatest joys is to see little sparks of attachment in your child. It may be something they say or something they do but there is nothing more beautiful when you can see the fruit of attachment and bonding.

I noticed our first bonding moment with Solomon about 45 minutes after we met him. We were back in our hotel room getting to know each other and playing the sticker game. You know, the one where you stick stickers on your face and your child's face to promote eye contact.  He looked soooo deeply into my eyes and I knew he knew we were his!  The next moment was when he was playing catch with his daddy that same day...he wanted to play for hours and hours...he'd lock eye with Paul every time he threw the ball or caught the ball...it was so amazing.

We have since been blessed with little 'sparks' of his healthy bonding & attachment but something very special happened today...

TODAY...8 months after Solomon became ours, he told me, "I lub you for making me noodles mama."  Has he told me that he's loved me before?  Sure after I have said it to him first but NEVER has he told me all on his own. He then wanted to hold my hand as we shared our cup-o-noodles together.  Now, I didn't make a big deal of it in front of him because it truly caught me off guard but I was dancing on the inside when I realized it was his first time telling me he loved me.  I got up to get something and he was right behind me hugging my leg.  He then wanted my attention (which he usually tries to get by saying 'mom' over and over) but instead he kissed my arm and said, 'mom'. It's hilarious...he's almost googly eyed at me...he keeps walking in the office and giving me huge smiles and staring at me.  It's a smile and stare I've never seen before...FINALLY...finally my boy is in-love with me!  Finally my sweet boy knows what it truly means to be in-love with his mama and to have a mama that loves him back! Oh, precious one, you finally know this is your home...you finally know that you are forever ours and we are forever yours!  Oh Lord, thank you for the gift of our son! How undeserving we are!

CREATED FOR A PLACE I'VE NEVER KNOWN...

THIS IS HOME...

NOW I'M FINALLY WHERE I BELONG...