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Christmas 2009

We fell in love with his photo...



and, if you asked the kids, we "sent him money so he could buy a Mom and Dad."

We hung the ornament we received on our tree -- the ornament represented a little boy who needed a home. And so we talked about him, and thought about him a lot.



I didn't stop thinking about him.

In fact, to be honest, there were many moments when I wondered if he should be ours.

My heart really wanted him.

But our lives weren't ready.

* * *

Christmas 2010

He was still there.



More money.

Another ornament -- another reminder of a little boy without a home. Without a family.



More thoughts. More desire to bring him home. To our home.

Waiting for something to tell me it was right... that he was ours.

* * *

April 2011

We found out he wasn't ours.

We found out where he belonged.

He belonged with his family...




Jake and Ashley Gibson were his Mom and Dad,



and they began their journey to bring him home.






In November, they did just that. They brought him home.



And now, my thoughts aren't about where his home is... now I know.

He is exactly where he belongs -- I can see it in his smile... his laugh.

He is experiencing fun toys and dogs and popcorn ball-making and gifts from far-away friends and haircuts and car seats and unconditional love.



And this year, because of an incredibly thoughtful Mom, we have a 3rd ornament on our tree.



The ornament doesn't represent a little boy who needs a family... a home.

The ornament represents a little boy who has a family...

He is home.