NOAH

This is our Noah.

We prayed for him before he was even born - not even knowing he was to be ours. And now our lives would have a huge empty spot without him.

He IS our grandson.

We knew that Josh and Jodi wanted to add to their family by adoption and it did not come as a surprise to us that they would go to Africa to find the child that God would have for them. As a family we began to pray for this, still unknown to us, child. It was a year and a half journey and in the mean time another boy was added to the family. Josh and Jodi didn't waiver. They wanted this child that they had been praying about and with three boys already they were still leaving it up to the Lord to choose for them.
And then the picture arrived. Sweet little Noah. Another boy. We really couldn't have cared less. We were taken by him already. We would wait for a new picture each month to see this still unknown, but very much loved, child. And then at last the day we never thought would arrive came. Josh, Jodi and little Ollie boarded the plane for Africa. Jake and Max, the brave big brothers, came to stay at our house for the two weeks. We talked often about the two babies. Wondering what Noah would be like and praying big brother prayers.

And then he was here.

I believe he captured our hearts immediately. However, I don't think we did the same to his! He was reserved and observant. He was in his own little world for awhile. Max got him to laugh first. We all cheered. He expressed emotion so seldom. At six months of age, what had this little baby already gone through? We will never know. But we do know, even as a baby, he went though a time of mourning once he was here. There was a longer period than what we expected for him to feel as though this was his family rather than just another orphanage with care givers. But he has - made it his family I mean. And he is ours.

We really don't even think about the color of his skin other than the fact that

he is so beautiful!