all together

My parents, my sister & her family, and

my brother & his wife all live just a couple of hours away.

We are all close and we cherish the time we do get to spend together.

They have all been a huge support system as we've traveled this journey

to bring Clayton home.

I never realized just how blessed we were until while in Africa,

I heard stories of fighting, judgement and even estrangement

within families because of the calling to adopt there.

My family has never missed a beat.

Clayton is loved in this family like something I've never seen before.

Well, actually, I have.

I've seen it with each of the other grandchildren,

nieces or nephews

that our family has been blessed with.

They all are loved.

fully.

deeply.

When the extended family got together this Fall to

do our annual name exchange for Christmas,

we still had no word on when we would be traveling

back to Africa to bring Clayton home.

I remember someone saying to put Clayton's name in the draw.

Then, my dad said, "WELL, let's just wait. If he's here,

we'll ALL buy him a gift."

Because none of us would care that we got one gift

and Clay got seven.

But, even more than that, Dad was trying to

protect my heart.

{Because that's what Dads try to do, right?}

What if all these gifts were sitting here and we still hadn't gotten the call?

But, we did.

He is here.

Clayton is home for Christmas.

Oh my goodness is he loved!

[by ALL of us.]

fully.

deeply.

decorating the tree.

and Clay makes nine.

i finally have the twins i have always longed for.

could hats be cuter? clay & my brother.

clayton & my best friend. my sister.

my dad, mom and their nine little loves.

we are blessed.