gifts.

their breaths slow down and they sink in a little deeper so i 

inhale them one more time before laying them in the crib.

it's a pretty foreign place to them and much less comfortable than my

familiar arms, but some days it is necessary.  they end up sleeping a long,

deep sleep despite and awaken joyful and snuggily rubbing eyes.

i wonder sometimes how each person in our family will view this time as they grow.

more team work, less individual and private time.  

just as if they know it is needed, one of them always gives me a glimpse into their

heart at just the perfect time.  my oldest, hard-working, heart to serve,

patient, adorer of little ones: when i came to the orphanage from the village,

i didn't think i'd ever hold a tiny baby again.

God didn't only give me the desire of my heart....

He gave two of them to our boy.