Mason has been sick lately, for the first time really since we brought him home. He's had a nasty cough, high fever, vomitting, you name it. We've had lots of time to cuddle, and it has brought up a lot of feelings for me.

I get so emotional about Mason. Not in a bad way, but in an overwhelmingly thankful way. I keep on thinking about all of the things that had to happen for us to be connected with Mason. We were trying so hard to make something else happen. We had looked at Mason's file before, and nothing "struck" us about him. Also, there were so many people "warning" us about how difficult it would be, how much work, how things would change, that we should think about our other children. There weren't a whole lot of folks saying, "wow that would be great." I'm not upset about this, I just think about all of the chances we had to say no, to move on and just wait for a referral from MAPS. I am so thankful that we listened to God instead. That we knew he was our son. I spoke to a friend who has also adopted waiting children and she told me that the hard part was saying yes, and then everything is easy because he's your son. She was absolutely right. We were immediately at peace with our decision once we said yes. I cannot imagine him not having a family. I cannot imagine our family not having HIM!

While he was sick I also thought about the two and a half years he spent away from us. I have said before that I know he was well taken care of, that we are so impressed with ISRC and the Ayahs that care for these children. But I also know that there are a lot of children needing care. I couldn't stop thinking about whether or not he was held when he didn't feel good. Who rocked him? Who rubbed his back and kissed his forehead?

This was not a serious illness, just a typical virus that kids get this time of year, but it took a lot out of Mason, and we've definitely noticed some regression. I think he'll bounce back from it quickly, but it remided us that he hasn't been home very long (although we can't remember what it was like without him), and he's still very sensitive.

On a lighter note, we are glad that spring is on its way. We can't wait to get outside more, to start the gatherings at camp. My parents will have 8 granchildren by this summer, and I cannot wait to see them all together at the lake. It won't be long now. I'll post some new pics soon.