We Are The Truth - Families Are Forever

The other night I had to explain to our 5-year-old Russian-born son that another mom made the bad choice to send her adopted son back to Russia. Noah told me "Moms can't do that to their sons." I agreed, assuring him when he returns to Russia someday it will be on a family trip with us to visit his birth country.

While I don't condone the actions of Artyem's adoptive family, my heart goes out to everyone involved, including the orphans and waiting families who are at the mercy of understandably outraged Russian officials. I know first-hand since there were unfortunate incidents that caused Russian officials to challenge adoptions by U.S. parents while we were in process. Believe me, we were questioned about it. We promised to love, care for and nurture the son entrusted to us by God and Russia. Like the majority of adoptive parents, we live that promise out every day by providing things like food, clothing, shelter, therapies, homework help, golf lessons and an abundance of hugs and kisses in the package of a forever family. My guess is that Artyem's adoptive family wanted to provide that, too, but the reality of it became too taxing for them. I wish they had turned to a social worker, attachment specialist or other qualified professional before deciding this was their only option. Let it be said that parenting, whether adoptive or natural, is not for the faint of heart.

Today the Joint Council on International Children's Services asked bloggers to post successful adoption stories as part of its "We Are The Truth" campaign. I am happy to add our family to the list. Our son Noah, whom we adopted at 13 months old, is a bright, sweet, energetic and funny boy. He is the joy of our lives and his grandparents' lives. We thank God every day for the birthmother who bore him, the orphanage who cared for him, and the judge who made us a family. I tell him often that I love being his mom, and I mean that - challenges and all.