real parents

"Adopting a newborn is better than adopting a toddler.  If you want to be a real parent, you should raise the child from his infancy.  It's the late night feedings, diaper changes that make you a real parent and will cause you to look back in your old age and smile," says one author on a parenting website.

Seriously?!?!  Someone, please, tell me he's joking!!

What makes us REAL parents to Samuel has nothing to do with those early morning feedings and diaper changes.  We are real parents because God put this sweet baby in our family * we are real parents because of the love that we have for him, which is so strong it's at times overwhelming * we are real parents because of our commitment to protect him, provide for him, and care for him no matter what. *

What will cause us to look back and smile in our old age will be more than late night feedings and diaper changes.  We will smile when we think of the beautiful story of his journey home * we will smile when we think of the memories we made as a family * we will smile when we think of the moment that he gives his life to Christ * we will smile when we thank God for allowing us the joy of parenting one of his sweet babies. *