When thinking about what to write, what kept coming back to me was grace. It is only by God's grace that Gabriel Wen Li Darling is in our life, that he is our son.
Gabe is a happy and silly boy! He loves to meet new people and is quick to give a high 5 or a hug when he does. He gives a squeal of delight when experiencing something new. He has a happy dance he will bust into every so often and waves his arms in the air.
He loves being outside whether at the pool, riding on the back of my bike, playing in the driveway or on the trampoline. He loves water whether in the kiddie pool of our neighbors, at our summer pool, or in the bathtub.
Gabe seeks approval and permission when doing something he is unsure he can do, from whether he should eat a food with his utensil or his fingers or play with a certain toy. He learns very quickly, too, when we have said no. For example, after changing his clothes at the pool one day, we proceeds to get right back into the baby pool when gathering our things to leave. I say "oh, no, no, no" and scoop him up. From now on when we are at the pool and he changes, he points to the pool and says no, no no!
Speaking of words, he is learning more daily. He can say ma ma, hi, hello, bye-bye, uh-oh and I love you. He is unable to produce many sounds but he is good with l's and m's. So, da da is "la la" and he is fascinated with butterflies which comes out as "lul-ler-ly." He can somewhat say airplane but often calls those butterflies as well! Oh, and his most clear word aside from ma ma is AMEN! This kid loves to pray! We say the blessing multiple times during meals and even though he most likely doesn't understand what I'm saying, has a reverent quietness and stillness during other times of prayer, such as bedtime, as well. He is certainly God's child!
Gabe is well loved in this house. He is doted on my his 2 sisters and brother, often vying for his attention at the same time! Even Rocket, our dog, has been found lying outside his bedroom door when he is asleep.
My heart aches with longing to have known Gabe sooner in his life. When I see him pull his own covers up at night before I can do it for him, that speaks "I have to take care of myself." When I wake up to him rocking himself back and forth in his bed, that says to me, "I had to self sooth because there was no one before to sooth me." When I see him eat so efficiently with his fork and spoon, for some reason my heart aches because to me that says to me, I had to survive.
I praise God that Gabe comes to us frequently throughout the day to be picked up for a hug, when he looks to me for a smile, when he calls for me, "ma ma" and reaches back to me when someone else has picked him up. I praise God that this little 4 year old has attached and that God's grace has kept him until we could bring him home.
So, things are going well. Yet, summer days are long and we've had our challenges. So, going back to that grace, it is grace that helps me through each day. It is grace that washes over me when I mess up as I parent my 4 children and I seek forgiveness. It is God's grace that gives me the strength each day physically and emotionally when I am so very tired. It is God's grace that has provided the support of family and friends. It is God's grace that fills my heart with joy and thankfulness for all He has provided.
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me.I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved.
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far
And grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.
