Maddox Then and Now

One year ago last week, we went to St Petersburg, Russia to meet a little 14-month old boy.  From that first meeting, we knew this was the son that God had planned for us.  And, one year later, the evidence is just to overwhelming to deny.  Looking back, the last year has been a whirlwind of changes in our lives yet God has faithfully guided us through it all...even when we doubted.

He was a scared, sad, little guy that we couldn't get to smile over the course of the 6 hours we spent with him over 2 days' time and would spend 45 minutes savoring every last crumb of a cookie.  I can remember thinking to myself...how am I ever going to get through to this little boy.  Yet, I knew in my heart he was meant to be a part of our family just as much as Emma, Geneva or Jackson.
Of course, all kids grow and change, but we believe that little boy that we met 12 months ago is a distant memory in so many ways...he is still inquisitive and observant, but it isn't centered around self-preservation. 
Some of other qualities that served him well in the orphanage are still there...determined, strong-willed...a survivor...however, those (when shaped and molded) will serve him well in life.  He has learned to be a part of a family, to share, to show affection and caring
We know over the course of the next 2 months we will be thinking a lot about our trips to Russia one year ago.  Day to day, it is hard to see the changes but looking back it really is amazing how far he's come.

THEN                           

NOW