Tomorrow is Nathaniel's second birthday. I have looked forward to the milestone since our adoption interview. Everyone at the meeting was hopeful that Nathaniel's trachea abnormality would be surgically corrected by his second birthday. Nathaniel's trachea abnormality dominated the conversation that day. As last year unfolded it became evident that trachea surgery is still a long way off. The hope of "by the second birthday" is now hidden away in our prayers for an unknown day.

It was also mentioned at that meeting that Nathaniel would likely not walk until preschool age. But he runs. He climbs. He circles my living room and kitchen on his Radio Flyer scooter.

When the adoption worker asked Rich what he would do if his seventh son never learned to walk or never hiked alongside him at Philmont High Adventure Scout Camp, Rich answered, "I will figure out a way to carry him up a mountain. We will climb mountains together."

We have climbed a few mountains. The trail has been incredibly hard. One of the ruggedest we have ever attempted. But the view from above is amazing. It is simply love. The trachea abnormalities and other medical conditions are hardly noticeable at all.

Happy 2nd Birthday Nathaniel!

Photos by Caylee Dodson Photography.