Amy Madison here.  Thought I'd let you know that the child I have had under my care for the past six months is now officially mine.  That's right.  I adopted him; little Trinh Michael Madison is now my son, permanently and legally.

I can't believe it.  I have had my heart set on this precious child ever since I first heard of his horrific story last year on the news.  Last year, his previous parents were booked on child abuse/child endangerment/child neglect charges after police found the boy in his home, barely alive.  He spent months in the hospital; it took a very long time for him to recover.

Unfortunately, as a result of the abuse he suffered, Trinh has some lasting effects.  He is behind most kids his age; at the age of nine, he is functioning at about the level of a five-year-old.  He is subected to night terrors, ritualistic behaviors, and has an issue with defiance and anger; he doesn't like to be told what to do or be told the word "No".  Parenting him is quite a daunting task; when he is behaving himself, he's sweet, but one never knows when he will explode or go off on you.

We had the adoption hearing last week at city court.  There was no problem in the judge's decision.  He saw that I had been taking excellent care of Trinh, so custody was awarded to me.  I am now his legal parent.  Nothing but death can ever change that; we are a team.

To celebrate his adoption day, I took Trinh out to eat; he didn't know what to make of all the balloons, cake, and fuss.  He cried, as any overwhelmed child would do; I told him that it was okay, that we were only celebrating what God had given us.  Trinh accepted that and soon threw himself into the celebration.  It was wonderful seeing him being so happy!

Well, Trinh has some therapy in an hour, so I will go now.  I have to help him get ready and then be there within a half hour to forty five minutes, so we don't be late.  I will write in here again with more about Trinh and my life as a new parent.  Until then, this is Amy Madison saying so long and God bless!

~Love, your friend in Tennessee, Amy Madison, Trinh Michael's mom.  :)