Discussions about adding siblings come up often in families, and adoptive families have even more to think about than deciding whether or not to make a new one.

All the potentials examined with one adoption are looked at from top to bottom and inside out with any subsequent plans to begin the process again, so the domestic vs international, boy vs girl vs leaving sex to fate, birth country: same vs different, infant vs older child, now vs later tango must be danced again.

For many, the cost of adopting makes the possibility of additional children a financial stretch. Others worry about available resources of time, energy, space and such.

The idea of adopting a second child didn't come to Mark and me for a while. Throughout the process of Sam's adoption, it was always assumed that he would be the one and only. It wasn't until a set of circumstances arose that forced the issue of another child to the top of the conversation agenda that we both took a good look at what we wanted our family to look like.

It didn't take long to realize that we wanted it to look like four.

With that decision made, we played the mental chess and did all the research, then decided we would adopt again, and that our second child would also be Cambodian.

Now, of course, we can't imagine life without Cj, and we are aware of the gap in our clan that only she could fill, and fill perfectly.

Having a daughter has given Mark and new role in life, as being her father is not the same as being Sam's father. This little girl adds a sweet joy to my days, too, and she warms many of the places in my heart my older daughter created when she was a child.

The greatest gift, however, is the brother/sister bond that Sam and Cj share. They are each others' biggest fan and best friends.

When Cj knows she's been naughty, she runs to Sam for comfort ... arms up, she wants a big hug, and he gives it. When Sam wants quiet company, he'll put her next to him and 'read' book after book to her. Neither will leave the house or go to bed without a big kiss and hug for the other.

There are few things in this world that can warm our hearts like the sight of Sam and Cj being brother and sister and loving every minute of it.