Two Year Referralversary

 

Two years ago we got "the call" or in our case the e-mail (seriously, what agency does this?) besides ours who at the time I didn't realize was seriously lacking in proper communication.

After a night without sleep and a morning full of tears, we finally saw our daughter's face.  

Today, I had to actually look back on the blog to make sure it had only been two years since we got that email.  It truly seems like forever that Olivia has been ours.

Olivia and I celebrated her special day with a trip to our favorite "Target" where mommy caved and bought her a bunny who drinks from a bottle.  (we applaud any form of nurturing here since that doesn't come naturally to our sweetie).  She may have also indulged in a blue slushie and popcorn before we met daddy for a noddle lunch (shhhhh.....)

I am not one to get overly emotional but, over lunch as Brad and I talked about how far out baby girl has come, the magnitude of our "yes" hit me hard.  That simple moment where we told our agency "yes" without a doubt she is our daughter changed her life and changed our life FOREVER.

What an example of how in one moment, in one decision lives can be impacted in great magnitude.

Olivia, at that moment became an adored daughter and loved sister.  At that moment her life filled with hope, future and freedom.  She now lives in a country with freedom to choose her path in life but most of all freedom to follow a  life filled with Christ.

Our lives are certainly changed for the better.  We have grown in patience, unconditional love, acceptance and most importantly faith in our God that he can do what seems impossible.  He will meet us in our deepest needs.

Adoption is beautiful.  Adoption is messy.  Adoption is tragic but, most importantly, adoption is redemption. 

We are not all called to adopt.  But we are all called to follow the paths that God is callling us down.  Each day we have the opportunity to say "yes" or to say "no" to his calling.

What will your answer be today?

"Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your path" Psalm 25:4

 

Back To School

Back to school started here two weeks ago and the final two went off today (although due to some technical difficulties much of this post is written a few weeks late).  Things are feeling very different around our house and I am missing the calmness of summer.


Mid August Kyrie started first grade.  As I mentioned here we had some growing pains related to all that came with the start of a new school year.  I am happy to report that we are on the third week and school is going great  Our sweetie comes home with a smile every day  She is however missing the baby dolls, art center and play time that went along with kindergarten.  She is not a fan of sitting at her desk or doing home work

Poor girl.  Looking back on these photos I realize how nervous she was.

Annual First Day of school silly string fight

 

A couple of weeks later it was time for the littles to start school.  It's hard to believe this is Brooks's last year of preschool.  Sweet guy has gone to a new school every year.  On the way to his first day he said, "Mom I really like the school I went to camp at (his new school).  Can I just stay there and not switch."  Yup.  A dose of mommy guilt to add to the already big emotions of the day.
I am pleased to say the decision to switch schools was the best we could have made.  He loves it as do we.

And last but not least our tiniest one started her very first year of preschool.  Boy, it's hard to imagine how far this sweet one has come.  She walked right into class, gave me a kiss and immediately started playing with friends.  The next day was a little harder but, by week three there were no tears shed at drop off.  In fact, when I go to pick her up I can hardly coax her away from all of the end of the day singing and dancing.  On days when she isn't so sure she recites, "Mommy always comes back" down the hall and into classOlivia is thriving and loves to come home and tell me all about school.  Her favorite thing is to talk about all of the antics caused by the little boys in her class.