I'm back....

It has been a very long time since I posted.

I was sitting her and I realized that yesterday was our original LID (log in date) for

our China adoption. We would have been waiting 7 years!! Dropping out of China, although

difficult at the time, was the BEST thing I have ever done! Do you see my angel??? Is she not the'

most perfect girl you have ever seen. Sassy and sweet, 5 going on 15, running 100 miles per hour but still has time for a hug and kiss for her mom. She is amazing and I'm happy we didn't miss out on her. She has made me aware that some of the very best things are things in which you never plan.

 

First day of Kindergarten!

Crazy hair day

School clothes shopping!

Kindergarten picture day :)

So I have not posted for way too

long but like the idea of updating. I just realized that our original LID for

our China adoption was yesterday. We would have been waiting 7 years if

we hadn't decided to change course and adopt from Ethiopia. Let me tell you.....

the very best decision we could have made!! Do you see my angel?? She is by far

all I could have ever asked for and all I could have wished for. She is more than

I could have imagined and the most vibrant, confidant, sweet little girl I have ever

met. I am proud and humbled to be her mother. She has taught me the best things that

happen are not at all what you think they will be.  

This is her in all her crazy, fun, wild ways. This

is what 5 looks like going on 15. She is all Attitude with all a capital "A". If your reading

this and was part of the original November 2006 LID for China I'd love to hear from you. Wonder

how many of you are still holding out for your baby. I hope the wait has been kind to you and you

have filled the time well.

A quick update

Ayana will be two this month. We have had a trying year with family health concerns and big changes. I could never have known the struggles that I would be bringing her home to. I had envisioned our journey continuing much differently but through it all Ayana has grown, learned, laughed and kept me smiling. I'm awe struck on how resilient these little ones can be and envious of their innocence. I'm am hoping for a better year to follow and am happy to know my children are always home to add laughter and joy when I need it most. I love you Ayana!!

Its been a year

Its been a year since Ayana has legally been ours. Time has flown by and she has grown so much in that year. I am grateful, everyday, for her. I am enamored by her beauty, proud of her character and exhausted by her endless energy. I am so lucky to have been chosen to be her mom.

It's been 6 months!

What a wonderful, crazy, busy, fun, incredible half year we've had. Ayana is a healthy, happy, walking, talking busy toddler who is constantly keeping us smiling and moving. Here are some pictures of our little girl.

Happy Birthday Ayana

I can't believe our baby girl will be one already! We celebrated her birthday a little early so that her whole family could be here to celebrate. She is an amazing baby and we are so excited that we were chosen to be her parents. We love you Ayana!!

March already

So much has happened in the last 3 months and I've had very little time to reflect on the journey itself. We could not love a baby any more than we love Ayana. She's smart, beautiful and full of energy. She just began crawling and is keeping us very busy. She loves her big brother and daddy. Christian is still excited that he has a little sister. I thought by now the newness would wear off but it hasn't. He is doing well in school and we just began his 3rd season in T Ball and have started back a piano lessons. TO some it all up ....I'm tired

2009 and lots to be thankful for

It has been a great year. Christian, my baby boy, is 5! I didn't realize how big he was until we added to our family. He's independent, smart, thoughtful and damn cute. He' s been such a big helper these last couple of weeks that we have started "allowance". How he got old enough for an allowance I will never know. Ayana is meshing great with the family. She's full of smiles and is sleeping through the night now. It's amazing how we waited so long for her to be here and now it seems she always has been here.