Year 2

In mid-March, we hit year 2 with our gal. Two years since we all had met in that hot hotel room in China. Two years since we signed on the dotted line and were officially a family, 2 years since all of our worlds have changed forever.

We decided well into her adoption, that we would celebrate the day. We felt that it was indeed a day that was worth celebrating. It was a day 30 months in the making (and beyond) it was a day that her world was rocked and changed, and ours as well. We made the decision to call it Family Day, because for us that is what it was about, being a family. It was important that the day would be spent with intentional time of connection. I think growing up in a family where connections do not run deep or non existent at all in some relationships, I find it even more important to work hard at this little family of mine be connected.

Last year we had a day at the aquarium. This year we were graciously offered a condo on the beach in Miami. And with the ability to fly, this made it a worth wild trip. So for 48 hours we played, ate some yummy food, looked at pictures of our family story and had intentional time of loving each other. It was what we needed, and I am grateful despite the protest of some we did it.

In two years our girl has grown tremendously.

Almost 11 full inches

And roughly 14 or so lbs.

Complete sentences and being spoken of 5 words or more.

She is able to voice that we are a family.

I Love You’s flow not out of fear but love.

Completely in love with school, and actually is sad when there is a break

Learned her alphabet and able to recognize all of the letters

Learning how to write her name

Learned how to spell her name, and currently working on the middle name.

Learned how to say her whole name

She has grown in her dependence and understanding of her creator

Has a heart of compassion that is growing leaps and bounds

Has an incredibly playful side and likes to mess with people

Eats pretty much anything that we put in front of her

Loves music and playing in the water

Loves to help

Currently praying for her sibling to come homeJ

Lots and lots of growth in two years. We are thankful for the people who have been willing to walk this out with us. It has not been all hunky dory. There are still moments of deep sadness we can see from her, moments of high anxiety and moments of waiting for the ball to drop and her life to change again. But we know that we are on the right path. We are working more and more with her on her story, more and more with just how special God has created her.

I am forever thankful that I get to be her mama, grateful that I get to walk this journey with her, and most grateful that this journey has included healing the things in my past that have made me broken.

Being her Mama has taught me the battle is worth it, the pain is worth it, honesty is worth it, walking it out is worth it, and loving is worth it.

Jennifer