Eleven Months

When I started typing the title for this entry, blogger typed ahead for "eleven weeks". When E. first came home, last March, I was posting in weeks and keeping track of how many weeks we had been a family - I remember being so overwhelmed with joy and also exhaustion. So thrilled to be her mama and yet oh so overwhelmed as well. No one can really prepare you for how difficult it will be - for how inadequate you will feel - for how challenging and humbling it will be. The joyful part you can imagine....and it is that, but there is just so much that you just can't know until you know...you kmow? :)
But as the weeks roll into months it just gets better and better...I am still exhausted (will I ever not be? :), but not nearly so overwhelmed, and the joy....well it just keeps coming.
Happy 11 months E. love, Mama

I know this is an oldy - from our Christmas with Papa, but I love the look on her face. She was just so thrilled with this pink scooter from Papa!

One Year Ago Today....the judge said "Da"!

I remember the day as if it were yesterday. The most striking thing to me about that, over two hour, experience was just how much peace I felt. I remember thinking as the judge was questioning me, "you think you are in control of this decision, but you absolutely are not" I had no idea how it would turn out that day, but I knew without a doubt that whatever the judge's answer, da or nyet, he was merely delivering to me the Lord's answer. And so, I was completely at peace.
Don't get me wrong, I was ecstatic to hear him say "Da". It really was the most wonderful one syllable word to hear and I was so very thrilled.
Looking back, one year later, I have no doubt that the long journey to you, my sweet E., with all it's twists and turns, was orchestrated by the One who knit you together in your mother's womb.
Happy Adoption Day, sweet girl! I'm so grateful the judge said "da".