I just realized that it has been MONTHS since I last posted anything on our process...This year has been full of ups and a few downs, but all in all, we have emerged from it as a beautiful, happy family.
Our kiddo's "Gotcha Day" was January 27, 2012. I never thought it would be a day quite so full of emotion, nor did I realize how much my life would change. Bringing her home for good was so much different than just a visit. There were school arrangements to be made, doctors appointments to schedule, workers to deal with, all on top of building and maintaining our foundation to create a safe and loving family for her to be part of. At times, it was difficult at best, but we managed to love her and each other through it all. I have learned that the things you expect to be easy will be hard, and the things you expect to be hard will be easy. The most important thing I have learned is that it's the little things that mean the most. For example, over the summer, our girl wrote us a silly little note because she couldn't sleep...it's written in marker and illustrated with bright colors...I love it so much. Every time I look at it, I smile.
This year is our little girl's senior year already. I feel like we just got her and we are now helping her prepare to spread her wings and fly out into the world of college and adult life. The day to day stuff and smaller milestones keep us distracted mostly from the reality that is High School Graduation in just a few months. As we prepare for Homecoming and college/university tours, the reality sinks in a little more. The comfort from all of it though is knowing that she is our kiddo and we are her parents. She knows we love her, want her, and will always be there for her. When we finalized on August 20, 2012, it was just a formality at that point. As I have said before, it was like she had always been here...always had been part of our lives. I can't wait to see what the next chapter holds for us as we watch her continue to grow and mature into the incredible woman that she is becoming.
Motherhood...isn't it grand! :)
