Two Times The Chaos!: We Celebrated Silently

This past Monday our family celebrated silently. What did we celebrate you ask? We celebrated "Family Day." Exactly one year ago last Monday, our precious "Feisty Girl" joined our family.

My dearest Emma,

It is hard to believe that it has been an entire year now since we became a complete family. One year ago that I saw the most beautiful, amazing little girl. One year ago that I finally got to hold you in my arms, touch your face for the first time, experience the "person" behind the picture.

I will never forgot that moment my dear, sweet daughter. How you reluctantly came into my open arms -- scared and confused, yet seemingly at peace. I will never forget how you fell asleep in my arms as we drove away from the only home you had ever known to an outside world you had never seen. I will never forgot how happy your father and I were to have you in our lives, or the overwhelming sense of sadness that I felt as we left the Beijing orphange. How easy it was to be laughing one moment and crying the next. You have changed my life forever my sweetness.

Even with the passing of this first year, each and every moment I spend with you still feels new and magical in some way. Each new day I learn something more about you and your budding personality. I cannot begin to count the ways that you have enriched my life over the past year -- but here are some of my favorite memories:

When I come into your room each morning to wake you up and you welcome me, the moment I open the bedroom door, with a "Hi, Mommy!" (It is as if you've been up for hours just waiting for me)
How when we put you in a time out for crying/whining you say "All done cryin' mama, all done cryin'."
How you study me as I get ready in the morning
When you ask "My Pretty's Mommy?" (Meaning you want a ponytail in your hair)
When you fight with your brother and then run to give him hugs and say "I sorry TT."
I love the way you laugh when I tickle you and then try your hardest to get away from me--only to say "more tickles, please" when I stop
When we play the "who loves you Emma" game and you answer with a resounding "I do!"

My dearest, darling daughter -- you are a true blessing. I will continue to cherish each and every moment we have together and tuck away the memories we make for safe keeping in my heart and my mind.

I find it only appropriate that as I reflect on what joy you have given to our family that I make mention of the wonderful, selfless people that your birth parents must have been--how their sacrifice was able to bring such wonder and joy to a family 1/2 way around the world; how I am sure that they love you and will never forget the precious daughter that was born to them; and how I am sure that they did what they thought was in your best interest even though it broke their hearts. I wish them peace.

My beautiful little girl, you have touched so many in such a short time ~~ I Love You to Pieces, Mommy

July 2008 - China