Home One Year

Today is Mia's "Gotcha Day". It is the one year anniversary of the day that we met her in China.  In some ways it seems like a lifetime ago and in other ways it seems like we just walked out of the civil affairs office yesterday.  I must admit I do not recall the events of the day very often.  It was the most emotionally gut wrenching experience I've ever been a part of.  How can so much pain and so much hope co-exist in the same moment, in the same room, in the same heart?
A year ago tonight Mia was broken.  Heartbroken, terrified, confused and angry.
Tonight as I watched her daddy wisk her off the side walk and carry her over his shoulder through the restuarant parking lot it was hard to imagine this was the same little girl we met that night.  Tonight her laughter filled the air as her daddy ran with her through the parking lot.  Quite different than the sounds that filled our small hotel room on the other side of the world a year ago.  It has been the hardest year of my life.  Mia's transition has gone as well as I could have ever hoped, but still it was difficult emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually.  I'm glad the year is behind us.  The intensity of the sadness we witnessed and experienced, has made the joy even more beautiful.  I'd do it all again for this daughter of mine.

 

"Weeping may stay for the night, but joy comes in the morning."  Psalms 30: 6

January 31, 2010

Xi'an, China

One of the few smiles we saw the first day.

 January 31, 2011 - Home Sweet Home and loving it !

 Happy One Year Home Mia !!!! 

** I've been trying to catch up on the blog tonight......  Check out 2 other "new posts" below.......