Dear L-
Today is Easter and I feel so thankful and so emotional watching my beautiful daughter hunt eggs with the older children. She is so bright and energetic. At 19 months, she did such a good job gathering eggs until she was distracted by a butterfly. I guess that shouldn't be surprising from a child that stops to look at every bug, every flower, ever bird and every moment.
Everytime she smiles, everyone around her smiles. I guess its because of those big ole dimples and sparkling eyes. The world is HER stage and I often wonder if it DOES revolve around her. Yesterday, we ate dinner at a little restaraunt around the corner. She waved and smiled at the patrons and talked to the waiters. The smiles are contageous!!
She has many words in her vocabulary now and will talk about everything...filling in her sentences with very meaningful sounding babble. She is also very meticulous. She remembers where every object came from and will promptly put it back EXACTLY in its special place when asked. Her memory is amazing. The other day, daddy took her to pick up some parts and told her that she would see the man with the bird. Unfortunately, the man and the bird had already left for the day. I think daddy really hoped that she had forgotten about his comment. She was very quiet and patient the entire visit. But when it was time to leave, she asked daddy where the bird was (Bird??? Tweet? Tweet?).
She is truely an amazing, intelligent child. I have to admit, some days can be tough. She is very determined and not easily distracted! But there is not a day that goes by that we are not thankful that she is in our lives.
As always, you and your family are in my prayers. I'm adding some Easter pictures to the album I am saving for you. While I know so little about you, I also know so much about you through the eyes and smile of this wonderful child.
Blessings to you,
Kelly
Posted by Kelly at April 13, 2004 06:45 PMWe had the same sweet experience. Our little Keleigh James squealed with delight when The Easter Bunny came to our table during Breakfast With The Bunny. Our sweet baby's bright eyes and excited two-tooth grin made us cry with happiness. We thank God every day for our wonderful baby girl. These magic moments make all the heartache and pain of waiting during Hague pale into far fading distant memory.
Posted by: Jim & Leigh Koeniger at April 13, 2004 08:12 AMThanks for sharing these beautiful stories----makes things a little easier on us who are still waiting---gives us nice things to look forward to instead of concentrating on the waiting!
Posted by: EB at April 13, 2004 09:00 PMWe also had a glorious Easter with our son, 14 months. He sounds so much like your daughter, dimples, sparkling eyes, and very, very, determined and bright. Last night he was determined to clean out one of his favorite drawers that is very close to the oven. I was baking cookies and would move him to the other room to distract him. He would head back to that drawer (going in the opposite direction of me) and meet me back by the oven, arriving at the same time I would, as his walking has now become constant running! He is such a joy! The pain of waiting for him has diminished, and we feel so blessed to have him home with us. We are praying for all of you still waiting.
What a nice letter!
I find myself so often thinking of my son's birthmother. And how grateful I am for her having made what must have been an impossible decision.
I think of his foster family who raised him wonderfully for 2+ years.
All that they have been through, all they have done is redounding to my-- MY-- benefit. And happiness.
And some don't think that there are angels on earth!
As a single Dad, I am sometimes overwhelmed. But I am happier than I have ever been.
While I don't have the luxury of sharing my happiness with his birthmother, I do with his foster mother.
Each day I am grateful for the gift that has been given to me. Even during the more challenging times. (NO! The cat does NOT want to be in the toilet!)
For those of you are in the process or considering the process, please trust so many of us who believe it is all worth it.
(I'll check in in 15 years, but I'll bet I say the same thing!)
Posted by: bc at April 18, 2004 02:41 PMDear Kelly:
What a beautiful letter, it bought tears to my ears. After a year of waiting for my son we were finally able to go and pick up our son in February 2004. His foster family was wonderful with him, I couldnt have asked for a better family. There are challenging times( when he's hitting his sister(two months younger, long story) over the head with a truck) but I wouldnt change things for the world and I'm truly grateful to the birth mother (for having the courage to give him up) and the foster family (for loving him). Thank you for sharing your letter.
I also want to take this opportunity to thank guatadopt for all the support they provided me with during that difficult waiting time.
Posted by: IML at April 28, 2004 12:36 PM