Three years ago today, the sun shined a little bit brighter
and the world got a little bit more wonderful.
Our Anna Gloria was born.
Looking back now, I can clearly see that taking care of her definitely
was part of God’s plan for Heidi and me.
But when I first met her, on her first day of life, I didn’t yet know
that. All I knew was that it was my
first time holding a baby that new, and that she was the most adorable thing I’d
ever seen.
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| So, I'm new here..... |
The change this little girl brought to our life in a matter
of days was profound and absolutely wonderful. Ever since, we have been guided
by unseen forces in our care of her, and the pieces of our family’s puzzle have
come together beautifully. Naturally. This life was meant to be.
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| Small enough to have baths in the kitchen sink! |
Obviously Anna won’t be reading this (yet!), but if she
were, this is what I would want her to know:
You are the best thing
that’s ever happened to me. You give me
purpose for waking each day – and for working, for being, for keeping on even
when I don’t know if I have the strength to, for trying to become the best
human being I can.
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| Adoration. |
Your hugs melt away
the stress of the day in mere seconds. Your
laugh heals me. Your kisses on my cheek and spontaneous “I love you” as we
watch Mickey Mouse and snuggle at bedtime melt my heart. Your smile lights up a room.
I may be shaping the
person you will become by loving you and teaching you and taking care of you,
but in equal measure, you are shaping me and my life, just by being. Loving you is turning me into someone with a
sense of purpose – someone I like a whole lot more. And I am forever grateful
to you for that.
So, happy birthday,
little love bug. I am so proud of the
big girl you’re becoming – but don’t grow up too fast! I am cherishing every
moment on this journey with you.
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| Little princess |
If you haven’t yet, please check out our first post, The Adventure Begins, which is the story
of how Anna came to be with us. Thanks
to all of our friends and loved ones for helping us to be the best parents we can. Your support means more than you know. And thanks to you readers for coming on this journey with us - we hope you stick around!
This is so sweet!
ReplyDeleteThank you. I like having the opportunity to reflect on the last 3 years and marvel at the life we are building together. It's even more moving for me than just a birthday because I remember so well those first days and how I felt and my conviction that she just had to be with us and not in foster care. Out of nowhere came this little angel who changed our world completely and wonderfully. I'm still amazed. :)
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