Celebrating and Remembering

Nine years ago today, we met 2 of our precious daughters, Sunshine Joy and Katelyn Joy in the wee hours of a Sunday morning. It is hard to believe how quickly the time has flown. That day our lives were forever changed as we welcomed one daughter to the world and said goodbye to another. Those few moments are etched in our hearts as we long for the day when we are all together again. I am so grateful to have been the mommy to twins. Katelyn Joy, you truly are such a joy and a blessing to us. You are a strong girl who has overcome and persevered through many obstacles to become a wonderful, well-rounded daughter. Your strength keeps us on our toes, but you have a soft side to you that cares deeply about others. You can get along with so many types of people and can fit in just about any situation. You look so much like your Grandmom Marlene, especially when we see pictures of her when she was young. It makes my heart happy to see her in you. It does make me sad to know how much you miss Sunshine, especially now that you realize more what you are missing when you see other twins playing together. We miss her too, but you will always carry her with you in a way that we can never truly know. You are a precious treasure that we have the privilege to love and parent. Happy Birthday, dear girl! We love you so much more than you can ever, ever know!! We pray that you continue to grow in strength and character, and that your love and compassion for others will continue to grow as well.

 

Then.

Now.

Today we also celebrate two years ago when another beautiful daughter entered our family, Emma Mei Yi Shan.  It is no accident that we met you on the very day that we first met our other two princesses.  We saw our first glimpse of you and every part of me longed to scoop you up and love on you right then.  My patience paid off as you let me hold and love on you back in the hotel room that evening when all was quiet and peaceful. You have had my heart since the first moment I saw your chubby little cheeks on the internet and my first instinct was to giggle at your cuteness.  Since that day that we met two years ago, you have become a bubbly little girl who brings joy to almost everyone you meet.   I am so thankful for the privilege to be your mommy too, and I am thankful that your birth family in China chose to give you life.  You too have experienced loss in your life of your birth culture and birth family.  I think that taking you on that plane that took you away from China was one of the hardest and saddest moments for me as I saw what you had to leave behind to become a part of our family.  I pray that you will always keep your joy no matter what and that you too will continue to grow strong and never lose your compassion for others.   You are a precious, precious girl whose presence in our lives is nothing short of a miracle.  

Then.

 

Now.

I am so thankful for my three princesses.  The gift of being their mommy is one of the greatest gifts of all.  They fill my heart with indescribable joy and happiness.  My cup runneth over.