Ana's First Snow!

Ana enjoyed her very first snow (first with any significant accumulation). We got her dressed and Mark took her outside. At first she wasn't really sure what to do with all the "white stuff." As soon as Mark made her a snowball she was hooked. She was so hooked that when she came back in, all we heard was "ball, ball." So...in order to keep her happy, we have been bringing in snowballs and keeping them in a dish for her to simply hold while she plays!

A Year Ago Today!

On this day exactly a year ago, Mark and I met Ana for the first time. The waiting and wondering were finally over. We were officially a family and we finally had Ana in our arms forever. Now as I look back, I still get butterflies when I look at the video or pictures from that day. I remember it all so clearly. Our phone rang at 8:00 a.m. and the voice on the other end let us know that "the baby was here." We met Ana on the couch in the lobby of the Marriott. There she was, chubby, smiling, and in clothes that were two sizes too small. We didn't care, to us she was just what we had been waiting for all of these months. We couldn't wait to hold her and love her. I can't imagine doing anything differently or changing a thing. I thank God for Ana every day. I thank God that her mother had the courage to make the right choice and give her life, even though we know she was scared. I can't begin to imagine not adopting her. What an honor to be her mother and father and what an honor to get chosen by God to get her as our little girl, she is just so special.

It's funny, the day we were matched with Ana, my coordinator and I talked on the phone for a while. I remember her saying a lot of people want to adopt a baby to try and "save" them from the harsh life they may otherwise face. Yes, I wanted a baby but I did think in a way I was "saving" Ana. By the end of all of this, I couldn't be more wrong. I think she has saved us. Ana has given Mark and I a family, hope, inspiration, and the ability to see life in a whole different way. She is the joy of our lives. She is what keeps us going when we are tired, cranky, or sad. She is light of our lives and I thank God she belongs to us!

~ Legacy Of An Adopted Child ~

Once there were two women who never knew each other.

One you do not remember, the other you call mother.

Two different lives shaped to make yours one,

One became your guiding star,the other became your sun.

One gave you your life, the other taught you to live it,

One gave you a need for love, the other was there to give it.

One gave you a nationality, the other gave you a name,

One gave you the seeds of talent, the other gave you aim.

One gave you emotions,the other calmed your fears,

One saw your first sweet smile, the other dried your tears.

One sought for you a home that she could not provide,

The other longed for a child, her prayers were not denied.
You were born from caring courage, nurtured with help from above,

You are the blending my darling of two different kinds of love.

Long Overdue Pics!

I will not name names but a certain sister-in-law has been very lax in getting vacation pictures to me! I never knew these existed!! Here are some of AJ, Julia, Ana and Mark and I in Hilton Head. Oh well, better late than never!!!!

Potty Training 101

I had to post these pictures because Mark and I thought it was the funniest thing. Well, we were eating dinner last night and Ana had just got out of her highchair. She looked at us and began to go in her diaper. All of a sudden she bolted to the bathroom and got her Dora potty seat out and handed it to me. I asked if she wanted to "go potty" and she said yes. The next thing I know she is on the toilet. Now, nothing came out while on the potty but this is certainly a step in the right direction. Her favorite thing to do is say "bye bye" to the tissue and flush!