Ten Months In And...

Things are going quite well!

Sorry it's been so long, but I just haven't had the time or the inclination (if I'm honest) to write.

Let me fill you in a bit. 

April 2013 we had our coming home party for our beautiful new daughter and it was a wonderful day. I'm pretty sure I wrote about it when it happened.

Since then we've had Easter, my husband's birthday, Mother's Day, our youngest son's 5th birthday, Father's Day, July 1st, a HUGE Family multiple birthdays celebration, Thanksgiving, Hallowe'en, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Whew! Sounds exhausting doesn't it? It was.

Our first Easter with our new Princess was absolutely adorable. Watching our two boys and our princess run around in their new Easter outfits hunting for easter eggs, was the most fun we'd had in a long time. We had so much fun watching the kids running, and laughing, and shouting "I found one!" was just the most joyful thing in the whole world. Watching our complete and truly happy family is something that will be emblazoned in my mind forever.

Then there were a few more occasions that went through equally exciting because they were all firsts with our beautiful new girl. Oh! Did I mention my girl is a fabulous artist with a fantastic generous, loving heart? Everyday since she came home she has made me a gift of some sort. Whether it's a picture she drew, or an ornament she decorated or a book she coloured, they were all for me, (and Daddy sometimes) and all from her. So sweet!

During the summer my sister had some of her family here from Norway. We have 4 birthdays that span the summer and we decided to have one big family birthday party for all of our birthdays so the family could be here to celebrate with us. Well, what a hoot! We decided on a western theme and a pig roast. Everyone dressed up like a cowboy or cowgirl and we had an authentic pig roast. It was a wonderful, long day.
During the rest of the summer we did family day trips, and played on beaches, played in our pool and hung out with friends and family letting our princess get to know everyone at her own pace. She was and is amazing.

Then we had a few more occasions and then came Christmas. What a joy and sight to behold. The kids were typical while opening their presents and playing. But dinner was what had us all. After we finished saying grace we heard a small, sweet little voice start singing; Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday dear Jesus, Happy birthday to you. It had both me and my Mum in tears. So sweet to hear a little girl sing happy birthday to Jesus.

And just this past Saturday I got to live out one of my dreams. Since I was a young girl and had decided to adopt children (I made that decision when I was 12 because of my best friend whom I met on the first day of grade 7) I always dreamed of having an English tea party for her birthday. Since this was her first birthday with us I talked to her about it and explained what it was and would she like to do this. She said yes! I was so excited. I invited all the ladies in our family and threw my hubby and sons out of the house. NO BOYS ALLOWED! It was fabulous. We had little finger sandwiches, mini cupcakes, little squares, mini cream puffs and gallons of tea. I had a little bunny tea set for the birthday girl and her cousin who is only one year older and my Nanny's china set for the rest of us adults. Once we finished eating she opened her gifts and then we moved on to doing the craft. We made easter bonnets! They turned out so cute.

So, here we are just about 12 months since the day we met her and we are doing fine. Now I'm not saying it's been all sunshine and roses 'cause it hasn't been. There have been some very tough moments and harder days, but we're managing. The honeymoon period is definitely over. It still feels like she's been here forever, but that's a good thing. She has so many of the attributes and personality qualities of both my husband and I that we're not sure where she was the first 6 years of her life. She seems like she's been with us since day one.

Thank you all for reading and catching up. Now I'm off to help some other families through their wait.
God Bless you all.