A Love Letter to our Daughter... We So Get You!

Sarah has been home for 14 months! Everyday with our daughter has been an adventure. She is so full of life and personality. She stumped us at first, we needed time to figure her out- her motives, her needs, her feelings. Little by little we learned who "you" are- it has been the most incredible and interesting journeys of our lives. I cannot imagine life without you. You are "our family".

We love your heart. You care so much for the little ones. You are completely smitten with the babies. No wonder you often stayed home from school to care for them when you were in China. You are a natural with any child! Your little sister Anna adores you. She doesn't even like to be away from you for any length of time. We have to go through a plethora of goodbyes and I will miss you... and here you'll be home in two short hours. You heart for the orphans is growing. You comment on how everyone needs a Mommy and a Daddy. Although you think your Momma is a little silly for wanting to adopt so many children. I am so glad when you say "Mom, how many children from China do you want?""you are a lucky Mom!" yes, I am honey!

You have adjusted to your home. You are comfortable in it and with the people that are in your family. You love all of your older siblings and you have learned so much from them. We love seeing you crawl all over them! It looks like so much fun!

You love your China and your memories that randomly pop into your head. We love hearing your stories of your life before our family. Your wall is coming down, we can tell you feel safe with us. You protect your past but you are beginning to see that a child needs a family and that you need your family. (just so you know- we need you, too)

You have come to a place of peace. A combination of your Chinese heritage and your American life. You seem to be comfortable with learning more about America- the life, the people, the language, the foods. You love hearing Chinese language, songs, and stories. It no longer brings you to a scary place - now, it can fit into your present life without feeling threatening.

The little jealousies that you battled with when you first came home are diminishing. You have learned to handle them so well and you have come to terms that those feeling we not accurate. They did not bring you down, you where able to grow despite them.

We love it when such simple pleasures bring you such joy! a shell, a fortune cookie, an extra hug or a story that we read to you!

We love your sense of humor. You make us laugh- laughing is fun and it feels good! We "get" each others jokes now!

We so get you and it feels so good! We can tell you are gettin us, too!

We are so grateful for these precious treasures in our life! Thank you Jesus!

To the reader- I am not writing this saying we have arrived and our work is done. We are still on our journey and I don't think it ever ends. We have come to a good place -maybe it's just a plateau as we continue to climb the mountain, but it feels good! Sarah's progress gives us encouragement and hope for the next journey we will be taking with our new daughters Emma and Ellie.