One Year Ago Today!

Today we are celebrating the day that Karleigh Mei was placed in our arms forever. What a day it was a year ago! Karl and I were both nervous about how Karleigh Mei would accept us and Karleigh Mei was a very scared, but very brave little girl. We will never forget how she came stomping in the Civil Affairs office, with her red boots on and an air of confidence! Looking back, I'm sure it was the classic, "Fake it till you make it" stance. Sweet girl. Sweet, sweet girl.

When we made it back to the hotel room, she was making it very clear to us that she would rather not stay with us. She would put all of her cheerios that we gave her in her coat pockets and hold on tight to the few bribes toys we had given to her. And then she'd stand by the door. Ready to go. Oh how it broke  my heart! At one point, it was just me and her in the room, while Karl had left to get us some lunch. She would cry and I would cry. In the below picture, she was ready to go, but she also wouldn't look at me. She would only look at me through the mirror that was hanging on the closet door. Oh how I longed to take her in my arms and her not be afraid. To tell her how much I loved her and how long I had waited for her. To tell her that everything was going to be ok. That in turn, some day, she would love us too.

What a beautiful and hard day it was for all of us. And I wouldn't want to change a thing.

The door hanger says exactly what she was thinking. :)

Today, we thank God for our darling girl, Karleigh Mei. Such a blessing she is in our lives and to so many others as well. We love you Karleigh Mei and can't imagine our lives without you!!