One year ago today...
I woke up on an ordinary Sunday morning in Utah and went to church with my family.
One year ago today...
My husband came and found me during the last hour of church because he had received a phone call from our adoption agency and they wanted to talk to us about a possible situation. We went outside to the car and called them back.
One year ago today...
A baby girl was born in Detroit, MI. The minute we hung up the phone my husband and I looked at each other and the Spirit bore powerful witness to both of our hearts that our daughter had been born.
One year ago today...
My husband and I boarded a plane for Detroit, MI and went to pick up our youngest daughter. It was one of the most unbelievable experiences of my life.
Today is Ava's 1st birthday. And there is so much to celebrate. I want to celebrate her birth parents who made a very brave, very difficult, very tender sacrifice not only to give her life, but to give us a chance to be her family. I don't take that decision they made lightly. It is powerful to feel a mother's love and still have the courage to make a sacrifice that will bless your child. We are honored to share in the journey of Ava' life.
I want to celebrate this little girl with the dimples and chocolate curls and big chocolate eyes. She is joy. I have never met a person who can make people so instantly happy. I have truly felt in my heart that one of her purposes here on earth is to bring happiness and joy to people. Can you imagine having that as one of your talents and gifts? In a world that sometimes feels increasingly dark, what an amazing blessing to have a person filled with light! She is a happy, happy soul...even though she can throw a very dramatic temper tantrum when she wants. But hey...even happy souls have to blow off some steam sometimes!
I want to celebrate the place she fills in our family...she made us whole. I remember a night many years ago when I ached to have all my children "home". Each time one of my children entered this world, they filled my heart with so much love and belonging...but each time there was still an empty spot. The night we brought Ava home to her family in Utah and walked in the door and sat in the family room altogether, I knew. We were all "home". The feeling of relief and gratitude and joy was indescribable.
I want to celebrate forever families and the experience of being in the temple together as a family and being sealed together for eternity. I want to celebrate the angels that were present on both sides of the veil that celebrated and rejoiced in this miracle that was taking place. I want to celebrate Ava's "biological" history and family and the "adopted" history and family and what that represents...the enormity of love and multitude of blessings that come from being watched over by those who adore her and want to see her succeed. If every child could see just beyond the veil...just beyond our mortal eyesight...and see the angels who love and adore them...
I want to celebrate every milestone she has reached in the last year. Ah..there is so much to celebrate. Ava Naomi is a joy...she is sweet and cuddly and spunky and determined and smart and has filled our home with a love and light and joy that is tangible and real and has changed us forever.
Happy 1st birthday my darling, sweet girl! The world is a much better place with you in it! You are so loved and adored by so many people. You are blessed every single day by the prayers and love of your biological parents and siblings. I feel that. I am so grateful to be your mother and to be sharing this amazing journey with you. I love you!
