Happy 5th Family Day!

Yesterday was Twinkletoes 5th Family Day.  However, we are celebrating tonight as Mommy got a little mixed up with dates!  Family Day is the anniversary of the day we received Twinkletoes in Korea.  The day we became a family.  The day this sweet beautiful baby girl rocked our world and taught us a whole new dimension to parenting!  Being an adoptive mother is wonderful, challenging, and humbling.  Here are some pictures from our first day together 5 years ago:

Twinkletoes - you have been a gift to our family.  I can't imagine life without you.  I am so thankful to your birthmother for choosing life and for the foster mothers that cared for you your first months of life.  I pray I can be the mother you need as you grow into a beautiful young lady.  I know we have many ups and downs ahead of us as we walk the uncharted waters of the years to come.  Today when I told you it was your family day - the day we received you in Korea you shouted with a smile of anticipation, "Do I get to go back to Korea?"  I pray someday that we will be able to take you back to Korea and help you fill in the areas of your heart that feel missing.  Until that day I pray that the Lord will help you to see the gift of love and family you have here in our home. 

It was so much fun to sit with you on my lap and look through the pictures of our first days together and pictures we have of the place where you were born.  I know it doesn't mean a lot to you now, but I know it will someday.  I am so glad we had the opportunity to capture those memories for you.  You loved to point out every picture that I was holding you in.  We have grown so much closer this year and I am so thankful.  We had a rough couple years on the get go - especially after moving to Texas.  I really think it scared you to have so much change so fast.  I pray you know our love for you is so strong and will last through every up and down this life can throw our way.  Every time you give me a kiss and tell me you love me - I feel so warm and giddy inside, amazed by the miracle of love forged through loss.  

Tonight we are going to celebrate.  I will make one of your favorite rice dishes for dinner and we will try to use our chopsticks - although your not sure you want to.  It's not authentic Korean, but it's your favorite.  I hope I can learn to cook more traditional Korea dishes and incorporate them into our family fare.  It's my goal this year!  We will then go to a play together as a family and then out for dessert!  We love you Twinkletoes!!