One year ago tonight....

One year ago tonight (almost to the minute) we were touching down on our final leg of the journey to bring Evvy home. My parents and I left April 14, 2007 for Guatemala to pickup my sweet angel baby. She was brought to the hotel by her loving foster family and our new life began together. We spent 5 days in Guatemala and flew home on April 18, 2007. Evvy was a wonderful traveler and slept almost the whole way. She didn't fuss or cry at all. She was a perfect angel. I was so grateful to have my parents with me on the trip. Evvy LOVES her grandma and grandpa so much and it has to be because they were there to meet her and help her transition to her new home.

This past year has flown by so quickly. The previous year waiting for her to come home went so slowly so I can't believe how quickly this year has passed. My life will never be the same. I have never been so happy (or tired) in my life. I wouldn't trade my life for anything.

One year ago, Evvy was an infant who could barely sit up, couldn't crawl, roll over, pull up. She has come so far. She is no longer a baby. She is now an almost 2 year old toddler. She moved quickly past walking and now runs, jumps, climbs. She is always on the go and I love keeping up with her. We love playing outside together. She is a great little helper. She helps me with the yard work, even helps me vacuum, clean the carpet and has recently become my little helper in the kitchen.

Most of all, Evvy makes me smile, laugh and feel pure joy. Even as she enters the terrible two's it is hard to be mad at her. She is just learning the limits. She is very playful and just full of joy. I wouldn't trade my life for anything. I know I am not a perfect mommy all the time but we do OK and I think becoming a mom after wanting it for so long and being "older and wiser" has helped me appreciate my little girl oh so much more. I think I have a lot more patience than I would have at any earlier stage in my life. She came into my life at the perfect time and I am forever grateful for her.

I think about her birthmother often and hope she is OK. I am forever grateful for her for the sacrifice she made. I can't imagine the pain and sorrow that she might feel. I hope that she has peace in her heart and knows that her daughter is loved and well cared for. I have sent pictures to her through Evvy's foster family and hope that they made it to her. I feel so blessed to have been entrusted to be a mother to this beautiful child. She has a beautiful, strong, smart loving spirit. I only hope she always knows how much I love her.

Here is a picture of my angel on the airplane one year ago tonight (looking oh so serious) and a few pictures taken this past week.


Susan