Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Happy Adoption Day, Meredith!

June 24 is another special day we celebrate right on the heels of Meredith's birthday - it's her Adoption Day!

While we aren't doing gifts (given the proximity with her birthday, it would probably be overload), we are going to celebrate with a cake! We'll also enjoy looking at some photos and some special souvenirs we brought back to remind us of Russia. Most importantly, we will praise God for bringing Meredith into our family.

In case you haven't seen pictures, here are a few special ones from June 24, 2008, when we picked up Meredith at the baby home.







And here is Meredith now!


What a big girl! And what a blessing. We love you, Meredith.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Happy 2nd Birthday, Meredith!

Today is Meredith's birthday! Although she and I didn't get to spend much of the day together (she traveled home with Rob while I stayed here in Wisconsin for a conference), I got to sing "Happy Birthday" to her this morning. It was really special to have our first birthday together with her.

Last year on this day, we were in the middle of the 10-day waiting period between going to court for her and getting custody, so we weren't with her.

The year before that was the actual day of her birth. It is hard to think about that, because she was in such rough shape, born 3 months early and weighing under 2 pounds. I wish we could have been there for our little girl. It makes me a little choked up sometimes to think of her in that hospital alone. But we know she was not alone. God was watching over her even then, and it is humbling to know He had her in the palm of His hand even when we didn't yet know she had been born.

But enough reflecting. This year we finally got to join the party to celebrate Meredith in person!!! We had a birthday celebration with my parents on Saturday. I'll post more when I have a chance, but here are a few highlights.






Among other gifts, a friend of mine offered her old cell phone when I told her how Meredith likes to push the buttons on mine (potentially causing trouble). We wrapped it up for Meredith to open as a birthday present. She knew what to do right away!



I am praising God today for our little girl.

Join me!