A love of a lifetime

We are just a few days shy of our 10 month anniversary of meeting our little girl. Wow the time has certainly flown by!Over a year ago we submitted our dossier with the hopes of adopting a little girl . Our dreams were filled the day we sat with the Kellams in the office of the MOE and I saw that little face on that file. I do not know if I have ever been so scared in my life. When I saw her picture I recognized it from the database.While waiting for the call I would look at all of the photos of the children on the database. I would always move onto the little girls with dark hair /dark eyes.Never once did I look at that photo and imagine that this was her. This was definite conformation of Gods sense of humor! Our first trip was a time filled with so many emotions. Little did I know that this journey would led me to one of the greatest loves of my life. Ava has brought so much to each of our lives and we could not imagine what our life would have been like without her. Last night my DH and I looked over all of our photos of our trips to Russia. My heart was so heavy when I looked at that sad little face that was in those photos. When I see her now I see a feisty, spunky little girl that can light up a room with that infectious giggle. She is a far cry from that expressionless baby that we met just a few months ago.It is miraculous what love can do.

For those of you that do not know me I am a creature of habit. I crave predictability and often do not leave my "comfort" zone.I am the one that goes to the amusement park and gladly holds all the bags while everyone else rides the roller coasters. I am cautious and do not like surprises. So for me to travel thousands of miles away to met a child that only the Lord had seen and trust in his plan was nothing short of one of his miracles. He had instilled this passion and desire in my heart so long ago. I am so glad that I listened to his calling and chose a path that I usually would have not have chosen. This path has led me to one of the greatest gifts in my life. As adoptive parents we often hear how lucky this child is. Truth is that I am the lucky one. She has saved me in so many ways. She has deepened my faith in the lord and brings a since of perspective to my life everyday.She has taught me how to be selfless and the rewards that come from that simple act. It is amazing that one little tiny person could have such a big impact on your life. So if you are reading this getting ready for your next stage in your adoption journey trust in his plan and remember it is on his timing not yours!Let him drive... sit back and enjoy the ride! If you are reading this because you are considering adoption all I can tell you is that you could be missing out on one of the greatest adventures of a lifetime.The gift of a child ,no matter how they come into your life, is the greatest gift you ever are given.

In a few months, we hope to be making an announcement of yet another journey of a lifetime. Stay tuned!
I will leave some pics of our first week meeting "baby" Ava in July '08 and then pics of our "big girl" at home May '09.
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