Big Girls do Cry...

I'm not a very emotional kinda gal... or rather, I don't show emotion as openly as a lot of other folks. There are very few times that I cry (especially in public). But a year ago today, sitting in the Colbert County Court House, I cried. It began when I was asked to "give a recap" of why/how we met our Nevie. I was holding the hand of her Great Grandmother and had to tell the story, out loud, of how much she loved Nevie, but simply couldn't care for her physically. I cried because for the first time in months, I let myself 100% believe that her adoption was actually going to take place. I cried because I was overwhelmed by the emotions of years spent waiting and praying and questioning and wondering. I cried tears of Praise for a God who sustained us. I cried because you always cry when fairy tales come true. Happy Gotcha Day to our 4th Beautiful Daughter....You were, and still are, SO wanted.

The Beautiful sound of Healing

I have really struggled with the decision to share this story. Not that it is anything big, but because I decided long ago that I didn't want my children to be defined by their past. Our sweet Nevie was 10Months old when she came to live with us. She begin having night terrors a few months later and praise God they only happen occasionally now. She sleeps in our bed, usually tucked inside Todd's arm. That is where she feels safe, and although it causes us to lose a little sleep and feel a little sore in the morning, that is where she needs to be right now. One night this past week, she semi-woke up and instead of crying out in her sleep, she laughed. In her sleep..... my baby girl laughed. Now don't misunderstand, she laughs a LOT in the daytime. She is full of smiles and curiosity and love...but at night, when she isn't aware of her surroundings, she can go somewhere that isn't happy. And as her mother, that breaks my heart. I share this to remind people of the awesome power of healing. It is such a beautiful sound, healing. Letting go and forgetting the past. Relaxing, feeling safe. And God overwhelms me on a regular basis of the fact that it IS possible.