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A year ago today....

Exactly one year ago today, a complete stranger placed a beautiful, confused & terrified little girl into my arms. At that moment, she lost everything she had ever known. Through days, weeks & months of being with her new family, she finally learned to trust us & let us into her heart. It wasn't always easy, but it was worth every moment. It's a hard day to "celebrate" because of the pain that was caused to Micalee that day, but I can't go without acknowledging it, because it was the happiest (and yes, the saddest) day of my life. It was the day our family was completed. That confused & terrified little girl is now happy & knows who her family is, and that she is loved beyond measure!

Birthday Pictures...

The first group of pictures is from Micalee's actual birthday (on July4th). We took her to Build-a-Bear Workshop at the Boardwalk for the first time. She had so much fun picking out which animal to build (a monkey!) & pick out an outfit for her. We had a small birthday cake for her before going to 4th of July festivities. She got to watch her cousin, Jacob, sing in his first concert (go Jacob!), ride in a tethered hot air balloon, see a rodeo & pet one of the horses, then watch a great fireworks show! She even got to use her first port-a-potty (you go Micalee!)! We had such a wonderful day! The second group is from her party this past Saturday. I'm only posting a few pictures here (blogger is super slow today!), but there are a few more on our Facebook page (if you're not already my "friend" on facebook, send me an email & I'll add you).

*All smiles at the Boardwalk*

*At Build-a-Bear Workshop* *Giving her Monkey an airbath*

*The hot air balloon Little Miss Fearless & I rode*

*Micalee's Fairy Birthday cake*

*Just a sample of all of her gifts (cool guitar, Papaw!)*

*What a pretty little ballerina she makes*

*Not sure if this gift was really for Micalee or more for Daddy*

Happy Birthday, Micalee!!!!

Wow! My little girl is 3 today!!! And how much she has changed over the past year!!! She "officially" came into our family just 3 weeks after her 2nd birthday, and she has been leaving her mark ever since! She's a beautiful (inside & out) funny, sweet, spunky little girl with just enough rough & tumble TomBoyish nature to fit absolutely perfectly in this family! As I do most everyday, I will be thinking about her birthmother in China today. I can't imagine what this day does to her! I wish I could let her know that the little baby she couldn't care for, for whatever reason, is happy, healthy & loved more than she could ever imagine!
We're having Micalee's birthday party next Saturday, so I'll try to post more pictures then!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MICALEE! WE LOVE YOU SO VERY MUCH!!!