She's 1...

I have actually intended to post this a couple of days ago.

Last Thursday was a special day in our home.  Our baby, Caitlyn, turned 1 year old.  While I have the best of intentions to write a little note to all of our children on their birthday, it doesn't always happen.  I missed Corban who turned 5 back in December and Cyniya who turned 4 back in September.  But, trying to get back on track, here is a note for Caitlyn...

Dear Caitlyn,

This year has packed quite a punch for you, baby girl.  It has been a year full of change for you.  We weren't there the day you entered this world.  I was actually sitting in a hotel room in Louisville, KY on a business trip.  I remember it as though it were yesterday.  Mommy sent me a test message letting me know you had entered into this life.  Overall you were healthy.  There were just a couple of health concerns that required you to stay in the hospital for about 2 extra weeks.  But in the big picture, that was relatively insignificant.  We found out you were coming not too long before you arrived.  We were already in the process of getting our license so that we could have your older sister placed in our home. Little did we know what that would mean...

Being that you were immediately placed into CPS' care, it took a while for us to meet you for the first time.  At that point, we hadn't even met Cyniya.  It may seem kind of strange to work so hard for someone you haven't even met, but that is the power of love.  Let me be the first to say we were and are thrilled to have you and Cyniya as part of our family.  The prospects of God enlarging our family through adoption, though not completely new were really exciting.  We were just about to finalize with your other sister, Christyana when you were born.  The possibilities were endless and after 3 years of infertility we entered into the realm of adoption by way of Russia.  Little did we know that God had our three precious baby girls for us practically in our own back yard.  It took us preparing ourselves for a special needs little girl on the other side of the world to be ready to receive not one, but three little blessings.  Your brothers were very excited as well.  They asked us for a while when they were going to have more brothers and sisters.  God, in His sovereignty, withheld from the womb so that he could write a special story for our family.

Your story, along with your two sisters' stories are our tangible example of God's love for us.  He has adopted us into His family just as we are trying to adopt you into ours.  He chose us, just as we chose you (and He chose you for us).  That is incredibly special to us!!

You spent about 5 weeks in a temporary foster home.  They really enjoyed having you in their home.  They sent a a book with you that included some pictures.  While I realize you won't remember them, we are eternally grateful to them for taking such good care of you while we finished our licensing process.  I remember the day you arrived at our home and blogged about it here in the post "The Day You Came..."

It has been quite an adjustment to have two babies.  We only had Christyana for about 7 months prior to getting you.  I don't remember too many details due to the natural chaos of having two infants, not to mention three other children.

This year has taken us on a journey we never expected and weren't prepared for but what has remained constant is our love for you.  We fought to get you back when they took you away.  We are still in that fight to keep you and clear our name.  But we serve a might God and He will work out the details according to His ultimate plan.

I met your birthmother for the first time last Wednesday at court.  She loved you (and always will.)  She chose life for you and loved you enough to find a home that could love you in the ways she desired but couldn't do.  Rest assured, she is doing well now and I look forward to the time when you can meet her again as a new person.

It is incredible how much you have grown.  You came to us will little hair and now you have a beautiful head of curly brown hair.  You have the most precious eyes and your face lights up like a Christmas tree when you smile.  I love that smile!!  You are such a happy baby.  Even when you are getting your twice daily breathing treatments it is like a game to you and you seem content.  You have a powerful set of vocal chords too... :)  It is so evident that you adore your family.  You are such a special girl!  Our life wouldn't be complete without you.  Oh...and by the way...your family adores you too!

I pray that this year see the completion of the adoption.  I pray that God grows us all in love for Him and for each other.  I pray that He transforms your mom and me into the parents He desires for you.  You have impacted us so greatly that we can't even remember life before you.  You may not have been physically born to us but you are ours nevertheless.  We are grateful to have you and look forward to all that God has for you and who you will become through His craftsmanship.  You are a treasure, baby girl...WE LOVE YOU!!!