Yesterday was May 8th, our official Adoption Day. We will celebrate on a different day, as usual. Last night the date coincided with Spring Show at our daughter's high school (Can she possibly be in high school?). Her group's theme was "Taking Flight", which is exactly what she wants to do two years from now.
One year, Adoption Day collided with recital weekend, that event where dance lessons culminated in 44 separate numbers by dancers ages 3-18 on a single stage in a single night so that we can see why we toted tights and tap shoes for another year.
Big brother's high school graduation activities kept us busy in 2015.
Last year, Mother's Day and Adoption Day were the same, which I liked very much..
May is arguably the busiest month of the year. Add to the above list: graduation teas, proms, awards ceremonies, banquets...all an attempt to wrap up the school year in ribbons and bows.
Calendars get full, so, we adapt. We celebrate what we can when we can and eventually get around to all we can. We don't always get around to the full Adoption Day celebration (dinner at our favorite Chinese restaurants).
But here's the truth: I celebrate this girl every day.
Calendars get full, so, we adapt. We celebrate what we can when we can and eventually get around to all we can. We don't always get around to the full Adoption Day celebration (dinner at our favorite Chinese restaurants).
But here's the truth: I celebrate this girl every day.
Even on days I'm broke.
Even on days I'm exhausted.
Even on days I'm frustrated.
Even on days I'm sick.
Even on days she's any of the above.
Because she completed our family and changed it forever.
Even on days I'm exhausted.
Even on days I'm frustrated.
Even on days I'm sick.
Even on days she's any of the above.
Because she completed our family and changed it forever.
She taught her dad how to stand up on an airplane all night long holding an infant so she wouldn't cry from Guangzhou to Los Angeles.
(We call that "bonding".)
She taught him that he is always loved and necessary, even on dark days.
(We call that good therapy.)
She continues to teach him how to burn more stacks of cash for the causes of fashion, music and athletic/artistic performance than his
Midwestern upbringing could ever be comfortable doing.
(We call that a growth experience.)
She taught her brother how to share a bathroom, how to walk into the scary basement and find the light switch holding her hand, and how to tolerate girls long before he liked them so much.
She taught me how important it is to look at the bright side, to keep the love of Jesus in your heart and to celebrate at every opportunity, not just when the calendar says there is a reason.
Her smile, her bright spirit, her intelligent mind and hard work in school, the way she takes care of herself through physical exercise, the kindness she expresses to others, her polite interaction with adults-these are the priceless treasures that inspire us.
Happy Adoption Day, Peanut!
Happy Adoption Day, Peanut!