One Year is a Huge Reason to Celebrate

Deena has some great news that we are excited to share....


It's officially been just a little over a year since her last break! 


Now that she has all her major leg bones rodded, has been getting pamidronate infusions, and has good nutrition in her, her breaks seem to be slowing down. There was a time we couldn't make it to a follow up appointment without a new break, and I honestly wasn't sure we'd make it to a year. Of course anything can happen at any time, but for now, we are celebrating! Deena is such a strong, creative, smart, and spunky girl.  We are so blessed to get to watch her grow and share her life with her.

I'll share a little Deena story for anyone who needs a laugh today.  Deena and Madi have been really in to Wonder Woman and are frequently in WW costumes, as seen below (Which is one benefit of homeschooling; they can wear whatever they want to school :)).  They had a hilarious conversation the other day (which I shared on Facebook, so my Facebook friends have likely already heard it) that I wanted to share.  These kids crack me up!


Girls- We are might Amazon warriors!

Conner- So you deliver packages?

Girls- No!  We defeat bad guys!

Conner- Well I ordered a Wonder Woman motorcycle and it's not here yet.

Deena-  It will be here in two weeks.

Deena is a mighty warrior for sure, as are all of my kiddos.  Nothing will slow them down!

One Year Home... Ramya's Adoption Day

Today marks one year since I walked out of Vathsalya with Ramya.

One year.

Wow, it doesn't even seem real!

I STILL look at her and think, "I can't believe she is finally home!"

This was one year ago, today, in India (please excuse the date.... the camera was on US time, not India, but by the time we left, it was actually the 7th in the US as well)

 

She flew to us from across the Ocean, but she flew straight in to our hearts, where she has always belonged. 

 

This year has been a whirlwind, filled with so many different emotions for all of us.  It has been filled with so many firsts for Ramya, and so many blessings for us. 

 

First time asleep in her momma's arms....

 

 

 

First airplane ride...

 



 

 

First donut...

 



 

First ice cream cone...

 

First appointment... in her momma's arms instead of alone....

 

 

 

First time meeting her family...

 

 

First birthday home...

 



 

First Easter egg dying...

 

 

First petting zoo...

 

 

First pony ride...

 

First time swimming...

 

First vacation and first train ride in Colorado....

 

 

First wheelchair and first decorations....

 

 

First trip to Flagstaff and Grammy and Papa's cabin...

 

 

First aquarium...

 

 

First trip to the beach....

 

 

 

 

First trip to Disneyland...

 

 

Our US re-adoption day....

 

 

First pumpkin carving...

 

 

First trick-or-treating...

 

 

First ball....

 

 

 

First pigtails...

 

 

Her first Christmas....

 

 

 

 

Her first time sitting on Santa's lap...

 

Her first snow...

 

 

Her first time fishing....

 

 

 

And her LAST time being alone, ever....

 

 

 

My sweet girl, we are so thankful you are home.  We love you more than words can ever express.  You are ours, forever, and we cannot think of a more perfect and amazing gift than the gift of you.    Thank you for blessing us so abundantly and for letting us love you.