On this day one year ago…

I left for Guatemala to pick up my sweet little Elizabeth and bring her home for good! The pictures of Elizabeth from April 30, 2007 bring tears to my eyes – I can just see so much in that little face – I see sadness and fear and hope and tenderness. At this point I kept telling her “you’re going to love me.” I think back to her foster mom, Julvia who lovingly cared for Elizabeth for 10 months. In preparation for this day she gave Elizabeth a haircut, a bath, put her in the outfit I bought, and some shiny new black patent leather shoes. I also think about Elizabeth’s birth mom, Dora, and the agonizing decision she made to give this precious little life away and trust to someone else. At the time of going through the process many of these things never really sunk in, and today as I look back and think about this past year I fully realize all that Dora gave up and so appreciate the love and care that Julvia and her family showed to Elizabeth.
Being Elizabeth’s Mom is a very special and wonderful thing and has changed me forever. I fall more deeply in love with her with each day. Recently while Elizabeth and I were playing with her toys, she flashed me a look that I have given her many times and I was so taken aback! I was not expecting my 21 month old adopted daughter to so accurately imitate my disapproving “no, no, no” look. That has made me realize the depth of the responsibility I have in raising Elizabeth, providing her with the right values, and opportunities, and experiences.
May 8 is what I have decided will be our official adoption day. That is the day Elizabeth landed in the US, became a citizen, and met her extended family. I am not sure how we will celebrate it this year – maybe a trip to the zoo or something fun!