2 Years Ago Today!!!

My brain is going a million miles a minute tonight and I just can't sleep, so I'm gonna share a few thoughts on our last 2 years. Bear with me, as I'm emotional, it's late, and who knows if what I'm typing is even words at this point.

2 years!!! I really can't believe it. It honestly seems like a lifetime ago that I became mommy to my little pooka girl. Really, I can not remember what life was like before her. Last year, I remember feeling like it felt like forever, then also felt like yesterday. Today it just feels like forever.

I honestly don't know how I got so blessed. Avery is just the perfect match for our family and I can't imagine anything better than her. That being said these last 2 years haven't been a walk in the park, but I'd live every hard day over again, to get to where we are today.

To have her run to me a hundred times a day with such vigor and yell "HUG!" and wrap her whole body around my legs.

For every "Mommy, I love you too much. You're my best friend".

I'm so lucky to watch her put on her tap shoes and run off to dance class with her friends, and see her learn that butterfly starts with the letter B.

I love being the one that gets to kiss her owies, and even being the one that tells her to go back to bed for the umteenth time when she thinks one more potty break is a "great idea".

I love that after 2 years of singing her special lullaby, she asks for it every night and then sings along with me.

I love that she makes up crazy voices and laughs just to hear her own voice. I love that all her imaginary friends have the same name.

So today, as I look back at what it has meant to me to be Avery's mom for the last 2 years, all I can do is thank God, and be very grateful that I was chosen for her.

Today as we all go through the motions and live out each moment, I'm going to take some extra time to hug my girl and think about a warm breeze blowing and the sun shining as I walked to the courthouse, an interesting luch at the Irish Pub, the hands of the orphanage director cupping my daughter's face as she kissed her goodbye, fighting back the tears as I walked away from the only home my daughter had ever known, and rocking my baby to sleep for the very first time.

Almost!

Two very important things are going on in the Stevens House. First, we are coming up on our 2 year anniversary of becoming a family. It was September 28, 2004 when we first learned of our baby girl and one year later on September 27, 2005, a judge declared us forever her parents. Seems like a lifetime ago to be honest.

This year we are going to celebrate our Family Day by going to an indoor waterpark/hotel. Avery's choice, because no doubt this mommy is not relishing being in public in her bathing suit. It'll be fun though.

The second big thing is our journey to "Super Grover" - sorry folks that's the name Avery has chosen for her little sister, so you'll have to play along until we can come up with the real deal. We have made the decision to definately go back to Russia. God just keeps calling us there, no matter how much I look for alternatives. I am actually really happy about it, and even looking forward to the travel. OK, for those of you who have been through it, yes, I'm nuts!

We have chosen an agency and filled out our application. I should be mailing that in in the next couple weeks. Things have the potential of moving quickly this time.

So aside from the big things happening here we've had some other milestones since I last posted.

Avery gave up the paci - not willingly, but not kicking and screaming either. She is fully a big girl now, and quite proud of herself.

We had our 2 year PPR visit, that went well. I always am happy to gush over Avery, so it's pretty easy.

We have potential buyers for our flip house!!! I want that headache off my hands.

We also made the decsion to take our house off the market for the time being. There are moments when we question that decision, so we are giving it until the end of the week, but there's just no action, so maybe God is trying to tell us something.

Cha-cha-cha-cha Changes!

Let me first start off with a big 'ol pat on the back for myself. After 22 months I did it! I left Avery overnight - 6 nights in fact. Impressive eh?!?!




I accompanied my very good friend Julie to Guatemala in order to bring home her newest addition Annie, and help her with her other two babies. It really was a wonderful trip, even with 3 kids under the age of two. We may have looked like a side show to the Guatemalan folks, but it was so worth it.

And yes, Avery did amazingly well. She barely noticed my return last Tuesday. In fact I didn't get a "Mommy I missed you", no she said "Hi Mom! I've got gum, wanna see?". I think it's safe to say that we survived!

Ryan started a new job yesterday. Very exciting. You can really see the relief in his face. After 10 years at CINTAS, he finally feels like he can enjoy his job.

Our house is on the market. We have found a house that we'd like to buy, but are waiting to make an offer. I am totally in love with this place! It really feels like home, and that's saying alot considering it isn't finished yet.

We are back to weighing our options for the next addition to our family. We'd appreciate your prayers for that. I'm trying to be more laid back this time around. I'll let you know how sucessful I am with that.

Our flip house, well, that is on hold at the moment, hey we own it, so it can sit for a while in order for us to get some of our ducks in a row.