A YEAR TO REMEMBER!

Well, it is so hard to believe that exactly one year ago today, I was within hours of holding Mya for the very first time. First of all, I made the trip of a lifetime. Twenty Six hours and 10,000 miles away from everyone that I loved, and just a train ride away from one of the most unforgettable moments of my entire life! The moment that would literally change my family's life and path forever. It seems so surreal now, the moment we first made eye contact, the moment she first smiled and reached her hands out to me. Not a tear shed, (except mine), just a little angel placed in my arms and heart forever. She knew I was her mommy, instantly, and from that first glance she became our forever daughter, our little Mya Min!

Things that we have learned about Mya Min!

A YEAR IN THE LIFE...........

1.) Mya loves music, and she loves to dance! She can hear the softess little beat and her little bottom goes shaking!!!!!

2.) Mya loves animals!!! Her first word was dog, (actually she says dogdog)! We can't pass a farm without her jumping and squeal ling over the sight of a cow, or a horse!

3.) Mya loves books!!!! Every second of every day if there is a book, she is looking at it, and wanting you to read to her! She loves the pictures and never gets tired of looking at them!

4.) Mya loves her Ry Ry! Mya and Ryan have this very special bond that he feels so protective over her, and Mya trusts him with everything. They laugh and play and she has learned so much by his guidance. I am so blessed and proud to have a son that has unconditionally taken this little girl that he didn't even know a year ago, and has given her a space in his heart! A space only a sister can hold!

5.) Mya and Marissa are BFF's (Best Friends Forever)! I was so worried not knowing how Marissa, who had been the queen for 6 years of her life, would accept and build a sisterhood, a lifetime bond with a child who holds no resemblance, no biology. Well, I have witnessed a miracle of love that will forever be, and Marissa and Mya may not have the same color hair, or the same shaped eyes, but most importantly they have love, and that love is evident every second they spend. Trust me, it is not always a breeze, there are little fights, pulling hair, and everything else that comes with siblings, but that is what family is about, and Marissa and Mya are sisters, in every way!

6.) Mya loves her Daddy! When I came to Chad a few years ago, and expressed my hearts desire to adopt, he was hesitant. We had Ryan, we had Marissa. He was so scared that he would not bond with a child and would ultimately let her down. He was so afraid that he would feel differently towards her than he did Ryan and Marissa. But he was supportive and knew that there was a little baby that needed a mommy and a daddy, and we needed her too! Well, from the second Chad saw Mya it was an instant daddy's girl moment! I still remember the look on his face when I gave birth to both Ryan and Marissa. It was that look. That smile that says, Hi little baby, I am your daddy and I will love you forever! And Mya's face that said Hi daddy, I am your baby girl! There is not a day that goes by that the second Chad walks in the door they run to eachother like they have been separated for a lifetime. It is amazing to see! The way they play together, like only daddy's and daughter's play! The funny things they do, that make you tear up with happiness! I could not have known the impact that Mya would play on Chad's heart and how much it has changed him! I am so blessed and thank God everyday for such a wonderful man to call my husband!

7.) Mya loves her Mommy!!! It still amazes me that a year ago, I had never touched her, never dried her tears, never sang her a song. But how blessed I am that she calls me mommy, that she runs to me when she needs comfort, she hugs me and knows that I will always be there for her now and forever! She is my daughter! What an honor, what a gift! I am the luckiest woman on earth!!!

8.) WE LOVE MYA!!!! Mya brings us joy every single day! She is silly and goofy and smart and talented and....and.........!!! God has chosen the perfect child to be in our family and He blesses us each day that we get to know her more and more!

The only thing that aches at my heart is this is the day that her Grandmother went to the orphange to say goodbye, one year ago. Please pray for Mya's birthfamily, for I could see the love in her Grandmother's eyes with the pictures that I have with them two together, and I know she is thinking of Mya today and wondering how she is and if she is being loved!

Also, thank you all for being there for my family! We are so blessed to know such amazing people! I still can't believe that "hopefully" soon we will know who our new daughter will be and we can bring her home to live with the family that already loves her!!!