I cannot believe that we are at the year mark...an entire year since we first held Ava in our arms. An entire year since we first saw those sweet lips and big eyes face to face. An entire year since we first saw that beautiful smile. My heart is so full of joy today as I think back over the last year with all the firsts we have been able to experience together, as a family.
Ava, you have a beautiful soul.
You give the best hugs and I always know that your hugs come from deep inside you because you wrap us up as tight as you can.
You are funny. You make me laugh on a daily basis just with your silly ways. I never know what you are going to do or say. I love how once we start laughing then you do too like you have accomplished your goal.
You have the most beautiful smile that lights up an entire room. You can make any situation better just with your smile. Never forget that as you grow.
You are unbelievably smart. Sometimes too smart for your Mama!! You blow me away with the things you are able to learn on a daily basis.
You have a contagious laugh that seems to start from within your belly and work it's way out. I find myself laughing right along with you because of the joy you exude.
You have a tender heart. You never want to disappoint us and will break down and cry when you feel that you may have. We are working hard to reassure you that you do not have to be perfect and we all make mistakes.
You love to be around your cousins and friends your age. When you get the chance to be around them you love every second and hang very close to them. Goodbye always includes one of your best hugs.
You seem to understand the special times like weekends when we get to hang out in our PJs all day or trips to grandparents houses. You are all about soaking up those times and loving on your family as much as possible in any moment given.
Simply put, I cannot imagine life without you.
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord." This has always been a verse that I rely on but I can't say I fully grasped the reality of what the verse was saying until recently. I had my life going in a completely different direction. Adoption was not on my radar in the beginning. Now that plan makes me cringe to think that if it had been about my plans and not His, I could have missed out on you and the years that God used to prepare my heart for you. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you." He knew exactly what I needed and even though I didn't always trust Him completely, He saw us through to the most perfect plan for our lives.
