One More Week

There is a pretty significant event coming up for Miss E, Bubba and I.

When Miss E came into my home at fifteen months of age, she was the second child placed with us for adoption. Baby J came into my home a few weeks before Miss E arrived. She was also born with an extra chromosome and was six weeks premature. I met her at four weeks of age and for the next two and a half years, raised both girls in my home.

Miss E and Baby J were the best of friends and the worst of enemies, as most sisters are. They spoke in their own language, challenged one another and were quite the pair.

However, Baby J's adoption took a different route and we had to say goodbye to her in January of 2008. While we heard how Baby J was doing, we weren't able to see or talk to her until recently.

I am happy to say Baby J has been adopted by an amazing family and is doing very well since going through the trauma of being removed from her home and placed in a foster home for a period of time.

I am also happy to report that Miss E, Bubba and I will be flying out in one week to see Baby J and meet her adoptive family. Words fail to express how much this means to us.

Miss E is more than a bit excited. Every time we got ready to go anywhere this weekend, she would say, "Go see Baby J??" I would tell her it was "x days" until we left. And she would say ok before asking again, thirty seconds later.

When I spoke to her on the phone a few days ago, she asked me again. I told her it was nine days away.

"OK! Mom. Bubba. Baby J. Nine days!"

I have tried to explain she would get to go on an airplane, but she couldn't care less. All she cares about is seeing Baby J.

I'm sure there will be plenty of pictures and good times to report when we are reunited with Baby J after over a year and a half. I am eternally grateful Baby J ended up with a family who is not only so in love with her, but has also opened the door to let us back into her life.

There is no greater gift in life than that of a child...and this child has been gifted to us (although in different ways) twice.

Seeing these two little girls together will further heal the pain in my heart over the loss of this child from our home. And life comes full circle.



Baby J, me and Bubby on July 4, 2007:

Miss E and Baby J on E's first day of school, Fall 2007:

Miss E and Baby J in their matching swim suits (yes, I crochetted these!)

Bubba and Baby J on our trip to the Dells:

Miss Mayson and Baby J:

Miss E looking VERY guilty and Baby J, Thanksgiving 2007:

Sweet kisses:

The girls and I:

Miss E, Bubba and Baby J, Christmas 2007:

The Girls: