The End!

What can a mommy say when a year comes to a close?  I cannot believe there are words to accurately describe the joy I feel from my children.  This year saw some pretty amazing things and it also saw some things that never should have been.  Our adoption journey to Ukraine this year, while full of Satan's attempts to thwart the plan of God, was not without purpose and meaning.  The purpose was to bring our Carrington Ann home to her family so that she could blossom and be a beacon of light for so many orphans still waiting to find their forever family.  Carrington's situation has motivated thousands of people across the world to pray for the orphans and so many families to be moved to adopt some of those orphans.

Carrington has been home 9 1/2 months now and although she does not yet comprehend the gift she has bestowed upon us as our daughter and sister she has blossomed and fit right in as a most treasured Princess.  We love to hear her laughter at night as she plays sleeps in her crib, our hearts are filled with joy when we all see her start to play with toys and seek certain ones out, lots of kisses and hugs are passed around when Carrington even enters a room, and most of all prayers of thankfulness go up to God for choosing our family to be the blessed ones to bring Carrington home.  We also thank all of the people who prayed for Carrington this past year; for her health and recovery while in the hospital, for any issues with her feeding to be quickly resolved, and for her overall happiness.  It has been those prayers that have been a beacon of light that shines the love of God upon her.  Thank you for loving our Princess and for sharing your hearts with us. 

 Right now I should be asleep but I cannot because I am thinking of all my Carrington has done this year and of how she has truly brought me closer to God.  Isn't it amazing how a little child who was deemed not worthy by her own society has actually touched as many lives as she has?  As her Mommy I of course identify myself in that manner but you see I do not need to find my identity in her or anyone else because God has already given me the identity of Shelly-Wife, mommy, friend, and granddaughter.  It is through Carrington that God has been able to show me His purpose for calling me to the orphan crisis much as He did when He called us to adoption with our sweet angel Mason.  

To look back on this past year with Carrington I read her blog from beginning to end in addition to looking at all the picture we took while over in Ukraine.  So much of that seems a blur because we feel as if she has been here her whole life.  Quite often I break into tears of joy watching as Carrington accomplishes a task that seemed so far off just a few months ago.  I know this sweet angel will continue to break down the doors of the tasks before her and I just cannot believe I get to be her mommy and watch every single moment.  Carrington's given name was Anastasia.  We did not choose to keep that name but a very sweet young girl did point out to us that her birth name in Russian means "resurrected one".  I know our God had a plan for Carrington before she was knitted in the womb and it warms my heart that God chose her to make such an impact on so many lives that that in turn would cause a ripple effect to be felt around the world. Thank you my sweet Carrington for the love you have shown me, for trying so very hard to accomplish each task even when it was so hard, for the sweet and pure joy you bring to my life, for holding on so long and enduring so much until we could bring you home, and for blessing each and every single moment on my life. You are my Princess and I love bringing this year to a close with you as my daughter!

The last days of the year were absolutely beautiful so we spent them playing outside and just having fun together as a family.  I think we logged more hours outside this past weekend than we did all summer due to the extreme heat.  Carrington is beginning to take interest in her surrounding more and more so it is a must to fully develop that interest.  What a fun way to end our year as a family!

Pretty Last Day of December 2011-Playing in the Leaves

Do you see this huge pile of leaves?  Guess what that means?!

My big brother Ethan was helping Mommy rake the yard so we could jump in the pile of leaves.

Oh My!!  All these leaves.  I wonder if I am going to have to rake these when I get bigger? (Mommy says YES)

Even Madelaine is not too big to get in on the fun. Although may I add she went inside to clean off all of the leaves of her clothes and hair right after Mommy took this picture.

Ethan kept yelling something that went like this "CANNONBALL" every time he jumped in the pile.

Reagan was buried almost as high as me.

My other big brother, Owen, (hey wait they are all my big brothers) was not thinking this whole jumping in the leaf pile thing was so much of a fun idea.

Here we all are playing in the great big pile of leaves.

Mommy even came and jumped in with us.

Owen and I are getting buried in the leaves.

Ok so these leaves are all over me now.

Last Trip to the FW Zoo for 2011

Tasting a banana at the zoo and liking it for the first time.

My big brother Ethan was showing me how the lion roars.

We all stopped for a snack as we sit in front of the tigers habitat watching them play.

My First New Year's Eve Party

We had a bunch of good snacks for our New Year's Party.  This was my first New Year's Party and I think I like the food and company:)

Daddy decided I should end my first year home with a taste of an Oreo cookie. Well little did he know that "taste" just wasn't going to cut it for this Princess and I took a HUGE bite out of it.

Mmmmmm where has this been my whole life?!

I am thinking my big sister Evelyn might like her cookie. what do you think?