The end of August is always brings around high emotions among the family, its the anniversary of our mother's death. This year marked the 9th year shes been gone. Every year is different how I personally "feel"- this year there was something sweet about it. I know my mom would have been the best grandma, but the Lord took her to rest early, a role she'll never get to play. She will be Grandma Ford in Heaven, whom I can share all my memories with Maryellis about her & teach her things my mom would have taught her. There have been days where I think to myself, "mom would have done this", or "I so feel like mom today". Being a mother has been a desire of mine for as long as I can remember, I'm so thankful the Lord blessed us with Maryellis. (Secretly I love the resemblance she has with my mom!) We went on a hike with Laura & Brett on our mom's anniversary, went to where her ashes are, and out to lunch. A beautiful day to remember & celebrate her!
Its been really fun to have "play dates" with Madeline, we just enjoy the time seeing the girls (9 days apart) together. Rebecca is Madeline's mom, I've really enjoyed the friendship with her & being able to bounce questions off one another as our girls are so close in age and development. We are so blessed by the community around us and all the babies, and girls might I add, a whole flock of them!
Its been really fun to continue hanging out with Miss Shanan, we are getting together a couple times a month. Shanan is so good with babies! I'm so happy that Maryellis is creating a bond with Shanan, for she will always be apart of our lives.
At Maryellis' 4 month appointment she came in at a whopping 14lb 7oz. (74%) and 26 1/6" for height (99%). Thus far she is long and lean, a healthy little girl. Shes giggling like crazy, talking up a storm, and loves to stand. She is a pretty strong girl, mom and dad are thinking shes going to be a little athlete! Not sitting up fully on her own, but she will be there before we know it. Maryellis' personality is a sweet one, she has a very mild temper and seems to be very easy going. I just love the gummy smiles she greets me with, with those rosy red cheeks.
I sent our first "updated" letter to our adoption agency last week, pictures as well. It was the first of four letters & pictures I will be sending this year for the birth parents to have the option to know how Maryellis is doing. I basically sent a one page letter filled with what we've been up to, the development of Maryellis, what she likes & dislikes, so on and so forth. I also again thanked them and reinforced the fact that both Matthew and I never knew we could love her so much. Our eyes have truly been opened by this experience. I cannot tell you the amount of opportunities the Lord has provided for me to talk with either people who were adopted, a young women I am an acquittance of that placed her son for adoption 2 years ago, meeting random young girls in places like Target that are pregnant and came to say "hi" just to see Maryellis, as well as other couples & women who are interested in adopting and curious about our journey. The Lord is definitely using Maryellis in our lives, not only to change us to become more like Him, but as well as furthering the Gospel in ways I never thought. Until I was 16 (when I lost my mom) my life was pretty "perfect", loving parents, we were "comfortable", raised in a christian home, fun siblings, etc. I never knew so much in my life would change in the matter of 9 years. God has used my mothers death in my life to help me grow and develop in ways I never probably would have reached for. I'm thankful that I know someday in Heaven I will see her again. These next 9 years we will see where the Lord takes us, only time will tell, but I imagine the journey will be life changing.
