Emma's Homecoming Anniversary: She Said

Woohoo...four posts in four days!!!!!  ; D  (You will miss a lot of Emma sweetness if you don't scroll down to check out my latest posts.)  ; D

Jason and I both decided to post today to celebrate Emma's homecoming anniversary (a he said/she said kind of a thing...we both want to share our thoughts about this special anniversary).  Hopefully he'll get around to posting tonight...if not, he'll post tomorrow.  I think that he has a marathon post planned.  : ) 

Here is my post...  : )

At this very moment in time last year, we were on our way home from Guatemala...the three of us...a forever family.  I can't believe that it has been a year.  The time has flown by waaaaaaay too fast.  My baby does not look very much like a baby any longer.  And, honestly, it brings tears to my eyes and it puts a lump in my throat.  Lately, this has been very hard on me and I have tried to make each day, each moment count.  It is exciting to see her grow and progress but it is so difficult to see the baby in her slip away.  If I could, I would freeze her in time...exactly as she is right now so that she could stay this small just a little while longer.  Every day with Emma is a GIFT and I deeply cherish each and every one.  *sniff* 

 

 

The photo on the left was taken one year ago today, right before our plane took off from the airport in Guatemala City.  We were so excited! 

And, the next morning, it was very surreal to wake up to "a baby in OUR HOUSE!!"

Thank you to everyone who stayed up LATE to meet us at the airport with signs.  : )

 

 

We had a WONDERFUL day today celebrating Emma's first homecoming anniversary!!  The "Homecoming Queen" was able to do all of her favorite things today...she had a long stroller ride right after breakfast, she followed Papa around while he mowed the lawn, she had LOTS of outside time and she enjoyed the slide and the swing.  She watched a few of her favorite shows, she colored and gathered crayons and for dinner, she had pizza and carrots and peaches and Popsicles for dessert!!  Pics from today...

 

 

 

Emma and mommy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Emma LOVES this slide!!

It brings true joy to her heart!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Papa's lawn shoes!

 

 

 

 

Mmmmmmm..."optacles"

 

 

 

Doing what she does best in the backyard (besides sliding)...RUNNING, running, RUNNING and...

Acting SILLY (Can you say HIGH ENERGY???  Jet fuel, I tell ya...JET.FUEL.)

If you want a hug, you have to hug her "on the run"!

Emma likes LOVES to swing.  (Excuse the spotty shirt...she had just finished licking a Popsicle before this pic was taken)  : )

When we ask Emma to smile, this is the smile that we get.  : )

All in all, we had a wonderful, simple day with all of the things that Emma likes the best.  : ) 

It is AMAZINGLY WONDERFUL to have sweet Emma Grace in our lives and we thank God for her.

Before I sign off for the night, please visit my sweet friend Tricia's blog.  Please consider donating a few dollars so that a tiny orphanage in Guatemala will be able to have a Christmas party this year...  Please consider donating...  You could win a prize if you do...  Every dollar counts.  And, if you do donate, you will be able to bring smiles to the faces of many, many children.

God bless,