6 months later...

A little over a week ago, we officially reached the 6-month point of having Rylie as an official part of our family. What a ride it's been. In such a cliched way, I can easily say it seems like she's been here forever, yet I often find myself needing to stop and remember that it's ONLY been 6 months. Nothing in the grand scheme of things. Such a little amount of time to expect her to be fully grafted in to our family. The range of emotions I have felt over the past 6 months are more vast than anything else I have ever experienced in my life.....more than I could have ever anticipated. I read this post, and feel like I could have written it myself. This is such a huge process....such a gigantic step of faith....why would I expect that everything would immediately fall into place? That everything would feel perfect from day one? It hasn't and it didn't. But wow.....what a difference 6 months can make. I am sure people have judged me and our family in many ways over the last 6 months....our responses, our emotions, our choices. But ultimately, we have an audience of One, who has led us down this road, and we know He will not fail us now.

I would be lying to say this little girl doesn't try my patience in ways I didn't know were possible. But she has changed us. She has changed me. So much so, that big things are in store for us. Big things we are currently pursuing. Big things that will stretch us again, and try us again, and teach us again. Big things that will force us to rely on each other and God in new ways....again.

Big things in store.....stay tuned.

Long Time No See!

Oh my poor little neglected blog.....

I've missed you so.

I'm sorry I've been absent. For 3 months almost. Sheesh....

Where the heck has the time gone?

Basically, there's no way to cover everything that's gone on.

Christmas....great. Rylie got a little overwhelmed, but still had a great time. Jonah and Reagan...on cloud 9, as expected.

New Years....no biggie. I worked.

January, I'd rather not even remember. Except for the fact that the hubby and I celebrated a decade of marriage. 10 years? Not sure how that happened!

February...I know there was a groundhog. And some hearts. And I hit the #33. For some reason, it still surprises me I'm a legitimate adult. I got to spend some much needed time with my girlfriends at the beach right after my birthday. Oh, how wonderful it was! We even went to a movie. I cannot remember the last time I went to a movie! How cute is this cupcake my sweet friend, Lisa, bought me?

Mid-February, Rylie had her cleft palate repaired. We're so thankful to have that surgery behind us. It was better than I expected....but I think it was because the surgery team did such a good job of preparing us for the worst. The first week after surgery was tough. We jokingly said "China Rylie" was back because the screaming, thrashing fits of rage came back in full force, much like when we were in China. It was difficult to see the past 5 months of work go out the window for a while. Fortunately, we're past that. She's still a little clingy, but it's improved dramatically. Soon, we will start speech therapy with her. She tries so hard to talk, but it's pretty much all unintelligible. At least she seems motivated!

Jonah had a little run-in with the law due to something that happened on the schoolbus. And by "the law," I mean Rush. Don't think that will be happening again. ;)

Today, we had our 6-month post-adoptive report visit with our awesome social worker who did our home study 3 years ago. It was a great time of reflection, and really helped us revel in the progress that has been made since we met Rylie almost 6 months ago. When we really stop and consider the changes....in her life and in her behavior, it's remarkable.

And the change in ours?

Well, I'm speechless. And thankful. The Lord sure is faithful. All. The. Time.