Technically our 1 year family day anniversary is tomorrow, but if you want to get really technical it is at about 2 am in the morning if you take into account the time difference in China so I am posting this now :)
I have no words that can properly articulate how incredible the past year has been, just thinking about it makes me all weepy. Yes there have been hard moments, hard days, hard nights, hard weeks but every single one of those have been worth it when I look at how far we have come in just 12 short months. I vividly remember taking her to the play area in the mall about 2 weeks after coming home and watching her struggle to do the simplest things while children much younger than her ran without falling and were able to climb and jump with ease and my heart broke for her. It broke again when I watched her walk over to another woman and hug her around the knees. 2 weeks ago we were in that same play area and she ran in, mouth wide open screaming "wheeeeee mama look at me!!!" and there wasn't anything she couldn't do and when she was done she ran into our arms. When we first got home we placed her in the yard on the grass and she froze, through all of the paperwork and waiting and reading I never thought about a 3 year old who would be afraid of grass because they had never walked on it. You take for granted that a child will know what to do with crayons, you don't expect them to look at the box with confusion and use them to build things never realizing they can color with them. But these are all things that we have, or can overcome, and we will forever be thankful that the surgeries she received in China were successful and that on top of being a happy little girl she is a healthy one too. We love you Baby Panda and we can't imagine life without you! xoxo Mommy & Daddy
oh Martha, this is so wonderful. i'm so happy for you.
Posted by: e rainbow bee | December 17, 2012 at 08:08 AM
Great video! It's amazing to see how much progress our kids are making in such a short time -- exactly as everyone in China said they would. Believe it.
Happy holidays from Planet R-H.
Posted by: Alan and Lindy | December 17, 2012 at 08:53 AM
You guys are amazing. Frances is amazing. I can't believe it's been a year, either. It's so obvious she is loved and thriving. Happy anniversary, Merry Christmas and wishing you many blessings in the new year!
Posted by: Jan B | December 17, 2012 at 09:03 AM
Such a lovely video happy anniversary to you all! I have really loved following your journey together, Francis seems so happy enjoy your Christmas together
Posted by: Carly | December 17, 2012 at 09:32 AM
Wow! Happy anniversary!!!
Posted by: marsha. | December 17, 2012 at 09:51 AM
What a story. I am speechless and happy for you.
Posted by: Valerie.H | December 18, 2012 at 12:00 AM
Loved the video! Happy family gotcha day! Ps thanks for including Aine! Such a cute picy of both of them!
Posted by: Nan | December 18, 2012 at 08:32 PM
so so happy watching this! what an amazing and wonderful year you have had. cheers to many many more. happy family day!
Posted by: connie carpenter macko | December 20, 2012 at 07:07 AM