Six Months a daughter

October 18th! This date six months ago was April 18th: the day we met Willow, the day we called her daughter, the day she called us mama and baba.  So much happens in 6 months. Every adoptive family can tell you that six months can be like years to a child who has been institutionalized. So here are some highlights in no particular order.

• Met her six siblings and niece.
• Learned to love swimming.
• Had surgery on both legs: rods in femurs and Tibias.
• Rode a horse.
• Learned to speak English
• Began school
• Has dribbled a basketball, hit a whiffle ball, played ping pong and played putt putt.
• Has received countless kisses which she said she never got in Shanghai.
• Has WALKED in the pool.
• Has STOOD on her own
• Has been in a 5k race with dad.
• Been in Lake Michigan on vacation.
• Had her nails painted and hair done.
• Played board games, worked puzzles, learned to pretend.
• Has seen the stars, the moon and Venus.
• Learned about God, Jesus and how to pray.

Recently she told me her brother made his Legos talk to each other. I told her that he was using his imagination. She told me, "I don't have an imagination." I told her she soon will. 

Also in the future, she will have surgery in November on her humorous (we will again go to Omaha).

She will celebrate Christmas although she is sure she will meet Jesus then, so she may be a bit disappointed. She will also continue to learn that family is forever even when we get mad, make mistakes or cry. Family is love.