They grow up, way too fast!

It has been 10 years since the last post and 16 years since this precious girl (I should now say young lady) joined our family.  So much has changed within our family. She has achieved many accomplishments, I don't even know where to start.

When the last post was made, Angel was 7 years old, she is now 17. She is now less than a month away from turning 18. Over the past 10 years, she has played soccer, softball, basketball, participated in theatre productions and became an outstanding flutist with 6 years in marching band. She has continued to show her sass, spunk, determination, passion, leadership, and love for others. Angel has grown so much from that precious little girl to a beautiful, amazing, and confident young woman. 

Angel now has a total of 8 siblings ranging in age from 26 down to 9. She has a great sisterly relationship with every one of them. They get along, torment, love and challenge each other. Their bonds amaze me. 

With regards to her nevus, Angel has had several revision surgeries over the years to help release some of the tension from the graft below her left eye. The last surgery she had was a few years ago, which seems to have remedied the issue. At this time, we do not foresee any further surgeries being necessary. She is of the mindset that if there is not a purpose, she is good with how things are. 

Angel has amazing confidence and demonstrates this confidence in all she does. She transitioned to a new high school between sophomore and junior year, easily making new friends. She was a breathtaking soloist in the marching band and indoor winter percussion shows. In the midst of all this, she has also been volunteering with Sunday school kids at church.

Prom 2025

Unbelievably, Angel will graduate in early June 2025 and plans to go on to attend college. We know she will go on to do great things. She has overcome so many obstacles in her young life, God has big plans for her. We have been blessed beyond measure to have the opportunity to support and encourage her into becoming an outstanding young lady . We pray God's blessings upon her as she takes the leap into adulthood. 

This will likely be the last post to this blog. This journey going forward is now hers to travel and share as she pleases. We now get to step back a bit to be spectators, encouragers, and advisors when needed.

Angel - we love you, more than words can ever say. Always remember, we got your back! God does too!

6 years later

6 years ago, my husband and I boarded a plane to fly half way around the world on a journey that would drastically change the way we view the world. God blessed us with an amazing little girl who made adoption seem "easy", which is a good thing because we complied with doing it again when God unexpectedly placed it upon our hearts two and a half years later. On March 16th, we will celebrate Angel being a part of our family for 6 years. I can hardly believe it has been that long.

Angel two and a half years later...

Obviously, I'm a few years behind on Angel's blog updates, she is now five and a half years old.  I've kind of covered her surgery journey on her brothers' blog but feeling bad that I have not done a specific update on her blog in over two years.  Shame on me.  

Well in case you haven't seen the boys' blog, Angel gained two little brothers, Corban and Tegan, from China in November 2011.  Both also have large birth marks and are three and a half years old, just a few weeks apart in age.

Angel has blossomed over the past two plus years.  She will talk your ear off about everything under the sun.  She started all day kindergarten this past fall and loves it.  She is a smart and sassy girls who is already reading and does a really nice job of sounding out words, when she puts her mind to it.

Here she is on her 4th birthday:

Here she is at her Outdoor Carnival 5th birthday after face paining: 

... and at a friend's princess birthday party just after her birthday.

Her face has matured so much in the past year and all her scars are slowly but surely healing nicely.  

Angel continues to draw people to her with her beautiful eyes, smile and charm.  Here is a picture I took of her in November without her glasses, I love this picture of her.  It wonderfully captures her beauty and spirit!

Thankful the Lord blessed us with such an amazing girl and that her adoption and attachment seemed so "easy" that when the Lord nudged us to begin another adoption journey in December 2010, we had little reservation about taking the journey again.  Though we never expected the second journey to be so emotionally difficult and physically trying.

Angel's B-day pic

Angel was so excited that it was her turn to have a birthday and loved everyone singing to her.

Love that smile!!!

Happy 3rd Birthday!!!

It's hard to believe we are already celebrating another birthday with her!  Happy 3rd Birthday, Angel!  You continue to touch the lives of so many.  You have grown and learned so much in the past year, what progress you are making!!!

I'm a little behind on posting but wanted to share that I had a wonderful opportunity last week to share our "testimony" on unconditional love in adoption during the Mother's Day sermon at our church.  For anyone who is interested, here is a link to the sermon where  you can listen to it:

Building Blocks of Motherhood Sermon  - select the 5/9/10 sermon.  If you want to hear just my portion, fast forward to about the last fifteen minutes of the sermon.  Listen to the pastor for the little bit before to understand more of the message I was to give.

I've gotten lots of great feedback on it, so glad I could share.  Hopefully, I have planted a seed for others to begin their own adoption journey.

Angel - 6 weeks post op

It has been 6 weeks since the graft surgery and it has healed well.  We are now back to massaging 5-6 times a day. I enjoyed not massaging post surgery, it was a little rough getting back into the routine.

Kids after searcing for Easter eggs

Michiael turned 11 & Kailey 7 on the 8th

It has been a busy month.

Happy Gotcha & Adoption Day to us!!!

One year ago today we met Angel for the first time. Oh how I remember that day, the tears, the fear, the anxiousness, her adaptation and by the end of the day the first smile she gave us. What an emotional roller coaster but worth every minute.