HAPPY BIRTHDAY PRINCESS!!!

Kelina is 5!!

I can't believe our little girl is 5 today!  She is so excited.  Ever since she found out that she would get a ride on a carousel for her birthday, she has been telling everyone for her birthday she was getting a horse!  We had to keep explaining to her that she would get a "ride" on a horse.  Her party is next weekend but tonight we sung "Happy Birthday" and celebrated with cupcakes.  After enjoying the cupcakes, and cards, and calls from Grandma's, Kelina kept smiling and saying she was so happy.  It made her day to be called a Birthday Princess.  She also got her long awaited carousel ride, and she loved it, giggling the whole time.

Selfishly I didn't want today to come.  Yesterday I was wanting TIME to stop.  I had missed so much of Kelina's early years that I didn't want her 4th year to be over yet;  we had only spent 7 months of it together.  Sadly time goes too fast and she is growing up already right before our eyes (I think she has grown 3"!). 

It was a time of reflection too.  My mind traveling across oceans and mountains to a distant place where the woman who gave Kelina life is and the woman who cared for her for three years in her home.  Their thoughts are on Kelina as she will be in their hearts forever.  I am in awe of these women who loved her and took care of her.  She is special to them.  I missed Kelina's early years, but now I have this precious girl to love and hold for eternity.  They loved on her those first years, but will miss all her years ahead.  I know my sorrow to have missed holding her as a baby or watching her crawl and take those first steps, but I can't imagine the emptiness they must feel on this day without her near.  One thing is certain, Kelina is truly loved!

Sharing Mommy

I volunteered today to help in Kaylie's class at school.  While my friend watched Kelina, they got on the topic of sharing toys.  Kelina mentioned that she didn't like sharing.  At one point in the conversation she said, "I have to share My Mommy too." 
"My Mommy".  It still melts my heart everytime I hear those words from her.  I love that Kelina keeps giving us little nuggets of what is going on inside her head.  Her words show that cemented bond that has taken hold between a mother and a child.  I am so grateful that she has accepted us.  That she wants me all to herself.  Just like a little one should.  This nugget she shared shows us where her heart is.  Any 4 year old wants their Mommy, but how much harder when you've wanted one for so long and now that you have a Mommy, you find out you have to share her with siblings, and Daddy, and friends...
She sweetly curled up in my lap tonight.  After resting her head on my arm for a few, she looked up at me and said, "I love My Mommy and Daddy, Kyle, Kellan, and Kaylie."  At which I replied, "I love Kelina."  She then said, "I don't want to go with Na Na and Yie Yie (her foster grandparents in China).  I want to stay here with you." 
"You will always be with us, forever and ever." 
She must have felt pretty confident in this being true, because the next thing she said was..."Your nose is like a banana!"  (then she said Uncle Chris' nose was "like a chicken's"--i.e. a beak).  Only she could get away with making fun of my nose.  Too Funny!