[ocracoke]

Two years ago today if people had told me what my life would be like now there is no way I would have believed them. I would not have believed that my house could qualify as a natural disaster area. I would not have believed that I would willingly not sleep through the night for 2 years. I would not have believed that the look of her sleeping would melt my heart. I would not believe that I would do absolutely anything to protect her.

Two years ago today I had survived a very long cramped flight to Ethiopia. I made it, stunned, through customs and getting my visa. I exchanged money and collected my bags. I met our lawyer and then waited in the airport parking lot for a few hours while they tried desparately to fix the van. I threw my bags in my room at the guesthouse, ate a quick lunch, and took the short ride over to the orphanage. After feeling like what might turn into an eternity but in fact may have just been a few minutes, the orphanage nanny came over to me with a little girl (almost 21 months) in a cordoroy pink jumpsuit and placed her in my arms. I officially was a mama two years ago today. She was very unsure of this new arrangement and was a little like a caged animal, and of course the next day she tried to run away from me, but we have made it through the bumps of adjustment. This morning she woke up and told me that it wasn't Snow White's birthday -- I don't know where she gets these things -- curled her body around my arm, put her head on my shoulder, and said, "I love you, Mama". Everything that it took to get here was worth it.

Samantha

[ocracoke]

Here is a current photo of her.

[megaphonemo]

Oh my goodness!! Let me be the first to say congrats!!! Amazing how the hugs now make the pain then go away, isn't it!!??

Have a great weekend!!

[renee-albright]

Congrats on being home two years

[aclee]

She is so beautiful....Congratulations!

[BZmom7]

WOW....2 yrs. ALREADY??!!! Time sure does fly huh??? Maybe time for #2??

Sam..she sure is growing up FAST!! Congrats to BOTH of you!!

[2xaround]

You have a beautiful little girl and congratulations on two wonderful years together.

[nickchris]

Wow, your beautiful DD has really grown, and that smile, what a difference 2 years made with that smile. :-)

[amyfk]

What a great story! And my has your dd grown! She is beautiful.
Amy K, NJ

[kerriv]

Congrats!!!!!

[lakin11]

WooHOOOOO!

What a journey the last 3 years have been. Glad I found my long lost sister! Can't wait to see what the next year has for both of us! You really do need to catch up to me

[Niclayson]

She's gorgeous and your story made me smile! The journey is wonderful, isn't it?

[chickymum]

Your daughter is the most beautiful child in the world. I think I am biased because more than anything else in the world I would love to adopt a child from Ethiopia. I hope I get to be as lucky and as blessed as you.