Family

Today we celebrate our Family Anniversary...One year ago today, we became us.

First family photo

Tonight we will celebrate with what I hope will be some tasty Colombian food (kinda wishing I'd have practiced more this past year!).

Hug for papi now

It's hard to believe it's been a year. I remember that day clearly, like it was just yesterday.

Look at Joel's face!

At the same time, it's difficult to remember our family without Karen.

We've had some hard times together, but we've had many, many more good times.

Crazy kids!

Karen is a strong and determined girl. She knows what she likes, what she believes, what she thinks. She is not swayed by what others do, wear, say.  Or even the facts!

She is called "fearless" and "risk-taker"by her teachers- both in the classroom and on the playground.

She loves to hug, give kisses and get tickled. She wants to wear dresses, and jewelry and paint her nails and do her hair just right...and mix it up with her brother and his friends and climb like a monkey on the playground.

She's made some great friends!

Well-dressed and tough as nails.

She loves riding her bike- which she taught herself to ride after 2 very determined hours of work. No training wheels here.

And boy, can she talk!
















I'm learning the fine art of parenting more gently- through hugs and tears.
.

This is Karen. Our daughter,

A friend last weekend said, "She's a wonder." Yes, she is.

God has given her so much strength and resilience. I don't know how she's made sense of new parents, new home, new country, new family. Just like that.

Miracle.