Hope's big day!

Happy 5th Birthday my sweet Hope!

You came to us from across the world at 2 years old...

another world really....
We did not know you until you had already celebrated 2 birthdays--if they were celebrated at all....

You were scared and confused....and so were we....

But now, dearest girl--we celebrate together. We celebrate the China mommy who gave birth to you 5 years ago......

I often wonder what she is thinking on this day. I pray for her peace. I thank her for her gift--which I am sure she could not have had any inkling how INCREDIBLE of a gift this child is--or else she could have never let her go........or perhaps it is because she knew what she could become if given a chance somewhere else.....

I will never know the woman who held my darling girl on this day 5 years ago--who cared for her for two weeks---

I pray she memorized her incredible eyes, her soft skin, and teeny tiny ears....

I pray that she knows--somehow-- that she is ok.

I wish I could show her the love that we all have for this amazing child---

The child of our hearts--the child that we wanted --and that truly changed our lives in ways we never thought possible.

The child that is celebrated today here-with family--and hopefully across the sea too...

Hope Hexu Dinello--Happy Happy Birthday--May you always know that you were loved from the very start--that God held you in HIS hands- as He does now. You are so amazing at just 5 years--I cannot wait to see what you will be doing years from now! (well-I actually can wait!! :-) We love you....for always....

xoxoxo