One Year

Dear Cate,

People told me to enjoy you being little because time would fly. You're still little, at least in the big picture. But time has indeed flown. The day you were born -- 5/6/07 -- is so clear to me. Yet it's been a year and you've changed so much.

Today as we celebrate all that you've brought to our lives, I wanted to share some details. Let's start with some basics. Now that you're 366 days old (counting Leap Day!), here are some other numbers:

You have 8 teeth.

You sleep 12 hours a night.

And take 1, sometimes 2, naps during the day.

You've had 1 haircut, although I did it in 2 phases.

You take 0 bottles.

And you know 3 words well enough to use them at appropriate times: Juice, uh-oh and oh wow.

I could go on with more details: You crawl fast and pull up anywhere. You blow kisses, give fives, motion "come here" and wave good-bye. You love your Magna Doodle and anything with buttons to push. You cuddle sweetly with stuffed animals and eat anything we give you.

You bring a joy into our house that is unlike anything we've ever experienced. You've changed us in ways that make us better people. And not to sound cliche, but our family wouldn't be the same without you.

I've told your daddy many times in the last 366 days that the decision to adopt, and to adopt you specifically, was the best decision we've ever made. And that's true. God taught us that he is in control of all the details of our lives and that the way we plan something to happen isn't necessarily his way, even if we had a really great idea. Giving God control of our wanting a family allowed him to orchestrate all the details for you to be with us.

We couldn't have scripted a better story.

And there's so much more to come.

We're looking forward to you growing up. Walking. Talking. Laughing more. Becoming more of who you already are: Sweet, full of joy, slightly stubborn, fearless and independent. We're excited to show you new things and take you to new places. We'll start with the beach in a month.

I just started a book called "Butterfly in Brazil" by Glenn Packiam. It was a birthday gift from a friend who thought I'd appreciate the message and analogy. I'm only a few chapters in, but she was right.

"I think we have the possibility of being a part of great things every day and maybe not even know it. ... We all too easily assume that the place of significance is some place else. ... And we don't even consider that lasting change begins right where we are. We don't consider the possibility that God can use us right here and now." --From "Butterfly in Brazil"

Catherine Anna, you're beautiful inside and out. And we're so blessed to call you our daughter. I rejoice in knowing I am part of something great by being your mother. Right now. Right here. Seems significant to me.

I love you dearly.
Mama