My Hero

A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.

~ Christopher Reeve

In all my forty-something years, I never realized the impact a little girl would have on my life.  Nothing is now as it was 5 years ago.  Yes, the days get crazy ~ running in different directions, attending PTA fundraisers, doing homework some nights for what seems like an eternity, and finding hairbands/Barbie shoes all over the house...  And you know what?  I wouldn't change a thing.

Why would I?

*  I am awakened on the weekend with a kiss on the cheek and a smile that makes her eyes squint.  How could one possibly say no to "Can I watch a movie in your bed?  I'll turn the volume down low..."?

*  I watch my little girl approach another child who is crying and she puts her arm around him and rubs his back.

*  Not a dog or cat can pass us on the street without Kristina kindly asking the owner "Can I pet your dog?" or telling them "Your dog is so cuuuute!".  Kristina wants nothing more than to have a dog...but that will have to wait until she can help with the responsibilities of a dog and we're not gone from the house for so many hours per day.

*  I laugh at the outfits Kristina puts on...many with mismatched crazy socks and (little girl) high heels...but somehow, still stylish enough that I don't make her go in and change --- it's just her style!

*  As "shy" as Kristina pretends to be around new family and friends, she quickly opens up and befriends them.  Even in grocery stores, Kristina has no problem going up to clerks to ask a question.  I swear this girl has walked this earth before....

*  I admire Kristina's sensitivity when the girls at school are not nice (oh, the drama....) and only hope she is learning from it so as not to perpetuate it.

Not a day doesn't pass that I am reminded about how much my daughter loves me.  She tells me often and when I ask her "How much do you love me?"~ I always get the response, "Big much!"  Some days I'm "mom", some days "mama" and most days "mommy".  It's a title I longed for for years and this little girl is the reason.

She is my hero.

For a little girl who spent the first 3 months of her life in a hospital (with, I'm sure, getting not much more than the mandatory attention a child must receive in order to thrive) and then the next 25 months in an orphanage, I am amazed at Kristina's zest for life. 

She is my hero, and I admire her tremendously.

I pray for many years to watch her grow and blossom into a beautiful young woman, to set and reach goals that her heart desires and to grab opportunities in life that otherwise she might not have had ~ had God not placed us together.

November is National Adoption Awareness Month....

and today, November 3, is Orphan Sunday.
 

With over 150 million orphans worldwide, my heart aches that there are children just like Kristina, who have yet to have the chance to call someone "mama", or have a dress to call their own without a grupa number stitched into it, to know the warmth of a sincere hug, or the luxury of crawling into bed and someone stroking their hair as a night-night story is read to them.

Every child deserves this, so I ask you --- if you can not bring a child into your family, please take a moment and say a prayer that someone, someday will open their heart to adoption.  It may not always be the easy road (is parenting supposed to be easy?), but the blessings are incredible.  There are many more heros out there....they just haven't been given the ingredient in life to realize it yet:  LOVE.

We love you, Kristina DeAnn!!!

And now....some photos of our (super) hero!



Nothing like a little pink in the hair to make a little girl happy!  :)

Striking a Super Hero pose

Kristina chose to be Bat Girl this year ~ so pretty in pink!

Bat Girl with her sidekick, Bat Man

Daddy pulled his Super Man abilities and was able to make it over to the parade during his lunch break!

Kristina's favorite part of the parade ~ greeting the fans!
 

Nana and Grampa were able to make it to see Bat Girl in action!

We attended a pre-Trick or Treating party and had a GREAT time.
Kristina was hanging out here with Mila and Elora.

Taking a 1-minute break from running to the next house while Trick or Treating.

Been watching the girls grow up over the years ~ incredible!

Oh, no...Zombies are in the neighborhood!!!

Kristina was thrilled to see her buddy, Gaby, since they no longer go to the same school!

Decisions, decisions....Kristina's school encourages all the children to give 50% of their candy to the men and women in the Armed Forces through Operation Gratitude.  Initially, Kristina was having a hard time parting with anything chocolate but in the end, the recipients will be very happy!!

Me and my hero.