Remembering to treasure every moment....

This past weekend I attended the Women of Faith conference with my mom and some dear friends. We had the pleasure of seeing Steven Curtis Chapman perform. He did an amazing job and spoke to us about the death of his daughter last year. For those that don't know, he is a christian recording artist that has 3 biological children and 3 little girls adopted from China. His youngest died last year at the age of 5. He told us the story of the night he wrote his latest hit "Cinderella". I could relay the whole story to you but instead will just summarize it: after a long day he was putting his 3 youngest daughters to bed and rushing them to get to sleep so he could get back to work. After they were in bed he thought about his oldest daughter, who was then away at college, and how he remembered performing the same nighttime rituals with her and how he couldn't believe how fast the time had passed him by. He wrote the song and he told all of us in the audience how important it is to treasure every moment with your children, before you know it they will be grown up and not need you for those bedtime stories and tucking in each night.

As I was listening to him I could help but think of my own life and how much Avery had changed it!! I will have to admit there are times when I get frustrated with her or when I rush her to do something and I am definitely not treasuring each moment. I also thought about that little girl we were handed in China 16 months ago. A baby girl that could barely hold her head up, that couldn't sit up, and was a little frightened of us. A baby girl that already had a smile that lit up a room, that already tons of personality, a baby girl that captured our hearts instantly!!

Looking back now it's hard to believe the little girl that runs all over the house jabbering away today is that same girl. She has changed so much over these past 16 months that it hurts my heart just a little that my baby is no longer a baby. She is growing and changing everyday and I realize it has only just begun. Paul and were looking back at some of the pictures from Gotcha Day this week and we can't believe how much Avery has changed since then, how much our lives changed, and how much joy we have experienced.

I know I am probably rambling here but my point is this: After hearing Steven Curtis Chapman speak this weekend I am making a more conscious effort to enjoy EVERY moment.

For fun I am taking us on little walk down memory lane with our baby girl:

This is the collage I made the day we received our referral:
The only 3 pictures we had of Avery until we held her in our arms.

A day that we will never forget. I still remember every moment, every emotion:
Finally in our arms. She may not look too happy here but Paul and my smiles definitely make up for that!

We had been home for 6 months when this picture was taken:
Avery's first of what I hope will be many trips to Walt Disney World!

Our family in May 2009
Our baby is now a toddler!!

And finally, our family today:
The change in Avery is amazing. They really do grow up sooooo very fast!!

And just in case you haven't heard the song mentioned earlier here are the lyrics:

Cinderella
Steven Curtis Chapman

She spins and she sways to whatever song plays,
Without a care in the world.
And I'm sittin' here wearin' the weight of the world on my shoulders.
It's been a long day and there's still work to do,
She's pulling at me saying "Dad I need you!
There's a ball at the castle and I've been invited and I need to practice my dancin'"
"Oh please, daddy, please!"

So I'll dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh I'll dance with Cinderella
I don't wanna miss even one song,
Cuz all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone

She says he's a nice guy and I'd be impressed
She wants to know if I approve of the dress
She says "Dad, the prom is just one week away,
And I need to practice my dancin'"
"Oh please, daddy, please!"

So I'll dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Ohh-oh ohh-oh, I'll dance with Cinderella
I don't wanna miss even one song,
Cuz all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone
She will be gone.

she came home today
With a ring on her hand
Just glowin' and tellin' us all they had planned
She says "Dad, the wedding's still six months away
but I need to practice my dancin'"
"Oh please, daddy please!"

So I'll dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Ohh-oh ohh-oh, I'll dance with Cinderella
I don't wanna miss even one song,
(even one song)
Cuz all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone


Thanks for checking in.....Happy Tuesday!!!