I ♥ Faces "Contemplative" Contest

I chose a recent photo of Delilah for the contest theme "contemplative" this week. We met her and held her for the first time on June 14 in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia. The past three months have been a time of tremendous change for all of us, but most especially for Delilah, barely 3 years old who has had to adapt to a whole new world. She has learned so many things and she has shared to many of her special gifts with us. This steady, contemplative gaze is one I see sometimes as she looks into my face, hoping to find what she needs there, as she tries to understand all that has befallen her. Even with so much to consider, Delilah is willing to wrap her arms around the world, with a heart that is true and a spirit that radiates love.

I ♥ Faces Contest ~ Nostalgia

Visit I ♥ Faces for more photos and information about their awesome contests!

For the Nostalgia theme photography contest I chose this recent photo of my fifth child hugging her armful of Elmos! Elmo has been around for many childhoods in our house, the collection passed down and enriched by each child's particular choice of a favorite. Elmo was the first imaginary friend for most of our children and he will forever remind me of the sweetness and innocence of children who believe friends can come in all shapes and sizes..... and colors!

Color and Light

Here is a sample of some photos I took, playing with unusual colors and light.

Graduation

We recently had the honor of attending big sister Lauren's college graduation. She has worked hard for four years and she deserves every bit of pride, relief and excitement that she now feels.

We spend a fun day in her college town, exploring downtown, and getting a little taste of the place she has called home for the past few years.

Cami loved exploring the fountains and elevators and even the bleachers. She hung in there like a champ until about 9pm when she crawled up in my lap and asked me to sing her a lullaby.

First Taste of Summer

On Feeling Small

Cami has been asking questions. It seems that to ask about Delilah is safer. She doesn't ask about her own past, but she is lately quite concerned about Delilah's "parents".

"Doesn't she already have a mommy and daddy"???

"Who is taking care of her"?

"Will Lilah miss her Daddy when she comes home with us"?

Very tough questions. Both to answer, and to know are rattling around in Cami's heart.

Today I was fixing her hair into pigtails and she asked me, "What is Delilah's mommy's name"???

I had to tell her I didn't know. When she pushed for more information I took a deep breath and told Cami that just like Delilah, she was born to a mommy in China and that mommy was not able to take care of a baby for some reason. So she needed China to find a mommy and daddy that could take care of this baby and love her forever...... and how we are so happy that China let us be the family for her. And now we will become Delilah's family forever in just the same way.

With a stillness that never comes when I'm fixing her hair, and a voice as clear and pure as the first voice ever heard, Cami looked at me in the mirror and said,

"I feel very small right now".