worth it

So this is what it's all about.


I've mentioned before that adoption doesn't come without complicated emotions, the obvious being that our gain is another's great loss. That's not an easy thing to process, especially if you imagine the roles being reversed... I know that Cora will have incredible opportunities here that she never would have had in her home country. Still, that doesn't magically make things "all better" for everyone...

But we are giving her the most precious gift she could ever receive. This little girl will grow up learning about a heavenly Father who created her and loves her more than anything. More than any parent, biological or adopted. So today we had Cora dedicated in front of our church, acknowledging her as a gift from God and committing to raise her in a Christ-centered home. She's been through a lot in her short, little life, including the transition into our family. It's been hard. But it's all worth it.

(That's our pastor praying for her, and at his side is his wife, who was also my Bible study leader last year. She was with us for most of the ride last year, from the day we saw Cora's face till the day we brought her home, praying for us the entire time. I was thrilled that she was part of this celebration.)

On a lighter note...

Since this was such a special day, I had dolled the girls up and just had to get more pictures! The day had surprising warmed up a bit, so we took our short sleeves down to the local lake/park to play.











I asked the girls to give each other a hug. They refused. I told them I would give them ice cream. Cora bought into that.



Nice hug.



They loved it. They thought we were there to play, even though we were really there for pictures. I just wish they didn't move so fast!