Happy 4th Birthday Mia!

Today is our youngest child's birthday. Our little girl is turning 4...and we haven't even met. It is unbelievably difficult to describe what that feels like.
...to long to hold a child who doesn't know that I'm her mommy
...to miss the first 4 years of your little girl's life
...to know that every minute that goes by, is another minute that she doesn't know she is loved and belongs to a family

Today was bittersweet. We started our day cheering, singing and celebrating for Mia! What fun to celebrate her life, but painful to miss another day with her - especially a birthday. I wonder if she knows it is her birthday. Do the nannies give her extra hugs today? Or sing? Mia's orphanage does not allow birthday cakes to be sent (some do)- otherwise we would have done that. That was really disappointing to learn, but of course we honored their wishes. So, we decided that we needed to celebrate as a family for her...

We went out to our favorite Chinese restaurant, Yao's. The staff "knows" us because Steve and I frequent there often for lunch dates. Our waitress usually can repeat our sushi order before we even sit down! :) Today we went as a family. The kids and I met Steve there for a late lunch. They were super excited! When we arrived, we were given gifts decorated with ladybug chocolates and an adorable ladybug balloon. (the ladybug is a symbol for adoption in China). Our dear friend, Christy, had dropped them off earlier in the day and arranged for them to be waiting for us when we arrived. It was so thoughtful. We also brought a gift for Mia and some cupcakes. We had a wonderful meal, took some pictures, opened presents, lit candles and sang happy birthday. She received a little baby doll from us, an adorable children's storybook and a Chinese cookbook from Aunt Christy and a cup with her name on it from our sweet neighbor, Courtney (to match the ones the other kids use all the time). After visiting for a while with the staff about Mia, we gathered everything up and headed out.

It was a special time for us. We had fun. It brings me great comfort to know that the Lord is the Father to the fatherless. He is the defender of the weak. Our hearts ache for Mia be in our arms, but we know that even while we wait, she is in His. We are so thankful that this will be the LAST birthday she will spend without her family and the last birthday that we will spend without her. She is already so loved.