The Agape Project

Stumbled across this video and couldn't resist passing it on. Especially since it is Valentine's Day (or almost, depending on when you receive this blog post).


Agape is a Greek word for a particular type of love. Agape love is love that is based upon principle and is, by far, the noblest type of love. Agape love is unselfish and is more than just an emotional response. That's the type of love that is involved in most adoptions.


The Agape Project Video



 

Goodbye Infant Room...

As Daphne moves her way into toddler-hood she also has to make the transition to a new room at daycare. As we were scheduling 1 year photos and organizing her first birthday party there were little to no tears shed, mostly just that excited feeling -- we made it a whole year!! Then one weekday when Adam did ‘pick up’ for Rachel (usually he drops off – working mom’s utilizing day care know what a win-win this can be) he mentioned that he had a brief encounter with the Center Director (Rhonda) and was given THE LETTER.

I Like Adoption - Video

One of Rachel's acquaintences forwarded us this little gem of an adoptive family.


I Like Adoption Video


**something special happens right around the 2:39 mark (quote from the dad - while trying to explain adoption to his kids) "Being born into a family, you don't even decide that - it just happens biologically; but...when you're adopted, your parents looked out into the whole world and picked you."

Gorgeous family and such a joy to watch!

Daphne turns ONE!

Quick Thoughts:

I don't think it matters if it is your first baby or your tenth. There is something miraculous about being given the gift of a child - through whatever means you are blessed to have one - and seeing them for the first time. The responsibility, the enormity, fragility of it all meshes together in that moment which is just about as sacred as any moment can get. You know in that moment unconditional love - for this child has done nothing to earn your love and will do nothing to lose your love - you love her just because she exists and just because she is yours. And you know without a doubt you will do whatever is in your power to do what is best for her.  And you are humbled, amazed, and grateful. Incredibly grateful.

Daphne meets Santa!

A couple weekends ago we took Daphne to meet Santa. It was so much fun! For years, we have watched parents line up with their kids, waiting to see the jolly man in the red suit. It has always been one of those things (along with a thousand others) that we were looking forward to doing with our child. It was finally OUR TURN! We watched happily as our baby girl was held by Santa.

We really lucked out with this photo.  Why?  Because, it was 6:30pm (dark), it was an outside event, the only lighting was on the tree behind Santa, and (the absolute worst part) it was bring your own camera. That meant we had to rely on our Sony camera - that is 6 years old - and almost on it's way out (if Rachel has any say in the matter). So, we do what we normally do and set the camera to stun - haha, gotcha! No, really, we set it to take rapid / repeated shots. All we have to do is hold the button down and it will fire off shot after shot until we release that magic button. Then all we can do is hope one of the 42 shots that were taken in the 5.2 seconds turns out. 

Words cannot describe how blessed we are with our beautiful baby girl. Our hearts swell with happiness and joy!