She Amazes US

It has been far too long since I last blogged. Life has definitely been busy for all of us. Scot has started his last semester of classes this Spring. He will only have his intern hours left for Summer and Fall once May rolls around. He will be graduating in December 2013 with a Bachelor degree in Social Work. I am a very proud wife. He is so excited to get his new career going. I have started the 6th month at my new job. After almost 10 years with Baker Botts, I left and started a new position with the firm Patterson & Sheridan, LLP. It was definitely an adjustment in the beginning because it's a smaller firm, but it has definitely been one of the most wonderful career decisions I have ever made in my life. Sometimes the grass is greener on the other side. I'm glad I took the leap.

Gladney continues to be a huge part of our lives. In 2012, I convinced Scot to join the Fort Worth Gladney Family Association Board with me, and he has done a fabulous job so far. He is now our Outreach chair on our Board. I continue my work on the board as well with planning a few events for the birth mothers in the dorm. This year I will also be volunteering my time to co-chair for Blossoms 2013. I will be in charge of the exhibitors for the event. AND Scot and Madilyn will be showing off in the fashion show. We are all so excited.

Scot and I are also a year older and life is letting us know. We both just got glasses. He wears his all the time, but mine are more for work and driving at night. OH and I cut my hair. I love reinventing myself.

As far as Miss Madilyn goes, Scot and I definitely feel that life seems to go by in a blink of an eye every time she hits a new milestone. Our baby isn't our baby anymore, and she lets me know it.

"Mommy, I'm not a baby anymore. I'm your little girl."

I find myself looking into her eyes filled with wonder and innocence and repeating my own mom's words,

"...but you'll always be my baby."

She gazes at me and gives me her little, mischievous smile. She loves to try new things, and she embraces life. She has given me the opportunity to get back some of my innocence that I once lost in my 20's, and I embrace those moments. She is teaching both Scot and me patience. Trust me it's not easy with an almost 4 year old.

She's also an intelligent little girl. Everyday she either tells us something new she learns or just through conversation with her or her actions we find out she has discovered something new. My mom gave her an easel for Christmas (which she absolutely loves), and about three weeks ago we were drawing pictures on it and writing letters. Well I left the room for a minute and when I returned I discovered that she had written the words "MOM" and "DAD" on her easel. Scot and I were so excited and proud. No one was there to help her with the letters and no one told her how to spell them.

Just last night Madie and I were talking about my Mr. Bear...who I've had since I was a baby and now it's her bear. She asked if she could take Mr. Bear to school, and I told her that he was too fragile to go to school so he needed to stay home. She looked at me and said,

"Mr. Bear is fragile like glass?!"

I smiled and said,

"Yes, he's so old that if we're not careful he could fall apart just like fragile glass."

She amazes US.

One last note...we are beginning our second adoption adventure. Madilyn continously is requesting a baby brother, sister, OR both.