This is your first birthday letter. I'm writing it as I ride in a van to Dulles Airport. I'm going back to your first home to serve on a Medical Maternity Mission team. I'm thrilled at the opportunity and excited for so many reasons. Instead of being anxious about adoption stuff, Embassy appointments and seeing you for just a brief moment before saying goodbye again, I am going with a single focus to love on these Nigerien women. And I know I will return home to you, my daughter, your brother, your sister and your amazing Daddy. What a precious gift to have you home with us!!!
It's sad to think you didn't get your first birthday letter until age 11. All those birthdays you never celebrated or really knew existed passed you by as you lived out your days in the orphanage. So much you experienced there but also so many hugs and kisses and cuddles I couldn't give you for all those years.
A few days before your birthday (January 1) marked your six month anniversary in the United States. In many ways, it feels like you have been here much longer. You have really embraced life here, your English improves every day, and for better or worse, you have been Americanized in many ways. And then there are times when I see those habits you formed during your first 10 years of life, and I have to remind myself that it's only been six months. It will probably take much longer than that to change 10+ years of a habit. Grace. All is Grace. God has shown me so much through your joining our family, and I am so grateful for an increasing faith because of you.
Here are some fun things about you as you enter your 11th year. You really like school, especially the social aspect. The days I have walked you into your classroom, you were greeted by the others with such excitement and so many "Hi Leila's"! You have quickly assimilated into your class and into their styles and demeanor. We met with your teachers last week, and they think you are catching up incredibly fast. They said you work so hard, raise your hand all the time and want to try everything your classmates are doing. You've got grit, girl!
For months you asked about riding the bus, but you have finally given up on that for now. You have to take that one up with your daddy. You love Fridays when I let you buy lunch. It's pizza day! Your favorite. Your buddy in class is a sweet girl named Faith who told you to ask for an American girl doll for Christmas. Thanks to grandma and grandpa, her wish and yours came true!
You are at an interesting stage of life as an 11-year-old coming from your experience. You want me or daddy to help you with almost everything. Yet, we know there are some things you must learn to do on your own particularly as you grow. It is hard because you have never had someone there to help you. I think the most common thing that comes out of your mouth is, "mama, please, can you come?" You either don't know how or refuse to tell me why it is you need me to come. You must show me!
You love your back scratched, lotion rubbed on you and to just hang on us. You are an affectionate, sweet girl. You are also incredibly goofy and hyper at times. Often we have to say when going places, "This is not a place for leaping and running. We walk here and we don't wrestle (that's mainly for your brother)."
Some of your other favorite things are shoes, clothes, snow!, your heated blanket, plastic water bottles (like Deer Park), coloring, salsa and really hot baths and showers.
We are truly blessed by you and so grateful that God put adoption on our hearts and led us to you. We love you our lovely Leila!!
Momma and Daddy
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