When Eldest Twerp came out of our hearts and into our home, she was almost two. I was overwhelmed with the lessons I had to teach her. I felt as though I had missed so much and needed to play catch up.
I taught her that no matter what, I would catch her. No matter how far she dared out - I would always have my arms outstretched in love.
We also taught her that no matter how deep she got in...no matter how she felt like she could not make it, we would help. We would snatch her out of the currents and hold her in safety...always.
We spent time instilling in her the pride and joy of accomplishments. The lessons of sportsmanship and integrity.
We taught her to dance...to sing...to play -- to love life and the ones who made it lovely. 
On the day we signed the adoption papers, we stopped to tell her to embrace her heritage. To honor her biological mother for not only her bravery - but her love in bringing her to us. 
On her 2nd birthday, we taught her to ENJOY herself. To celebrate -- there was only one ET.
We tried so hard to teach her to love -- to see people for their heart. To love like it was herself -- even greater.
And while we were busy teaching and training and instilling -- the most unexpected -- most amazing thing happened.
She taught us...
To take the time to find the princess within.
To never miss a moment to show your love.
To play -- to laugh -- to make memories
To never miss the opportunity to make a new friend.
To have BOTH milkshakes...cause you just can't decide!
To improvise....it will all work out -- even if your panties are showing.
To make room in your heart for even more -- cause it will turn on ya and fill you over and over again with more love than you ever imagined.
To act silly -- cause no matter what -- it is worth it.
To hang in there - even when it got tough.
To enjoy whatever you are doing and to go at it will passion.
To take time the smell the flowers...the feel the grass under your feet and to be close to family.
But more than anything....
Eldest Twerp has taught us that when you open your heart thinking YOU are gonna make a difference -- that YOU are gonna make a change....it turns on you.
and let me tell ya, you LEARN more than you ever TEACH. You take more than you ever could give. And you LOVE more than you ever knew possible.
ET? I love you more than the sun...more than the moon....more than the stars in the sky. You are, and always will be, my princess.
HAPPY 11th BIRTHDAY ELDEEST TWERP!! Thank you for making me your mommy. I big pink fuzzy heart with glitter love you...ALWAYS,
Momma
33 comments:
That was very sweet and straight from the heart, a real joy to read. Thank you.
Dear ET,
I wish you the happiest day ever. And your mom is right....when you give to others, you always end up getting back more than you give....more love, more kindness, more joy! So for your birthday today, seek out someone at school or at home that you can bless...with a kind word or a hug or a that pretty smile of yours. I enjoyed seeing those wonderful pictures of you as a wee little girl. (And some priceless shots of your mom and dad too). I hope your family has a wonderful day.
Love to all,
Edie
Happy Birthday ET!!!
Now that I have mascara running all over my puffy eyes....
CG what a really great post, you nailed it!
Happy Birthday ET!
CG, You always say it best. Great post.
Happy Birthday ET!
CG, You always say it best. Great post.
Happy Birthday ET!
CG, You always say it best. Great post.
Now I am a big teary snotty nosed mess.
Happy Birthday ET! Eleven is the best time of your life. You can still be a fun little kid anytime you want to but also be the beautiful young woman that you are!
That's just an amazing story of love!
What a beautiful post! I want to go adopt a little girl now!
Happy birthday ET! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY GIRLIE!!!
i loved the stroll down memory lane - she is precious!
So I just did my makeup this morning and now I have to re-do it from crying, CG! Sheesh!!
What a wonderful post. Happy Birthday to ET - I hope it's the best day EVER!!
Aw CG that made me cry!!!
ET, Happy Birthday Honey! I hope your day is as special as you!!!
ET, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!! i hope you get lots and lots of cake. and candy. and... and... presents!!!
cg? girl, you make me cry happy tears more than anyone. thank god there are people like you floating around on this earth. you make life LIVED not WITNESSED. you literally have given ET a new life.
most of all, thanks for sharing :)
I started out my day with tears. Good tears. This was so beautiful! You are so lucky to have each other. Love this post. Happy Birthday ET!!!
Have a awesome birthday, ET! You and your Mom are so lucky to of found eachother at the zoo.
Happy Birthday ET! May your day be filled with excitement.
ET, have wonderful Happy 11th Birthday! What a joy you have been to your family. Your Mom's way of expressing her love for you is so eloquent. One day when you become a Mom, you will understand that depth of love for one's child.
CG, what a heart warming tribute to your daughter. Your words are crying out to her with strong and loving emotion. How special - God saved her for you til she was 2. What a difference you are making in her life that she will also give to her children.
One of my best friends from growing up is adopted. She found her birth parents after she was grown - in her 40's. She made it clear to her adoptive parents that she was so grateful they adopted her and would never ever not consider them her parents, but she had to know this past also. She was the only child given up for adoption from her birth parents. Her mom gave her up when the dad was in the service and she never told him. It was a big surprise when she did get in touch with them. Her adoptive parents welcomed her birth side as if they had known them forever. Now, my friend is raising two of her husband's grandchilren that are now teenagers. That in itself is a long sad story also.
Many blessings to your family.
Oh my gosh, what a fabulous post! You're making me tear up here!
HAPPY 11TH BIRTHDAY!!
Aw, so sweet. That was a beautiful stroll through the memories. What a wonderful post!
Happy Birthday!
WOW that was so sweet!
Happy birthday ET! :)
Have the BEST birthday yet, ET! maybe for her birthday, she can post another bit 'cause i loved her last one! (she'll give you a run for your money in a lot of ways, CG!) now i have to get off cause my eyes are wellin'
ET I want to wish you a Happy Birthday!
CG--wow you are so expressive with how much you love ET that it filled my heart and a lump is forming in my throat.
Thank you for sharing!
Happy 11th Birthday!
What a great post! I am mom to 3 adopted kids and this really touched me.
- - - hAppY biRtHdAy - - -
WHAT a beautiful post!
crazy how someone you do not know can touch you... make you cry!
blessings!
Happy Birthday!
Such a great post!
Happy Birthday ET! Blogland loves you!
That was so great & touching. I hope you all had a wonderful day. It just proves that love knows no bounds.
Happy Birhtday ET!
What a wonderful post, you always help to make my day, I've been reading some of them to my husband & he no longer thinks I'm totally wasting my time. Well maybe he does, but a least when I'm finished I'm smiling & laughing, and have to share with him. So it's all good. You have such a way of connecting with people.
Thanks Again!
What a fabulous post! I love all the photo's of her growing up! I hope she had a fabulous birthday!
Happy Birthday ET and Happy Birthday of becoming a mommy CG! Hope it was wonderful!
What an honor and tribute to your daughter and all children. It echos what every parent feels and may or may not say. May God continue to bless you with the realities of His love, graciousness, and knowledge.
so beautifully said! I remember writing in the card for her baby shower that she will be a difference maker...and she is! She makes a positive difference to all whom she meets. I loved hearing her stories she would tell...what creativity!!! I hope she had a wonderful birthday!
xoxo
Awww - this was sooo sweet. You are a wonderful mom - and she is such a pretty pretty princess.
I love your blog - I'll be back for more!
Wow! ET is 11! How time flys! This was sooo sweet! Your a great mom, and you know you are! Miss you guys!
-cass
I'm playing catch up with all the blogs I read so sorry for a late post.
This post is the most amazing. You are suck an amazing person and I know that ET thinks that. You are a great Mom and your love for ET is so ever clear in this post.
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