Dear Friends and Family,
We wanted to take a moment and wish you all a very Merry Christmas! We love getting your Christmas Cards in the mail and having a small window into your world.
This year has been both the hardest year and the best year so far. Next week we will celebrate one year with Isaac being forever part of our family. It has been wonderful to look back and remember all that God has done. This time last year Isaac was saying his first words ever and we were hearing his laughter for the first time. Now he makes us laugh every single day and we love listening to his stories. This time last year we were experiencing the greatest gift our family has ever been given...8 weeks of uninterrupted time to bond and cherish each other. Of course this time was wrapped up in a season of waiting and being very far from home but we look back now and we can see it for the gift that it was.
Becoming a family of 4 in such a nontraditional way as walked us through brokenness and pain, but it has also taught us a level of love and patience that only the holy spirit could bring. We have experienced nearly 4 years of "Firsts" crammed into just 12 short months. Everything from eating with a fork, to first words, to finding Elfy; our hide and seek friend.
God has used Cara and Isaac to teach me more than I can summarize in a blog post or Christmas card. Of course they bicker and fight like siblings. Our house echos with "He hit me" and "She took my toy" but I have also seen such beautiful examples of love. Cara protects Isaac with a fierce passion. She reminds me often what Grace and Mercy look like lived out as she finds the right words to calm me down if I'm upset over another broken item or misplaced glove or accidental moment. If Cara is given a reward or a prize she is quick to split it with her brother or make sure he has something equally wonderful. Isaac shares his love with hugs that often seem to come out of no where but are always accompanied by "I wuv wu".
I could not be more grateful for Bill. He is the most loving husband and incredible father. He never knows if he will be coming home to an exhausted Mommy or dance party in our rain boots (Isaac has become quite the fan of hosting "parties" in the kitchen). Regardless of the kind of day he has had,he comes home, dives in and loves on each of us.
I am also continually thankful for each and every one of you that has reached out with a meal, a note, a text or "like" to let us know that you are cheering us on. Following God on this road has taken more than I knew I could give. Each moment of each day is it's own unique battle or victory. We could NOT have made it this far on our own. THANK YOU and THANK GOD for everything.
With Our Deepest Love,
Bill, Lauren, Caraline & Isaac
