Mommy

Life is pretty quiet these days. Just lots of busy normal life stuff. That is until visit day arrives.
I love having a relationship with my girls bio moms. I really do. But some days I wish we could live an hour away from the one that is much easier to be with.

We had a visit today.

She's trying to earn our trust. She's trying to do the right thing. And I see that and I appreciate it.

Today she asked what we were doing for Flower's birthday. Honestly I'm not sure yet. Tired of the big party thing and have enjoyed family outings the past two years for her birthday. So I'm still deciding. She wanted to know if she and her family could join us. So we're talking about ideas for that which would be nice. She told me that she would like to get to know D and I better. As I drove home I was thinking about that and I reminded that she didn't get to decide who would be her daughter's mom and dad. That loss of control in this situation must be very hard.

We also had a somewhat uncomfortable moment but it warmed my heart so very much today. It was what I needed to hear from my sweet girl.
While on the playground Flower says to Sun "You're not my mommy. You're my Sun." She said the same thing to me later that night "Sun not my mommy. You my mommy."

We have always referred to Sun as Mama Sun out of respect through the foster journey. But it seems that Flower might be trying to take control of her title all on her own. So proud of her. I don't mind her calling her Mama Sun but I love that my girl, at not yet 3, knows what she wants.  She is one of a kind this little one. So proud to be called her mommy.

Tucked my baby girl in one last time as a 6 year old. Can't believe she'll be 7 tomorrow.

She is such an amazing girl. Has such a heart for others. She loves so deeply. Such a helpful young lady. She loves to dance, sing and cook. She has become a very good reader but hates math. (Sad since I love it) She is so creative coming up with fun things to do. She absolutely loves being in Girl Scouts with me. She is an amazing friend. So sensitive and caring.

She brightens my life every day.

Tuesday she will be 7!! I can hardly believe it. Time has flown by and she is growing in to such an amazing little girl. So proud to be her mama.

Visit

Didn't end up getting to see Flower's birth mom before we left...

Our visit with Tinkerbell's birth mom went very well. We had so much fun together. On the last morning Tinkerbell even lost a tooth. I know she was thrilled to share that with her birth mom.

Open adoption can be such a beautiful thing. I'm so glad we were brave enough to say yes and get to share our little one with more people that love her.

Road Trip

Our road trip was amazing. The girls got to do so many things for the first time. And some things that I got to do as a kid that we never get in the desert like eating icicles.

 And waking up to snow.

Roller skating

Ice skating

Seeing dinosaur bones

Christ of the Ozarks.

So many wonderful places

And then there was this moment. The moment that I hoped and prayed I would see happen. My girls embracing themselves not just literally but emotionally as the sisters they were meant to be. My girls like to fight like sisters. They are 4 years apart so it can be tough some days. But for a good part of this trip they only had each other to play with. And it was wonderful to see them so happy together.

Next up will be a summer camping trip. I can't wait!!

Things we learned. 6 hours of driving time is about our max with this age. And driving at night is not something we should do ever again. Only did it this time to beat some bad weather.