Big week

So this is a big week in the Holt household.  Wednesday (9/11) will mark one year ago that Ted and I first met our precious Maggie.  I still can't believe it has been a year since I started falling in love with that beautiful face, those playful eyes, and that heart-melting smile.  Here she is on that wonderful morning in September in Moscow:

I still laugh when I think about al the clothes that she had on (at least 3 layers!!) when it was 65 degrees outside.  She was a little curious about these two people hugging on her and playing with her and she was fascinated by the camera.  She now loves the camera and starts saying "cheese" the minute she sees it.  She didn't smile much that first day we met her, but with each visit, we started seeing glimpses of the little girl we now know so well.

When I look at these pictures now I see the shell of the little girl who is our Maggie.  I still think about all those others orphans sitting in the orphanages all over Russia with little chance of ever having a forever family.  And I am SO THANKFUL that God got her to us when He did and before the closure of American adoptions in Russia.  God made her perfectly in His image and I feel so blessed to be called her mama.  She is a bundle of joy and energy and as anyone who knows her can attest to, she keeps us all on our toes!!

The other thing that happens this week is that Ted and I will celebrate our 11th wedding anniversary on Saturday.  We spent our last anniversary in Moscow.  That was the day we signed the papers officially accepting the referral of "Kristina" and praying that the next steps (court and the 30 day waiting period) would pass quickly.  We went to our favorite little spot [Pizza Express] for dinner and had a great night together, celebrating 10 years.  

This year Ted is taking me to Atlanta for the night.  He made all the arrangements for the kids (Ward to the farm, Sam to his brother's house and the girls here with Grandmom).  We will relax by the pool at the fabulous St. Regis Hotel and cheer on the Tide in their big game against "Johnny Football." HE said that he has a surprise for me for dinner.  I don't care what we do as long as we are together (and I get a little R&R).  I am really looking forward to it.  

This week will be an emotional one for me.  I know that my heart will melt a little more thinking about the past year's journey.  I can feel that lump in my throat right now . . . .   The emotions I feel are completely overwhelming.  God is so good.  We are so blessed.  I am the luckiest woman on the planet!