Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Kank you




I know this is a blog about Diabetes, but I woke up this morning feeling so grateful for my little girl. She is AMAZING! I just love her so much!


I will make the diabetes connection in this rambling post. Hang on.




All week long my baby girl has been having brand new adventures. She embraces life with a gusto! The first day we arrived, we strolled down to the beach. She squealed with delight and ran in many circles, as if she did not know what to do with all her excitement.

All week long she has been saying...." I LUB IT!"



The other phrase she keeps repeating is "Kank you, Mama. Kank you, Dadda." (thank you)
She says this when I change her diaper, buckle her seat belt, tie her shoes, put on her helmet, open the door for her, give her food...........for everything.


Melt my heart.





I have never had a two year old who displayed so much gratefulness.

I'm tearing up now thinking about it.

When I realize that we are so blessed to have one another, I am the grateful one.






When we first started the adoption process, and even throughout the 5 year wait, some people were skeptical. Some thought we already had too many children. Some thought she might be sick or too difficult to raise. Some worried she would be emotionally damaged from her stay in the orphanage. Some worried we couldn't afford it. Most of these people were well-meaning and concerned for the welfare of our family.


But I knew we were supposed to do this.

Even after Zac was diagnosed and I was a little paranoid people would think we were foolish and irresponsible for taking on so much responsibility. But I yearned for her.

Call it a God thing.






Now on to Zac and Diabetes.



When Zac was first diagnosed, he went through a mild depression. As I have mentioned in previous posts, he struggled to make sense of his new reality. It took about a year of navigating these waters before he seemed better to me.


During that time, I contemplated the possibility of getting a dog for our family. I really thought a dog would be very therapeutic for him. He could have a companion to love, who would love him unconditionally. But our lifestyle didn't really allow for a pet. My husband likes to pick up and go on impulse.





Fast forward to China. I was very nervous about bringing home the baby. I knew it would be a challenge to bond with her and deal with D at the same time. With adoption, you take some risk. But God had filled my heart with a need for her. So we pressed on.

She has been such an awesome blessing to us. I cannot even describe it in words. I thought she would bond with my 3rd born son the most. But guess who is her absolute favorite person? Why Zac! They have been almost inseparable from day one.

She even prefers him to everyone except me. And he adores her.

Now she is not a dog, of course. But the point is that God had a better plan than I. She has been an integral part of his healing. He has someone else to worry about. Someone else who has had a tough break in life and needs his care. He needs physical healing and she needs emotional healing.

I praise our great and good Creator. He knows the depth of every need. When he works in our lives, it is an awesome thing to behold.........

"Kank you. Kank you. Dadda."









9 comments:

  1. Ok, this is so weird, but she actually looks like your little ballerina in the shot with the flowers. Yes, she's certainly a blessing. Zack too!

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  2. Ooohhh Where was the tissue warning? such a sweet post. Im Glad your daughter found her way to You What a wonderful family She has.

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  3. yeah... where was the tissue warning! I love how God blesses us in ways we could not have imagined! I totally understand how Gigi has turned your world and hearts upside-down in such wonderful ways! God has blessed you and your family so much for following his leading! He knew you needed Gigi as much as she needed you!

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  4. Their bond is sooo very evident. I see it everywhere...in your posts, your pictures, his videos. She is precious. He is precious in his love and devotion to her. KANK YOU! for sharing your family with us.

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  5. Great tribute to your little girl! I love hearing ToddlerSpeak, also. Just what Zac needed but didn't necessarily know he wanted ;)

    And, God things are awesome!!!!!

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  6. I wish you could see me now. After reading this post, I'm smiling. :) Such a heart-warming story! :)

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  7. So very teared up right now! I have loved watching not only her relationship with your whole family, but the special bond that is so obvious between her and Zac. What an awesome God we serve that he was planning on meeting her need as well as Zac's!

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  8. Shannon,

    That post made me cry. God did have a greater plan than you, Zac or GiGi. What a blessing GiGi is to your family and Zac is to GiGi! Love this post!

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  9. She's so beautiful, Shannon.

    I've been thinking of you. My email is faraboverubies6@yahoo.com

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