Sweet Mila

It is the eve of our sweet Mila's 5th birthday.  As I put her to bed tonight, I reminded her that when she wakes in the morning, it will be her special day--her birthday.  Dippy doughnuts (Paula Deen's recipe--her favorite cook!) for breakfast!
Birthdays for my girls are bittersweet.  I am so incredibly blessed that God has chosen me to be Mila's Mom.  He has trusted me with her life, with her care, and given me the knowledge, the skills, and the love to be the best parent I can be for her.  Yet, as every birthday comes and goes, I grieve for the mother that gave her life.  I would love her birth family to see her- to know that she is happy and loved.  That despite her disability, her abilities outweigh the things that hold her back.  If I could bottle Mila's giggle and send it to them, to know Mila's true joy, I would.  I grieve for the misconception of disabilities around the world.  If only her family would have been more knowledgeable, would they have seen Mila in a different way? 
I cannot change life, but I can embrace it.  I can hold my sweet girl, carry her where she needs to go when her legs won't take her.  I can tickle my sweet girl and listen to the pure joy that comes from within her.  I can thank the Lord that HE has blessed me with a wonderful daughter and that we can celebrate birthdays, adoptions days, gotcha days, and many other holidays together.

And since it is sweet Mila's birthday, it only seems right to share a story--to show how far she has come in two short years...
We had decided on purchasing a Power Wheels toy for Mila's birthday--something she can ride outside and feel independent.  We have been looking for one for over a week, with no luck at any of our area stores.  On the way home today from an overnight stay, we tried stopping at the Walmart about 2 hours away from home.  No, it wasn't ideal that she was with us, but what were we to do...
The store had the item, we purchased it and put the box in the car to bring home.  About 20 minutes down the road, we began to talk about her birthday.  I asked her what she wanted for her birthday.  I said "Mila, would you like a tractor?"  She looked at me with a silly grin and said, "Mama.....I have a tractor in the back of the car!" :)  Doug and I laughed.  Two years ago, I could take her to the store and buy things for her and she wouldn't put two and two together.  Now, nothing gets past her!  Hannah told Mila she was going to get her stinky socks for her birthday.  Mila's response-- "Hannah, you're joking!  That's gross!"

Happy 5th Birthday to my sweet, sassy, demanding, cuddly little girl!