be still my heart...

I just opened an email from Logan, our adoption specialist, and inside were these two videos of our precious girl. I can't stop watching them. :)

(password for both is "rowleyfamily")

Ivy-Ann 1

and

Ivy-Ann 2


Be still my heart!

a little more of who you are...

This morning I opened up facebook to find another message. This time it was from someone I didn't even know. She informed me that she is the chair of the board of the organization that works with Ivy-Ann's orphanage. Every year a team of health and special ed professors, from the university where she teaches, goes to the orphanage to work with the kids, train the nannies and help develop programs for the various ages and needs of the children that are there.

The dear woman who contacted me has spent time with our little girl and spoke so highly of her. It warmed our hearts to hear what she had to say...

"I cannot tell you how happy I am to see this lovely (and I mean she is simply gorgeous!) girl find a family. I'm truly thrilled for her. She is so much FUN.

...When I saw her last summer, Ivy-Ann was full of laughter--a great belly laugh and chuckling whenever the team did activities she loved--and she loves sound. I think she will enjoy music and movement. Her big sisters will find someone ready to play and who is very brave--from what I saw. Truly, our team adored her: She was tender, and smart, and so curious. Whenever we were having meetings in the conference room, Ivy-Ann would sail in to see what was up, then climb on our laps to see what was going on. We knew her vision challenges were such a small part of who she is, and we so much hoped she would find a family to adore her, because she is such a gift. Really, Kelli, she is a beautiful person, and I'm so happy she will have everything she deserves."

This was such a beautiful gift. I am honored that this lady, who didn't even know me, had such love and respect for our little girl that she took the time to share all of this with me. Thank you, Kathlene. 

Another team is going to the orphanage in July, and they will be loving on Ivy-Ann and taking more pictures of her for us. This thrills me! If any of you are reading this, thank you so much for what you are doing. Thank you for loving and taking care of these children in this special way. Thank you for supporting them and cherishing them. Thank you for how you have helped our little girl blossom. And even though I do not know you, I do know this...each of you is treasured. 

growing up...

This morning, I opened up facebook to see a message from a sweet new friend who is over in China right now. She and her husband are there getting their precious daughter who just happens to be from the same orphanage as Ivy-Ann. We have been following their journey closely and are so excited for them!

Inside the message, however, were new pictures of our sweet girl. I cannot believe how much she has changed since September! She's losing some of that toddler-look and looking more like a little girl.

 Oh my goodness. I get teary-eyed looking at these. The other pictures that we have, we've had since the end of December. We had gotten so used to seeing them, and we'd built our image of her around those pictures. When I saw these pictures and how much our baby girl has grown and changed just in 8 months, I realized I really do not know her. The image of her that I have is one I've fabricated. I think that's just how it goes. But even though I really don't know her...oh my...how I love her!