Nara's First Family Vacation & Beach Trip

Back in January we went to Lake Wiley with my family for my birthday. The day we left, Ryan and I got our monthly update on Nara with this beautiful picture. I remember looking at this picture so many times while we were there. Sometimes tears would start to well up in my eyes because it felt like there was a void. Here we were vacationing with family and yet our daughter who we already loved so much was still 8,000 miles away stuck in an orphanage. Pretty much all of last year after our referral any holiday, vacation or day of significance was a little off because our daughter was unable to share those special days with us. What a joy it was this year for her to FINALLY be with us at our annual family Lake Wiley trip!!!!

               

After spending a few days with my family at the lake, we came home for one night, reloaded the car and headed for the beach. Nara was still half asleep but jumped in the car and kept repeating over and over "I'm ready to go!"

Here she is putting her toes in the ocean for the first time. She absolutely loved the beach! Each morning she was ready to put on her swim suit and wanted to eat every meal on the balcony so she could still see the water. Nara is teaching me to appreciate the things I so often take for granted. 

    

She loved playing "puhh puhh puhh" and was upset on the last hole when her ball disappeared. For an hour she kept talking about how she lost her ball. Nara has been such a blessing to our family. Can't imagine life without her. God is SO good!