Where there once was none....

I realized yesterday the best thing about this picture---
The EYE CONTACT she is making with daddy!
That and the happy smile on her face.

A Special Day.

 Yesterday was a big day for Grace. The 3rd Birthday that she celebrated with us, her Forever Family.
It was a Wednesday so we couldn't celebrate it with family. But we took her to Bounce U, which is one of her favorite places.
I tried to make it special for her. But she doesn't know why it is a special day or what special is.
Special is... Grace.
I got myself depressed because I thought it wasn't special enough. But then I look at the pictures of her at Bounce U and her face is SO happy. I saw how she ran and got all the wrapped presents and ran off with them so she could open them. I saw they way she looked at the books and the new gears and the other things we got her and realized that she DID think that was special.
 How do you see that smile and not feel that everyday is special with her. Granted, some days are harder than others, but everyday that has that smile and that laugh in it is a good day.
Things are different with her than they were with Joy and no matter whatI do, I can't change that. I have to accept it.
And I have to accept that it's OK. They are two different beings and two different lives and it's good. I have been blessed with two beautiful daughters and it only makes sense that this family is so special because we are all so different. Including the dogs!

 Gotta love her!

Poor Gracie.

4 days away from turning 5 and this is what happens.We went to our rental property in MD and Gracie either didn't feel good or really didn't want to be here.

She started out fine on the long drive down but the minute we turned onto our road she started crying... and didn't stop. She cried herself to sleep... at 6:30.

She slept til 3:30 then we had to fight to get her back to sleep.

Last year she loved coming here. This year... not so much. It's so hard sometimes to know how she will react. I try to bring everything she needs but today she wouldn't play with her toys or her stickers!!! She wouldn't come out of my bedroom. When Chris tried to take her downstairs she ran right back up- not like her at all.I even brought down wrapped birthday presents which we didn't even get out. :(
Oh well, Wednesday is coming. We will try again.