Olivia's One Year Birthday Party!!

We had Olivia's 1st Birthday Party yesterday at a nearby restaurant. All but a few of our guests were able to come out and celebrate with us. It was so wonderful to have everyone join us in celebration.

It has been quite a 1st year for Miss Olivia. She was born in Mazatenango, Guatemala, traveled to Guatemala City, Guatemala to be united with the most wonderful foster family ever who loved and cared for her for the first 10 months of her life. She was finally united with us, her forever family on her 10 month birthday!! She came home to the United States of America, to meet her wonderful family and friends who all prayed so hard for her to come home safe and sound. She had a wonderful first Christmas, a great trip to NY, and two wonderful 1st Birthday celebrations. She has been a busy little girl and has taken it all in stride.

We can't imagine life without her!!!! We are so in love with this little girl!!!! We are so blessed that she was chosen by God to be our little girl!!! We can't wait to see what the years ahead have in store for our sweet Angel Olivia. We love experiencing life through her eyes. It brings a whole new meaning to everything. When I go back 126 posts to my very first post "How it All Began" I am amazed at how far we have come and how much we have been through to bring Olivia home. We wouldn't change it for anything in the world. We are just so blessed to have this past year to look back on and see what a wonderful and difficult journey it has been and how it was absolutely worth every minute of it.

Today I kissed an Angel

I knew it from the start.

The first time my Angel smiled at me I gave away my heart.

Today I kissed an Angel.

This Angel child of mine.

Though not by my own creation.....my child by God's design.

Today I kissed an Angel.

My Heart is dancing wild.

My family, by miracle....blessed by my Angel child.

You are our Angel, baby girl.....We love you!!!!

Birthday Girl!

Family

Friends

More friends.

Olivia's delicious cake.

She looked a little shocked when everyone started singing Happy Birthday!

Momma and her girl!

3 Guat Mommas and their 3 Guat tots. The Mommas were very cooperative, but the Birthday girl in the middle didn't want to sit still so she distracted the others. It cracks me up how Madi and Abbie are looking at her. I was so excited that my two friends Andrea and Karen were able to come and celebrate with us.

Sweet Madi and Abbie, best friends!

I couldn't seem to get a picture when neither one was drinking.

Sweet Madi Belle. Thank you so much for coming to Olivia's party! It is so much fun to see you.

Sweet little Abbie, Olivia, and Brandon. They were all trying to leave the room to go to the bar.

Sweet Abbie. We are so happy that you were able to come to Olivia's party we love seeing you.

Sweet Olivia

Sweet Madi with her Daddy and Mom Andrea in the background.

All of the children helped Olivia open presents.

I love Madi and Abbie's expressions in this picture. You might have to enlarge it to see.

Madi likes paper just like Olivia does.

Uh oh!! Cinderella lost her slipper!

Yeah, Mike found it!

Aunt Paige loves to make Olivia laugh.

Sweet little Abbie was melting my heart. She just climbed up in my lap several times and just wanted me to cuddle her.

Karen trying to hold squirmy Olivia.

Andrea was able to snatch her up and hold her for a little bit. She could almost pass for Madi.

Where did everybody go? Is my party over?

This picture is for Olivia's Foster Daddy Raul. He wasn't able to be there when Olivia was placed with us so he wrapped up this stuffed animal for her. We have been wanting to get a nice picture of Olivia with him so that we can send it to Raul. He loves and misses his little Princessa.

(No that is not a Mongolian spot on her cheek....she dropped a picture frame on her cheek the day before her party and it left a bruise. Perfect timing. Oh well, I love this picture just the same.)

You are one beautiful Birthday Girl!!