This concludes our one year reflections...

This was my blog entry a year ago, the day after we arrived home.

I had several moments of unexpected tears yesterday. I knew I would be emotional when we landed in Atlanta, and I was, as that plane touched down (usually my least favorite part of flying I HATE landings). But, this time I was holding my daughter in my arms, and then my Dad put his hand on my arm, and we looked at each other, and just welled up. I expected those tears (and yes Kassie they were happy tears).

I didn't expect to cry the day before when I was handed her passport & visa, I didn't expect to cry as I held her in my arms, and boarded the shuttle bus to the airport in Guatemala City, I didn't expect to cry when we got through immigration, and the agent said 'Welcome home', I didn't expect to cry when riding the escalator at the airport, and the woman ahead of me asked how old she was, and I told her, and then said 'She just became a US citizen'. I didn't expect to cry as I was typing this.

I did expect to cry when we got in last night, and my Mom, brother, sister-in-law, nieces & nephew, and aunt were all anxiously waiting, they had 'Welcome Home' balloons, and my Mom bought a yellow sweetheart nosegay for her.

I finally collapsed into bed at about 2:30am, and I don't think I moved a muscle until about 7:00 when I got up to check on my pumpkin who was still sleeping.

Thank you all again for all your support, I can't wait for everyone to meet her. It was so wonderful to unpack my suitcases this morning, and not leave one packed for my next trip to Guatemala. Baby girl is home!!

I didn't expect to have tears reading all that again, but I did. I'll never forget that moment when the plane touched down in Atlanta, and my Dad & I just looked at each other, our eyes filled with tears, just exchanging a knowing look.

This year has flown by, and it still seems like just yesterday. Motherhood continues to be better than I imagined it would be. I keep waiting for the honeymoon to end. While her strong will can be a challenge at times, I wouldn't change a thing.

She has such a great personality... so feisty, and independent one minute, and then a little lovebug the next. I feel blessed, thankful, and still a little scared to be her Mom.

She is my heart, my joy, my life.