A special first day of school

Early last August, we received our approval to go forward with adopting. It was a hectic time, so we pushed the 'pause' button and decided to wait for the first day of school to focus our time and attention on the process of bringing a little one into our family. 

After the kids left for school last year, I sat down to my computer to begin the paperwork.  I immediately got sidetracked to our agency's recent list of waiting orphans.  It was on that morning, on the first day of school one year ago, that I saw her face.  I watched the 60 second video of this little girl, half a world away, and she began to capture my heart.  Did I know immediately that she was going to be my daughter?  No.  But that morning I saved the link to her file.  And then God used numerous ways to show us that she was to be ours.  An orphan no more, but a daughter, and a Flottmeyer!

Fast forward one year, with loads of paperwork and a trip to China behind us.  On the first day of school and in the quietness that was left after the big kids got on the bus, Miss Maryelle looked at me and called me MAMA for the first time. MAMA!!

Is this what I had pictured a year ago? Yes and no.  Over the past few weeks we have learned that Maryelle was misdiagnosed in China and that her needs are more numerous and complex than we anticipated. We're working on our acceptance and understanding of what the future holds for our little one. But what we are certain of is that our gracious God holds her future in HIS hands. And yes, we get the joy of hearing our baby girl say Mama and Daddy and for our family to share in that love.  Oh, and I should add in that her other most said name is Caleb! (remember how she despised him when she first got home??)

So the first day of school for 2015 begins with a high school freshmen, a 7th grader, a 3rd grader, and a 4 year old who's learning the meaning of having a family.  Here's to a great school year!

PS- for those of you who'd like a medical update: The birth defects and physical anomalies point to genetic syndromes rather than (or in addition to) cerebral palsy.  In the next month we have appointments with a geneticist, neurologist, audiologist, ENT, physical therapist, speech therapist (we already saw the ophthalmologist, PT Dr, and OT therapist.) We appreciate your prayers as the doctors unravel the mysteries of Miss Maryelle's body.