It’s hard to believe that a year ago we were waiting anxiously to meet our Lanie. This past year has been quite a journey! Full of fun and frustrations, laughter and tears, energy and sleepless nights, confidence in our parenting one day and cluelessness the next day… We are finally starting to get into some rhythms now as God has worked out some of the challenges and given us all @#$%^&*(. Overall… it’s been quite a ride that has pushed us all to stretch and grow.

Here are a few highlights:

This is the picture we received of Lanie the day we learned about her. She was 4 yrs. old here. — This is the picture we received of Lanie the day we learned about her. She was 4 yrs. old.

Two years later Lanie meets the Minnie Mouse that was on the dress in her first picture we received. — Two years later Lanie meets the Minnie Mouse that was on the dress she wore in the first picture we received of her. She is full of smiles and joy.

In California climbing one of the fabulous climbing trees. Alli has grown up so much this year learning to serve, be patient and love on her little sister.

I look at these pictures and am overwhelmed by how God is in the business of changing lives. Sometimes I’m so focused on working on the next issue that we need to tackle that I don’t stand back and notice what God has done thus far. Additionally, he has given us the joy of being a part of the process. While this process has come with sacrifices, cluelessness, frustrations, inconveniences, “opportunities” to learn patience and much more, the blessing of seeing God transform all of our lives is well worth it all. Our little Lanie especially has changed so much. She has gone from sadness to many smiles, unable to speak to NONSTOP speaking, comprehending no English to using English exclusively, not being able to hold a pencil to writing short words, full of so many fears to slowly gaining confidence in Jesus and so much more. The various teachers, therapists and social workers that have worked with her continue to be amazed at what incredible process she has made. God has been so good to do miracle after miracle in her life. We are amazed and truly privileged to be on this ride.

Lanie does school at home. She LOVES to learn!

The girls love being silly together. They are "bonded" — The girls love being silly together. They are “bonded”

Lanie's first Daddy/ Daughter Dance. — Lanie’s first Daddy/ Daughter Dance.

Lanie experiences snow. "What is this?" She asked and then LOVED playing in it. — Lanie experiences snow. “What is this?” She asked and then LOVED playing in it.

Art day with friends! We love creating in our art studio! — Art day with friends! We love creating in our design studio!

She really is a Texan. She LOVES her boots. She'd wear them all summer if I'd let her. — Our little Texan LOVES her boots. She would wear them all summer if I’d let her.

Playing in the snow. She wasn't sure what it was at first, but now she loves it! — Playing in the snow one of the many snow days we had this year.

Dad has a great year coaching soccer. The team celebrates their undefeated season! — Dad had a great year coaching soccer. The team celebrates their undefeated season! Lanie will be playing in the fall. She’s Colombian… Dad has plans for his little Colombian football player!

Popcycles with friends at our homegroup "campout" Six families camped in my parents backyard. Is that really camping? — Popcicles with friends at our homegroup “campout” Six families camped in my parents backyard. Is that really camping? Scott would say “no.”

Lanie's wonderful pre-K teachers on her last day. — Lanie’s wonderful pre-K teachers on her last day.

Lanie loved singing in the school musical. Her hat kept falling off providing lots of entertainment!

We went to Disneyland and the Beach. Lanie was the most animated and entertaining character at Disneyland! She cracked us all up jumping up and down, squealing, dancing, making funny faces. Her favorite character is Goofy. That is fitting! At the beach she loved playing in the sand.

Watching a Disney Jr. Show. She couldn't contain her excitement — Watching a Disney Jr. Show at Disneyland. She couldn’t contain her excitement

Daddy and his girls hanging out by the pool. — Daddy and his girls hanging out by the pool at Disneyland in the 103 degree California heat in May!

The girls hide and read books by flashlight while Daddy sleeps in! — The girls hide and read books by flashlight in our hotel room while Daddy sleeps in!

Lanie has asked several times why she can’t just go to heaven and be with Jesus now. In her short life she has endured much hardship. Thus she knows this world is not heaven and she years desperately for heaven and Jesus. We have learned much from her.

Next year, Lanie heads off to a University model Kindergarten where she will go to school 2 days/ week and I will work with her at home the other days. She will also attend enrichment classes on Fridays. Her Nana is teaching one of her classes and Mommy is teaching another one. That should be interesting

Lanie has grown so much this last year and is thriving in many ways. The road ahead is still full of obstacles and challenges, but we are confident that God who began a good work in her will finish it.