And Winter Came With Hope...and Christmas Brought Joy-Photos

Big Brother Jeremy -Photos...or as Jade would pronounce it "marry me".

Cross Country Track
Homecoming Dance

Jade & Grandma Dianne-Photos

Grandmas are made for fun!

As Summer Faded Away

As summer faded away, my PAD (post adoption depression) was coming to a head. We had been home for almost 9 weeks. What was happening to me? Did I make the biggest mistake in my life ever? But I thought this was a red thread connection...what happened to destiny? What happened to Gods will and understanding that I was to mother an orphan? What did I do to my family? I questioned myself over and over. But I kept plugging along, praying that time would heal all. As fall came and went like a fury and a blur, Jade was continuing to do well and adapting into the family. I was teaching her sign language and she was understanding English a little more, and starting to pick up a few words here and there. We were starting to communicate on some level of understanding each other. We were establishing a routine that helped tremendously. She started attending daycare a few days a week and going to Tumble Bears which she now refers to as "march..march". And, as time will have it,it continued to move on...

Summer Fades Away-Photos

Late Summer Days-Photos

And the Late Summer Days That Followed

Jade's adjustment into the family went fairly smooth for her. For us though, it was a little more than a mild adjustment. As most of my family and friends know, it was a long hard period of adjustment for us through out the fall. I suffered from "post adoption depression". Yes, look it up. It's considered the "unacknowledged hazard". Something that is not talked about. Something that you are not made aware of throughout the adoption process until it strikes. For some, the process is smooth and all glory, for others its a nightmare. I know of several other families that have had similar experiences. The circumstances may be different, but the results are all the same. Funny thing is, nobody talked about it. Like its a big secret and something to be ashamed of. Well, it just so happens that this is a big life changing event. And for us, we have made it through and for the better. Any one considering adoption, I would certainly recommend that you do your research on PAD. With all the reading and research I had done prior to "Gotcha Day", this was the one thing I had never come across. And it was never mentioned in all the blogs that I followed. So me, being the person that I am, and had gone through what I consider hell and back, I felt I needed to share this experience so others are aware of the existence of "post adoption depression".

First Days Home

I've waited way too long to post, but I'm going to back track and start at the beginning. The beginning of our journey at home. Please follow along as I try to fill you in on Jades progress in the last 6 months.
This series of 3 photos, is Jade seeing our German Shepherds for the first time. As you can see, she was in awe.