A visit of a lifetime...

This week, a certain little girl in our house will turn FOUR years old! FOUR!!!  Seriously, I CANNOT BELIEVE IT! 

As a birthday approaches in our house, Shane and I always find ourselves reminiscing about the day that child entered our family.  The kids enjoy hearing the details surrounding their birth and beg us to tell them "their story" again and again.  Sophie's birth day is NO exception. In fact, it's probably one of the MOST exciting "birth stories" we have to share. And even though Shane and I weren't actually present on the day our sweet girl made her grand debut in the world, the details of the days that followed her birth are some of the most thrilling days of our lives. 

No, we weren't in the delivery room, or even at the hospital when our Sophie was born, but we're completely okay with that fact. Sophie's amazing "birth story" doesn't start with Shane or I because that wasn't what the Lord planned for our sweet girl and we trust in His sovereignty. 

The Lord had someone else picked out to be in that room on that September day, and in our humble opinion, He could not have made a better choice.

He picked someone that possessed an insurmountable amount of strength and courage...

more than Shane or I could ever hope to obtain ourselves, or even together. 

He picked someone who could display more LOVE in one single decision, than we could ever hope to show in a lifetime.

He picked someone selfless, strong, and very brave.

He picked J and she is our hero. 

Shane and I are so proud of the fact that our daughter came from such a beautiful young women. We hope and pray that Sophie not only grows up to acquire J's physical features, but that she will also strive to obtain just half the amount of amazing character qualities her first mommy already possesses. 

Up until recently, we had never had the chance to physically thank this astonishing women.

We've communicated through letters and pictures, but that just didn't seem enough. We've LONGED to meet our hero and more importantly, we wanted Sophie to meet and know her too.

Well, this weekend our greatest wish and deepest desire came true. 

The Lord's timing was perfect, the details worked out, and we officially met Sophie's first mommy.

GOD IS GOOD!!!!

We enjoyed such a sweet visit and our first embrace was nothing short of magical;)

We FINALLY got to thank, in person, the one who's selfless act helped make our family into what it is today.

 We got to hug the one who gave us her world and changed our lives FOREVER!!!

We are beyond grateful for this precious gift and I pray that we were able to convey just a small amount of that gratitude!

While J was visiting, we took the opportunity to celebrate the one who's little life was responsible for bringing us all together.

The one who fills this house with complete joy, laughter, energy and SPUNK!  

The one who is pretty excited about the fact that she's turning FOUR on Sunday;)

After spending several sweet hours together chatting and getting to know each other better, it was time for J to be on her way. 

We all hugged goodbye and promised that we would see each other again soon.

With in minutes of seeing her off, 

Sophie was snuggled up on the couch with her new pillow pet (thanks J)

and sound asleep!

All tuckered out from her big day!

Oh how I love this girl!!!