Today marks the 1 year anniversary of the adoption of Merritt Finley Thomas. What an amazing year it has been! I was in Nepal with Erin Anderson, who graciously accompanied me, exactly 1 year ago. Adoption day was an amazing and scary day. The two and a half year process had finally come to fruition!






We we we first got home, Finley took some time to adjust as expected. We had a host of support from family and friends. I don't know how we would have made it without them! Initially, Finley knew only "mama" and a variety of Nepali phrases. She picked up on the English language incredibly fast, learning new words all the time. Finley was fortunate to get into the hospital daycare in August after we returned from Nepal. Once she entered daycare her language, social and play skills rocketed.





Finley had fun dressing up for her first Halloween and going trick-or-treating at 2 homes with Ava and Ella.  




Finley was able to experience her first Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations with my family and friends.  She loved every minute of fellowship (spoiling) by everyone in her life.  She has also developed a sweet love for Jesus as a result of attending church and the holiday seasons.  She even requests "Jesus music" in the car now, which almost makes my heart skip a beat.  



We have had family to visit and we have taken a couple of trips (Orange Beach and Memphis Zoo). Finley has promise to be quite the traveler. I'm very excited about that! I have had a few trips without Finley. Friends, Connie and Morgan & Steven, have been kind enough to keep her while I traveled. Finley has also stayed with Aunt Cindy at her house a couple of nights. Finley does quite well with staying with others, but has just now discovered what it means when "mommy has to go on a trip" and realizes it's not just about her getting to go to someone's house to have fun! She is a smart cookie (or "fart tookie" as Finley says).





Finley also has a natural born talent in gymnastics as we have discovered. Now to only reel in her urges to plow over the other children in her gymnastics class! Finley is now done with gymnastics for the summer, but asks about gymnastics every week.


Finley turned 3 on April 15th and celebrated with family and friends at Hope Church with a big Hello Kitty party. Thanks to Connie and Dana Hobby for making her party one to remember.





Ava and Ella Credille continue to be like sisters to Finley. I just hope that she helps reinforce good habits and not the less desirable ones! Love those girls. We have a beach trip planned for the later part of July. Look for Facebook pictures!




There are so many new and exciting things that Finley has learned and experienced that it is hard to put them into words. I continue to be amazed at God's goodness and provisions. Everyday I am reminded how clearly God knitted Finley in her birth mother's womb to be my child. She thinks like me, acts like me, and eats like me (which is not necessarily a good thing!). The most delightful characteristic in Finley that I see is that she loves wide open. I can only hope to love others as she does. I pray that God gives me the intuition and grace to foster that in her so that she continues to love wide open all of her life. I love this girl more than I ever thought I could, but I am warmed with the knowledge that she is God's child first. I am so blessed to be her earthly parent.




Thank you to all our friends and family that love on us, pray for us, grow with us. We love you and can't wait to share lots of good things with you in the upcoming year.

Love,
Finley and Lydia
P.S. This post was intended for yesterday, but I was out of town.