Thursday, January 6, 2011. Surely the days and nights were somehow. Longer last fall, my heart, body and mind occupied in Rwanda. Between July and almost December, every email I received caused flutters in my knot-infested stomach, almost always to disappoint and somehow create even more longing and pain. and hope for the next one.

O Lord, You are my God; I will exalt You and praise Your name, for in perfect faithfulness You have done marvelous things, things planned long ago. Sunday, May 13, 2012. There are so many things to say and so many different ways to honor mothers on this day. I am never very eloquent nor very creative, but wanted to take this day to say to my mom all the things that just never get said. 1 My mother is servant extraordinaire. 2 My mother is a wonderful planner. 3 My mother is intelligent.

Wednesday, April 11, 2012. As I write this, our dossier is almost complete. Thursday, March 1, 2012. Can you see that little timeline at the top of the page there? Thursday, January 12, 2012.

The Salmans Adoption Journey and Beyond. Sunday, September 11, 2011. Tuesday, August 9, 2011. Yesterday when I went for a run I spotted a flower growing out of a crack in the cement. I stopped, bent down and took a closer look. It was small, but vibrant, growing, living. No soil was visable, no grass, nothing but what seemed like cement that went on forever. Just one soft-stemmed flower, petals small and vulnerable, pushing the pavement aside. I am convinced, from my toes to my top, that Keza could not b.

Sunday, May 6, 2012. A year ago today, Crew officially became our son! We celebrated Gottcha Day with ice cream and sprinkles. Wednesday, July 20, 2011. Crew has sprouted 4 teeth since we have come home. Saturday, July 2, 2011.