My sweet Kamila Love,

You have been in my heart for as long as I can remember, Kamila. I remember as a young girl just knowing in my heart that I would adopt some sweet brown babies from Africa. I had no clue what that actually meant or looked like, but it has honestly been a dream in my heart for as long as I can remember. I remember your Daddy and I talking before we were married and that was something we both knew in our hearts God was calling us to and how it made me love him even more. So even though you are only turning two today, we have carried you in our hearts for so much longer. Even though you are technically our fifth child, in some ways you are more like my first.

I often wonder what it was like the day you were born into this world. What was I doing on that day? Could I have ever imagined that a couple of hours away a scared young girl was giving birth not only to her daughter, but to mine as well? How I wish I could have been there to hold her hand and comfort her through the contractions and pains of labor. To have seen your sweet squishy newborn face and held you and kissed you over and over. The love I feel for your birth mommy is powerful. She will always hold such a special and unique place in my heart. The love she and the rest of your biological family has for you is pure and selfless.

Kamila, you have completely captured my heart. I love every little thing about you. I love how you talk all.the.time. You have no quiet voice, just like your Daddy. You walk around the house saying everyone in our families name over and over, the whole day. I love how you wake me up by jumping into bed with me and saying, "Oh Mommy! Stinky, poopy!" and you are talking about my breath. I love how you are so independent and yet at the same time still need your Mommy all the time. I love how you love your brother and sisters SO so much and how that love is reciprocated 100 times over. I love watching the oldest three dote on your every need. I love how when you are trying to get your Daddy's attention and fail you resort to calling him Pastor Brian. I love how you laugh at all the right times during a movie bc you are following the cues of everyone else. I love how you are such a live wire and always the center of attention. I love your sloppy wet kisses. I love how you say AMEN at all the right times during a church service. I love how you scream HALLELUJAH every time the power comes back on. I love how when you run you hold one arm up in a funny position and your Daddy can imitate you doing it so well he makes me laugh so hard I cry.

You have made not just my life but everyone who knows you live's so much better just for being a part of it. I cannot believe I get to be your Mommy. I think of this little baby being born into what would appear to be such an uncertain future. But God knew. He has whispered promises into my heart about your future and the lives you are going to touch. You are such a bright light sweet girl. You are {one of} our little world changer{s}.