To end this brief series on a good note, I need to talk about what has been the best part, for me, in our adoption journey this year. Many things stick out in my mind. We've had some great visits. Watching my children interact has been great. D and I have learned even more about each other and have continued to build a solid friendship. And yet, there's one thing that kind of encompasses all of them and puts the entire year into perspective.

The best thing of 2006 was building a legitimate relationship with the Munchkin and watching her learn and understand who I am in her life.

I've mentioned before that this year has been a huge year in learning for the Munchkin. She understands that Nicholas is her brother, just like JD and her three older brothers. She surprised us all by explaining that she has two mommies. During our visit earlier this month, she made reference to the time which she spent in my belly.

The fact that J&D are so open and honest about issues surrounding adoption and our interesting family has made it common knowledge and an acceptable topic for conversation to this little girl in her formative years. I have nothing to do with that other than offering my continuous presence, even in my hardest of times. The fact that they have taken the lead has been calming and exciting for me; my daughter will know who I am! Heck, she knows who I am!

Along those lines, the buds of a relationship that we have been laying the ground work for over the past three years are starting to bud before our eyes. She enjoys spending time with me. While we are visiting, she likes to sit, play and walk with me. We have spent time alone. We talk on the telephone and the computer. While I continue to be present for her benefit, the joy she has given me in the past year has definitely benefited me as well. It may not always be this way in the future. She has every right to tell me to buzz off as she continues to grow and process. But this year? This was a very good year for the both of us.

It was a very good year, indeed.

Here's hoping that 2007 brings more understanding, more memories and more peace. (Obviously, the peace part is mostly for me, but, ya know.)