Time flies...

So much is happening around here...where has the time gone! Evelyn has been home with us for 6 months now and is 19 months old. We had our last post placement visit from our social worker yesterday! All that is left is the finalization of her adoption later this month where she will officially become an "O'Mara" and a US citizen!

She also started "school" today which consists of 4 hours of play at Mother's Day Out with 9 of her little friends and then a 4 hour nap to catch up from her busy day! When we picked her up from "school" and asked her if she had a good time and wanted to go back she very quickly replied..."YES!"

Can't wait for next Thursday!

Still Partying!

We're still at it!

Last month Evelyn was honored at a Sip & See given by the sweet ladies from my hometown church. She was able to meet all the precious women who have been praying for her for so long...even before we knew who she was!

It was a fun morning filled with wonderful food, friends and fun!

Thank you to our sweet hostesses and to my long-time friend Erin from Muddy Feet Photography for the fabulous pictures!

{one year}

One year ago today I was checking my email and found this:

Patrick and Amy,

We’ve just received a new referral into the Waiting Child Program from Korea

and I’m wondering if you might be interested in reviewing her file.

This little girl was born 2/13/10, at almost 34 weeks, at 5.5lbs....

I immediately called Patrick and told him I think this is it,

I believe they just sent us our daughter!

Two hours later we saw her sweet face for the first time.

And here we are one year later...

She is home, happy and such a joy.

We can't imagine life without her.

Happy Referral Day Evelyn!

Alpine Camp for Boys...and Evelyn!

We had the privilege of spending last week at

Alpine Camp for Boys

while Patrick served as camp doctor for the week.

Evelyn had a blast spending the week up on Lookout Mountain watching all the boys at camp, playing with camp dogs Boone and Sawyer, swimming in the Little River, jumping on the water trampoline, riding horses, attending glee club and just the freedom to run anywhere she wanted to!

Needless to say she has been very bored since we came home....it's not quite the same without 200+ boys to keep you entertained!

{the jeep}

Evelyn's cousin, Nathan, got a fun new jeep for his birthday last week and Nathan is now one of Evelyn's new favorite people!

She loved going for rides in the jeep with the top off and every time we pulled in the driveway she would do her sign for "more please!"

So much riding we wore her out!

Evelyn's Adoption Video

It is somewhat of a tradition among adoptive parents to make a video of their adoption journey. As their children grow they can watch "their story" as a reminder of how much they were loved and longed for even before they were born. Many times while we were waiting for Evelyn's arrival Patrick would come in and find me crying while staring at the computer watching someone else's story of the journey to their child. Although these were happy tears of joy and anticipation there was also an ache in my heart for our daughter to be home in our arms. Now I can proudly say that we have our own story and I can watch it from beginning to end. It is a beautiful story that only the Lord could write, and we are very thankful to be a part of it. Here it is.

This is Evelyn's Road Home.

Evelyn's Road Home from Amy O'Mara on Vimeo.

Happy Father's Day...

...to Patrick from all your "children!!"

...and to Papaw from your biggest admirer!!

We Love you Both!