Emalyn's Surgery is Monday

Emalyn is having her cleft lip repaired on Monday.  I have to admit, I have mixed feelings about it.  This precious face is the one we first fell in love with...

And this is the sweet face that kept us going while we anxiously completed the last few pieces of paperwork and waited to bring her home...

And this is the face we have kissed on for the past six weeks and grown to love more and more every day...

Emalyn's cleft lip is what landed her on the "special needs" adoption list and, most likely, contributed to her abadonment.  And, while both circumstances sadden me, I firmly believe God designed and created her perfectly exactly the way she is and that He created her for our family.  Without her cleft lip, many other pieces may have never fallen into place for us to find our little girl. 

We love the face of our daughter.  In our eyes she is absolutely perfect.  I know having her lip repaired will improve her quality of life and, in many ways, protect her from teasing and funny looks and questions, but we do think she is perfect and we are thankful for her "special need" (ha-if you can call it that) that played a role in bringing her into our arms.  We are thankful for how God used her cleft lip to connect us to her.

In many ways, I think we are crazy for trying to squeeze surgery in before Myla Grant arrives, but in others, I think we will be glad we did.  Please pray for our sweet baby girl on Monday!  Pray that we will have wisdom in how to care for her and pray that this would not set her back in attachment and bonding.