Family Day Recap

Saturday, July 30th was our 9th family day anniversary. The anniversary of the day that Doug and I met Bri for the first time. Every year, we have a low key remembrance of that special day with just the 3 of us. 

I do like to give Bri a small gift that day. Something either Asian in nature or something that reminds me of China. This year, I got Briana a "Sara Sushi" Shoppies doll. I know that's not really Chinese or super meaningful, but at ten years old, this is something I knew she would really enjoy. My mom got her the "lucky cat" necklace you see in the above picture...

Bri wanted to see "The Secret Life of Pets," so we went that day...

The movie was cute, but there are themes of abandonment and loss strewn throughout it. With all the hubbub about "Nemo" in the adoption community, I'm surprised no one pointed anything out in this movie. Bri didn't seem to notice all the abandonment stuff, but if she did, she didn't mention it.

 I don't think I can let Bri see the new "Storks" movie. It is about a girl who has never met her parents (they actually call her "Orphan Tulip" in the movie). With how Bri has been feeling lately, there is no way I'm making her sit through it.

Seriously, can someone please make a cartoon movie that doesn't include some kind of loss or abandonment. Please?

For dinner, we went to The Melting Pot. It was nice for a family day anniversary and to also cap off a great summer...

As you know, Bri has been struggling/grieving a bit about her adoption. She started inquiring about her past at a very early age - asking questions that floored me sometimes. It was more of a "matter of fact" questioning at that time - without a lot of emotion. It seems like a light bulb has turned on in her now. She has started really understanding the depth of what happened to her and it is hitting her emotionally. She has had several triggers lately that have produced tears.

One night she came to me and said "Mama, I'm sad." She just needed some hugs and understanding. I'm so grateful she comes to me. It's hard for me to be strong for her sometimes, but I have to. I'm her mom, her confidant, and it's what I signed up for.

It really is amazing - how monumental life events can bring both great happiness and great sadness at the same time. Life certainly is complicated, isn't it?