On that day in July, I flew to Kansas in preparation for Zara's birth and to visit with Chrissy (her birth mommy and Te- her 1/2 brother) before the big moment.
Looking back now, over the past 2.5 years with our daughter and 4 or 5 visits with the Chrissy and Te since Zara's arrival, we still marvel at how it all happened.
I am still amazed when i recount to friends who ask me, "how did you and Matt meet Chrissy"? I hear myself saying, "Oh, well i worked with a young woman who came to me one day to tell me about Chrissy and that was our referral! Her best friend was Chrissy, just shy of 12 weeks pregnant, and she wanted to speak to me. I just called her up that evening not expecting anything at all but maybe to help someone with who was stressed and needed some answers to questions!" I think back and almost laugh at how relaxed I was chatting with Chrissy the first time, not really ever thinking she would actually decide upon an adoption plan, nor decide to choose us!
But i still can't believe that was how it happened. I think of all the strange connections and how it all came to be, from as small as our first call to an adoption attorney's office on a Sunday and he picked up the phone and immediately booked us an appointment, to walking through a KMart with Chrissy (then at 39 weeks pregnant) jointly choosing a "going home" outfit for our daughter from the hospital. When i look back on our posts from July and Aug 2007, I still cant believe we were there in the hospital sleeping in the next room to Chrissy and down the hall from the nursery where Zara was. Sitting in the small town court room gaining custody was a memory I wish was stronger.
We took no pictures of those 2 hours that morning after she was born and I was in a daze blindly being led around the courthouse by our adoption attorney and finally taking our oaths.
Zara went to so many birthdays...and Daddy had his too, Grandma and Grandpa Zarr both just had their too, well in fact Grandma Zarr's is today!
From Katie to Kazie to The Munch, to Zara to Zaza, we love you. Its been 430 days of firsts. Happy 2nd birthday, Munchie. Mommy loves you! 
Sitina gets a smooch, wish i had snapped Tommy giving Zara her birthday kiss. Jack loved the water; as did everyone that day. Good thing we had two Baskin Robins' ice cream cakes, one oreo & one mint chip-they were 86-ed!!
Eileen brought Jack & Tommy all the way from NJ to join in the festivities and it was so appreciated. She drove with Mary, Megan & Aunt 'Ne of course! Tommy is such a sweet kid; giving all the little girls hugs and kisses, although we think he really has a crush on Sitina; as you will soon see!
After the super late night at the ball park & metro ride home, we endeavored to get in bed fast since we all had to get up early for ZARA's 11 am pool Birthday party!
