Announcing our newest Polish addition

It is with great joy and sadness that I can finally announce to you the newest Polish addition to our household. A's adoption was finalized yesterday in our local courthouse. It is both a joy and a sadness because her adoption is very unusual...we are her second American adoptive family. The sadness because her first placement did not work out. I do not want to go into details, it is obviously private to both families but suffice it to say that we all believe it was in A's best interest. It is a joy, obviously, because our family has grown again. A has been in our home since last November and has proven to be quite a joy and delight. She is very bright, on the honor roll at school, is mentoring kids in reading (!) at the elementary school, enjoying soccer and volleyball, and just started joining our church's youth group. A has been in the US for 4.5 years..hence my ! at her mentoring in reading. Her English skills are amazing and surpasses my other daughter by several years. That doesn't mean everything is coming up roses. She came to us with a string of emotional and mental diagnoses, some of which have dissipated or even disappeared and some of which we will need to help her manage for the rest of her life. All in all, we are thrilled to have her join our family!