Today, we made a big step!

Today, Lily got on her shoes and went to the back door to go play outside. She does this often, but usually comes back inside or just stands on the porch when no one wants to go outside with her. However today, when I opened the door for her she proceeded to walk out on the back porch, crawl out the doggy door (Girl #3 taught her this trick…sooo much faster than opening the door), and go in the backyard to play by herself.

This may not sound like much but this is a REALLY BIG deal!

Lily is a different kind of adopted child than what I expected. Maybe her behavior is more typical than what I think, but it is just different than what I expected. I believe this is why, for some time, I felt thrown for a loop.

I was in a stance prepared for other tactics than what I received. And though the behaviors have been understandable and typical, I was taken off guard.

I was prepared for a bold, demanding, clingy orphanage child. Instead, we have a gentle, insecure, sometimes aloof, foster home girl.

Now, don’t misunderstand. She is PERFECT for our family! Funny, vibrant, and silly as all get out!! What I am speaking of are the typical behaviors that are seen in adoptive children. The obstacles you face as an adoptive parent trying to ease this child into a secure, forever family environment. These are not necessarily her personality traits.

When she walked to that door and went out to play, pride swelled in me as if my child had just hit a homerun with the bases loaded. The biggest grin broke out across my face! And all she did was something other children do all the time and try to do from the moment they can walk.

This one act said, “This is my house. I live here. If I want to go outside and play, I can because I have equal ownership of this place!”

It was an awesome moment!

We are taking little steps all the time. She still won’t get up out of her bed on her own at nap time or in the morning but we are working on it. Unless she sees Girl #3 do it, she just doesn’t have the guts to just get up and come find me when she wakes. She just lays there and moans until someone comes to get her. It’s okay though, we are going to get there! One sweet day at a time.

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Anna Lokey and her husband Shaun have been married 11 years. They have the joyful privilege of parenting four little girls. Three biological (Zoe-8, Hazel-5, Sophie-3) and the fourth, Lily (age 2), recently adopted from China. Anna is a homeschool mom trying everyday to bring up their girls in a loving, Jesus-centered home! She and her husband help lead worship at their church and serve in the children’s ministries. Anna enjoys reading, working out, and playing pretend with her girls. You can read more about them and their Anything but LoKEY life on her blog!