HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROO! Our other daughter.

You all know Joy, or you've randomly ended up on this page - and you don't.  But she's our little kangaroo.  She isn't an only child - really.  But there isn't a picture of our eldest kangaroo over on the left.  That is because she doesn't live with us - and isn't officially ours - but in our hearts...  she is a part of our hopping family - and always will be.  No matter what.

Let me introduce you to Roo.

Roo graduated from university last year.  Hard to believe...  She first came to us when Joy was a little baby.  She came to help out and play with us for a few summers.

She quickly became part of the family and we all loved having her 'home' with us each time she returned.  

We've travelled the world together!  We've seen US landmarks...

Played in the snow...

We once took a "small" detour to see things that really meant something to her.  She LOVES the Red Sox!  She helped us develop our love for them, too.  

When she graduated from high school she came to Ireland to see us and we surprised her with a trip to Italy to track down her family line and see the land from which she came...  via her grandparents at least.  The last picture reminds me of Roo and Joy when we were in the Sistine Chapel and they laid down, amidst the groups of people, to soak in the paintings on the ceiling...  

I love watching my girls together...  then, and now.  

Happy Birthday, Roo.  

You are family.  No matter where you live - what you do - what you aspire to...  we will always love and cherish you.  You are our girl.  Our Roo.  If I had one wish for this next year in your life it would be that you would see the amazing young women we do.  That you would surround yourself with people who build you up and inspire you to be the best you can be.  You have passion and compassion.  Use them to become the woman I know you can be.  I love you, more than my fingers can adequately type on this blog!  I can't wait until we add Australian on our long list of adventures together!

(We are ever so grateful for your 'other' family that not only shares you with us, but has taken us in as theirs, too!)