"I don't know how you do it." I've heard those words more times than I can count. The truth is, I don't know how I do it.

One person even said to me, "You make it look easy." I just looked at her. I wanted to scream "it's anything but easy". It's the hardest thing I've ever done and she's only eight and what am I going to do when she's a teenager and I'm always exhausted and I get headaches and it's so, so hard to stay sane and not lose it. Furthermore, you people are seeing Liz when she's had her medication and you think she's hyper and wild then, what the hell do you think she's like before she's had the medication and when it wears off?

I've been told, and I do believe, God doesn't give us more than we can deal with. I do sometimes think He may be pushing it with me.

I pray. I attend an adoption support group. I plan things for Liz to do everyday, at least one activity out of the house. We go to therapy. My beautiful, fantastic 20 year old granddaughter is a great help with Liz--she usually does something with her once a week and above all, she loves Liz.

People do what they have to do when something is important ; we figure it out, we find creative solutions. Of course, we make mistakes and that's OK. We tell our kids we made a mistake and we remedy it. When we lose it, we take a time out and then apologize. Above all, we love our kids and we never give up on them.

I love you so much, Liz. You are so worth it.