In exsactly ONE MONTH

This adorable little scared girl:

One of the first times we were around Sunshine. The first time we left the foster home with her. She's trying to act silly, be brave, instantly sit on laps and give hugs.

Will be nine.

About four and a half years later-  she still likes to sit on laps and give hugs, but is a little more reserved, not instant love with every single person she sees. A few weeks ago, earlier in November, she took the camera for a mom-kid selfie; still being brave and silly.

Almost two years ago now, she was able to tell her new big sister to not go with everyone she sees, regardless of the puppy they have. 
She is still battling her first years. She is battling each day because she manages to do something that builds guilt or anger or sorrow or some other big feeling that is growing onto something that will cause her erupt again and again.  She is working with all her heart and being brave and silly and torn and confused and scared and ...

NINE!

As of today she's been with us almost seven days more than half of her life. We're absolutely not perfect at his whole attachment thing. There are days when we're all tired and scared and feeling hopeless. We're all learning and failing and trying again (and failing and making it worse and having breaks then trying and repeating until eventually, we either find a cease-fire and move on or maybe even fix it and move on...). But we don't give up. No matter how hard it is. No matter how scared we've been. We are the family that has lasted the longest in her short life. We don't intend to give up. We've fought way too hard and long to throw in the towel.
She's our Sunshine.

Next month... Nine!