happy gotcha day {macy}

HaPpY GoTcHa DaY
to
MACY!!

Two whole years ago she became our darling daughter
forever and ever!

I'd say she's blossomed a bit, wouldn't you?

We love you, Macy!!

three glorious years since gotcha day

Like a complete dork,
I went through almost the entire day before I realized that
today is Lucy's 3 year Gotcha Day anniversary.

I thought of it while driving down the road this afternoon and I said,
"Lucy!! Do you know what today is??"

She didn't.

And when I told her, she was like,
"What are you talking about??"

I actually had to explain to this child (for the millionth time)
that she was adopted from China.
I mean, she really does know that...but I think it's so
hard for her to comprehend because she
has no memory of it.
And probably now that she's seen three siblings come home
from China, she has an even harder time imagining that she was ever
in their shoes.

In a way it makes me sad that she is so distant from her
humble beginning in life.
But at the same time, having now adopted two older kids,
who have China fresh in their memories constantly,
I can see how life is just easier to have forgotten
all that.

I hope that doesn't sound cold or indifferent about her
birth country and where her roots are,
but there is just a lot to sift through when you are adopted older.

Anyway,
I had a little deeper conversation with her later,
reminding her of her pictures in her scrapbook for her foster family
and how she came to us.
She seemed to recall her story...but only as it has been told to her,
not from her own recollection.

She is such a glorious little girl with a personality
that lights up a room.
She's growing up way too fast for our liking and
we couldn't be more proud of the beautiful young lady she
is blossoming into.

Thank goodness K-man saved the day (as he often does),
with a special balloon, just for her...on this very special day.

Lucy-bug...you are such a beaming light in our lives.

God knew exactly what He was doing
when He orchestrated with great meticulous detail His plan
to bring you into our family...forever.

I am so grateful for you, my sweetie girl.

gotcha day {Hao Hao} pt. 2

Great pics from my incredible K-man.

Hao Hao
agreeing to be adopted...

Loving on his new little brother!
Those bangs on Isaiah are still a thorn in my side.

No adoption is complete without a trip to the local Wal Mart.
I think it's required.

More fun at the hotel!

Everything went well for K and the boys on this second Gotcha Day.
We skyped with them and HH is not nearly as shy
as we suspected.
He is all smiles and very animated.
Macy had a long conversation with him in Chinese,
explaining a few things and laughing a lot.
She said that HH said that Baba is so cute.
I love that!
And he readily called me Mommy.
Oh my heart.

I gotta run for now.
I hope to post a few skype pics that I took because they're so
darn funny.
I've got a lot going on so I will get to that when I can.

THANK YOU for praying for my amazingly brave husband.
He is sleeping now (I hope!).
Please continue to pray today as you think of him...

This ain't easy!

Talk to you soon.

gotcha day {Hao Hao}

I got an email from K-man early this morning.
He said Hao Hao (Elijah) is very sweet, doing very well,
and is being VERY helpful with Mr. Little Toot.

And the other thing he said (about himself) is that he's extremely
worn out and terribly homesick.

Please pray for a supernatural dose of energy, strength,
and whatever-else-he-needs-to-survive-this.

At the moment they are at dinner (Italian, of course).
Then we will skype with them.

I hope to have pics to post soon after that but if my
tired man isn't up to sending me any,
we'll just have to wait, I reckon.

one year ago...

Wow.

I have a gazillion thoughts as I look back over the past year.

But I'll save them to ponder in my heart.

Today marks 365 days since our darling
Macy joined our family.

And we are so very proud of her
and happy that God strategically placed her in our home.

Isn't she cute??!!

And to celebrate this very special day,
Dad brought her flowers.
Because that's just what this Daddy does for the
special ladies in his life.

Is this not precious?
Mercy.

I'd say she's bloomed quite a bit from one year ago today,
wouldn't you?

Happy FOREVER FAMILY Day, special girl.

two years ago today...

Wow.

Two years ago today was Gotcha Day
for our Lucy-bug.


It's actually hard to believe it's only been two years because,
quite frankly,
it feels like she's been with us forever.
I truly have a hard time believing sometimes that I didn't
actually give birth to this child.

She is SO our baby girl.

HaPpY GoTcHa DaY, Lucy Love!

Gotcha Day....one year later

It's simply unbelievable....

that it's already been a year.

To look at all the pictures of Lucy on that day is heartbreaking to me.
While we were filled with excitement,
she was filled with tremendous fear.

It still hurts my heart to look at her sad face on that day....
seeing one of my children with such sadness and confusion is
hard to take in.

She entered the room and my heart filled with joy.

Poor little pumpkin had absolutely no idea
what was going on....

This seems so cruel.

We tried everything to console her....

We were asked to take Lucy down to the lobby
of the building we were in, in hopes of
calming her down.
It worked.

Arriving back at the hotel....sweet girl was exhausted.

For the next few days she would go to the window
and yell "Mama!" (her foster mom...the only
mom and family she had ever known).
Her voice was so desperate and it still
makes me cry to think about it.

I'm so very thankful for the way God heals a broken heart and turns
mourning into dancing.

Our Lucy Joy today.....happy as can be!!!