Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Gotcha........

I've sat here for the past few moments trying to think how to start this post. Should I go cliche and say "I can't BU-LIEVE its been a whole year"? Or do I sob and snot all over the keyboard with tears of joy and write something like....jkfadsh;kjvdfjl;gaiuhpewat;jk? Actually the snot would be because I have so much of it in my nose right now. Its gross. So I decided to say what just naturally comes out when I think of how a year ago our sweet Adiah was placed in my arms. Oh, Adiah! How our lives have changed because of your sweet spirit. My life changed when each of my children were born into this world and placed in my arms. A new kind of love was born in me. It wasn't any different with Adiah. Except that it was. This child came to us afraid, sickly, untrusting, and had such baggage that her little body carried the burden of for too long. I remember thinking "how could I help her at all?". I felt so unprepared in that moment. I was so inspired by my sweet travel friend, Amorisa, when she was so honest with us about how she felt in the months after we returned home with our babies. I am going to be honest here too. It was NOT easy those first few weeks and months at home. Don't get me wrong I was overjoyed that she was finally here with us. But we were all grieving some sort of "loss". Loss of what was normal before....the feelings of inadequacy. But the Lord in his mercy transformed us! He took this family who at times just stared at each other wondering how to get from point A to point B and made us THRIVE! Slowly but surely Adiah began to love us. She began to trust us. And she began to weave her little self into the very fabric of our beings. I began to get some sleep (AMEN!), learn how to be her mommy, learn that I really AM ok if she doesn't completely catch up on her delays. Brian began to gain trust with Adiah. He became her daddy....her buddy...her LOVE!! The other kids, well.....they melt my heart! I saw them take this child whom they didn't really know and change her!! And they were changed too! They adore her and I'm pretty sure the feeling is mutual with her. Now we watch this 2 1/2 year old girl march through the house getting into snacks when she shouldn't (but don't think I don't love it!), saying "mine!", and laughing out loud with her whole face!! I am so filled with love right now when I look at these children of mine. Do you think that's what the Lord does when he looks at us? He knows what we've been through. All of our baggage we carry. But he looks at us and says..."But she's mine! And I love HER!!!!". Thank you, God, for the gift of adoption!!! We are forever changed! Happy Gotcha Day, Miss Adiah!!! Can't wait to see how adoption changes us this next time...............................

Happy mommy with baby!



Taken a couple of days ago. I wanted to take one today, on her actual Gotcha Day, but my lens is broken and needs to get fixed. So this is as close as it gets!!!





One of the videos Brian made last year while we were in China

10 comments:

Lizard said...

Happy Gotcha Day!!! Your words are so true. My friends threw a shower for Mei Mei and I, 1 month after we got home and I broke down and cried in the middle of it because it was so hard at the time!! Now we she is fully weaved into our family, full of stubborness, a strong will and a little mommy's heart. Everything gets kissed and comforted by those, beautiful, sweet and imperfect lips. I'm actually jealous so many of you are going back for a second adoption. Andrew keeps telling me, "YOU ARE PREGNANT!!" But there is something different about adopton, isn't there?? Happy day sweet friend!!!

Mimi Martin said...

Happy Gotcha Day! Adiah has such a sweet sweet spirit, she melts my heart every time I see her. What a precious gift from God!
All my love,
Mimi

Kristi said...

Happy Gotcha Day! And know that each year it will cause the same emotions anew...

Jeanette said...

Honest and beautiful post Amy! Enjoy your special day as you all celebrate how your lives were forever changed the moment that precious gift was placed in your arms. God is so so good!

MattandSara said...

Oh my stars. I've been thinking of her and all of you guys today. Matt and I are in agreement that it seems so recent that she came home. I love what "love" has done for that sweet girl. "Doncha just love love. I just luuuv love." (Name that movie!) I also love that you did this first-Ha. I'm so grateful that you were the one there telling me that what I was feeling was normal and that it WOULD get better. Thank you for your honesty and give that kid a kiss for me.

Amy Jill said...

Happy Gotcha Day! I cried when I watched this for the first time last year, and I cried again today. Such a sweet, sweet story. Thank you for sharing.

Amy Woods said...

SAVANNAH SMILES!!!

Tonya said...

Happy Gotcha Day! What a blessing to read your post! It truly is amazing how the Lord brings these children into our homes and changes our hearts! I know it really taught me or showed me more of God's heart towards us....adopting us as his children. It was a blessing following your journey to her and since you've been home! I look forward to all your posts in the coming year with updates of Adiah (and all your other children) and now this new little one the the Lord has all picked for your family! I love you and hope you have a wonderful Gotcha Day!

M Holly said...

What a wonderful gift God has given this family! She has gone from a toddler who was really a baby to a toddler who is really a little girl! What amazing changes she has made, thanks to you and your family. The kids have taught her so much love and joy. I know the next China love bug will do just as well. You are doing an amazing thing - giving the gift of love and family to a child who would have otherwise not known it. May God continue to bless your family. I ove all of you. Kiss that sweet "Gotcha Girl" for me!

Mommy Holly

amorisa said...

I look back and that day seems so surreal, like a dream. I agree that grief was a big part of why it was so hard at first. Our girls have gone through amazing transformations... and us too. Thank you for sharing such beautiful memories. We love you.