Friday, June 22, 2012
One year ago today, Adelyn was placed in our arms...
Today is her first GOTCHA day and it seems so surreal!
How could one year have possibly gone by? It feels like we just got back from Korea yesterday!
How could one year have possibly gone by? It feels like she has been here forever.
I think back to that day one year ago.
We left our room holding hands, feeling a bit nauseous, mostly in silence not having words to say to each other but knowing we were both feeling exactly the same. It was a short walk to SWS and our hearts were in our throats, our eyes were filled with tears, our emotions a rollercoaster of excitement, fear, anxiety, thankfulness and so many unknowns. Would she love us? Would she fit into our crazy, silly family? Would she transition well? How would the airplane ride go? So many questions, so many answers that we didn't know.
And then to walk into that room and see our baby girl in the arms of her dear, amazing foster Mom. The only Mom she knew. A Mom who's love for our baby girl streamed down her face. It was the most exciting, heart-wrenching day of my life. I barely remember signing papers or exchanging gifts or even her feeding/care instructions that the social worker went over with us. All I remember is holding our daughter on our lap and kissing her soft brown hair, smelling her sweet baby scent and grasping her tiny fingers. She went right to us, perhaps remembering us from the last couple days... all smiles and coos. Her foster Mom had dressed her in a beautiful dress and pulled her hair up in the tiniest of ponytails on top of her head. She was the most beautiful little girl in the whole world. And she was ours. For the first time, I had a daughter....
In the next few weeks, every question, every apprehension disappeared. She was the most affectionate, loving, silly, fun, good little girl we could have imagined. Our boys loved her, her grandparents couldn't get enough of her, her aunts, uncles, cousins, friends... so many came to the airport and our home to welcome her... she was loved by so many. She fit into our family so perfectly that I myself wondered if I had given birth to her... in a sense I had... it had been a VERY long labor! Just as God had perfectly chosen our two little boys to place into my tummy, he had placed her perfectly into our hearts. We gave birth to all three of our children, just a little differently, but all perfectly.
I look at her now. She is the happiest, silliest little girl around and she has the gift of charming everyone's pants off. She will meet you at the door running full speed with arms open and say with the cutest little voice "Hi Mom. Love you." She has a way of making the crappiest day, perfect. Those little heart-shaped lips that always ask for a kiss. The sweet "thank you" and "welcome" that come after every task you do... even just kisses. The sheer joy on her face as she dances and sings around the room. The "peek-a-boos" as you're pulling her head through her shirt.
How could one year have possibly gone by?
How could one year have possibly gone by?
The question really is... how could one year have possibly gone by without her? I can't imagine life without our little princess. Happy GOTCHA day my little one...
Today is her first GOTCHA day and it seems so surreal!
How could one year have possibly gone by? It feels like we just got back from Korea yesterday!
How could one year have possibly gone by? It feels like she has been here forever.
I think back to that day one year ago.
We left our room holding hands, feeling a bit nauseous, mostly in silence not having words to say to each other but knowing we were both feeling exactly the same. It was a short walk to SWS and our hearts were in our throats, our eyes were filled with tears, our emotions a rollercoaster of excitement, fear, anxiety, thankfulness and so many unknowns. Would she love us? Would she fit into our crazy, silly family? Would she transition well? How would the airplane ride go? So many questions, so many answers that we didn't know.
And then to walk into that room and see our baby girl in the arms of her dear, amazing foster Mom. The only Mom she knew. A Mom who's love for our baby girl streamed down her face. It was the most exciting, heart-wrenching day of my life. I barely remember signing papers or exchanging gifts or even her feeding/care instructions that the social worker went over with us. All I remember is holding our daughter on our lap and kissing her soft brown hair, smelling her sweet baby scent and grasping her tiny fingers. She went right to us, perhaps remembering us from the last couple days... all smiles and coos. Her foster Mom had dressed her in a beautiful dress and pulled her hair up in the tiniest of ponytails on top of her head. She was the most beautiful little girl in the whole world. And she was ours. For the first time, I had a daughter....
In the next few weeks, every question, every apprehension disappeared. She was the most affectionate, loving, silly, fun, good little girl we could have imagined. Our boys loved her, her grandparents couldn't get enough of her, her aunts, uncles, cousins, friends... so many came to the airport and our home to welcome her... she was loved by so many. She fit into our family so perfectly that I myself wondered if I had given birth to her... in a sense I had... it had been a VERY long labor! Just as God had perfectly chosen our two little boys to place into my tummy, he had placed her perfectly into our hearts. We gave birth to all three of our children, just a little differently, but all perfectly.
I look at her now. She is the happiest, silliest little girl around and she has the gift of charming everyone's pants off. She will meet you at the door running full speed with arms open and say with the cutest little voice "Hi Mom. Love you." She has a way of making the crappiest day, perfect. Those little heart-shaped lips that always ask for a kiss. The sweet "thank you" and "welcome" that come after every task you do... even just kisses. The sheer joy on her face as she dances and sings around the room. The "peek-a-boos" as you're pulling her head through her shirt.
How could one year have possibly gone by?
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| Korea: June 22, 2011 |
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| Korea: June 22, 2011 |
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| Korea: June 22, 2011 |
How could one year have possibly gone by?
The question really is... how could one year have possibly gone by without her? I can't imagine life without our little princess. Happy GOTCHA day my little one...
Monday, June 11, 2012
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Both of the boys have really enjoyed being in Cub Scouts. Daddy was the CubMaster this year and was very involved in all of their pack meetings and activities. Carson has been in it for the last two years, and this year Kolby started for the first time. He loves it. One of his good friends from school is also in his den so its extra special for him. The boys do so many fun activities and have been earning a lot of belt loops and awards. Here are some pictures from their blue and gold banquet where they received their awards this year.
Friday, June 1, 2012
These are pictures of the battle scene on our living room end table. Not sure who was battling who, but Jeff and I both laughed at the scenes that filled the table. Looks like a few Lego guys lost I think!!! No matter how strict we are on what the kids watch on TV, what movies they see or games they play, boys will be boys!!!!!!!
Thursday, May 31, 2012
In March, I was lucky to be able to go with Carson on his 4th grade field trip to our capitol. We had a great time! We saw the inside of the capitol building, visited a hands-on kids museum and also a historical museum. Everyone had a fun time and it was so nice to be able to just go as a Mom and not a teacher! I loved sharing this special trip with Carson!
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Addi is like a little bird. As soon as she sees someone eating something (especially ice cream AKA: "I seem") her little mouth drops open like a baby bird. Its the cutest thing. Carson can't resist and always shares whatever is in his bowl. He's such a good big brother!!!
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Carson has officially found a book he loves! I mean LOVES!! He is completely, and utterly addicted to Harry Potter. When he first brought home his first Harry Potter book from the school library, I thought there was no way he would be able to read it and definitely not be able to finish it. He whipped through the "Chamber of Secrets" in a few weeks. (Ironically, since he saw the first movie for "The Sorcerer's Stone", he hasn't read this book in the series). I couldn't believe it! It was 341 pages!! It was by far the longest book he had ever read. But he couldn't seem to put it down! He would read it on the way to school, on the way home from school and even at home I would find him in his bunkbed reading! (Is this a parent's dream come true or what??)
So when he finished that one he started the next one.
Soon he had the "Prisoner of Azkaban" finished!! (This one was ONLY 435 pages!!). Again, I could hardly believe it!
He is now working his way through the fourth book, "Goblet of Fire." (And this one is a mere 735 pages!) I am so proud of him!!
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