Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Gotcha Day and LOA!

Yesterday, July 23, we celebrated 5 years with our precious daughter Eden.  In some ways, it feels like we've had her since birth...and yet I still remember the details of that day like it happened yesterday.

It all started with an empty room and a full heart...


And this precious face...

Over the next several months we got these...



The waiting was almost unbearable!  Finally, after almost 2 years, the LOA and Travel Approval came...and we were off...


After a loooooong day of travel, 4 different flights, a few days sightseeing in Beijing, and more paperwork, we rose early to meet our daughter...



Over the next weeks, there was much sadness and grieving from our little girl.  It was not easy on any of us...but each week was a little better than the one before.  Here are some of my favorite pictures of our first year home...










Every year's Gotcha Day anniversary has been different emotionally than the others.  This year, I have been pondering all of the things, big and small, that Eden (and us) would have missed out on if she were still an orphan.  My heart is so grateful to experience life with her and Gene.  Watching her grow, learn and change is both terrifying and rewarding.  So, in honor of everyday life, here's a list of some of the memories that we so often take for granted.  Each is a miracle...and time a gift from the Father.  

So, in no particular order...Without Gotcha Day Eden may never: 

Have a family Christmas card picture


Learn how to be a mommy


Hug the "real" Santa!


Go to Disney World


Be in a ballet recital


Have top-notch doctors


Splash carefree in puddles on family vacation


Have a pet (her first friend)


Hold her baby cousin


Drive a Barbie jeep

Bowl with a Hello Kitty bowling ball


Eat ice cream with her great-grandmother


Dress up as a pilgrim at Thanksgiving


Have snuggles with her aunt and baby cousin


Stay up until midnight to ring in a new year


Dig for dinosaur bones


Have a mommy to be at EVERY doctor's appointment, procedure & surgery


Feed a horse


Eat a Georgia peach in the summertime


Take gymnastics


Go to the aquarium


Fish at the lake in Oklahoma


Celebrate Advent


Get a new puppy


Go to the salon for a big-girl haircut


Compete on a gymnastics team


Go to the zoo with a friend


Play in the ocean

Meet her favorite person - her cousin Savannah


Pet a sheep


See Chinese pandas in GA


Be adored by a grandmother


Ride on daddy's shoulders


Have a mommy to hug


And kiss


Share God's incredible work in her life


Have a mommy to run to...


Who will catch her every time...


And scoop her up...


And hold her tight


An aunt who adores her


Family traditions like making ornaments...


Decorating cookies...

Leaving milk and cookies...


And understanding what it's all really about


The fun of being a girl


And a chance to feel like a princess


Understand that not all babies come from orphanages


Learn how to swim


Have fun birthday parties


Be a flower girl


Ride a bike


Pick pumpkins at a farm


Carve pumpkins on a fall night


Make a gingerbread house


Celebrate Easter Sunday


Play soccer in her yard


Chill at home with neighbors


Dress up for Halloween


Trick-or-Treat with neighbors


Spend Christmas Eve with family


Bring joy to our entire family


American Girl birthdays...


Learn what "I Love You" really means


Family photos in matchy clothes


While holding a newborn...

Learn to pose like a PRO

And last but not least...without Gotcha Day Eden might never:

BECOME A BIG SISTER!!!!

Eden...you are the light of our lives.  We praise the Father for you!  May your life sing of His grace as your heart adores His Son, your hands do His work, and your feet walk His path.  




Oh, and did I mention that we FINALLY got our LOA (Letter of Approval)?  We are applying for travel visas, collecting crisp bills for travel, and preparing clothes and room for Zoey as we wait for our final paperwork to be processed and travel approval.  2-3 months and we should be on that plane!

Love you all!

3 comments:

Melanie said...

Keri, what a beautiful tribute to adoption and sweet Eden. Your family is amazing, and I overjoyed at the work the Lord is doing through you. You guys are such a blessing!

Laine said...

Happy Five Years, Eden!
From your Wuhan buddies, Kimmie and Quan!

Keri, can you believe it's been FIVE years since we all sang "Jesus loves me" on that hot hot bus in Wuhan while holding screaming babies?

We miss yall!!!!!
So excited you are closer and closer to little miss!!!

Ally Garrison said...

This post brought tears to my eyes! So sweet! I can't believe how big she is getting. I enjoyed every photo and your sweet captions. Can't wait to meet Zoey too!!!