Thankful Thursday - A Year Ago Today

One year ago today, seven families changed. Seven beautiful Asian born children boarded a plane with their mommies and daddies set out to arrive HOME, in every sense of the word. Our daughter was one of them.

I slept in Hannah's bedroom this night last year. I am not so sure I even slept 20 minutes that night. I was anxious, eager, antsy and overjoyed that the daughter we had dreamed of would finally be home with us. That night, a year ago, her room, it was quiet, painfully so. And tonight as I listen to her humming "Jesus Loves Me" as she drifts off into dreamland, I can't help but think, "Oh yes, Hannah, He certainly does." Nothing else, no one else, nothing could ever design anything so perfect as a family, the way Jesus can.

When Emily was born, she joined our life, our family; I thought perhaps I might just burst with joy. So much so, that we looked forward to when three would be four and maybe even more. When we made the choice to adopt Emily's sister, we talked with her about it. She signed the dossier and her little signature was notarized and embossed. She was as much welcoming our baby into our family as we were. Her only request, that the baby not slobber on her things. The same evening Hannah arrived home, she was playing with a toy and of course, straight to the mouth, to which Emily assured me, "It's okay, Mommy - it's okay." It didn't even take one day. They have evolved over this year, but I assure you, they knew they were sisters, meant to be together.

From the tentative child who slapped my face away at every kiss to the tender, warm child Hannah is today, I am so thankful for the ways God has moved us, challenged us, stood by us and been faithful to our family.


Home just three days, Hannah Easter morning


During the first week

I have no eloquent words or particularly poignant message on this very special day for our family. But, I believe the beauty in any circumstance is the way it is lived every single day. And we live out the love that was intended when we care for each other and rejoice in the family we have been blessed with. It would be so hard to present in one post all the emotions, sights, sensations and feelings that encapsulate one of the greatest days in the history of our family. I do recall the look on my husband's face when he came down the ramp to us. Humble in nature and never proud, Rob beamed. A new confidence, a pride that is not prideful but just plain grateful when mommies and daddies are made. I have never loved him more than I did at that very moment.

Thursday, April 4, 2007...the airport was crowded, noisy, cold. I never noticed any of those things, neither did Emily (though others have told us it's true;). Our baby was home for good, our family was made complete, we were in love and that's all that mattered.