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Gotcha!! (one year later...)

Monday, November 2, 2009

November 2, 2008. We had been waiting for this day for a long time. We met up with Morgan in the Beijing airport (oh, how grateful I am for Morgan--he was a wonderful guide and a great friend!), and he snapped this picture. In just a few hours, we would finally meet Grace!!
We also got to meet the other members of our group in the Beijing airport. We had the most incredible group of families on this trip! It was great to finally meet Sheila. I had talked to her on the phone and we couldn't wait to get our girls! Here she is with her daughter, Emma, husband, Jim, and Jim's mother.
Here are James and Dawn. I just talked to Dawn today. What a wonderful family they have!

And here are Vicki, Richard and Alyssa. Alyssa prayed for a little sister from China for a long time. Faith was certainly an answer to those prayers.
Our flight to Guizhou was delayed, but we did make it there that night. We checked into our hotel, and very shortly after that, it was time to meet the girls!!!

We went downstairs, and walked into the meeting room. This was the first moment that we saw our little princess. Isn't she just precious?!!

Here we are, just a few minutes later. Do you notice the Hello Kitty doll on the table above? Well, Grace was so terrified that she actually started hitting me with the doll. She is not a hitting sort of girl, and now when she sees these pictures, we both laugh and laugh, remembering how she hit me with her doll. lol!

I have to say, the other kids look a little traumatized, as well. But, honestly, even though Grace was crying hard, I was just so very happy and thrilled that this little girl was finally ours. I was sad for her fear, but knew that she would come around.
And she did! Here she is a couple of hours later, playing cars with the boys in our hotel room.

I finally got her into pajamas (it was really late, by this time!), and coaxed her into eating some fruit snacks.

Lily, helping Grace with the magna doodle.

And the first real smile of the night!! Beautiful!

Grace snuggled up with her kitty that night and fell quickly asleep. She also snuggled up to me (I slept with her), and truly, she hasn't stopped snuggling ever since! It's a rare moment that she isn't in my arms, or somewhere close by!

This picture was taken last month. Look at Grace's smile! This past year has been such a blessing. We love Grace's laugh, her smile, and her sweet spirit. We are grateful to our precious Father, for giving us this delightful daughter/mei mei. We are so grateful to be a family!




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14 comments:

sarah bess said...

tears.

Shonni said...

What a precious pictures and what an amazing journey to our children!

Waitingfaithfully said...

Crying tears of joy! Remembering the wait . . . praising Him for Grace!

Happy Gotcha Anniversary, beautiful, smiling Grace!

We rejoice with you in Texas!

Love,

Tina and family

Kristin said...

What a beautiful family Sarah! God is so wonderful how He weaves our families together. What a blessing to share in your celebration! Happy Gotcha anniversary Grace!

Gwen said...

Thank you so much for sharing! I love the photos of Grace and the photos of the other families bring back such great memories! Happy forever family day, Grace!!!

James, Dawn and Family said...

HOORAY Grace! We are enjoying Lize on this special day too.

Trish said...

Happy forever family day! Trish

Anonymous said...

Yay!!! Happy Adoption Day Grace!!!!! We love you!

Jennifer O'Cain said...

Sweet story, sweet Grace. Congratualtions on your Gotcha Day Anniversary.

Kim said...

Happy Gotcha Day!! Grace is such a precious little girl. Your family is just beautiful! Praising God for the way he knits families together.
Kim and the Chili peppers

Difference2This1 said...

Thanks for sharing these special details..it truly is a blessing to read!

Patientlywaiting said...

I loved reading your story to Grace. Wow, what a difference a year makes! Grace just shines with God's love and the love of her family!

Happy Gotcha Day Anniversary!

Hugs,
Robin

Kim said...

Sarah,

I am so sorry that I am just now sending a Happy Gotcha Day. I have been a slacker on my blog readings....I appologize!

Happy Gotcha Day! I hope Grace's day was wonderful!

Love you friend,
Kim

Jules said...

What an amazing year--and a beautiful family! How fun to look back and reflect on your wonderful trip to China and how everyone has grown (individually and together) since then. Grace just shines!

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