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2.04.2010

In an instant

February 5, 2007 was a traveling day, much like many others Ian and I had experienced in life together, and yet it stands on its own as well.

It started with rising before the sun, hours before our wake up call, when we finally decided to quit pretending to sleep. Funny that I can still remember the view from our hotel window that early dawn. I suppose it is forever embedded in my mind because I knew just how momentous that day would be.

I can still hear Amy's voice telling us when we boarded our tour bus in Guangzhou that we'd go to meet the babies at 2:00. It was a quick stop by our hotel and then the short bus ride to the Guangdong Civil Affairs Building, where we'd pack into a very tight elevator to go to the fifth floor.

And then it happened. After years of waiting, we went from a young couple to a young family in the amount of time it took for Amy to call our last name.

Amazing. Utterly amazing.

I don't want to take any time away from my sweet girl today. If I had been on the ball I would have written this post earlier in the week to really get my thoughts composed ~ I just can't seem to find the words that I want to describe how meeting her changed my life.

Luckily two years ago there was a bit less going on and I was able to gather my thoughts a bit better. And two years down the road I realize even more how true these words are!

"There is so much that I want to say today, so many thoughts running through my mind... I find myself amazed at the journey that getting to today was. Yes, it was a trip to China, but it was so much more than that. It really was a journey of the heart, a soul searching realization that blood lines don't determine family. It was listening to God calling us for something more special than we could have dreamed, going to find our Precious Treasure..."

Now off to snuggle with my girl ~ post nap snuggles are the best!

I'll add a few pictures from today later ~ I realized that I left the camera in the car and it is currently POURING outside. Sure miss having a garage...

She was beautiful then, she's still beautiful now...
Kylie's choice of how to spend her special day? Meeting Daddy at our children's museum and then lunch at Chick-fil-A.

16 comments:

Nancy said...

Wow! She looks so tiny in those photos! Happy anniversary!

Ally said...

You always have a wonderful way with words. Happy Gotcha Day!

Pam said...

Happy Forever Family Day, Kylie! I LOVE both the photos you posted. Love the one with Kylie gazing up at her mama. But the actual gotcha photo brought tears to my eyes. I just love the way you and Ian look in that photo.

Glenda said...

Little Kylie was just as sweet and beautiful as big Kylie is now!! I'm so glad to have gotten to know and love her this past year.

Journeymark Cards & Gifts said...

I just found your blog about a couple weeks ago. I love how you are sharing about your "Gotcha Day" and how you got to this point. For us, in starting the journey ourselves, it is so encouraging and full of love and hope.

Thanks so much for sharing.
Jessica

Lilly said...

Welcome home Kyle, welcome home!

Heather said...

It is THAT picture again ... and again it brings tears to my eyes! Happy Family Day!

Much love,
Heather

Carla Lewter said...

Happy Gotcha Day Kylie!! Can't wait to see the one you guys are going to have in just a couple weeks too!

In Him,
Carla

Anonymous said...

Happy forever family day Kylie!!! Aunt Cici loves you soooooo much!

Cindy M said...

I can't even put into words how much I love these girls and every single one of their families. Oh, to just go back for a few minutes to that beautifully crowded hot conference room and soak up some of that day again.

Love you guys!

Leslie said...

I LOVE the pictures of the day you met Kylie. It makes my heart smile. =) Happy Forever Family Day, Kylie! (Sorry I'm a day late!) We're looking forward to celebrating the next FF Day, and it's coming really, really soon... but not soon enough.

Bekah said...

I still cry every time I see that pic of them handing her to you. And yes...my cheeks are wet even now!

Lisa said...

Happy Forever Family Day, Kylie! I hope you enjoyed your wonderfully cuddle day together!

a Tonggu Momma said...

Happy family day to y'all a few days late! (Internet service has been interesting since Friday in our snow-laden town.)

Melanie & David said...

Sweet, sweet post. I don't believe any words can adequately describe how these children fill your heart with such a bountiful overflowing love - life is never the same again, for the better. You have done a wonderful job conveying that even as you prepare for your third journey to China. Yeah.
Melanie, David, Indigo and Isaac

Shannon said...

Ohhhhhh! You have me in tears! Congratulations! Happy cuddling!!!