Gotcha Day One Year

Well, actually I am six days late but that is the theme lately around our house. We have had sports out the wazoo and I am ready for things to slow down so I can catch my breath before we start the holidays. Before I talk about Gotcha day I have to say "GO WILDCATS!" That is Olivia's volleyball team. They just played most of a tournament today. Her team was 7th seeded and are now going to play for 3rd/4th place. They were so amazing!

Also today is my wonderful and amazing hubby's birthday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY HONEY! We all love you so very much.

Gotcha day was on September 29th but it did not seem right to celebrate it on that day because it was just Micah and me. But October 4th was the one year anniversary of us coming home. So this was the day that seemed right to celebrate our new family since we were all there with all having memories(except for maybe Micah). What is so amazing is to think that one year ago I went in and wisked Micah from the only place he knew as home. And I when I say wisked, I really mean it. It was a busy morning and my translator needed to get to class, so we had enough time to sign the documents, have the caregivers change him and we trotted out the door as fast as we could, I almost felt like if we did not hurry, they might change their minds and take him back. But then the fun began, seeing his reactions to everything, some with confusion and a little fear( like trying to use the large toilet in the room) and some with excitement and awe( like realizing that he could just run and have fun).

It has been an amazing year. There have been great adventures, exciting firsts and giggles. But there were also frustrations and "pulling your hair out" moments. Even though I would like to say it has been all thrills and giggles( and that is what I wanted it to be), it has not. But I have to say that I would not trade this past year for anything. It has grown me in a way that I did not know I needed to grow in, it has made me love a little more like God loves us all - unconditionally. I still have a looong way to go but my eyes have been opened to something God is trying to teach me and that is thrilling beyond description.

I can not believe that God has blessed me with such wonderful and amazing kids - I love them so very much. What is been really interesting lately is that Micah will talk about Russia. I am not really sure if he remembers or if he is combining things that he has seen in pictures and things that I have told him. Like the hat he has on below. When we went to talk his picture in it he said- " I wear this in Russia. I cry in Russia but Mommy take me home and I watch Dora." No matter what he says there is always a theme of him crying in Russia, which makes me sad, but on the upside, that means he is happy here. And that is what it is all about.

Thanks to our friends Kyle, Greg & Grace (whose Gotcha day was the same) for the idea - I have a picture from that day of Micah and myself and another one of us on our 1 year anniversary Gotcha.

September 29, 2008

September 29, 2009 ( The hat barely fits)

If you would love to be a part of making another little child happy, Check out this link. I talk about this family below and they only need about $3000 more to bring home a precious little boy when he is born, which is any day now. There is no other family that wants to adopt him and if they don't raise this money, he will go into foster care.

Blessings to all!