Presenting... Ling Zhong aka Rayna Lin Debelak!
Instant joy...
Chunky monk... had her 4 days at this point
On the plane home!
Today... our wonderful daughter
the inseparable three
Ten years ago on April 20, 2000 dear Rayna was placed into our welcoming arms. "Gotcha Days" are special to adopted kids. But I think in some ways they are more special to the moms and dads. We remember the unspeakable feeling, the sounds, the smells, the gut-wrenching emotions. A day to never, ever forget. Our life will be forever altered from this moment forward. And it was.
Now ten years later. It seems like so very much longer. And it seems like yesterday. The beginning of our journey in parenting. We are thankful. We are fortunate. We are even lucky. But mostly, we're blessed. For this day. And for the days that followed that brought a brother and a sister.
One of my favorite books given to us with these words:
There are those who think families happen by chance
A mystery their whole life through
But we had a voice and we had a choice
We were working and waiting for you
No matter the name and no matter the age
No matter how you came to be
No matter the skin, we are all of us kin
We are all of us one family
A mystery their whole life through
But we had a voice and we had a choice
We were working and waiting for you
No matter the name and no matter the age
No matter how you came to be
No matter the skin, we are all of us kin
We are all of us one family
So here's to you, three cheers to you
Let's shout it, "Hip, hip, hip, hooray!"
For, out of a world so tattered and torn,
You came to our house on that wonderful morn
And all of a sudden this family was born
Oh, Happy Adoption Day!
Let's shout it, "Hip, hip, hip, hooray!"
For, out of a world so tattered and torn,
You came to our house on that wonderful morn
And all of a sudden this family was born
Oh, Happy Adoption Day!
I don't think there ever is a time that I read a Gotcha Day post without crying! We were truly blessed weren't we! You have a beautiful, beautiful family with just as beautiful of a story behind it. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteNeat to see your pictures!
ReplyDeleteHow lovely to remember again those days. I should go look out my pictures. It's been 18 years for the first "gotcha".
ReplyDeleteoh Linda...that poem made me cry....thanks for sharing and all your wonderful thoughts...
ReplyDeleteSo special, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWonderful memories. We love her, and ALL of you.
ReplyDeleteI loved the pictures. She was and is so adorable. The look on your face is pure joy. The thing I love about you is that each time for each kid that look of pure joy has been equal. I'll tell you a story sometime about a young woman I'm supporting this year whose family situation isn't equal. It is so sad and heartbreaking.
ReplyDeleteSo happy for your Gotcha days! No matter how you get em their special!
ReplyDeleteHip Hip Hooray!! I remember the wait...I felt like I was waiting along with you..it seemed sooooooooooo long!! But every moment was worth it! Happy Days to your family..
ReplyDeleteThat was special!
ReplyDeleteAnd she sure lost that baby fat!