The 1 Year Anniversary of Lily's Gotcha Day

My Dearest Lily,

A year ago we brought you home to be ours forever.  We began introducing you to your new life and family.  I know it was a time of uncertainty for you.  New faces and places everywhere you looked.  It breaks my heart to think back on how scared you must have been.  Yet you didn't cry very much and when you did you were easily soothed by rocking, bouncing in my arms or playing in water. 

 

I'll never forget how you watched everyone and everything with those big brown eyes of yours.   Everyone has commented on your eyes and how smart you look.  You're an old soul for sure.  I can't count how many times I've felt like you understood everything I was saying or looked into my soul as if you've known me forever. Is that possible?

 

In addition to being smart, you're also very funny.  You love to giggle and laugh.  You have a wonderful belly laugh that I could listen to for eternity, especially when it's combined with Yaya's laughter.  Nothing warms my heart more than seeing you two together.  You copy everything she does and she eats it up.  You laugh and look so proud of yourself for doing "big girl things" or new tricks.  There are times I think there is nothing Yaya wouldn't do for you and I've witnessed it on more than one occasion.  She lets you pull her around by her ponytail like a dog, both of you giggling all the way.  If it were me I think I'd be crying you pull her hair so hard.   Yaya never complains.  She just plays along until you're ready to play a new game.  Another thing I love about you two is how hard you hug one another after even a short time apart.   You two were meant to be sisters.  There is no doubt in my mind. 

 

Lily, you make me smile and laugh every day.  EVEN WHEN I REALLY FEEL LIKE PULLING MY HAIR OUT.  You get that "know it all" look in your eyes and you give me that half grin of yours and I melt.  I love you.  I mean I love EVERY SINGLE THING ABOUT YOU.  I love that you need me and want me to be with you all the time. Truth be told, I need you just as much as you need me little one.  I'm so happy you are here.  I'm so happy you're ours. 

 

I love that you are beginning to understand by calling "Momma" I'll come in an instant. 

I love how excited you get to see me and it shows in how you tighten your entire body as if you're jumping with joy. 

I love how you say, "Up?" so I'll pick you up or how you back into my lap to sit down and have me read to you. 

I love how you say, "Awwww" when you know you're giving or receiving love to someone or something like your teddy bear.  

I love how hard you squeeze my face or neck when you hug me. 

I love your kisses. ALL OF THEM!  The fishy kisses, the open mouth sloppy kisses, the messy food kisses, the sleepy kisses and yes, the butterfly kisses too. 

I love it when you bring your plastic fish and ask me to "Tickle" you with his tail.  Funny girl! 

I love how you adore animals, flowers, bugs, you name it.  The best part is how you Oooh and Ahhh over them so I'll see and enjoy them too.  You are a lot like your great grandmother Edith that way.

 

I've enjoyed every second of our time getting to know each other.  I am so lucky and blessed I get to be your mom!  Have I mentioned how much I love you?

 

Happy 1st Gotcha Day Anniversary Lily Bird!

Everlasting Impressions

Friday we picked Yaya up after school and we headed to Six Flags to celebrate her "Gotcha Day" and my mom's 59th birthday. Yaya couldn't wait because we were meeting my aunt, uncle and cousins there. We road rides and had some amazing encounters with a few animals.

When I was about 7 years old I was picked out of the audience to play with Shamu the killer whale at Sea World. It was a moment that changed my life forever.  To this day I am infatuated with whales, dolphins and anything that lives in the ocean.  Touching Shamu's skin and tongue and then hugging him was a moment I'll never forget.  It changed who I was both inside and out.  I think Yaya may have experienced something very similar this weekend during one or two of our animal encounters.

While talking to one of the elephant's trainers I learned this beautiful elephant is 47 years old and she moved to Six Flags after spending most of her life at the Wild Animal Park in Southern CA.  The thing that makes her extra special to our family is this.  My parents took my brother and I to the Wild Animal Park almost every Friday as kids which means we have seen her before.  How wonderful and crazy is it that we got to spend time with an elephant from my childhood?  Even more incredible is the fact we all got to touch her.  Never in a million years did I imagine I would get such an opportunity.  Yaya was terrified of her at first but she warmed up and finally agreed to get within 2 feet of this amazing creature. 

I wonder if she remembers us too. 

The end of her trunk is shaped like a heart!  I'm convinced God shows us he loves us in nature all the time if only we would slow down and pay attention.

My dad ran over to us and told us to "Hurry!  Come quick!"  I sobbed tears of joy immediately when I saw my daughter and cousin, Brock playing hide and seek with these dolphins.  I hope this video I took makes you laugh and smile.  As Bird said, "The fact that they're wearing Superhero capes makes this moment all the more fun and special.  The entire scenario screams CHILDHOOD AT IT'S BEST!"

We stayed in the park for almost an hour after closing while the kids and dolphins played together.  We  even met one of their trainers, Ricky. He (Ricky) was so kind and seemed just as excited as we were to see the dolphins interacting with us the way they did.  He answered tons of our questions and was so sweet.  He even thanked us for playing with them.  It's moments like these that leave lasting impressions on a child and even adult's heart forever. 

I'm sure these two were smiling just for me.

   What I wouldn't give to know what these baby girls were thinking as they gazed into each other's eyes.

Our "Gotcha Day" and my mom's birthday couldn't have ended more perfect!

2 Years Ago Today...

2 years ago today, we vowed to keep you safe from harm.

2 years ago today, we held our baby in our arms.

2 years ago today, our instant bond could not be severed.

2 years ago today, we brought you home to stay forever.

2 years ago today, we became your mother and your father.

2 years ago today, we gave everyone a holler.

2 years ago today, tears of joy replaced tears of sorrow.

2 years ago today, we couldn't believe we'd share tomorrow.

2 years ago today, two people became three.

2 years ago today, we became a family.

Written by Frizzy for Yaya 4/10/09

Happy Gotcha Day Yaya!

Finalization of Yaya's Adoption Ie. Court Date

Family Day Anniversary

Yaya let me put curlers in her hair yesterday morning for our Family Day. She was funny because she didn't want me to take them out. They had to fall out before she would let me do anything to her hair.

We spent the day Christmas shopping with Nanna which was tons of fun. Last night, we went to the Olive Garden with Nanna and Pappy for dinner.

Our day ended with just the three of us sharing some family time.

Daddy's Special Girl.

Mommy's Sunshine.

Yaya snuggles and kisses. The perfect end to a perfect day.

Happy "Family" Day

December 2, 2007

Dearest Yaya,
It is the eve of your adoption day or “Family” day as some call it. It’s hard for me to believe after tomorrow I will officially be your mom and Bird will officially be your dad. You see, in our eyes we have been your parents since the day you came home with us 8 months ago. Before tomorrow, April 10th was the happiest day of our lives. We were so thrilled that you were finally here. The wait was over and our prayers had been answered. We wanted and loved you for you and all that was part of you. After months of home studies, letters and paperwork our wait will be over. Your adoption will be finalized.
We have been so lucky to be given the opportunity to be your parents. You, my dear daughter have made our family complete. You have brought more joy and laughter to our home than you will ever know. You are our precious angel sent from heaven. Your biological mother knew how special you were when she chose your 1st given name. We have not met her in person but we know she is a very kind and loving woman. She has more love for you than we will ever know. She made the most difficult decision of her life when she chose adoption for you. She loved you so much she decided to put your life in God's hands not her own. She had faith God would help her find the right family to love and care for you. We will be forever grateful to her.
Tomorrow, your name will be changed to the one we have chosen for you. It may be confusing as to why we are changing your name when the one you were born with already has such meaning. It’s simple really. Daddy and I felt our “Faith” as well as your biological mom's is what brought us together. Daddy and I held on to scripture that stated, “Even with faith as small as a mustard seed” we would be able to move mountains. With God’s guidance and strength we were able to find you, our precious baby girl. We want to change your name because we want everyone to know what faith can do and most importantly that you are one of us now and forever.
I want you to know we don’t need a piece of paper to tell us that you are ours. The night we met I couldn't wait to wrap my arms around you so I could hold and kiss you forever. You were always meant just for us. God has known since the beginning of time that he would bring us together to be a family. You were worth the wait and all the tears and heartache we endured to find you. You will never be unloved or unwanted a day in your life. Your biological mom, daddy and I will always love you! You will forever be our child. Our precious angel sent from heaven. Welcome to our family Yaya!
Love, Mom and Dad

One year ago today, Yaya officially became our daughter.

These were the first pictures taken after the judge proclaimed she was officially our daughter. Pictured from Left to Right
(The judge, our Social Worker, myself, Yaya, Bird and our Lawyer)

Yaya's Christening