We had been called the day before and told that we could pick him up the next evening. So, we didn't have much warning about him, but we were ready. I just felt this need a few months before to get ready. I guess it was the adoptive mother's version of nesting. :)
I won't go into the entire story as this is the internet but Andrew could tell you the entire story without leaving anything out like how Dad got a little lost, how we had been so nervous the whole day that we couldn't eat so we stopped at McDonald's on the way home and have a picture of Andrew in a snuggly being worn by Josh and Josh jokingly offering Andrew a french fry. We also stopped at Wal-mart when we got back to our town because I didn't realize that size 1 diapers were NOT the smallest so I needed newborn size and I had a whole roll of film from just that evening that needed to be developed! :) Here is our first family picture.
I'm not great at expressing myself with words, but I am so thankful that Andrew's birthmother chose us to be his parents. I'm thankful that both of his birthparents made the selfless choice to allow him to be adopted. We had the opportunity to meet with Andrew's birthmother on the night we picked him up. There isn't a Mother's Day that goes by that I don't think of her and hope she has peace in her heart for her decision. She gave us the greatest gift and I will always be grateful to her.
Andrew is a unique little boy that leaves me wondering how in the world will I be able to raise him successfully! :) He blows my mind with the way he thinks about issues and the way he solves problems. He loves the ladies and is quite charming. I often wonder what he'll be like in 15 years. I REALLY hope he doesn't break too many hearts and focuses on his studies in college first and foremost! :)
Andrew is a wonderful big brother and his sisters adore him. I think I'll be able to say that 15 years from now. I hope he'll help his dad keep the boys away from his sisters. :) I predict Andrew will be quite tall so he can stare the boys down while Dad cleans his weapons. :)
This was quite an emotional post for me. The amount of gratitude I feel for the opportunity I've been given to be Andrew's mother is overwhelming.
Happy Gotcha Day, dear Andrew. I love you very much!!!
Love,
Mom
Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the past 7 years:
First Easter
The infamous "cheesey grin"
Hawaii
Easter Party on Base in Japan
Tokyo Disneyland
Halloween
Gulf Shores
Utah (on the way to move to CA)
Monterey Bay, California
At a friend's ranch in California
Disneyland in California (I think we have a picture of him with EVERY princess!!!)
At school in Morocco
My little Jedi :)
6 comments:
That was a really sweet post. I like all of the pictures. He was such a cute baby, and still is a cutie : ).
Happy Gotcha day to you all!!! I ahve two adopted sons and can remember every detail from the phonecalls on. These are precious memories for you, and mine are for me. You're like me in that I had the nesting instinct kick in, even before we knew exactly when the boys would arrive. On the second Gotcha Day, my oldest was nearly three, and while all the adults were oohing over his new little brother, big brother crayoned all over the papers we were to sign!!! Talk about panic! I had a baby in my arms and was terrified they'd make me wait for pristine papers to be signed before I could take him home!!! The big boss okayed the crayoned papers, and laughed that Kevin had signed them too. Adoptive parents have such thankfulness with the arrival of their children, and such awe with being given these little lives to nurture. Andrew is a charmer, and you're right about the girls being attracted to him! It'll happen! Hugs on Gotcha Day, from samm
You did a great job expressing yourself! And it was a wonderful post. I hope you have a Happy Gotcha Day!
Chanelle
Elsa Beauty
I just can't get over how fast these kids grow up! Happy Gotcha Day, I like that how cool to remember that day as well as the birthday:)
Happy Gotcha Day!!! I Love that name! That is awesome! How wonderful for you to share with us some of your thoughts. What a wonderful blessing to be thankful for. (and happy belated birthday to Andrew).
How cute! I'd never heard of Gotcha day. I guess we'll be celebrating that on December 10th.
What do you call the final adoption day?
Post a Comment