Andrew's Gotcha Day

Yesterday was Andrew's Gotcha Day. Eight years ago today we saw and held Andrew for the first time. He was 10 days old.

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! :)

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.

In the past year I've been amazed at how much Andrew has matured. He's becoming more responsible and is a huge help around the house. I can see ways he'll make a good husband and father just by the way he helps and plays with the girls.

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. :)

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