Finally...Gotcha Day

We have been waiting for this day for a very long time. As I think I mentioned before I did not want to let my heart "go there" too soon just in case it never happened. My girls and I watched more Gotcha Day videos than we can count and were touched by each and every one. What would ours be like? How would our Yanjie respond? cry? be quiet? claw our eyes out? snuggle up? We wondered!

After 28 years of first thinking of adopting a little girl from China it happens on this day!

Once again the devotional chapter from the World Vision book directly tied in with what our day held...receiving our new daughter! The "filtered eyes" it spoke of were those of a mother for her children...amazing!

On the way from our hotel to the Registration office (where we receive our children) our guide gives us the rundown of how the morning will go, what to expect from our children, what papers need to be signed that morning and what the afternoon holds.

Once again I appreciate all of the care to detail we are given along each step!

Our last bus ride as a family of 5

We're all smiles!

 The Registration office in Zhengzhou.

One of the things that our guide mentioned is that the kids arrive anytime from 10am-noon. They come from different distances so depending of traffic and such some may already be there and some may take longer...well this little one was THERE when we arrived! Even though she mentioned that I was not ready for it. Water works! I started to cry and then it HIT ME! It's here, she's here and our girls will be here very soon, like in 5 minutes or 25 minutes or an hour and 5 minutes!!! 

Oh my gosh!!!

We put our things on one of the couches in the lobby of the Registration building and waited. I have seen this exact room in many Gotcha Day videos...this EXACT room! Now I was in this room, with my family, receiving our girl! On the plane flight over just a few days before something struck me. They (China, or insert your country or state) are giving us a child...a person. Weird! and wonderful! Our girl has not had anyone to call her own up to this point, that is all about to change!

And as we waited one other family's child arrived. We all watched by the door to see if any other cars drove into the parking lot, watching out for each other, these families that are now bonded for life and were former strangers. We all cared about each other's experience! I always wondered who would take video and pictures for us. We all traded off and were so excited for these first moments. Thank goodness, I didn't want to miss any part of it.

Three of the families that were with us had done this before, some more than once and they mentioned that sometimes rather than coming in the front entrance a kid (with chaperone or course) will show up from a side door and surprise everyone. I was in desperate need of a potty but couldn't even imagine going at the wrong time (and knew I would not be able to go after we got our kiddo). If I went at the wrong time then I would not be the first to hold my girl. That was not an option! So after two families got their daughters and I did not spot anyone in the parking lot that looked like they were here to bring a child I ran to the potty, squatted faster than a (who knows what) and got back to the lobby. Whew, she had not arrived. We helped with more picture taking then out of that sniper-secret room our girl appeared!

I had no breath, all went silent in a room full of 20+ adults and 10+ kids.

There was our daughter...

In the week before our departure for China a bit of fear started to creep in for me about Aunna's hands and feet. Not all out anxiety but some nervousness about seeing her hands

and feet for the first time. 

Any thoughts of her "disability" drifted away in a cool breeze as I held my girl. I was so focused on her face, wiping her tears, holding her tight as to let her know she will never be alone again and comforting her, that it took me a while to even notice the perfection God had planned in her.

There are no mistakes here just huge plans to change the world with this little girl!

After we received Aunna I went right over and snapped into mommy-mode! I got her bottle out

(I actually probably had one of the kids get it out) and fed it to her. She downed it! 

While I was feeding Aunna David was talking with the foster care director (in white), province rep and our translator about what they brought and her schedule and many other things. They brought so much with her that we did not expect. In the picture below she is passing David the book that we sent. It is an audio book I recorded with my voice. She said that they read it to her EVERYDAY! Amazing! They also brought diapers, wipes, formula and the clothes we sent.

I love that the kids are all gathered around!

I love this picture of David gazing at his newest girl!

He's an AMAZING Daddy!

After the bottle is was "let's see what else she'll like."

We tried puffs, toys, blanket & books.

We took a picture with her foster care director before Aunna fell asleep. Whenever Aunna saw her she cried and struggled again. So that was the last time she saw her awake. Too painful.

Kirra had the good idea to break out the book where I was reading her a story that they brought back to us. I read along with it. She loved that. Totally quiet and listening.

Aunna held tight to the blanket we sent (that we brought a duplicate of) and the toy we sent. That was really cute but also gives you a good idea of her being in a traumatic situation and clinging to what is familiar. What a lot to go through for such a little girl.

After a bit she fell asleep clutching her toy and laying on her blanket.

Now we could take more pictures...she out!

We signed 24 hour guardianship papers and would return the next day for our final adoption papers for China.

What a day!

We got to experience such a miracle with these families!

Zadok has a forever family! (2 1/2)

Evan has a forever family! (2)

Marlowe has a forever family! (16 months)

Haven has a forever family! (2)

And Aunna Hope Yanjie has a forever family! (16 months)

Outside the Registration office was this beautiful waterfall. Just in case you didn't know

Yanjie means "clean rock" 

Thank you Lord for the blessing of our Lightening Baby. May she always know she can depend on you, her Rock, and that she is made clean by Your sacrifice!