Gotcha Day Anniversary

This day reminds me of so many things!  I think back to the day that we saw the following video.
This is the one and only video we have of Naeleigh as a baby.  This was taken in her orphanage and we are not sure how old she was when this was taken.  We received this video when we were matched with her.  She looks like she is having fun.  The Chinese characters at the beginning are her Chinese name, Luo Ke Fen.

This was our first sight of Naeleigh when we were opening her medical file.  Look at that face!!!

Fast-forwarding 17 months into the future, here we are in China at The Great Wall!  We were talking the other day and said, "would we ever have thought when we started dating in high school that we would be married and go to China to adopt a baby????"  It's amazing what God can do because I am not a good traveler, especially not insanely long flights and hotel stays in a foreign country.  But we had a wonderful time while we were there.  

The very best day, was the day we met our precious daughter.

She was late getting to the registry center.  But her orphanage director brought her in, fast asleep.  We couldn't have her yet because they hadn't "called our names" so we watched as she was taken behind a curtain.  We took pictures of another family's Gotcha Day experience while we waited.  Then we heard, "Peavy!" and my stomach dropped.  It's not like meeting your infant child for the first time whom you have carried and always had with you.  I remember reading to Brett while I was pregnant and talking to him.  The whole time we waited to travel to China, I constantly prayed her Naeleigh's protection and health but I knew there was nothing I could do to physically help her.  It was heart-wrenching at times, I will be honest.  Not knowing who was taking care of her or IF she was being taken care of at all...but God had her in His hands.  

 So they brought her out to us!  Her orphanage director was such a sweet woman.  She told us that Naeleigh had been asleep while they were in the car.  So, when it was time to hand her over,

Naeleigh just stared at us.  And then she cried...

And cried...

And cried...

Bubbles, cookies, suckers...nothing helped.

Until I started singing to her...it was like magic.  She had no idea what I was saying but she liked it.

"Jesus loves me this I know,

for the Bible tells me so,

little ones to Him belong,

they are weak, but He is strong."

After her first bath...

She is seriously wondering what in the world is happening to her.

Now, one year later, she is doing so well.  I am so proud of my "beautiful girl" (Naeleigh means "beautiful girl in Chinese).  She is such a strong and independent little girl but never wants to be away from her family.  We are so blessed to be her parents.  God was feeling especially creative when He formed her little personality.  She is a trip!  She has such a good sense of humor.  We love her sweet little voice (except when she is screaming at us).  :)  Naeleigh had her 3 year old wellness visit with her doctor yesterday.  She was 31 inches and 19 pounds when we adopted her.  Naeleigh is now 35 inches tall and 25 pounds!!!  It's amazing what good nutrition and lots of sugars and hugs will do!  

We recently celebrated her 3rd birthday.   We had her grandparents over for dinner and cupcakes on her birthday and then celebrated with a big party the following weekend.  She loved her party! Naeleigh kept walking around saying, "My cake!"

We celebrated her Gotcha Day with a trip to Hilton Head Island.  We visited a children's museum called The Sandbox  and went to the beach!  A fun-filled and exhausting day!!

Happy Gotcha Day, Our Precious Naeleigh!