Gotcha Day!

Also known as "Luci May Day"!

Despite the fact that we had been waiting for this day for over a year and dreaming of it for even longer than that, nothing could prepare me for that moment when my daughter was placed in my arms. I have had three babies that grew inside me placed in my arms. Those were euphoric moments. It was equally euphoric, though different, to have a baby that grew in my heart be placed in my arms. That surreal moment happened on July 27th, 2009.

We woke that morning and had breakfast with the other traveling families...
I love these people. We shared such an intense life experience together. We were all giddy with excitement that morning. After filling out some paperwork, we walked the infamous walk down the alley and around the corner to Hannah's Hope Orphanage...
Here's my little foot setting off on the walk of a lifetime...
And we stood before the gate that we have seen so many other families stand in front of before...
It's our turn!I anticipated we would be standing outside for awhile, but we walked right in and could see all the babies immediately...
We got caught up in the joy of our friends children being brought to them and then suddenly I saw her. Rediet. Our girl. Before I knew it, Almaz was walking toward us holding her. I scrambled for my camera to hand off to someone and the next thing I knew...
She was in my arms.
Unspeakable joy.
Bill's turn...
Meeting big brother Tate for the first time...

My turn again...
Bill and I were jockeying for position all morning long...
Checkin' out this guy called Daddy...Hannah's Hope is such an amazing place. They take such good care of these children with selfless love. Here is Rediet with one of her "special mothers"...
She was worn out by the whole "meet your new family for the first time" thing...
This smile on my face says it all...
At long last, she is in my arms and with her forever family.

The Lord has done great things for us and we are filled with joy.
Psalm 126:3