i got you day.

Since K was away for week last week and returned only last night, we decided to celebrate Gotcha Day with Daddy today.  This morning began with a trip to a park for kites and rockets.  

We started a little competition to see who could jump the highest before landing on the launcher.  Here are the best action shots...

Sweet P could hardly get herself off the ground... most times she wouldn't even land on the red circle but she made up for the lack of height with enthusiasm!

Not to be left out of the fun, I gave it my best try.  

We finished off the celebration with lunch at a local Thai place.  Sweet P was like a little Thai celebrity.  The servers kept a watchful eye on us the entire meal and the hostess came over to hug her repeatedly and ask lots of questions.  It was only fitting that we finished the meal with mango and sweet sticky rice.  ...and thankfully it tasted exactly like in Thailand one year ago.     

Sweet P kept saying "I got you day!" 
Well said.  
Blessings, angela

one (blessed, amazing, joyous) year.

ONE leap year.

366 days.

The number of days we have this preciousness home with us.

I have kissed her millions of times more than 366.  I have held and hugged her hundreds of hours.  I have prayed for her repeatedly and been amazed at how beautifully she is adjusting to life in our family.

I have loved watching her personality unfold.  It has been remarkable to hear her put American words to her thoughts.  I have treasured mommy moments of washing clothes and realizing there's another little person creating laundry for me.  It's been no big stretch to make one more plate of food for each meal.  

The bottom line:  This little girl needed a family.  

And you know what?  

I think we needed her even more.  

A place to call home.  

A mom and a dad to love her.  

A FAMILY.

And the most amazing part of all... our family.

I thank the Lord all the time for allowing us the grace to welcome her home.  

Some days I cannot stop smiling when a little 

black-headed, 

dark brown-eyed, 

cocoa-skinned girl 

calls me Mommy.  

Unbelievable.

I'm abundantly blessed.

I celebrate this day by praising the Lord for His goodness to our family
and remembering the original Gotcha Day.  

Blessings, angela