For us 2008 was a pretty good year. I guess that is a bit of an understatement, it is probably the best year we have had as a married couple. If I had to sum up the year in one word that word would be "Hope". We started out 2008 with a lot of hope. We knew we were getting close to a referral but just weren't sure how many months we would wait.
In February 2008 we took our last childless vacation to Jamaica. We had a great time in the sun and came back refreshed ready for what the next few months would bring. In March 2008 referrals came out with a cutoff of Jan 4th 2005, meaning we missed the cutoff by one day. We were pretty disappointed but it was not at all unexpected so we just looked forward to April when we would see our daughter's face for the first time.
April 4th, 2008 is a day that we will never forget, the day that we got that call that we have a daughter. I won't rehash it all but you can read about it here and here. The remainder of April and May 2008 were spent getting prepared for our trip.
On May 12th, 2008 a huge earthquake hit the Sichuan province of China. We were pretty confident that Grace was fine but the quake killed almost 70,000 people so our hearts were heavy thinking of all of the destruction in the homeland of our daughter who we had not yet met.
On May 22nd, 2008 we boarded a plane bound for Beijing China for a trip that would change our lives forever. It was trip of a lifetime, we became parents and fell in love with the sweetest little girl you could ever meet.
We arrived home in early June and jumped headfirst into parenting. Grace was a pretty easy-going baby though so we didn't have it too rough. She slept well, ate well and was generally pretty content.
Not sure where the six months since then have gone. Grace has grown and changed so much. She has gone from an infant who could barely sit up to a toddler that lets nothing hold her back. She knows what she wants and knows how to get it. She is smart, sweet, loving and funny and we can't wait to see what 2009 has in store for her and us.
So from our family to yours we want to wish you a happy and healthy 2009.
4 comments:
That summed it up so nicely.
Happy New Year!
Yes, 2008 was quite a year! I am so happy that you brought your sweet Grace home this past year - and now 2009 will be your first FULL YEAR as her parents!
Happy New Year guys! It's been so fun following your journey and seeing your family adapt and grow.
May God bless you this year with health and joy and lots and lots of laughter!
You know, the best is yet to come. I love the ages of 1-3. They are the BEST in my opinion. Enjoy every minute because you'll blink and she'll be off to school. I never realized how fast it goes till I put my baby boy on the bus!
Best wishes for a joy-filled 2009!
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