May
30
13
Our family turns 13 today. On May 30, 2002, Bill and I stood in a hotel hallway in Nanchang in Jiangxi province nervously awaiting the first time we would meet out daughter. As I saw the parade of 10 foster mothers carrying 10 orphans into the hotel I worried that I wouldn’t be enough and that I wasn’t worthy of parenting a child someone else had born. And yet after having waited five years, I desperately wanted to start this new journey. She was 10 months old, had a massive ear infection and a temperature of 103. She screamed in agony as her foster mother handed her to me and I remember saying, “We’re going to be a great team” through my tears. I always think about her birth parents on this day and wish so deeply that I could thank them for giving birth to this incredible child of God.
The next day, as we waited endlessly in municipal conference rooms to finalize the adoption, she made a clicking noise in her mouth. I repeated it back to her. She smiled for the first time. I’ll never forget it. It has been a joy to watch Bill parent Sophie. I couldn’t have asked for a better male role model for my daughter. He has set the bar so very high for her and that is a wonderful gift. Thanks to all of you who have helped me to be a better parent. Happy Gotcha Day to us.
yes. it's my real name. 
Congratulations on your Gotcha Day. What a wonderful leap of faith you and Bill took. I’ve never met your daughter and only met you and Bill at quilt shows, I feel that I know you through your posts and wish you all the best as you continue your family’s journey together
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Thank you Joann.
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Congratulations to you all! In the end it’s love and caring that make a family. Sophie is a lucky girl as are you and Bill to have her. Ps How was the Grad party? I loved the post about Sophie’s favorite snacks and ice cream cake.
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The party was a huge hit. Everyone had fun and the rain held off until after everyone had left.
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Congratulations! What a wonderful gift you’ve been given. Sophie is a very lucky girl.
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Most adoptive parents I know respond when people say our children are lucky: “We’re the lucky ones.” Life without her would have been a far less joyful life.
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Happy Gotcha Day!
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Hi Weekes. I had had the privilege of getting to know Sophie a little over the last few days here in Sydney. What a beautiful young woman you are Bill are raising. She is so gracious and not a peep of complaint despite the fact that she is having to amuse herself while Bill is blowing our minds with design possibilities. Such a shame not to meet you in person ( but I kind of think I have a little anyway). Thanks for letting us borrow your family for a while.
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