Gotcha Day - 1 year!

One year!  I cannot believe so much time has gone by.   Today we celebrate the day we became a family of 7.  As I reflect back on this day in 2014, I am in awe of the transformation of the little boy we met last year.  When we met, we could not get eye contact at all.  We got very few smiles unless we were tickling him or being really silly.  We saw glimpses of his silly side, but he wasn't sure he wanted to show that too much.  He was scared and had been put in to the hands of complete strangers.  He has made HUGE progress since then.

This picture below shows the look we got most of the time in China.  He looked sad and unsure.  I probably would too if I were in his shoes.  Yes, we got smiles, but they were hard to pull out.

Gotcha Day in China 

One year later

This is now.  He was dancing and just clowning around with his  "made in China" shirt. 

 Here are some of the changes we have seen:

• He was wobbly when walking, and now runs all over.
• He couldn't climb steps at all.  He walks up and down with no problem.
• He could only say a couple words.  The rest was babbling, and we don't think the babbling was anything Chinese either.  Now he talks all the time.  He is even using short sentences.  
• He goes to bed in a "big boy bed" with no problem.  No crying anymore! No nightmares or night terrors!
• He has learned to pedal his tricycle all over the place.
• He can dress himself.
• He loves jumping on our trampoline.
• He laughs all the time and does silly things to get us to laugh, too.
• He climbs in my lap and snuggles, just because he loves the physical touch.
• He loves giving hugs to his family.

God sure knew what he was doing when he gave us this precious child!

“Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.” Mark 9:37

All we had to do was say "Yes!"

It is hard to believe so much time has already passed.  One year ago today, we received a phone call and email that would change our lives.  Feb, 21, 2014 was the day we received our referral for our adoption.  Pictures of an adorable little boy with a mild special need.  We only had to say "yes", and we did.

I remember my kids reactions well.  Every single one of them was so excited.  They did have one concern...his haircut (in the top pic).  It was actually very funny and something we still laugh about.  

Now that same little boy is growing like crazy - both physically, mentally, and emotionally.  He is so loved by every member of his forever family.   Is every day easy?  Not at all.  Would I change anything?  Not at all.  He has brought so much joy and laughter to our family.   God brought him to our family and knew it was a perfect match.  

Right now our little guy is outside playing with his sisters in the never ending snow.  (This picture is from a couple weeks ago.)  As I gaze out the windows to watch, I think about what would life be like if I hadn't said, "yes".  If I had not said yes to God's promptings to adopt.  If I ignored that small voice that took us through a crazy journey so we could meet this wonderful little boy halfway around the world.  I really can't imagine it at all.  Hopefully, each time God tells me to do something, I recognize His voice and obey whatever it is He is telling me.  The blessings I have received from following are greater than I ever could have imagined they would be.