Alaina's Gotcha Day Anniversary

{Gotcha Moment May 23, 2004}

How can it be? Alaina is already 7 years old and has been in our lives 6 years. She loves hearing about her special Gotcha Day and how she was welcomed into our family. She's one special girl and there is no one like her on earth.


{Adoption Day}

The other day, I told her the story about all the moms and dads wanting to know how they could get a little girl just like her. She was all smiles. She would repeat me...as if she was making sure she understood what I was saying.

{Baby dedication a few weeks after we arrived home}

I told her that about 20 families have already come home with their little boy or girl since she arrived home...all because God used her to encourage the moms and dads to adopt.

She wanted to know who the kids were so I listed them and she continued to smile...because most of the little ones are her friends. She really laughed when I told her that two of the little ones, are Hudson and Benjamin.

{July 2004}

She has this charm about her, constantly talking, asking questions...and she is loved by all.

{April 1, 2010, Alaina's 7th Birthday}

Here is Alaina's Gotcha Day story, written 6 years ago...but feels like yesterday...

The Miracle of Gotcha Day

Our miraculous Gotcha Day was May 23, 2004. Our itinerary was scheduled for our Gotcha Day to be May 24 so when we landed at the airport in Nanchang, James, our CCAI representative surprised us with the news. We were to get the babies in a few short hours. Incredible excitement and nervousness filled the airport as our travel group #608, 12 families hurried to the bus. While walking out to the bus, we were surrounded by small children begging with their hands reaching out to us. Their ages were probably 8 to 12 years old. Debbie had heard about this happening so she brought candy to give them. We were already emotional just hearing our news that we were going to get the babies. Seeing these children broke our hearts.

We had a long ride, or what felt like a long ride to our hotel. After carrying our luggage into the hotel and had our group meeting, we were off to get the babies. We can't explain the emotions at this point. After giving birth three times and knowing what that is like, this was an incredible experience that is beyond a miracle. Half of the couples had biological children and half of the couples were experiencing the "birth" of their first child. We had waited so many years for this moment, and within minutes, our Alaina would be in our arms.

We stood around in a small room waiting and watching as each family's name was called. It wasn't long before it was our turn. We walked to the front of the room and the sweet Chinese nanny released Alaina as Trina reached for her. We walked to the back of the room, holding tight to our precious Alaina. She was ours!!! Almost all of the other babies were screaming. These precious little ones had never seen people that looked like these Americans. They had been loved and cared for by loving foster families all their lives. Alaina was strong and tried not to cry. She was scared with tears in her eyes and her little chest was pounding. What a precious little face, and little hair that stood straight up on top. She was beautiful! Holding her close, we decided that maybe Cheerios could help the moment. She ate her first Cheerio that day and continues to love them even now.

Within 24 hours, she wouldn't let go of Trina. She cried instantly when Trina would leave the room. The Snuggly was a blessing. Within 24 hours, she said "Mama" and looked for "Da da" but didn't want him to hold her, not yet anyway. Within 48 hours, she could blow a kiss. We learned quickly, her most favorite time of the day is after dinner. She entertained in China with all our friends and she continues to entertain her brothers and sister at the dinner table every night. She has an amazing smile that melts our hearts. It didn't take long for her to sound out, "Daddy, Daddy" when Joel enters the door at the end of the day. Within a month, she had an amazing comprehension of everything that was said. It wasn't long that she was saying everything she heard.

Alaina is incredibly smart and continually amazes us. She is such a joy in our lives. It feels like she has always been with us. We believe God created her for us and us for her. He knew before the creation of the world that Alaina would be in our family forever.