Gotcha Day

When you adopt this day is known as "Gotcha Day" - the day that your adopted child joins your family and leaves their orphanage forever. This day - February 27th will be celebrated each year in our family to remember the day when Anna came to us.

     

It is difficult to describe a day like Monday. This day for us was full of excitement, nervousness and joy. We set out early this morning to make the 8 hour round trip from Sofia to Yambol. Petco who is the Director for Vesta (adoption agency in Bulgaria that works with All God's Children) drove us. The roads were clear and except for a little rain and some snow that was falling when we returned to Sofia. It was great traveling weather.

This little girl latched onto Gray!

When we got to the orphanage we met with the Director. After all the years of paperwork, government forms, physicals, fingerprinting, etc it was funny that it only took two quick steps to make it official - copy of our passports and our signatures in the orphanage ledger. We only had a few minutes to visit with the director because we were working towards getting back to Sofia before the police station closed so we could get Anna's passport. We did have time to tell the director how thankful we were to her for keeping Anna in the small children's facility and not letting her be transferred to the older orphanage. She said she believed in her heart that there would be a family for Anna and that is why she kept Anna past her 4th birthday. God certainly orders our lives!

Cleve entertains!

After our meeting we went to Anna's group. They had told her this morning that her family was coming - so she was ready! When she saw me she just ran straight to her and wrapped her little arms around my neck. Then she took me by the arm into the room with the rest of the group as if to say to everyone - "This is my Momma and I am going home with her today!" She remembered Tony and she knew the boys were the ones she has seen in her picture book we left on our first trip. She would hardly let go of me. It was like she was not sure if she thought we might leave again.

Getting ready for the ride home!

I got to dress her for the ride home. What fun! She was so excited to put on a new dress that she raced through getting her arms inside. She fussed at us when she felt like we were moving too slowly with the buttoning. When she looked down and saw new shoes she squealed in delight!

One of our biggest concerns was the car ride back to Sofia. Since orphans don't ride in cars they get car sick. Petco says about 90% of the time this will happen. Anna took turns sitting between the boys and in their laps the entire ride. She didn't get sick and enjoyed the ride with us. Here is a link to a quick video of her first car ride with her sweet big brothers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIFoWFy3_Yk&context=C31eb8a5ADOEgsToPDskLYndSGMSKaWMt1gj2dOBBf

Anna chows down.

After we got back into Sofia we finally got a chance to eat. We were all hungry but no one enjoyed dinner as much as Anna. She had some and most of everything we ordered! We were careful not to let her get sick. We had the friendliest and kindest waiters. Both of them had studied or worked in the US. They were great to help translate what Anna was telling us. Evidently she's never had Sprite. Before I could stop her she grabbed my glass and took a drink. She told the waiter "This is not water and I don't like it!"So nice to meet some great Bulgarians and have our first meal together.

You think she enjoyed her bath?

We were also concerned that Anna might not like to take a bath. Since all they know is showers at the orphanage we were worried that a bath may be too much for her. It was clear that she enjoyed the warm bath and all the bubbles! She wanted to stay in and fussed a little when I told her it was time to get out. Can't wait to get her home and give her a big bathtub bath!

The only trying time for us was bedtime. She was very scared to fall asleep in a strange place with her new family. It is a lot to ask of a little girl who for 5 years has never known any place else at bedtime. Eventually she settled down. I think she is learning to trust us a little more.

Thank you Lord for this day and putting Anna in our family. All the waiting and working to get to this moment has been worth it. We are so thankful for our Anna. We pray that adding her to our family will change all of our lives.

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."
                                            -- James 1:17