A year and a half

June 11, 2008

December 11, 2006

18 months ago, my life changed in a way that I will never forget. A beautiful, screaming child was placed into our arms. A child that we had never met before, but we were already head over heels in love with. We had looked at her pictures, taken 8 months prior to that date, for almost 5 months, and now this bundle of joy was ours. Yes, it truly was a day that I will never forget. It was the day that AnnaClaire Chenhui became a part of our family. The day that she was no longer just a picture carried around in our purses and cars. She was finally the living, breathing daughter/sister that we had our hearts set on. And she was ours. She screamed that day. She cried out "buuuuuuuuuuuuu" throughout the whole day. She cried and screamed and cried some more. She was pitiful, but she was ours. We tried soothing her, but we knew there was nothing we could do. We let her cry. Cry for all she had been through, all she had lost in her short 13 months of life. We gave her a shoulder to cry her tears, hoping that a little bit of comfort would help her bond and accept us as her forever family. A year and a half later, I think it is safe to say that she has bonded and accepts us as her forever family. Never have I seen a child with the joy that AnnaClaire has. She is always smiling and laughing at herself or at other people. She has sweetest love that a 2.5 year old could ever have. She is just filled with love. Love and joy. She fits in perfectly with our family. She is busy and full of herself, but she is perfect for us. The Lord could not have made a better match. Today I am thankful. Thankful that this darling little girl is part of our family. So on this day, 18 months later, I remember the baby that was put in our arms. I look back on this year and a half that we have spent together and I thank God for every minute that she has been a part of our family. Our forever family. (Click to read the posts from Forever Family Day, 6 months and 1 year!)

18 months later...

A year and a half with my family!

Celebrating (okay not really) at the pool!

I am the happiest little girl!


It was fitting that Drew got home from China on this day marking a year and a half with our sweet China girl! She joined me and Mom at the airport to greet him. Before we left, AnnaClaire helped me make a welcome home sign.

AnnaClaire holding up her "WELCOME HOME DREW!" sign.

Drew came home armed with gifts. For AnnaClaire, he got one of the Olympic mascots. She loves her little Jingjing! More importantly, she was so excited to see her oldest brother!


Happy year and a half together, precious girl! I love you!
(make sure to check below for all my posts from our beach trip!)