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Four years ago we entered a sweltering hot room with 8 other families to have our lives changed forever. Babies were screaming and all of us parents, grandparents and siblings were desperately trying to pick out the new addition to our lives based on photos that were months old. We were looking at all the children and then the nanny holding Nadia pointed to me with Nadia’s hand and I could hear her saying, “Mama! Mama!” I thought I was going to faint right there.  It was agony waiting to hear our name called so we could go forward to meet her. Here is our Gotcha Day video for those who haven’t seen it (or would like to see it again).

Sweet Nadia we love you so much! You are such a delight and so much fun to have around. You say the funniest stuff and so often I wish I had a permanent recording going because I can’t remember it all. You love to dance and make up songs. You love to take photos and now to also stage videos. You are eager to learn and have a memory that shocks me most days. You can be incredibly strong-willed, but I think it will serve you well later in life mixed with your sweetness. You have become such a good big sister to Amelie. You try to teach her things and I hope they are all good since she tries to imitate every single thing you do. It’s a delight when you say things like, “She just said this or that for the first time. Isn’t that great?” I love that when we told you that we would buy you a Batman and Superman t-shirt you immediately asked if Amelie could have one of each too – “so that we can match.” Right now you love all superheroes and Batman most of all. You want to fight for justice like they do; I hope that fire continues to burn in you and God uses you in an amazing way.

As I watch you grow and learn more about the world, I am so grateful that God saw fit to make you a part of our family.

In the car yesterday Nadia requested that we listen to Casting Crowns album “Until the Whole World Hears.” So we are running errands and the song “Always Enough” came on. Part of the lyrics say: peace to the broken/faith for the widow/hope for the orphan/strength for the weak.

Nadia – What’s a widow?  – So I explained.

Nadia – so they are sad?  Louanne – yes.

Nadia – what’s an orphan? Louanne – a child without a mommy or a daddy.

Nadia – so they need hope from God?  Louanne – yes.

Nadia – where do orphans live? Louanne – in an orphange.

Nadia – Like Amelie? Louanne – yes

Nadia – wait, like me? Louanne – yes,  you were an orphan before God made you part of our family when we adopted you.

Nadia – I love my daddy and mommy.

I had tears streaming down my face. Nadia knows that we adopted her and that “the nice ladies at the orphanage took care of me”, but this was the first time she asked/realized what orphan meant.

Later that night she asked again about widows and orphans when she heard the song again. She asked Mike if all babies were born orphans. So we talked some more about it. I am so thankful that Nadia and Amelie are our girls and that God saw fit to add them to our family. But my heart does break for the day when she asks, “Who had me in her belly?” or another variation.

Thank goodness God is “Always Enough” and will be on that day.

This was so fun to get in the mail, just like Nadia’s. About two weeks ago we also got the flag that we had flown over the Capital on 2.26.2011 and a very nice letter from our Congressman.

One thing that disappointed me about Amelie’s COC is that there was no letter from the President welcoming the new citizen. I have heard this from other people that once President Obama took office that this ended. You can request a letter from his office and that’s all fine and good, but why not just do it automatically like President Bush did? It’s not like he actually signs it, it’s really just a formality. Seems like such a strange thing to have ended since I think it would mean something to all new citizens – not just the adopted ones.

The Chinese like to have little children and babies all bundled up. The day we got Amelie was no exception. This is how she was dressed on Gotcha Day.

Layer 1 – sweater and socks

Layer 2 – topped with winter PJ’s.

Layer 3 – Topped with snow pants, boots and a lined jacket.

And we were expected to bring a winter coat and hat for her to take her back to the hotel, which of course we did so the ladies wouldn’t come after us