Sunday, May 2, 2010

Day 7-Gotcha Day!

But first, some details on life now...

First time going to church as a family of four!
Jon's eyes were closed in this pictures, so he cut himself out.  :)  Doesn't he have a great smile?
(J on left, A on right)

Church went really well for Jada...and Adia...well, she did really well for about 20 minutes and then had a breakdown.  Inconsolable crying.  She fell asleep and we stayed through lunch. It was so fun to have our church family meet our girls!  They have been such a wonderful support in concern and prayers and now many offers for meals and help!

After we got them home, they wouldn't take a good nap, both napped for about 20 minutes in the stroller and had an additional 20-30 minute cat nap.  Adia didn't want set down the rest of the day and if we tried, she would SCREAM like she just watched you murder her pet kitten. I don't know if that is attributed to a day of poor naps or overstimulation at church...

Onto More Important News...
We like to celebrate around here, even small holidays.  Today is "Lumpy Rug Day!"  So go ahead, bunch up those rugs and try to resist the urge to fix 'em.  Dorky, I know, but what is life if we can't celebrate the small stuff.  Good thing you are reading this on Monday, May 3rd, because May 2nd is "National No Pants Day"!

Okay, Okay, here it is...Gotcha Day!
Two weeks ago today, we got the girls.  It was positively magical...and surreal...and overwhelming...and exciting...I am going to post a lot of pictures, so skim at your leisure...

I am not super good at waiting and so 10:00 am on April 19th couldn't come soon enough and then...the van was late!  We didn't know which kids were coming at what times.  Five families were waiting on children, only ourselves and Scott and Heidi were waiting on infants.

Jon and I made a video log of our emotions that morning and for the first time all week, I could hardly contain my tears!  (Then I could hardly stop them!)
Heidi and I on the big morning! Heidi is a mother of bio twins and was waiting on Jonas.
Here is our WONDERFUL group of IAG families at the Guest House. 
For IAG families (Back Row L to R: Pat and Erin, Scott and Susan, Front Row: Brian and Mabel, Heidi and Scott and Jon and I)
Jon and I wait with Jonny, who works at the front desk.  He was incredible.  Definitely very helpful and so many gifts and talents! He was instantly a friend.

Hailu, the cook at the guest house took our camera.  He said that next time we would come visit, he would be out of the kitchen and be a photographer.  :)

Suddenly, the van approached we all swallowed hard to wait and see who got out... 
Someone said, "it's the babies!" We held our breath and heard, "It's the girls!"

We had the benefit of being first, so I am sure as our travel groups send pics, we will post more!


 Suddenly, someone said, "It's Johannes!" All eyes and cameras turned to Scott and Heidi as they received their precious Jonas...
Then we had a chance to talk with the nannies about the girls' care...
Hailu the cook/soon-to-be-professional photographer, wanted some twin time...
The van left to bring the five older kids coming to the three waiting families.  We had a little over an hour to wait...
Then, I got both babies so Jon could take pictures of the other families' "Gotcha" moments...
They pulled a couch over to the door so I could watch. 

Absolutely beautiful, five older kids, walking to the people they had seen only in pictures, but knew they were walking into their family. 

Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures of those moments to post yet, as my hands were full and Jon was snapping away on the Carson's camera.  So, those will be coming as I get additional pictures. 

Whew!  Okay, more to come, video clips, etc.  I think that is photo overload enough for one day!

12 comments:

David and Larisa said...

Just beautiful, Amy! We love reading all of your posts on your time in Ethiopia - and the ones of your daily life as the mama of two of the cutest little girls ever!

Thanks for all of the photos!

Sandra said...

AHH tears of joy run down my face reading this post...seeing you two get your girls. (my shirt is even a bit wet from the tears:)). That is an AWESOME post!!

BTW amy, I met your mother and father today. Actually sat by your mom today at west lafayette church. Such a neat lady. REALLY loved talking to her. Then saw her at Applebee's after church:). When I met her she looked familiar, but I just couldn't place her, until "OH YEAH...AMY's BLOG" when your mom came to help you :).
Thanks for posting!!

Mindy said...

My heart is bursting for you! LOVED reading this post and seeing the pictures. Absolutely amazing!

Kristen said...

Ames - shoot, I'm reading on May 2! ;) Does Tadd T know about this holiday??

Thanks for posting more pics of your beautiful babies. Good job catching Adia smiling on camera. Even if Jon couldn't keep his eyes open. ;)

Love ya!

Daveana said...

How Precious!

Wee said...

No, it wasn't photo overload :) All the pictures were great! I had tears in my eys as I pored over each picture, trying to imagine what you were both feeling. So exciting and absolutely precious! Praise the Lord!

Margo said...

Thanks for sharing! What precious girls and memories!

teresa said...

thanks for sharing your "gotcha day" for your precious girls. God has blessed you with a beautiful family! rejoicing with you. and praying for zzzz's too =)

Raquel said...

wow! i think the crying thing was an epidemic or something because you had me crying by the end of the blog! praise God! i'm so happy and thankful for you and jon amy! many prayers from mexico! xoxox

Jennifer said...

So beautiful! I have tears in my eyes!

Kim Plattner said...

What an amazing moment!!! I can't imagine what it must be like...receiving two beautiful girls you've seen only in pictures, named, dreamed about...receiving them as your very own! I am so excited for you! And so sorry we missed you in church on Sunday! : ( Our day will come to meet them...I just have to be patient! Lots of love to you. Sleep tight tonight! : )

Jane said...

Sobbing here....it felt like I was there watching it happen. The receiving pictures were truly like experiencing their birth with you. So wonderful.