Saturday, July 24, 2010

Walk Down Memory Lane


On this date, four years ago, we met our little S-girl for the first time.
Miss Jin Xia Yue.
Xia Yue means "Summer Fun".
Something our lives have been full of since we met her!
Here is the exact post copied directly from my adoption blog.
Excuse me while I take a walk down memory lane.

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                                          Meeting S-girl for the first time!!

                                             S-girl's nanny

 
                                               First time in Daddy's arms


It is with great joy that we welcome little S-girl into our family. We have truly been blessed. We feel so honored and privileged that God has entrusted this little one to us.

What an amazing experience. The anticipation before seeing her and then those first few moments were just precious. She came to us without a tear but you could feel the fear throughout her little body. Her nanny seemed to really love her and had a hard time saying goodbye.

When we got back to the hotel S-girl just clung to me. Many time you could tell she was trying not to cry and she eventually broke into silent tears. Tears just streamed down her face but not a sound. Of course, I sobbed too. Just knowing the fear that she must feel in this strange environment away from everything she has ever known.

After a few hours Darren got to hold her and of course, he got the first smile from her. It is then that we realized she has the sweetest little dimple in one cheek.

That evening we decided to go on a walk and find a KFC. She loved the walked and cooed and smiled the whole time. But whenever we get back inside the fear comes back!!

She slept great and woke up at 5 a.m and had a bottle. It was so cute..she would open her eyes, look at me feeding her, and then shut them again...it was like she was just pretending I wasn't there!!

She has been quite sad all day and is also running a fever. She has not really let us put her down (except to sleep) and is quite consolable. So that is an answer to prayer. I just feel so bad for her because you can just see the fear in her little face. We may take her down to the pool and see if she likes that!!

I can't stop looking at her little face. She has gorgeous long black eyelashes and beautiful skin. Her eyes are so big and expressive. We are just in love. D-man is really cute with her. He is just soaking her up. She seems to like both of us the same at this point so that has been nice.

It has been wonderful having Jonathan and Cindi and Jenny and Liza here also. I am so glad that family was able to experience this with us. They have been our photographers...but also such a great support.

Thanks so much for all of your prayers. We have seen God's thumb-print all over this experience. We are praising Him today!!

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I look at our daughter, four years later and am in awe of the person she has become.  She came to us a grieving, frightened little girl. One who was very sick and in need of open heart surgery.  Today, she has a zest for life. Her laugh permeates a room. Her smile is one of the friendliest I've ever seen.


But, I will be honest.  On many days, but this day in particular, I ache for S-girl's birth mother. I don't claim to know her circumstances.  But I do know that she has suffered great loss.  I know she wanted the best for her daughter.

"We wish for her to find a good family", was scrawled on a note attached to her blanket.  

Oh that she could know this beautiful little girl.  I wonder if some of her strength was passed on to "our" daughter.  Does she share the dimple that is so sweetly nestled on S-girl's cheek?  Do they have the same smile or sparkling eyes?  


So today I honor S-girl's birth mother.
I know that we are worlds apart.
But we will forever be connected.
We share the same daughter.
There aren't words enough to express my gratitude for choosing to give life to this dear child.
A more precious gift we could never have been given.





Below is a short clip of the first moment we laid eyes on our daughter.
A moment that tops the charts forever!!

34 comments:

Amy J said...

What a sweet, touching post. It brought tears to my eyes. I'm glad to know some more of the story of you adopting this beautiful girl.

Amy J said...

OK, I had to come back and say I just watched your video and I cried like a baby! I was so touched.

Melis said...

Oh my gosh I am so emotional over this. She is SO beautiful and you are all truly blessed to have found one another, but you're right... the thought of her mother is so painful... Wow. What poignant emotions - a lovely post that I'm so grateful (even though I HATE crying!) that you shared with us. Thank you!

Claudia said...

I'm deeply touched - and think it's just wonderful what you write and that you honor the mother of your little daughter. Thanks for sharing this precious moments with us!
Have a great weekend Julie!

Anonymous said...

Julie, this is the greatest post! What a blessing every one of you received! That video is one of the sweetest things I've ever seen.
I wish her birth mother could know what a special family she has.

I love reading your blog! I just love you! Enjoy your special day!

DebM said...

Beautiful trip down memory lane. and a beautiful tribute to her birth Mom. You are, She is... so blessed.

Eileen said...

Can you believe it's been four years! Seeing Summer Fun come out of her shell was one of the neatest things we've ever witnessed. To see where she was then and know where she is now is nothing short of miraculous!

And I LOVE the new pictures! She just shines.

Carrie said...

I love reading others' stories!!

My S-Girl and I bonded over KFC mashed potatoes our first full day together ... such fond memories!

Your S-Girl is so beautiful ... I know she is such a blessing and a joy to your family!

Stacey said...

Wow. You know how to make a girl cry. What a sweet tribute to your daughter and her birth mother. Today is also my little daughter's third birthday and a special day for us as well! Have a wonderful day!

julie said...

she is a beautiful girl. God has blessed you with her and her with you. Your family is beautiful. This is a wonderful post.

Katharine said...

How beautiful... glad I had kleenex handy! What a wonderful tribute, and how lucky you are to hve each other!

Bethany said...

I am weeping! Love is such a beautiful, powerful thing. What a lucky little girl and a very blessed family.

I am always in awe of the selflessness of a woman, the tremendous amount of love she shows by giving her child a life that the child deserves. They are angels.

Thank you for letting us experience a bit of this!

Cintia Listenbee said...

that's the most beautiful family moment i've ever seen. May God grant you years of sweetness with her.

Leanne said...

Julie - that is really one of the most beautiful posts I've ever read. I remember, when I first came upon your blog, that I watched your video of the day you met S. I sat at my computer with tears coming down my face, and the feeling of love that I witnessed when you held her for the first time. I will never forget watching that. And while today is your day to celebrate, the fact that you stop to remember her birth mother shows what a genuine and kind soul you are. We don't know why things happen in life, but it is pretty clear that your presence here has made life better for someone. Bless little Miss S! and you, too!

jan ~ tomatobaby said...

thank you for the beautiful stroll down the lane ... very touching.

may your days continue to be blessed ~j.

Love Letters To China said...

Julie... As I watch your video there are tears running down my face. What a beautiful moment you have saved for a lifetime. You can definitely see the love your daughters nanny had for her. Thank you for sharing such a special time in your life.

Jenilee said...

how beautiful! what a wonderful post and a happy family memory. she is gorgeous... then and now!

Unknown said...

That is so beautiful! What a precious moment, and what an amazing story to share with her.

Kelli said...

Now that I'm teary...such an amazing story. You are all blessed to have each other.

Sherri said...

Thank you so much for sharing this! What a touching story, and I love getting a peek into your first moments with her....I can see how much love you have for her already in those pics!

She is an adorable, adorable little girl and you have given her a family. Wow. I'm teary after reading this!

Bossy Betty said...

What an absolutely wonderful, exciting time! I have tears in my eyes!!! Thanks for sharing this part of your adventure!

Manda said...

This is so beautiful!!!
Your daughter is gorgeous, with a beautiful testimony of redemption... she will grow to know love in a way that is all her own, because of your generous hearts.
What an honour to read such precious words.

TheFitHousewife said...

What a touching post, Julie! Such a beautiful story. And I love that you acknowledged her mother! She would be so proud that her little girl is with a family like yours. What more could a mother ask for!

ellieshine said...

what a beautiful little girl! I loved reading your post it is full of sweetness and your love for your little girl. My daughter is a heart baby too - and I honestly believe that is why she was given up. What an amazing act of love these Mom's had to make. Sending hugs :)

Alexandra said...

can I tell you how that photo of your husband and your baby girl just melts my heart???

Beautiful beyond words...and speaks volumes than any printed word could say.

He & Me + 3 said...

Just beautiful. Thank you for sharing this. I cried during the video. Just heart moving. *sigh* Your family is so precious.
I love that picture of S-girl too. She is adorable.

Joey Lynn Resciniti said...

This gave me chills. You have given the mother her wish and that was the one thing you could do for her.

Liz said...

Ooooh, Julie! i have tears streaming down my face and onto my laptop.

Have you ever shown this to S-girl? And did they call your name to let you know she was for you?

Anonymous said...

Your story is so sweet. Just amazing to see how God brought all of you together. Thanks for sharing this with us.

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

What a beautiful baby, then young lady. Yes I do wonder the pain of her birth Mother? So thoughtful of you to think about her also.
kim

Rebekah said...

Julie!! what are you doing to me? I'm already a hormonal emotional mess! lol
So beautiful. x

Shannon K. said...

Ah, Julie. I'm typing through my tears. I hope that her birth mother has peace in heart that God has found a wonderful family for her little girl. Because while you feel you have been blessed (and I agree you have), so has Summer. God knew exactly where she would live way before you even did. Isn't that amazing?

Natalie said...

Julie....oh my gosh! This was the sweetest, tenderest, happiest thing I have seen all week! That video made me cry tears of happiness...I can't even begin to imagine how her being placed in your arms must've felt!

And seeing your hubby wiping away tears? Oh! And that picture of him holding her and she's looking at him? Melted my heart.

This is my favorite post this week...I'm including it in my Saturday wrap up for sure!

Seizing My Day said...

Beautiful love!! ;)

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