SIX years!!!!

Dear Josie,

On March 16, 2008, you became our daughter.

We want you to know that we've  been blessed beyond measure on the day that you came into our family.

You've given us the joy of a lifetime.   

You've made our family complete.   

We can't imagine our family without our two amazing daughters.

 Happy six years together!  Happy Family Annivesary!

March 16, 2008

March 16, 2014

  

Happy Josie Five Year Anniversary!

We are celebrating a very important anniversary on March 16th.  Five years ago, Emma, Chris and I were in China on one of the most important days of our lives.

We were finally going to meet our newest daughter!  After years of waiting, we were so ready for our family to start growing!! Little did we know all the changes that would really begin.

When Josie first came home from China she was high maintenance in every sense of the word…she had extreme night terrors, complex heart issues, food hording issues and separation anxiety that would rip your heart out.

She had to get to know us.

We had to get know her.

We had to lovingly and very slowly teach her how to trust us despite multiple surgeries, hospitalizations and unpleasant doctor appointments.

Her trust didn't happen overnight.

That first year was a mix of emotions. I hid most of our problems from my blog world but leaned on my adoptive friends, family, and work colleagues for support. You know who you are, THANK YOU!

Watching Josie grow, and having the opportunity to see her positive "super-hero" spirit with others is what keeps me smiling each and every day!

I am looking forward to seeing where life takes Emma and Josie.

I believe there are amazing things in store for both my girls.

Despite all Josie's initial health issues, God has given her an amazing spirit and I know that those talents are used for the benefit of  herself and others.

When I see my two daughters together, I am reminded that the painful journey of secondary infertility was worth every migraine and shed tear.

March 2008
Nanchang China 

March 2013

JOSIE

You have come so far.
You've learned so much.
You've taught US so much!

We love your positive and magical spirit.

Happy Family Anniversary!

It's been a blessed five years!

In case you would like to see Josie's Gotcha day video filmed March 16, 2008, here it is!

Have your Kleenex handy!

Happy Josie Anniversary

Today we are celebrating our 3 year Josie Adoption Anniversary. Josie brought home this picture from preschool on Monday. I just love how she and Emma are holding hands in her drawing.

When Josie first came home from China she was high maintenance in every sense of the word…she had extreme night terrors, complex heart issues, food hording issues and separation anxiety that would rip your heart out (not to mention an extra thumb on her right hand).

Orphanage pictures

She had to get to know us.
We had to get know her.

We had to lovingly and very slowly teach her how to trust us despite multiple surgeries, hospitalizations and unpleasant doctor appointments.

Her trust didn’t happen overnight.

That first year was a mix of emotions. I hid most of our problems from my blog world but leaned on my adoptive friends and family for support. You know who you are, THANK YOU!

Today is our three year anniversary of being a family of four.

Nanchang Civil Affairs Office (2008)

When I see my two daughters together, I am reminded that the painful journey of secondary infertility was worth every migraine and shed tear.

JOSIE

You have come so far.
You've learned so much.
You've taught US so much!

We love your positive and magical spirit.

Happy Forever-Family Anniversary!

XOXO

Happy 2nd Forever Family Day!

Today, we're celebrating our 2 year Josie anniversary.

The second year has definitely been easier...






And we wouldn't change a single moment.

We love your enthusiasm for life, Josie. You are one special little girl. We are so blessed to have two amazing daughters.


This is my absolute favorite video of the girls during our last day in Guangzhou, China.