Gotcha Days

This last Tuesday was our Hannah's "Gotcha" day. It was the first one she has been old enough to really get into! I LOVED it. She asked questions, that I was able to answer!

See, on their birthday's, even though I am their mama, I am not able to tell them the story of how they were born. I was not there. And so for me, gotcha day's are special. I was able to sit with Hannah and tell her how I could not sleep that night, being so excited to go pick her up. And how Daddy stayed home with bubba and me and mamaw drove up the BIG mountain. That we walked into the room...(here is where she put both her little hands on my face and said "and it was me! yittle tiny baby Hannah" ). I said "yes!" Told her about putting her in the car and driving her home, where he daddy ran out to the car excited to have her home! I LOVE being able to tell them their story. I may not be able to tell them about the day they were born, but I sure can tell them about the day they came HOME!

Also, I feel like "gotcha days" are important to the kids. I want them to know how happy we are that we "got" them! That mom and dad, are beside themselves with happiness that they were given to us! Tuesday night, we went to eat at Applebees. (it worked out perfect, cause the kids ate for .99 cents!!! whoo hoo!)

The waitress asked what the kids would want to drink and I said they could all have Chocolate Milk. She said "ok, you are sure asking for it mom" and I said " that is fine, we are celebrating tonight". We were able to tell her that it was Hannah's "gotcha day" and she decided Hannah could use a little extra special something...so they all came and sang to her and the kids got free ice cream!!! You could see it all over Hannah's face, she felt special and loved, all night.

And that is my goal. For them to LOVE being adopted, to have GOOD memories about being able to have a birthday AND a "gotcha day". To know that no matter what, mom and dad will ALWAYS be thankful that God brought them to us, and that it is something to CELEBRATE!!!!

Hannah chose a castle for her gift...(I know it looks huge and expensive! But it was 50% off and we only paid $40 bucks for it!! YAY!)

When we were thinking about what day to celebrate, either the day they came into our home, or the day the adoptions were final, we chose the day they came home. Because THAT is when they became part of the family. It was not like we waited the year and a half that it took the system to finalize the adoption, for us to accept them. The day they came home, they were ours. And so that is why, we make "Gotcha Day's" so big around here!!!