Our GOTCHA DAY!!

Family photo now
Family photo 1 year ago- 2009
Emma now- May 2010

Emma the day after we received her in our arms- 7-13-2009

Today is the 1st anniversary of us becoming a Forever Family (GOTCHA DAY)! We reminisced about our journey to our Emma and the excitement we experienced 1 year ago today. We have found that the excitement doesn't go away and only continues as we see Emma grow each day.

As I write this, I reflect on how our Heavenly Father is so faithful and divine. He knew Emma was meant for us and we can't imagine our lives without her. She is pure joy and is our gift from God! God hand picked Emma several years ago and placed her inside mine & Brian's hearts. She continued to grow there until it was time to bring her home. Thank you Father, for allowing us to wait so long for our perfect daughter.

Motherhood is a wild and wonderful ride. I am loving every minute of it- the good, the bad and the ugly :o)

We truly share a bond with the other families we traveled to China with and we think of them often. We are especially thinking of everyone today. We will hopefully be seeing everyone in October for a special reunion here in Phoenix!

Emma's 1st vacation- Maui!

The view from our room

Auntie Colleen, Uncle Jody & Emma
Emma likes to travel

3 girls off to the beach!
Girl Power!


Sunsets in Maui... beautiful
Our Emma Bear!!!
1st Family Photo on the beach
AJ, Colleen & Jody
AJ & Holly
Emma unpacking her toys

Emma had a great 1st vacation in Maui! Jody, Colleen, AJ, Holly (AJ's friend), Brian, Emma & I went to Maui in late May. We stayed at Jody & Colleen's time-share and Emma had a blast! A small hallway joined our apartments and Emma did role-call each morning- "Ody, Caween, AJ, Ollie, Dada, Mama, Emma". She liked being able to have 24 hr access to her AJ, Auntie Caween, & Uncle Jody. She was amazed with the set up at first, then it became routine to just walk across the hall into their room!

Emma really liked having her own swimming pool where she could walk from end to end and play with the other children. Daddy would get up every morning and reserve "our spots" down at the pool. Emma always knew where Daddy was going and said "Emma's pool".

Emma's first experience at the beach was adorable. She held onto our hands with her feet tucked up in the air, until we convinced her to put her little feet down on the sand. Once her feet were down and the ocean waves gently crashed up against her, she was hooked!

Our little Emma Bear enjoys traveling just like her Daddy & Mommy :o) She travels very well and has so much fun with the adventure of it all. Thank you so much Uncle Jody, Auntie Colleen & AJ!!