Wednesday, December 21, 2011

One year ago...

One year ago today we were escape artists.

We were escaping the 'regular' holidays and going to NYC, a place that always did our hearts good and our hearts were in desperate need of some good. We were at a low point, expecting nothing after putting our entire world into our Ethiopian adoption. Referrals were slowing down, the program seemed in jeopardy, we had announced to our family that if this, too, did not work out, we were done. Plain and simple.

In NYC we felt we could hide amongst the masses, and maybe avoid some of the more painful holiday reminders of families, and the fact that we did not have one.

Of course you know the rest of the story. Within hours of arriving in NYC we stood in front of Macy's, and posed for a picture in front of their "Believe" sign. I whispered to the mister that we had to believe, but honestly I didn't.

Minutes later those precious emails came through, with those photos of our babies.

Our babies.

They were tiny, scared, undernourished and frankly kind of pitiful looking.

But it was love at first sight.

I must have stared at those pictures, cradling my iPhone, for hours during that trip. Other people take and have hundreds of photos of their newborns--I have only these of each of my children. They are precious to me.

Everything changed in those minutes after receiving those photos. Everything looked different. Everything felt different. Everything.

And now, a year later, here we are, with two healthy, hearty babies underfoot, getting into everything, challenging us in ways we never even imagined, and bringing us joy in the most amazing ways.

A whole year has passed--I can hardly believe it. This morning when I picked up our son and he nestled his curly head into my neck, the tears started rolling. How could that little photo of that tiny little baby have turned into this, my big loveable boy? How could I be so lucky?

When I picked up my daughter and she gave me her patented drooly kiss my heart felt like it would burst with happiness. Oh little girl--you have come so far.

My babies--December 21st will always, always be a day to celebrate from our perspective. For it is the day we learned of you in a real and concrete way, instead of only imagining you in our hearts.

Happy Referralversary H&H!



20 comments:

  1. What a beautiful family! Is it possible that mom and dad keep looking younger?! It must be your bundles of joy keeping you young :) Hope you have a wonderful first Christmas with your babies!

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  2. Happy anniversary! I'm so happy that you all found each other.

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  3. One year later and I'm still smiling huge every time I see you with those babies. Soooo happy for you and your beautiful family!

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  4. Oh soo awesome! The twins sure look "healthy" like my sweet chubby little boy! Thank God for chubby babies! So glad to have met you late into your journey. Its been such a ride! Take care and Happy Holidays to you and your family.

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  5. Beautiful family! Beautiful post! I could have written the same post, but with 2 lines instead of two pictures. I still stop myself every single day and ask how I got so freaking lucky. Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday season.

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  6. I remember your post about those babies and being in NYC too - what a happy day. And what a happy family you are a year later. Its very beautiful!! Happy Holidays!

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  7. What a difference a year makes for all! Love the pictures--you all look so happy. Merry Christmas!

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  8. What a beautiful post! I adore your words and the love behind them, and thank you for sharing the pics.

    So happy for you all! And Happy Referralaversary!

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  9. Your post made me cry!! Such a difference a year can make. Just shows that you don't have to believe for a miracle to happen. And those babies have grown so much! So cute!

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  10. So beautiful! I love the pictures and sorry I have been so busy. You know, you have twins too!

    T

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  11. I cried reading this, all good tears. Love the story, love the pics, and I'm so happy for you and your family. *sigh*

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  12. I'm with Mrs. Hope. I cried too. So happy for you and your family.
    B

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  13. Simply Beautiful, Mrs. MTL.

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  14. I remember the picture of you two and the believe sign. Love your kids. So happy for you.

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  15. You look so happy together.
    love
    Amy x

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  16. I remember that post and was SO HAPPY for you guys...am still happy for you guys. It makes my heart swell to think about. Have a beautiful holiday!

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  17. This post brought me to tears. Tears of happiness and tears of hope. I remember reading those first words last year and being so over the top happy for you. Your story gives me hope. Merry Christmas MTL family!!

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