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Meeting Kate

Saturday, April 4, 2009
(Turn off the music at the bottom of the page before you watch.  Sorry the quality is poor Y*utube stripped the music).

Today is the day I met my daughter two years ago.   Words will never be adequate enough describe the magic of that moment. You see, my whole life, I knew God had planned for her. I always knew. Always.

Probably as a mode of self-protection, I set my expectations low for the beginning.  I had read a lot about adoption and attachment and how it is all a process. I knew that I might not feel the immediate bond.  She was a stranger.  I was a stranger. She had never seen a woman with blonde hair.  She had just traveled for 25 hours with an ear infection. I knew that many adoptive Moms feel like a babysitter for a while. I thought I might feel that way too.  It is normal.  However, I was fortunate.  The moment Kate and I looked at each other....there was a spark.  We both knew. We knew that we were meant to be Mom and daughter.  Luckily, that moment was recorded on video and film (well DSLR).


Homecoming 036
This was the moment.  I swear there was electricity in the air as she looked right into my eyes. I knew I was her Mom and she knew she was my daughter.  She did not shed one tear.  She did not pull away from me.  She was completely comfortable in my arms.

I must be honest here.  I know many people who read this are embarking on adoption. Kate Emerson is a little "high maintenance."  She is sweet and happy and smart and funny.  But she arrived with some baggage (they all do). Any child who is cared for by one person for their infancy and then suddenly given to another person will have some issues (even if they have little or no memory, even if they are only 10 months old as Kate was). It was not all happiness and light. She does not trust easily. We can rarely use babysitters with her. She has pushed my buttons more than Will and Harry ever did as toddlers. She has had more illnesses, more attachment issues, more sleep issues and she is quite opinionated. 

But as I have said before, I had to earn her love, earn her trust.  And because of that our bond runs incredibly deep.  Kate has taught me more about myself and more about life than any other person.  God knew that would happen too.  She is a great blessing and I love her to the very depths of my soul.

Tonight we will celebrate our forever family day.  We will sing and have a treat with 2 candles for the 2 years Kate Emerson has been in our family.  Later tonight, I will write her a letter as I did last year.

As a note to myself....this is our third April 4th with Kate and she has been very sick for all of them. I noticed in looking back at last year's Forever Family posts, I wrote that Kate was sick. She is sick now again. She had two good days this week and now is relapsing.  And she came home from China two years ago with a fever and bad ear infection.  I wonder what it is about this time of year for her.

I will post photos and my letter tomorrow or Monday:)

49 comments:

  1. hey kim!! i can't believe its been 2 years! i remember waiting and refreshing your page! i'm pretty sure i left a comment a long time ago! i hardly ever comment and i'm sorry but i know yall moved to houston recently and it was so weird i saw Dave driving down 45 today! i was like no that can't be him but the monogram on the back kind of gave it away lol

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  2. I just watched the video and it is just beautiful. What a beautiful family you have. I love the tender looks in your faces. It is just awesome. I have tears in my eyes and I wish your family the best forever and ever.

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  3. Congratulations to your whole family!

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  4. Congratulations on your 2nd Forever Family Day!!

    Also, I haven't been in blog land much lately, but I wanted you to know that I have been thinking about you and wishing Kate well - hope she is feeling better.

    Blessings, Ashley

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  5. The tenderness in your words overwhelms me; I can only hope my bond is as deep.

    What a wonderful thing to celebrate; enjoy!

    P.S. Fervently praying for Kate's health to be restored posthaste.

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  6. Congratulations to you and your family! Kate is a gift from God- the pictures are so precious. The love is always evident with your family in photos- hope Kate is on the mend. I'm about to read your health series again. We have been battling viruses, colds, etc. and I'm a little stressed about how sick my boys have been. Congrats again!

    Emily

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  7. Happy 2nd Anniversary of your forever family day with Kate! I hope she is feeling all better soon. You have a wonderful family and you are truly blessed. Cindy

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  8. I cannot believe that it has been two years already! Happy Forever Family Day! I am sorry to hear that Kate has relapsed. Hopefully, it will be short and she will be completely healthy soon!

    Enjoy your day and treasure the memories!

    Dawn

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  9. That video totally made me cry! Can't wait to read the letter!

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  10. Kim what a beautiful post. Happy two years {{{hug}}}

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  11. Kim, I've watched that montage a time or two before and it just gets me every time! Happy Forever Family day to a very sweet family.
    I hope Kate recovers 100% soon.

    Gin =)

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  12. What a lovely, beautiful video... Thank you for sharing that moment. I know what you mean about how you know... It just is there. It was meant to be....

    Congratulations!! You have a beautiful family.

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  13. What a precious video. The moment Kate was placed into your arms brought tears to my eyes.

    Thanks for sharing the story of Kate...I can't believe I've been following for 2 years. The time has flown. Hope you have a fun celebration.

    Kathy

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  14. Dear Kim, I love what you wrote about this day. Every word. It is beautiful and heartfelt, and sums up so much about being a mother. I love the photo of you together for the first time. It is priceless and miraculous. My mother reminds me all the time, that in her days of young motherhood, it would not have been possible. Technology has changed the world in so many good ways. So we are lucky to live in this generation! Hoping and praying that Kate Emerson gets better! I don't mean to sound prideful, but I do think that my prayers for children might get extra points ;) (I've earned that, right?) Love to your family, Erin

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  15. Kim - I have watched the vidoe previously, but again this touches my heart more than you could imagine. God chose Kate for you and your family and you are such a wonderful mother to all 3 of your blessings :)
    Praying that Kate feels better.
    xo
    melissa

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  16. Congratulations Kate¡¡¡.
    Today is a special day for catholics ( Sundays of Ramos) and I have prayed for you and your familiy.

    Lots of love from Spain,

    Belén.

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  17. Kim,
    What a beautifil post and video! Happy Forever Family Day!
    Love, Michelle

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  18. Happiness Forever!!! Your family is a true gift from God! God is Good!

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  19. HOW PRECIOUS!!! Kate is a doll-baby! Our Macy Li is also a Jiangxi baby. Went back and saw your hubbie in Nanchang in THE VERY SAME ROOM we got our bundle of joy! Wow, brings back so many memories. Life is so good. GOD is so good. We are all so blessed with our China treasures.

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  20. Happy forever family day! This is a beautiful post... Thank you for sharing.

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  21. Wow, Kim, that picture of you two is just incredible. Happy 2nd Forever Family Day to all of you. I'm so sorry she is still sick, I pray she is better soon.

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  22. I have chills (again) Kim! I love these kinds of posts and appreciate your honesty sewn throughout them!
    I can't wait to read the new post and I hope Kate continues to mend her health, with no relapses!
    ~Lynn/PA

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  23. What a sweet day in your family!! No doubt God gave you that moment with Kate in preparation for her high maintenance moments. As someone who wants to adopt internationally one day it is so encouraging to read stories like yous!!

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  24. Happy family day! I understand what you are expressing about Kate...my son Dmitry is the same way. He has baggage from the orphanage but is just a ray of light in our family. Even those "moments" are just part of the path we were chosen to follow.

    Have a wonderful day with your family!

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  25. So beautiful! I am so touched by this photo. I hope that it is the same for Sophia. I hope we look into each others eyes and just 'know'.

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  26. Thanks for the kind words. I ended up getting a Canon 50D it is a good camera for the skill level I have right now...hopefully I'll learn more and outgrow it :)

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  27. Happy Anniversary to you and sweet Kate. I LOVE that photo -- it speaks volumes. Enjoy your precious, opinionated daughter -- she is a gift from God.

    jana

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  28. Kim,
    A beautiful video! It brought tears to my eyes....It is so obvious that Kate is right where she belongs...and you are all so blessed!

    Happy 2 years!

    Jen

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  29. Happy Anniversary! I wanted to suggest Homeopathy for Kate if you haven't already tried it. I have been seeing a practioner for nearly a year now and have not been to the doctor once! My kids have been taking remedies for 2 years and have not seen a traditional doctor for 2 years other than well child checks. I have noticed that we start to get sick when we get stressed so we redose and things re-align themselves. We are coming up on the 1 year anniversary of my father's death and we all came down with bad colds...maybe Kate has some "memory" and that causes her to get sick around her anniversary date?

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  30. Oh, how beautiful. I'm in tears over these touching moments you shared! Our dear Lord knew that precious Kate was meant to be your daughter.....and you her Mommy.

    Videos like yours often serve as little reminders that the wait for our "gotcha day" is SO worth it and that it will come at the perfect time.

    Happy Forever Family Day!

    I hope Kate us feeling better soon.

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  31. Happy day for all of you!! Awesome story and thank you for sharing it and being so honest. You both look so sweet in the picture together.

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  32. Kim, I can hardly get over how time flies! Beautiful post!

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  33. I sit here filled with so many emotions as I remember that day!!! Following your blog and reading the stories of referral, then your husband and son traveling to get her. You have been blessed in so many way and I am so glad that I stumbled onto your blog, you have shared so much and have taught me so much!!!! I will email you with some questions!!!

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  34. What a wonderfully happy (and honest) post!!! How blessed you all are to have each other! Love Love Love the picture of the two of you looking at each other for the first time...if only my gotcha day went that well!!!! :)

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  35. Beautiful entry!! I just love the photo of you and Kate! The picture is priceless!! I can't wait to view the video when I get home!!! Wishing you many more beautiful memories w/your beautiful KATE EMERSON!!

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  36. Congratulations!! Such a beautiful girl and her family!! Hope she is feeling better soon.

    Janet

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  37. Congratulations on your family day! Lottie and I were the same way...she just looked into my eyes and we both melted. She tells her Daddy every day..."I am Mommy's girl" and she truly is...we never leave her with anyone besides her big brother or sister.

    Looking at the picture above where Kate is just staring so seriously at you reminds me so much of Lottie. With Emma Jane...she just screamed bloody murder until she passed out cold! Poor little thing.

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  38. Absolutely beautiful. I watched the video while holding Ava. I cried and held her even tighter.

    Congratulations! What a blessing and gift from God. I hope Kate is feeling better soon.

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  39. Still get excited when I see this! I remember so vividly waiting to see Miss Katie Ru in your arms for the first time. Such a sweet time!
    Happy Anniversary!

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  40. Congratulations to 2 years as a forever family, yes time does fly. Thank you for sharing this post.

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  41. Bawling my eyes out on my lunch break and will have to go fix my face quickly and head back to work. That was so amazing and gorgeous. Thank you for sharing your beautiful life with us!

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  42. What a beautiful video. Thank you for sharing your story with so many & being so open. You have provided a lot of inspiriation to others.

    Blessings as you celebrate your Forever Family Day!

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  43. Happy gotcha day (that's what my friends call it for their adopted daughter from Korea)!My youngest pushes my buttons and is super opinionated, too. My husband and I are always like, "did the older two act this way when they were three" and the answer is always no! Writing a letter to Kate each year is a wonderful letter and I am sure will mean the world to her when she is older. You are a great Mommy!

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  44. I am so sorry to hear Kate is feeling poorly still. I pray your sweet angel sent from above gets better super quick.
    Love
    C

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  45. I can't believe it's been 2 years already!

    Beautiful video! Kate will love that when she's older!

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  46. Ok. I have tears streaming down my face!!! There were several moments where I lost it. Like seeing you 7 harry standing at the airport...waiting. Like when you held Kate for the first time & couldn't take your eyes off of her - this was IT. The moment you had waited so long for, to meet your daughter!!!

    Thanks for letting us share in your joyous journey to Katie Ru!

    Blessings,
    Sara

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  47. Your video gets me every time! It really is beautiful. Happy Forever Family Day!

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