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Four Years

Friday, April 1, 2011
This week marks four years since Kate joined our family.  Dave and Will got Kate on March 26, 2007 and she came home on April 4th.  We remember the day as our forever family day on April 4th.  We have vacillated over the years in how we should honor this day.  The main thing is we tell her how happy we are that she is our family and we thank God for bringing her to us. Kate loves to watch this video too and hear about her adoption story.

She is the most incredible blessing to our family.  She makes us laugh every day!  Every year, I post this video that I made about Kate's homecoming.  And then on Monday, I will probably post a letter to her and some photos.  Have a great weekend!



There is a typo in the video.  Dave and I were married in 1995 not 1997.  I made this on a PC and now have a MAC so I cannot fix it.  Also, in the video of Dave getting Kate, he is on the phone with me.  I could not go to China but I was on the phone when he got her:)

And yes, if you read my lips when we were looking at her referral photo for the first time (in the beginning) I said, "she is so fat!"  I was frankly shocked. I was so accustomed to seeing referral photos of skinny and sickly looking babies from China and Kate was so plump and healthy looking so I was very surprised. I am kind of embarrassed that those were the first words out of my mouth (I am so not perfect) but I feel incredibly blessed that she was so well cared for. 
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Posted by 3 Peanuts at 2:08 PM
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53 comments:

  1. MCWApril 1, 2011 at 2:20 PM

    I think I watched this last year and again, I am crying. I love when Will pats her cheeks when she is fist handed over to Dave. And the fact that Dave got bows in her hair! Did you teach him before he left? Love it.

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  2. CindyApril 1, 2011 at 2:25 PM

    Your video is so beautiful it brought tears to my eyes. You are very blessed. Happy Forever Family Day to you all!

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  3. Love Being A NonnyApril 1, 2011 at 2:55 PM

    That is the sweetest thing...ever!!!! I love that he had a bow in her hair...and you weren't even there to do it! Had you given him strict instructions???? :) What a treasure these pictures are! Can you believe how long it has been?

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  4. the meaklimsApril 1, 2011 at 3:03 PM

    aww. Happy Kate Day!

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  5. elliottsApril 1, 2011 at 3:04 PM

    What a beautiful video! I literally have tears in my eyes at my desk after watching this. Our log in is 11/8/2010 and we are hopeful every day that the wait time improves. We are also on the SN list, we just know our daughter is in China and we are READY for her!

    Thank you for sharing...

    Diane

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  6. The Southland LifeApril 1, 2011 at 3:27 PM

    Oh my gosh, this just made me tear up - she is so precious and beautiful, actually your whole family is precious and beautiful! I have always wanted to adopt and I love hearing others adoption stories. Love your blog. Thanks for sharing this awesome video :)

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  7. AniApril 1, 2011 at 3:44 PM

    I think I cry every time I see this video. Such a beautiful keepsake and tribute to your precious girl! However you choose to celebrate or remember the day, I hope its as blessed as the day you became a family of 5.

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  8. Shari UApril 1, 2011 at 3:56 PM

    Whatever you call that day; it's a day like no other! Blessings to your family.

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  9. MichelleApril 1, 2011 at 4:01 PM

    Happy Forever Family Day! The video is absolutely beautiful!

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  10. RiversideLillyApril 1, 2011 at 4:04 PM

    What a wonderful video.I'm with everyone else, I teared up! I hope you continue to be blessed!

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  11. lizziefitzApril 1, 2011 at 4:32 PM

    I cry every single time! I feel like she is growing up so fast! You were one of the very first people I started blogging with, God Bless your beautiful family:)))

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  12. TGApril 1, 2011 at 4:56 PM

    What beautiful video!! Yo hve make me cry!! Have a Happy Day!!

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  13. ErinApril 1, 2011 at 5:25 PM

    Every year you post this, and every year I cry... especially when you finally have her. :) Wonderful.

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  14. carolinagirlApril 1, 2011 at 6:11 PM

    thank you so much for sharing this amazing video. I absolutely love it! We also celebrate a family day since the boys didn't travel with us to Russia. Happy Day!

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  15. kerriApril 1, 2011 at 6:38 PM

    so hard to see through my happy tears, so, so beautiful...
    thank you for sharing, brought back so many memories...

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  16. The Callender FamilyApril 1, 2011 at 6:51 PM

    That is a great video, I love watching it every time! Will has grown so much!

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  17. KimApril 1, 2011 at 8:28 PM

    Happy Kate Emerson Day!

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  18. AshleyApril 1, 2011 at 8:38 PM

    Oh my gosh, that made me do the "ugly cry!" You have such a lovely family, and Kate is absolutely adorable

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  19. CaseyApril 1, 2011 at 9:04 PM

    Happy Day!! Such a beautiful video!!

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  20. TwinkletoesApril 1, 2011 at 9:30 PM

    Absolutely beautiful! I will never tire of watching this video! Tears - happy tears - stream down my face! Happy 4 years!!!

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  21. double blessingApril 1, 2011 at 10:07 PM

    such a beautiful video of your family being blessed with kate!
    something funny...as a mom of daughters born in china, i didn't think twice about you saying "she's so fat"!
    i totally got it, it took me awhile to understand why you were explaining it! :-)
    blessings to you and your family.

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  22. SarahApril 1, 2011 at 10:16 PM

    I can't believe that this is the 4th year that I have watched this... some days I feel as if I were there with you every step of the way! LOL! (sounds a bit stalkerish... {shudder}... but I am safe ;-)).

    Happy Kate Day!!!

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  23. AnonymousApril 1, 2011 at 10:36 PM

    Kim, Neal and I just watched the video with tears streaming down our faces. We remember, so well, walking through those days with you. What a joyous, blessed event. I reminded Neal how much Kate loved him! Kim, we are so awed by God's grace and mercy and love to your family through the blessing of Kate. Love, love, love, Tessa

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  24. Susan RApril 1, 2011 at 11:59 PM

    Terrific, I'm out of Kleenex now. That was the most precious thing I've ever seen.
    What a beautiful little blessing to clelbrate.

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  25. AllyApril 2, 2011 at 12:45 AM

    Just beautiful and amazing. I love the footage of you meeting Kate. So dear. I feel so fortunate to have meet ya'll!!

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  26. AnonymousApril 2, 2011 at 1:45 AM

    This was my first time to see this ... I hope to see it next year too and the year after that ... I wish I had adopted too but you never heard of anyone doing that when I was your age ... so very special ... of course I'm too old for that now ... Kate Emerson is so lucky to have you all as her family and you all to have her ... she looked so much smaller after that suit came off ... they must keep their babies really bundled up? ... PS. I have a grandaughter named Emerson (4 years too) ... love that name ... thanks for your blog ... sometimes I think I am peeping since I don't know you all personally ... I do get over it because I enjoy it so much ... thanks for all the hard work that keeps us wanting to come back to your blog ... Happy day!

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  27. leahApril 2, 2011 at 2:15 AM

    Yep Im another one that had tears in my eyes watching this. I agree with the comments about the bow in the hair- how gorgeous that a Dad would be so loving and caring!! The thing that comes across is the love of family and how the boys were so excited and loving. You all have such large hearts and are indeed blessed that you are a family! Dave seems to be a man with a beautiful heart and this is seen in the family. Thank you for sharing such a special event as I feel blessed to see something that is so precious in a family's life.

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  28. AnonymousApril 2, 2011 at 7:15 AM

    Do you know there are lots of Chiese also reading your blog? You and your family did a great thing! Happy Kate day!

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  29. just ask bethApril 2, 2011 at 9:41 AM

    Thank you for my Saturday morning cry! I am going upstairs to hug my 3 daughters! Kate is so blessed to have a family that loves her so much!

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  30. MelissaApril 2, 2011 at 9:46 AM

    I can't believe it's been 4 years already!

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  31. JenApril 2, 2011 at 4:24 PM

    I love the video!

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  32. JenApril 2, 2011 at 4:26 PM

    I was teary also. She sure has come a long way!

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  33. Green GirlApril 2, 2011 at 4:38 PM

    I'm with everyone. I cried as well.
    God Bless your family.

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  34. JenniferApril 2, 2011 at 10:07 PM

    Love this video and it brings back so many memories for me! We came home just over 6 months ago with our daughter....also from Nanchang and we live in Richmond, so seeing pictures from Nanchang and the airport in Richmond made me smile! Thanks for sharing and Happy Forever Family Day!

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  35. EloiseApril 2, 2011 at 10:13 PM

    I love this video! What a wonderful blessing Kate is to your family and you to her. xoxo

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  36. AnonymousApril 2, 2011 at 10:23 PM

    As a Grandma to 2 little girls from China I really love the Gotcha Day photos. Why didn't you get to travel to China? Loved the video!
    Grandma to 5

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  37. MorganeApril 3, 2011 at 2:07 AM

    This video just make me cry ! You have a so beautiful familly ...

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  38. SILVIAApril 3, 2011 at 5:41 AM

    very nice...=D
    really love your blog
    xoxo




    follow u of course..

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  39. Number 6 and no more counting!April 3, 2011 at 9:21 AM

    wow, so very special!

    I think I started reading your BLOG just after Kate got home. Lucky me to have followed along in your life.

    Hope your weekend has been a good one.

    lea
    xo

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  40. KRGApril 3, 2011 at 2:53 PM

    I don't know if it is my hormoes going crazy or what. That was a total tearjerker (the good kind).

    Thanks for sharing this.

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  41. Jessica RyanApril 3, 2011 at 5:41 PM

    I tried to post the other night and did something wrong... and then I was too lazy to retype. I love the video you made and Kate is going to so cherish it one day. I was in tears. The boys have grown so... but you and Dave have stayed exactly the same!!!

    I so owe you an email w/ updates... this will come soon!

    XOXO

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  42. UnknownApril 3, 2011 at 8:20 PM

    I had big, big knot in my throat and tears. For sure Kate is bless for having your family in her life and you for having her. I can see the love that your family show for each other what a lucky Kate!
    I love your blog and I love all those pictures that you share with all of us.
    Happy Kate Day!

    Erika

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  43. Tamara LambertApril 3, 2011 at 9:24 PM

    Ohhh. Your Kate and my Jack (Korea) share a gotcha day! He's 6 and we just celebrated 6 years together (3-26-05). Congratulations to your family! Kate is precious!

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  44. JodeeApril 3, 2011 at 9:47 PM

    I love, love, love this video! I can't believe how young Will looks and I totally remember Dave putting a bow in her hair every day! He is such an amazing Daddy! Kate is just darling and you are one blessed mama! Happy, happy Forever Family Day!

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  45. stacyApril 4, 2011 at 1:03 AM

    Beautiful video! Of course I cried through it all! You know how I feel about you and Kate and your role in our lives. Your words in the beginning mirror my thoughts about Cadence... I always knew she was waiting. Thank you for sharing!
    Stacy

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  46. The Byrd's NestApril 4, 2011 at 7:46 AM

    I love watching this video and seeing your reaction. It is precious and it IS shocking when they look healthy and well taken care of....don't feel bad about that. Happy Family day my friend.

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  47. SheriApril 4, 2011 at 10:26 AM

    Awesome video. You are truly blessed. Have a wonderful week. p.s. LOVE your blog.

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  48. LoriApril 4, 2011 at 8:26 PM

    Happy four years, what a sweet memory!! I love seeing you see her for the first time....priceless!! :)

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  49. HopsyApril 4, 2011 at 10:06 PM

    Your video to Kate always makes me cry- it is SO beautiful Kim! What a wonderful day for your family. I think I told you this two years ago on Kate's forever family day, but I have always felt called to adopt. Your blog was the first adoption blog I ever read and your family's story continues to inspire me!

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  50. LlamaApril 5, 2011 at 6:19 AM

    I just can't believe how truly happy I feel when I watch this. Thank you for sharing this will all of us. You are all an amazing family and I am so happy that you found Kate the one who made your family complete.

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  51. Kristin WohlustApril 6, 2011 at 9:30 AM

    Now that just makes me smile!

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  52. AnonymousApril 7, 2011 at 6:41 PM

    How absolutely lovely. I have tears streaming down my cheeks, a smile plastered across my face. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful piece of your history. ~Gina

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  53. MarlaApril 13, 2011 at 8:05 PM

    I know I've watched that before, but still LOVE it!! Your boys look so tiny, isn't it amazing how quickly they've all grown?!?!

    That referral pic in the street still makes me giggle. Happy belated forever family day to all of you!

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Thank you for your kindness.