Six precious years ago...

we saw the cutest chubby cheeks looking at us from a computer screen...

We waited a long, long three years to see who God had planned for our family and I will never forget the moment we saw this sweet face.  I loved that button nose right away and I could not believe how long her fingers were. But really, I could not get over how big she was! I had seen a lot of skinny, little babies being referred from China. So to see this plump, little dumpling who was this big at just 6 months old blew me away.

As I have said before, I spent weeks carrying this photo around showing store clerks and anyone else who would look or listen that THIS was my daughter.  I was so proud of her and I did not even know her yet.  I also spent those weeks wondering what she would be like.  I wondered what traits God gave her.

I never really imagined that six years later I would be blogging about what a talented gymnast and graceful dancer she is.  I never could have imagined she would win two art contests at school this year.  Kate could barely pick up a cheerio at 10 months old!! I am not kidding. Kate came home to us a VERY happy, funny, sweet and JOYFUL little girl but she was also very, very clumsy.  I only tell you this to say that we just never know what plans God has for us.  You never know what talents lie deep within you. These talents MUST have been in her all along but we sure did not see any signs of them early on.  She was far from graceful or coordinated early on and my friends who knew her then would whole heartedly agree with that.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Jeremiah 29:11

Our life changed that day six years ago when we got this photo.  Even though we did not even begin to know the beautiful person Kate would bloom to be...we all started to fall in love with her.  From the moment we all saw this photo...she was our family!  And I cannot imagine our family without her.

She is loving and generous and funny.  She is gracious and tough.  She is SO strong (she almost beat me in arm wrestling and she can climb to the top of the rope and ring the bell at the gym!))  She has a huge sweet tooth and does not like her veggies.  She tries really hard at things and that determination will get her far.  She loves her brothers so much and is a great friend.  She is the greatest blessing and we are so grateful that God brought her to our family.

As you might know, I take a photo of Kate every year with her referral photo. Here are the photos from today

She always laughs about that fact that they have her in the street!!

But today she was also laughing about her hair.

She said, "It looked like Daddy's hair!  How did you know I was a girl?!"

To read the story of how I made the call to find out who Kate was, you can read here.  And here is how we announced her on the blog (I truly could not even think straight to post that day!) And to scroll through the past referral day photos (it is fun to see how she has changed)....click here and scroll back.

We love you SO much Katie Ru!!!!