This is the day

It was exactly 8 years ago today that we saw Kate's face for the first time.  I really cannot believe it was that long ago. I remember it like it was yesterday.  I even remember choosing my clothes that day thinking I would be seeing her face for the first time (so silly!)  Our agency emailed us the photo in the early evening and we all gathered around my laptop to see what she looked like. I remember seeing her sweet face.  She looked very serious (and she is not serious at all). Her nose was so tiny and her cheeks were so full. My friend, Amie was there as we saw Kate's photos for the first time and she captured it on video.  Will just kept saying how beautiful she was. You can read the whole story here.

I had no idea on that day how perfectly and seamlessly she would fit into our family but she does.  God blessed all of us so much with Kate.  She brings JOY to so many people.

Each year, I take a few photos of Kate with her referral photo.  I was not sure she would still oblige this year as she is 8 and 1/2 and she is too busy doing other things to give me a few minutes for a photo shoot.  But she did it for me.  They're not the best photos as she was in a hurry to get back to her knitting and her TV show.  She is obsessed with knitting these days.

This morning after Mass, Kate wanted to go to our favorite place for breakfast. No one else really wanted to go (but me) so Kate and I went and had a lovely Mommy/Daughter date.
It was really nice as we ran into some old friends and some new friends who are about to travel to China to meet their daughter.  I am continually amazed at the ways that God brings people together. Lately our paths have crossed with some other families considering adoption or in the process and it is has been honor to be a part of that journey.

We always get a chuckle out of Kate's referral photo as it certainly is a unique one.

Thank you God for brining Kate into our lives.  We will never really know why her birth parents could not raise her but we are so blessed and honored that we get to be her family. I really cannot imagine our lives without her. We love you Kate.

You can see our referral day photos over the years by clicking here and scrolling through them.