THE DAY WE MET OUR DAUGHTER

This was it...we woke up on Monday morning the 10th, went down for breakfast and our lives were FOREVER changed by this little Ethiopian girl named Hana! We had breakfast with the group and then Almaz walked in. We did some paper work with her, then 2 of the families went to meet their children. Melissa/Dan and Josh and I stayed back and waited for Almaz to come get us. Before I went to Ethiopia I couldn't understand HOW you can get there, go to sleep then do paperwork all before meeting your kids!!!!!!!!! BUT it was an amazing peace that came over me. I was ready to go meet her but not too hysterical...(probably b/c i knew for sure it was going to happen)...So, we made the "Walk" to Hannah's Hope. The walk I dreamt of for so long, heard so much about and there we were actually walking the walk to the gates of ALL GODS CHILDREN. It all seemed surreal...the whole trip felt surreal...

As we walked thru the gates there were kids every where. Toddlers, older kids and tons of babies. It was amazing. Melissa and Dan met their daughter which I have the most amazing video of. Their amazing daughter looked so cute in her little sunglasses they sent to her. She is beautiful and will be in my heart forever...(ALONG WITH HER PARENTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
then I walked over with Almaz with Josh videoing to see my little Hannie on the floor on a mat, face turned away from me. I KNEW IT WAS HER! I picked her up and it was like she was always our daughter. I can't explain the feeling...


Kind of like Suzi Redman said to me. When she picked her daughter up for the first time its like "ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh" all the waiting is over and finally there she is...not balling crying just ahhhhhhhhh what a relief. That's how I felt. The balling crying came later in the week. BELIEVE ME! :) Maya looked JUST like she did in person as she did in her pictures but more beautiful. I remember looking at her just not being able to grasp how beautiful her eyes were. They are so black u can't see the pupils...so pretty my girl is and so sweet. As I type this part she is sitting on my lap. Passie in her mouth, very SURREAL...We are so thankful for our little miracle.