Monday, November 20, 2006

Gotcha Day!!

Proverbs 25:25 Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.
What an awesome day!! It's almost 11 PM here, and our room is quiet! We left our hotel in Beijing at 9 am, to go to the airport. Our flight was delayed because of the "foggies", as our guide called it. So when we arrived in Nanchang, we were running way behind schedule. We stopped at our hotel long enough to tear apart our suitcases trying to find cheerios, a toy and a bottle. We drove about 20 minutes to the Civil Affairs office, and while driving, all of the families prayed together on our bus. It has been such a joy to share in this experience with so many brothers and sisters in Christ. When we pulled into the civil affairs office, there were vans dropping off orphanage workers all carrying babies. We were all so excited to see the babies, but then were told these were not our babies. We went up to the 26th floor, rounded a corner, and there was a whole room filled with babies! Because we were running so late, we went into the room, and they immediately started calling names for people to come get their babies. We were able to videotape one family getting their baby, and they videod ours. I"m so glad, because it all happened so fast, I hardly remember what happened! Addison didn't cry when she was first handed to me. I could hardly believe how big she looked, and how much hair she has! We had been trying to pick her out in the chaos of the room, before she was handed to us. We couldn't find her. We were looking at all the babies hands, and didn't see any that had the hemangioma in her referral picture. When they handed her to us, she was bundled up with lots of layers. She was holding a piece of candy in one hand and a rattle in the other. She would not let go!! She did fine for quite awhile, then she would look and see there was a stranger holding her, and she would start crying. As quickly as they took us in the room to get the babies, they got us right back out and on the bus. The official adoption and paperwork will be tomorrow. Addison cried a lot off and on when we first got her back to the hotel. We got a bottle ready for her, and she chugged that thing down! Poor girl was hungry! We went down stairs in our hotel for dinner, and she had some soup broth. I tried to feed her congee (a Chinese baby favorite), but she didn't seem to know what to do with food in her mouth! Guess we'll have to work on that one. Russ and I keep looking at each other, wondering if this all really happening, it sort of feels a little surreal. Riley took a little while to warm up to her, but once he got to hold her, he warmed up really quick. Addison learned the dropping game while we were at dinner. She would drop her rattle, and Riley would pick it up! Tonight after we had her in her crib, he came in to look at her, and said "She's the cutest baby I have ever seen". Alyssa is so in love! She cried and cried from before the time we got her, all the way until we were back on the bus. It was very sweet.
So, we are now in our room, the kids are sleeping in their room, and Addison is asleep in her crib. Supposedly she has a 1AM feeding, so we may be up again in a few hours. I"ll try to post as many pictures as I can. The first one is our last family photo of our family of 4! The rest you can just enjoy looking at. Oh, I almost forgot......her hemangioma is almost GONE! I can't believe it, but it actually looks really good. She did come to us with a scratch on her forehead. I think she has gotten into the habit of itching there, I"ve seen her trying to do that a few times.
We haven't seen her smile yet, but she is still the cutest thing I have ever seen!
That's all for now! Thanks so much for all the prayers and support. I have definitely felt them the past couple of days.
Enjoy the pics!!

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

Congrats Guys!!!

She looks beautiful! I love the hair, there is so much of it. I hope that you brought bows to put in it, or is this something that Aunt Lisa will have to buy? She is huge - I think that she is bigger than Jake, a year older than her. Keep the pictures coming, We love traveling with you.

The Other Aunt Lisa

Anonymous said...

What can I say through such tears of joy??? How awesome!!! I'm so glad you could have Alyssa and Riley with you, and they can embrace their new sister with you! What a joy to see their hearts bonding with hers! And Russ and Becki, what a gift you've all been given and entrusted with!!! How we celebrate with you and rejoice in God's faithfulness!!!

Addison is precious!! I love the photo of her sleeping in your arms, Becki! Love ALL the photos --- keep 'em coming!!

What a sacred, holy moment you all shared today. I know that surreal moment. God is so with you, and we continually hold you up in our prayers.

Much love,
Todd, Julie, Samuel, Noah, Emma, and Madison

Jie Jie to Sarah Lu and Chayah Ru said...

She is gorgeous!!! She is precious!!! What a praise!!Thank you for sharing your journey!

~Caroline from AWAA WC
(Illinois)

Anonymous said...

I am so happy for you. Your family is beautiful! I can't wait to meet Addison. What a wonderful life changing experience for all of you.

Love Jen

PS Has crabby met her yet? I notice he is not in any of the family pictures(ha).

Anonymous said...

What darling pictures! I can't believe how big Addison is and how much hair she has. I think she has more hair than Madison! Thanks so much for sharing the pictures -- what a blessing to experience your trip with you!
Blessings to you all,
Uncle Bill and Aunt Marge

Anonymous said...

I'm at a loss for words. I'm just SO EXCITED!!!! I've been praying and checking the site all morning. WOW! You are finally holding your baby!!! I LOVE the pic of your THREE kids!!!! God is so amazing! Her hemangioma is almost GONE! WOW! And she's big!!! SO... what size should I be shopping for? : ) Love the hair!!! I SOOO want to hold her!!!
Max said he wants to see more pictures (of his new shopping buddy). SO keep them coming! We LOVE you! We are THRILLED for you! And we anxiously await more pictures, and to hear how things are going.

Love, Auntie Kate (and cousin Maxwell)

Anonymous said...

Wow! About all I can say is Wow!!!What an adventure. And Addison is adorable! Even cuter than her 'before' pictures. We look forward to all your notes and pictures. It seems you are vividly living God's will which is always perfect. No wonder it's surreal! AWESOME.
sending love,prayers,& praises
Aunt Donna

Anonymous said...

Yeah!!!! I've been checking the site all morning! She is so beautiful! I love her rosy cheeks and pink lips- and all that black hair! I can't wait to meet her! I think every sentence I write could have an exclamation point on the end! God is so good! We're praying for you all as you bond together and as Addison transitions into your family. Can't wait to see & hear more about this first week together. Love, Heather & Brian

Anonymous said...

Hey congratulations!

All that expectation, work, anxiety, prayer and excitement culminates in this moment.

Now the real work begins!

Know we are praying for your continued health and that you all would have a wonderful time bonding with Addison.

We will have to arrange a time for these two "sisters" to get together when you are home and rested.

We love you all and are praying for you!

Hey Addison!

Todd

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful end to an almost 10-year journey.

There are simply not enough words to tell you what's in my heart right now (but I know you know). God is good all the time; all the time, God is good.

Now...hurry home!!

We love you and miss you terribly.

Rich, Lisa, Luke, and Brooke

Anonymous said...

This is the day that the LORD hath made - let us rejoice and be GLAD in it!
Blessings from the Serby's

Anonymous said...

We are SO excited for you!!!!!
wht a blessing.she is such a DOLL!!
-Kendra

Anonymous said...

Yiipppeee! What a wonderful day, what a wonderful blessing. God is so faithful and good! We can't wait to see you all on the 29th!

Erica, Larry and Julie Potter

Eileen said...

CONGRATULATIONS Becki and family!!!! I'm so happy for you! Can't wait to follow the rest of your journey.

Anonymous said...

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!!

Katie and Steveo

Anonymous said...

AGGHGGGGHHGHGGHGHGH!!!
this is so wierd-- i mean- of coursse- she is even more adorable than her younger pictures, but i always can say at a resturaunt that we have a party of eight all together. but now in god's blessing,,,,,,,, i can say eight +addison!!!!
I LOVE ALL OF YOU GUYS AND ICAN't wait to see you and addy. luke wants to call her math as a nickname. Well, fist if was going to be add but then mom liked subtract and i said math!!!
so --- come home!!!!
i miss you so much i'm going to cry!!!
LOVE YOU !!!!!!
COME HOME!!!!
brookie baby(CAN I STILL BE YOUR BABY?)

Anonymous said...

Becki and Russ,
Saw your beautiful new little girl and our beautiful new granddaughter early this morning before any other comments were here. We were waiting and watching the website with bated breath. It was so wonderful to see her with her little rosy cheeks and big eyes I almost cried. Your journey is over and has just begun. We can't wait to see all of you and Addison (of course). Stay safe and come home soon. We love you.

Grandma and Grandma Miller

Anonymous said...

Becki,

Addison is beautiful. I enjoyed reading the details of Gotcha Day. I hope you guys had a good first night together. Thanks again for letting us share in your miracle.

Love you bunches!

Nichole

Anonymous said...

Wow! What an incredible day! Thanks so much for letting us experience this tremendous joy with you all! We can't wait to meet her in person now and watch our 2 little girls play together. Keep the pics coming, we love them. Much love and Congratulations to all of you, she's absolutely beautiful!!!
Becky, Ed, Ashley, Joshua, Lauren

Anonymous said...

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! What an exciting day! Praise the Lord! We loved seeing the pictures. Addison is beautiful. We are rejoicing with you.

Love,
The MacIntyre's

Anonymous said...

SOOOOOOO Happy for you guys! You will continue to be in our prayers throughout the next few weeks as you make some big transitions. Addison is gorgeous and we can't wait to meet her. Praise God for his wonderful works!

Keith and Kerri

Anonymous said...

How amazing. The Lord truly is the Creator of families and you guys are a masterpiece!
Love, the Landino's group 255

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful gift you are, Addison. Carlson family, we celebrate with you and rejoice in your blessing. Bless the Lord, O My Soul, all that is within me, Bless His Holy Name! We will continue to pray for you. Let us know how we can be praying.
All our love,
The Bruinius Family

Anonymous said...

We are loving your comments and pictures. You ALL five look so happy. Our Thanksgiving service was Sunday night and we shared are thankfulness for God's protection, provision and sovereignty in this whole blessed event. We love you All five.
Grandma and Grandpa Carlson

Anonymous said...

We are so excited for you all! You look so happy together! We will continue to follow your journey and pray for your safety as you work toward getting home. God has definitely been good to you!!

Love,
The Holsberrys
Group 255

Anonymous said...

Congratulations!!!!! She is just BEAUTIFUL!!!!! We are absolutely thrilled for all of you and wish you safe travels back! Can't wait to meet her:)

Your neighbors,

Leslie, Greg and Ella:)

Anonymous said...

Becki,

Oh I just love all the pics. And your journaling is such a beautiful expression of your tender heart. I love hearing the emotions the spring from your heart as you baske in the beauty of this gift the Carlson family has been given. Addison is so precious. Enjoy your evening and your day. May God continue to overwhelm you with His love.

Love to all of you,

Nichole Minot
AWAA SN Yahoo Group