Happy 5th Gotcha Kaitlyn!!!

zI cannot believe that the miracle of adoption started for our family 5 years ago!  We had been staring at this sweetie's referral pictures for 6 months and it was FINALLY time to meet her!  Her orphanage did not give us updated photos, so we only had ones that were 2 years old.  We often tried to figure out what she would look like when we met her.

It was a Sunday in Nanjing and the nerves were setting in!  We had until 2 pm to wait for our chance to get our girl.  The other couple we were traveling with was just as restless, so we decided to do some sightseeing.  We visited a Confucius Temple and walked around some shops.  Then we headed back, prepared our gifts, and packed some things we thought Kaitlyn might want or need.  We pulled up to the Civil Affairs office.  The nannies and children started coming through the door.  Would we recognize her?  When each little girl entered we thought maybe, and then they would head to another family.

Finally, Kaitlyn came through the door in her nannies arms.  We IMMEDIATELY knew it was her!!  We had sent a photo book in a care package and the nanny smiled and walked over to us.  She introduced Kaitlyn to us.  Kaitlyn wasn't too sure about that mama with the tears in her eyes.

I tried to feed her some snacks, she liked that.  Then, I did it.  I went in for the kiss on the cheek too soon for her and her nanny had disappeared.  We then discovered how loud this little girl with the heart condition could be!  There was construction at the Civil Affairs building and her screams echoed through the halls.  We were there for what seemed like an eternity.  I was screamed at, hit, bit, and got a sucker stuck in my hair (never brought suckers for the little ones again).  

However, once we got settled in the van to go back to the hotel, everything changed.  It was as if she determined to make the most of this new adventure and never look back.  Oh, we had tantrums (and I mean TANTRUMS)!  They lasted for months, but gradually became less and less and now they are such a distant memory.

This sweet girl is so brave!  She left everything she knew.  She had major open heart surgery only one month after coming home.  She has welcomed 5 new siblings into the family.

She is sweet.  She is happy.  She is loving.  She is helpful.  She loves to sing.  She loves to play with the child that is having the hardest time adjusting.  She has a beautiful spirit.  She is our daughter... FOREVER!

We love you Kaitlyn!!