at around 9:00 am the phone rang. It was the call that changed our lives forever. It was the call that made us parents again....to an amazingly beautiful little girl. I can't sit here and describe the emotions that I felt at that moment because to be honest...there are no words that can describe that surreal moment. I got off the phone with my agency and called Kris...who was at work. "What do we DO," I asked him. Can I look at her pictures? Can I send them to you and we can look at them together? I can't TAKE it I want to see her! Almost a full hour passed with that e-mail full of pictures sitting unopened in my inbox. I cried, laughed, cried, and then laughed again...all in the excitement of the moment. Kris and I decided that we couldn't wait and we would open them...then call each other, instead of waiting until got home from work HOURS later to do it together. But it took me a good amount of time...staring at that e-mail...before I could finally bring myself to open it. I took a deep breath and opened that e-mail and within shear seconds my heart was stollen. Stollen by the precious child we call Mikayla, thousands of miles away. It was at that very moment that I fell in love with Mikayla. It didn't happen over time, or happen as I adjusted to the situation. No. It happened the instant I laid eyes on her. Her beautiful tiny body wrapped up in a pale yellow sleeper adorned by none other then a butterfly. It was as if God whispered in my ear at that very moment..."here she is...the child you have longed for and waited for. I picked her just for you and she is the reason why you were led down this path." I never looked back. Never.
The rest of that day was a flurry of excitement. Phone calls to all of our family, getting the pictures printed, getting the POA signed, certified and sent on it's way. It was a crazy friday. A friday that I will never forget. I can vivdly remember each detail of that day. I can remember showing Alec his new baby sister, I can remember his words as he decribed to me how beautiful she was, I can remember meeting Kris at work just a few hours later to the get the POA signed and notorized and the hug we shared...a hug that is shared by two people who just became parents again. And then...later that night...as Kris and I sat, staring at the three pictures that we had of our daughter...it hit us that she was not here but very, very far away and that the months that followed would be difficult.
For 7 months we waited for Mikayla to come home to us. And nearly 7 months to the day of her referral, on January 31st, 2007...we touched down on American soil.
Mikayla Faith~a year ago today you were born in our hearts. To us, today almost feels MORE like your birthday. Your big brother and your mommy and daddy waited for you...and then you were placed in our arms forever. We love you sweet princess...now and forever...you will always be our little baby girl!
8 comments:
I remember sitting at the computer as well just staring at it, frozen, thinking that when I open up that email, there would be my grandaughter. I prayed before opening the email and then clicked the button and there she was. I literally instantly sobbed and tears streamed down my face. She was the most beautiful little girl I had ever laid eyes on and in that instant, she had my heart. No waiting for that, it was instant.
I remember thinking so many times that day that I was so happy to be here on this earth to share that with you Mindy. I don't know why I thought that so many times that day but I did.
I am still so thankful each day that I have with you and my grandchildren.
I could never take down her referral picture. It still sits right here as a reminder of God's clear path that He has laid out for our lives.
May she always know how much she was wanted and loved and prayed for.
We love you dear sweetheart!
I wasn't there with you, but I sure remember the very instant you posted the pics of Mikayla & then you started your first blog. I read it everyday! I was so excited and I still am excited to read all of the new things and what Mikayla (and Alec) have been up to.
I know this day will forever be in your heart. I love your passion. You are a very amazing woman.
Take care & Happy born into your family's heart BIRTHday Mikayla! ;o)
Mel
Girl you are making me CRY...Don't you love all those wonderful days we get to celebrate becasue of adoption...Hugs Candy and Kya
It's amazing, isn't it? I think you were on the phone with Denise at the same time we were talking to Kelly.
Yesterday I was really emotional thinking about that day.... more so than on E's birthday.
What beautiful gifts we received that day!
How do you endure the wait? But we all did and just look at the joys are lives now hold. Nine months we waited for our Bella and we'd wait again just to hold her and see her smile! But now she's ours forever, no more waiting required!
so you got me...i'm crying...i felt the same way the first time i saw calebs pics...mikayla was a beautiful baby (and ofcourse, she still is)but as a newborn, just beautiful...
Mindy..I know exactly how you feel. We received Christians referral on July 3rd. I will remember that day forever. What an amazing journey it has been to get where we are today.
Oh I totally remember that moment too! Mikayla is a gift and a blessing. I also wanted to tell you that I'm glad you are able to talk about your feelings on this blog. I don't think that for ONE second it takes away from your love for your beautiful family. Lots of hugs!
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