Gotcha Day Number One

September 16, 2009 - the day that Gabi stepped off the plane into the arms of our family. Who knew the year would pass so quickly ....

Ahh, the memories .... here's everyone waiting at the airport for us to arrive home. Jack said he remembers feeling impatient -- thinking we would never arrive. It has been a lot of fun to talk about the time in Bulgaria and our trip home. Better yet is the fact that Gabi can now tell us what she was thinking and feeling ...


Here are some of Gabi's memories of her trip to America. She remembers the plane, the tv that was right in front of her, watching movies on the plane, eating all the time, being nervous to take off and very nervous each time we got off. She was afraid to lose us. She also remembers when we were in Minneapolis .... she said she was so happy to take off the "green clothes" and put on the pretty dress that her Daddy had sent for her. She felt like a princess.

She said that she was so surprised to see all the people. She thought they were waiting for other people, she never thought that so many people would be at the airport just waiting to meet her. She remembers being nervous but so happy to see her Daddy! Bulgaria -- emotions flood back to me, all the glitches we had, all the worry. Remembering the ring of the phone and hearing "Cherry, we have problem." Can still remember how my stomache dropped ... but then the other memories come flooding back. All the fun we had, the exploring, the shopping! And ... the waiting while Gabi readied herself for the day ... such a fashion statement!!!

Just the other day I learned that most of the clothes that we took to Bulgaria she didn't like. She was hoping that we had better things at home for her -- too funny! But then I ran across the picture above -- surprisingly she just wore that outfit to school the other day - when I showed Gabi the picture - she said that she likes that outfit now. (gotta smile!!)

How quickly you forget just how tiny Gabi was -- look at her next to Hailee. We know she grew 3" but it doesn't sound like a lot until you actually see the difference.

And, of course, the PIZZA ... the strange combinations that somehow tasted good .... if I remember right this pizza had several different cheeses, spinach and onions. And, yes, she ate it all!!!

Hailee usually stuck to the the cheese pizza .....
Couldn't forget the tiara phase she went through once she was home ....

The whole family one year ago .....

How did we celebrate Gotcha Day ... Gabi got to choose ......... and where else could we go for such a special event ....Chuck E Cheese!! She got to meet the mouse finally.

Lisa joined us too.

She still likes to have her picture taken -- anytime the camera is pointed in her direction she's posing.

Besides having her picture taken at every available photo stop (seriously, we have at least 10 pictures of her at those booths) Gabi did some driving ..... very glad that she has several years before she starts driving a REAL car --- kind of scary to watch!!!

And Hailee????? She shot baskets, and more baskets, and more baskets .... is it possible to be addicted to this???

A quick break for a picture .... but that was it, she was back to shooting baskets ....

Not sure what she was playing here, but she was sure excited .....

It's been a good year -- a year of many adjustments, some easy ... some hard, so many changes for everyone yet there are no words that I can think of that can explain the amount of love that surrounds us -- we are one lucky family!!!!