Monday, June 14, 2010

One Year Ago





One year ago today Adam & I flew into Haiti to meet the little girl in this picture who we had fallen in love with :)

Later that afternoon we were eating lunch in the cabana at the hotel ANXIOUSLY awaiting her arrival. A small little girl in a pink coral dress was lifted up & handed to us over the banister rail. She was quiet & frightened. Her dress wet from a small bag of water she was holding to drink from on her ride in the "Machine ". She cried most of the afternoon, trying to find the hotel exit with shoes in hand:( By the end of the evening she started to open up to us & by the end of the week WE were the ones crying as we handed her back to get into the "Machine " to go back to
the orphanage.
Not in a million years did I think due to a devastating earthquake I would be chasing Miss Vania around our house a year later. Watching her enjoy playing with her brothers & sisters and tucking her into bed every night knowing she is safe & sound. How grateful I am that she is healthy , happy & a little spit - fire today. We love you Vania Anne & feel privileged that God's plan for your life included us as your family.

8 comments:

Lori said...

Amen, sister!

She is just a special soul. She's got a vibrancy about her that always emerged when she was with you two - not so much when she was just at the O.

What a difference a year makes, huh?? I'm so glad things are going well and I'm very grateful all our little ones are home, snug in their beds with full bellies and lots of kisses!

mlg said...

I was thinking that same thing today that one year ago Avrie was so sick and today she is a crazy happy 3 year old running circles around me! Life is good, miracles happen!

Zoe said...

What a wild ride it's been, and continues to be! It seems like yesterday when we met her. I can't believe it's been a year! I love you!

Tia said...

Hard to believe it's been a year! Happy anniversary! Vania is as adorable as ever!!

lonnieloree said...

How well i remember how heartbroken you were when you had to return Vania and come home without her. Our entire family is blessed that she survived the earthquake and by God's grace is a part of our family.LOVE this pic.!

orthoprincess.laurie511 said...

I can't believe it's been an entire year! What a complete joy she is, not just in your life but in all she meets. Sunday was the best Oasis class ever!!

David and Candice said...

I can not believe it has been a year,she is such a cute little girl. i am so glad everyone is home and safe.-Candice

MamaCory said...

I remember being in the hospital the day after I had Leia. She was in the NICU at Children's Hospital and I was all alone sitting there, eating horrible food and watching the news about Haiti and just sobbing. Here I had just had an emergency c-section, I was worried to death about my daughter and then the news came of my soon-to-be niece either hurt, missing.. possibly worse. I am SOOOO happy and thankful all the mess is over with and my beautiful, happy niece is here to stay! I just love her and of course my other niece and nephews too!! <3 :]