Happy Forever Family Day Erin Joy!

Today is Erin Joy's Forever Family Day! (I can't decide what to call it. Please vote for your favorite name in the poll.) I really don't like the term "gotcha." It sounds like somebody swatting a mosquito. It really isn't her official adoption day. That happened the next day on May 30th, but it was just a bunch of boring paperwork. Nothing like the moment I saw her for the first time. I think I can't decide what to call it because words don't begin to describe the emotions I felt that day and the emotions that Erin Joy felt.

Today Erin Joy placed a third ornament on her "Forever Tree." I gave her a panda this year in honor of the pandas who were also victims in the Sichuan earthquake. Notice the shirt she is wearing: "I was worth the wait." Yep. That's true. She was definitely worth the wait. Here is a very short (40 second) video with pictures of our special day set to the chorus of the song we listen to every year on this day.





Three years ago, I held Erin Joy for the first time. May 29, 2005 is a day I will never forget. I had waited so long. I had been looking at her picture for almost a year and anticipating the day I could finally hold her in my arms. She wasn't as excited to see me. When I look at old video and pictures, I see a very confused and scared toddler. She wanted nothing to do with me. I was just another transition. Just another person. She had lived in at least four other places before being adopted. She didn't know I was her mother. She didn't know I loved her and would never leave her. She didn't know that no matter how much she screamed, cried, bit me, kicked me, scratched me, and pushed me away I was there to stay.

Her behavior the first few weeks is so different from the sweet, kind, pleasant child I know today. As she placed an ornament on her "forever family tree," I was overcome with the feeling of love I have for her. She is my daughter. I love her more than words can express.

I made a little movie with pictures of our first day together, a few pictures from the past few years, and current pictures. I love you sweet Erin Joy!!