Today is Gotcha Day in my house - nine years ago today we adopted our daughter Abby in China. We traveled with six other families and tonight four of them were able to come over for dinner. As I was gathering some memories this morning I tweeted out a story and a few pictures and videos, so I thought I would share them here as well. (After all, the 'P' in PLN stands for Personal, right?)
First, a then and now picture.
Then:
Now: 
Then the famous "red couch" picture from the White Swan Hotel (Abby is on the far right).
Then I found the amazingly Web 1.0 website we created that told the story of our trip to get Abby, I was a little surprised it was still active.
Then, just because I like to make my PLN cry, here's a link to the first iMovie I ever created, Our Trip To Get Abby (.mov, 21 MB). (Fair warning: it's a tear jerker.) For the techies out there (you know who you are), I'm pretty sure that movie was created in iMovie 2 and the camera we purchased for the trip - our first digital camera - was a Sony Mavica CD1000 (partially because the mini-CD's were the cheapest and easiest form of removable storage to take on a two-week trip to China).
Finally, here's a picture of the girls from tonight (five from our travel group plus one older sister).
Nine years ago. Hmm, nine years from now they'll be freshmen in college . . .
As an adopted daughter, thank you for celebrating and sharing such an amazing process! Happy Gotcha Day!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing your and Abbey's story. I have a friend here in Australia who adopted a little girl from China a few years ago. Her life has been filled with joy ever since. I can see that same joy in the photos you have so kindly shared with us.
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ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your day on your blog. Happy Gotcha Day to all of you. We adopted our youngest daughter 6+years ago. Loved seeing the girls then and now. What a great day. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteHaving this yearly celebration is wonderful! Thanks for sharing it with us Karl, and you are correct the movie is a tear jerker :-)
ReplyDeleteWonderful.
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
ReplyDeleteI assume you have seen this video before?
http://edcommunity.apple.com/ali/story.php?itemID=166
My best friends adopted a baby in China too. They tell a great story as well.
Brian
Karl,
ReplyDeleteYou've just given me a glimpse into my future. Four years ago we got Kailei. She just started kindergarden this year. Hard to believe how fast time flies. Loved the video and naturally have to share mine http://adoptionvideos.hiddenforge.com/KaileiFinish.wmv
@Christine - Thanks for sharing, she's beautiful. It was also fun to see Daphne and Ellen 4.5 years older than when they were our guides (we mostly had Daphne, Ellen was just starting to help).
ReplyDeleteThis was so touching. Thank you for sharing this with us!
ReplyDeleteLoved the video Karl!
ReplyDeleteMy brother and his wife adopted a child from Korea 14 years ago. Her name is Katie and she lights up all of our family get togethers.
I remember very clearly (as if it were yesterday) an airport scene very similar to yours.
Congratulations on your continued blessing of Abby!
Thanks for sharing your story. Nine years ago this past Monday, my wife and I returned home from the Ukraine with our daughter Anna. We celebrated adoption day on November 14. We are happy to have her in our life...Congratulations on your anniversary!
ReplyDeleteThis was very moving to read and the Joy in your lives most evident. Sometimes it is a very wonderful thing to have a glimpse into the parts of another's life that are so precious and fundamental to the person.
ReplyDeleteIt reinforces the sense of integrity of your blog that I have had over the years that I have read your posts.
Abby and Karl,
ReplyDeleteHappy Gotcha Day! Thanks for sharing!!!!! It helps us to see the stories of people who have adopted...
On a side note, I can't wait to follow this blog to keep up on my professionalism. :)
Regards,
Karissa