Sunday, December 21, 2008

8 years ago today...

Happy Forever Family Day Sweet Guo Changchun



Paige,

You are our dream come true!






On this day, eight years ago, you were carried into a hotel unaware of how your world was about to change. You were fast asleep, safe and sound in your loving foster mom's arms. You felt secure and loved. You might not have had all of the worldly "goods" that most 2.4 year olds had, but you were well cared for and happy.

On this day, at 3:15 pm in Changchun, Jilin province of the PRC at the Noble Hotel, your little world was turned upside down. You woke up and had two very unfamiliar people in your face. Mom and I were crying and happy and shaking and so excited and completely overwhelmed. You were so confused and scared. You clung to your foster mommy and had a grip on her sweater that was something fierce.

Your foster mommy whispered something to you and cried as she stroked your cheek and your hair. You listened so intently and looked her deep in her eyes. You were so very brave.





As one mommy walked away, another one stepped in. Mom was so in love with you, Paige, from the minute she saw you. She held you and sang to you and told you that it would be ok as you cried and cried for your ma ma ma ma. She stroked your cheek and your hair just like your foster mommy did. You didn't like it, but who could blame you.







I was so in love with you...instantaneously. I had never seen such beauty before. You took my breath away. You were perfect. I looked at your little hands and your cute little ears and your perfect button nose and KNEW that I would never be the same...life would never be the same.









In the eight years that you have been in our family, you have brought more joy to us than you could ever imagine. You are the absolute light of our lives. Mom and I were smitten kittens from day one and are still your biggest fans. We love you, just the way you are. You are so kind and caring and funny and smart and talented and creative and curious and sassy and independent and I could go on and on.










Dada loved you more than you will ever know. The moment we walked off the plane and I handed you to him, he lit up in a way that I had NEVER seen him do before. He pat your back and laughed and showed you off to all of the people who came to greet you. It was as if you were his very own show and tell : ) You two have always been such special buddies. I know that today he is looking down on you and smiling from the Heavens and is so proud of the young lady you are becoming. He will always be with you and protect you.




You are loved so much, Paige. We couldn't be any more proud of you. You have blessed us in ways that I cannot even begin to describe. I hope the next 8 years together are as special and rich as the past 8 have been. I love you to the moon and back my sweet sissy!

39 comments:

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

Oh my gosh....what a beautiful post...such a special day that you will remember forever!!

All these pictures are so amazing, but I really love that photo of your father as he was holding Paige for the first time.....what a special memory!

Happy Family Day....may you celebrate many more!!

Merry Christmas!

Lisa

PS...Did you get that picture during the performace? WHOO HOO for you.....you escaped Security!!

Jboo said...

What a sweet post!! Congratulations on the anniversary of your family day!! Oh my -- Paige was such a little one, wasn't she! Your love and your family's love for her shine through your posts!

Merry Christmas!

Janet

fleur de lis cottage said...

Oh what a sweet, sweet post. Happy Anniversary and family day. I can tell you are the best big sister.

Colleen said...

Happy Family Day!

What a beautiful post, Missy.

Deb said...

Beautiful post Missy.
I can't wait to do a post like this one day.
Dreams do come true hey? I'll hold on to that hope.

Amy Lafayett said...

Happy Family Day! I am just crying as I read this. So precious. I love how the adoption of a child, like Paige, reminds us of how God chose us and adopted us into his family. Praise Him for that! And praise God for your sweet family and for bringing Paige into it. Have a very Merry Christmas!

Kate said...

Paige continues to take MY breath away in her beauty...and gosh...she can light up a room...and leave everyone laughing. She is a joy to your family...such tender, heartfelt words...beautiful. You all were palinly meant for each other.

Happy anniversary...what sweet memories!!!

Gail said...

Well I was crying after just reading Sharon's post about Bailey, and now I'm crying even harder...Paige is beautiful and perfect in every possible way!

My favorite photo also is the one of your father holding his baby girl. I know he is SO proud of her Missy!

Merry Christmas to you and your precious family!

Sherri said...

I love this post. I am all teary eyed now thank you very much!
I hope you had a wonderful Forever Family Day.
Your family is so full of love Missy.

Super Mommy said...

Happy Family Day! What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful young girl!

Dawn said...

Oh my, what a beautiful post! I had tears in my eyes! Happy Forever Family day! Paige is so lucky to have you as a sister!

Marla said...

Oh what a precious post, you just totally made me cry. That is one of the cutest referral pics I have ever seen. What a beauty!!

Happy Family Day, sweet Paige!!

Kerry said...

Happy Family Day! Baby Paige is so adorable- her baby facial features look so similar to her now. I could pick her out of a photo lineup easily. Beautiful.

And thank you for sharing your special day. The photos are precious and your memories so vivid.
Clearly Paige is the light of your life and loved by all!

Hugs. And a very Merry Christmas.

day by day said...

Beautiful post, Missy!! Paige was such a beautiful baby...oh, my goodness!!

Happy Family Day!!!

rgshrs said...

An amazing post. What special memories, that I know you will never ever forget. Happy Family Day! You and Paige have most certainly blessed each other and I'm certain the rest of your family as well :)

kerri said...

What a wonderful and loving post. Thank you for sharing your intimate and special memories with us.
Happy family day..

Sylvia said...

Missy, I love your post. I enjoyed reading about your special day. Paige was a beauty, even as a 2 year old!

WIshing you many more wonderful Family Days!

Bridget said...

Oh Missy what a sweet, touching post! It seems to me that Paige was certainly meant for your sweet family-what a perfect match you all are! I know how loved she is as evidenced in all of your posts. What a lucky girl Paige is to have a sister like you !! She was and is such a beauty and what a brave little girl she was ! I wish you the happiest family day! What a special day to remember and treasure forever! If I don 't check in before Christmas -I wish you and your lovely family a wonderful Christmas and a new year filled with love and happiness !! Enjoy the holidays my friend, and thank you for the beautiful card!

Michelle R Photography said...

Oh, Missy, this is such a beautiful post for your sister. I love seeing these first pictures of Paige. She was as beautiful then as she is today.

Reading of the special bond between your dad and Paige brought tears to my eyes. I have been thinking about you a lot lately, knowing this is going to be your first Christmas without him gathered around your tree. I am sending you a big hug and am praying for many joyous moments for you and your family this Christmas.

Love,
Michelle

Gaga said...

Missy,
I so remember how excited you guys were when you found out that you were actually going to be able to adopt. I know your dad is absolutely smiling down on the whole family. It seems like the past 8 years have flown by. I wish you many more years of happiness together :)
Kay

Jodee said...

What a special tribute for a special young lady. Your family is so blessed! Happy Family Day!

mommy24treasures said...

sweet sweet, Happy special day guys.
A Merry Christmas to your sweet daddy in heaven as well. I know he is looking down and watching you all.
Love
Connie

Green Family said...

Hi Missy! I think Paige's ref picture has got to be one of the cutest I've seen! You all are so lucky you had a chance to meet her caregiver :) Congratulations on your anniversary!

Paige looks like she's having a blast with the Nutcracker! They are lucky to have someone with her spunk in it!!

Our card may be late...all of them actually :( I just have felt like a truck's run over me!! Ah well...

Take care and stay warm my friend...and Happy Holiday to all of you :)

Kelly

Colleen said...

You truly are a special sister Missy! The love you have for Paige is so beautiful. This post is so touching. May your family have a blessed Christmas and I know you will feel your Dad there with you as you celebrate.
Happy Family Day!!!

Anonymous said...

Missy, you have me crying like a small child. BEAUTIFUL POST!!

Merry Christmas to you and your family and your mei mei Paige. Her referral is gorgeous!

Laurie said...

Oh, how I enjoyed reading through this post. That first picture of Paige is just PRECIOUS!! Love at first sight, I'm sure!

I've enjoyed catching up with you since being gone forever!! My favorite story was the one where you tried to take pictures at the production and got caught! Tee hee! :)

Heather said...

Missy, What a lovely post! When reading it, I felt like I was right there 8 years ago when she was handed to you!

She is a beautiful girl & what a blessing she has been in your lives (as well as ours!). Thank you for letting us get to know each of you!

Lots of hugs!

LaLa said...

Happy Family Day...she is such a cutie and she does light up a room. I am thinking of you as I know these first holidays without your dad are so hard. Know we are thinking of you!

Unknown said...

Happy Family Day! I lost the link to your site and took a break from the blogging world but I'm so glad to be back and to have found your site. The site looks great and the pictures are fantastic! Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas.

Julia said...

What a beautiful tribute on your family day. I still remember seeing her referral photo, she was and is such a stunning little girl and you capture her looks and personality so well with this blog. :-)

Anonymous said...

I am in tears. This is such a beautiful message to Paige. I'm so sorry about your father. It makes me so sad but do know he is looking down on her, and you, also. You are the best sister Missy. You all are lucky and blessed to have each other.

Love,
Donna

Denise C said...

Precious describes this post best! You and your sweet family...all of you purely precious!!!
Have a blessed Christmas my dear friend!! I am looking forward to February....when I can hug your neck girl!
Hugs,
Denise

Rydley said...

Congratulations on the special day! I love her referral photo, she looks like she is ready to take on the world! Go Paige!

Steffie B. said...

Priceless post.....I pray that Sophia and Emmie continue to have the bond you and Paige share.

Merry Christmas....
Hugs,
Steffie

Anonymous said...

THis was an amazing post~ Love every bit of it!!!

Merry Christmas sweet friend!

Sharon said...

Oh my goodness.. I don't even know what to say. That was so beautiful. I can tell she is just so special to you, and you love her so dearly. Perfect sisters!

Jill said...

Missy, I am crying. I don't know how to express to you what a special post this was.
Happy Gotcha Day Miss Paige! You are truly loved. We all know your dad is so proud of you BOTH!

Keisha said...

How sweet!! Happy Gotcha Day!!! She is so Pretty and I love the little Nutcracker pic!! CUTE CUTE CUTE!!!
Hope you all had a Merry Christmas!
Keisha

Jennifer said...

What a beautiful post Missy!

I love the first picture of Paige as a baby. Was this her referral picture?? What a sweet little face.

Jen