Tuesday, May 24, 2011

One Year Since our Referral! (It's our Match-a-versary!)



Dear Jeremy and Zachary,

One year ago today, Daddy and I got the telephone call we had been waiting for and hoping would come for months! It was our caseworker, Sara, from the Gladney Center for Adoption saying that we had been matched with TWO BOYS! We were so excited! We had hoped and prayed and officially told Gladney that we would like to adopt a sibling group, but had also said that if a sibling group wasn't available for adoption, we would happily adopt one child. We also said that we would happily adopt girls or boys, so hearing "TWO" was the first delightful surprise, and hearing "BOYS" was more exciting news! When Daddy and I heard the words, "TWO BOYS", we looked at each other like this:


Then Sara told us she was sending us an e-mail with your photos. She told us that the younger brother was a one month old baby named Biruk and that the older brother was a 19 month old named Robel. We fell in love when we saw your sweet faces, and we didn't stop gazing at those photos for a long time!


Now here we are one year later. You've been home with us now for almost nine months, and it's hard to remember our lives before you joined our family. It's as if you've always been a part of it. You are such wonderful boys, and I'm so blessed to have you as my sons and to be your Mama! 

These photos were taken during the past few weeks. Look how far you've both come in a year!

Jeremy Robel: 31 months old!


Zachary Biruk: 1 year old!

You've come such a long way, both in miles and milestones. I'm forever grateful for the miracle of adoption, and the way God has woven you both into this family so perfectly. Perhaps more wonderful still, is the way He's woven you so perfectly into our hearts.

We love you always and forever,
Mama and Daddy

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's amazing how your sons look like their parents.

Cute family.

Anonymous said...

Tracy...oh my goodness, I'm weeping with such joy watching your video again! God's work just fills my heart with joy girl..what an amazing story that touches my heart each time I hear it! I love you all so much...what an amazing family :-) big hugs to you all!

Tish Glass

Heidi said...

Laughing and crying over here! Thank you for sharing that priceless video with us. Happy match-aversary beautiful family!!!!

Kirstin C said...

I remember when y'all got your referral! I don't think I could ever forget the expressions on your faces in that picture - awesome! Wow - a year! So glad those boys are home and in your arms and everyone's doing well!!!

will + adri said...

I will never forget the joy in your video. I showed it to everyone I know. My husband and I hope to make one of our own some day! Congratulations on an amazing year!

Dana Cheryl said...

Oh my goodness... Has it really been a year?? I guess so because I remember checking in everyday about this time last year to see if ya'll had heard from Gladney and praying that your referral would come soon every time it crossed my mind. What a wonderful, wonderful year! I've loved being a part of it as I've read your blog. My heart is just filled up with happiness for your family and thanksgiving to our kind, generous, loving Father in heaven. May He bless you with many, many, many more years to come filled with excitement, love, happiness, and joy!

J said...

I'm not sure why the pictures aren't loading for me (some of them are, others are not)...They are sure gorgeous boys, aren't they? Don't you wish you could talk to your 1 year ago self and tell her to hang in there, and how happy you're going to be? :)

J said...

Oh, the pictures loaded this time. GAH! I WANT TO EAT THEM! Is that wrong?

Carrie said...

I cannot tell you how much I love this video. I think I've watched it 18 times. The pictures of your boys are fabulous! They are looking so big and healthy!

The H Family said...

My favorite referral video ever. (Can't remember if I already told you that.) Those reactions are priceless.