Beginning the adoption journey to AnnaBelle in July 2011. Little did we know AnnaBelle was born Feb 2, 2011.
AnnaBelles room and closet. Getting ready! October 2012; longing to bring her home. Many prayers in this room for this child.
Referral picture October 2012
TODAY is the one year mark that we first saw AnnaBelles face after recieving her file through our agency. It was easy to love and want her from the first time we saw her picture and read her story!
October 22nd, 2012 we got AnnaBelles "referral". We were so eager to be matched with this little girl we had been waiting on and praying for. "For This Child We Have Prayed For"...
So today, the girls have played outside, made a puppet craft, went on a Fall walk and chosen leaves for a fall project. We have raked leaves, ate pumpkin pie and been to the park to play. AnnaBelle woke up begging to go to the park "park momma" she would say so we gave in and went. AnnaBelles vocabulary is growing everyday, last week she said "nope" which we thought was funny. This week, she has been saying "uh huh" and hauls her "big baby" (that is the size of a 3month old) everywhere!! She has started calling herself "I" and "Abbabell" which are so sweet to hear. She sings silly songs and praise songs! I love to catch her singing to herself. Her sleep has not been perfected yet but we are working through it. She is eating & talking great, loves to climb, slide and swing. Today she asked for m&ms for breakfast. And stuck a vitamin up her nose at breakfast, that somehow with prayer & tears came out on its own! She loves Joy, everyday she says "like sissy". Joy told me today she was glad AnnaBelle was here because she has a playmate. For years I asked the Lord for two girls..and he has blessed us with them!
It seems like so long ago that we first saw these pictures of this small framed, thin little girl with sad eyes. I would have given both my arms to have traveled that day to bring her home. But adoption doesnt work that way. It was a long wait from October to March 15th when we traveled. AnnaBelle was worth every mile of the trip, every piece of paperwork required, every prayer, every tear. She was worth everything!
Casting Crowns sings a song called "So Far To Find You", it was written about their adoption story to their daughter Hope they adopted from China also. It has stolen my heart.
"Will you let me hold you in my arms tonight/ I have come so far to find you/ Will you take my love and give up the fight/ I have come so far to find you"
Home is where they love you Joy and AnnaBelle!
