One year ago today I received a call at work that forever changed our lives. Our SN advocate spoke the words, "I think I have found a little girl who might be perfect for your family" I still remember the joy I felt. I ran home, I only live 2 houses a way from the school, and opened my email to view her file. Then I
opened her pictures, As soon as I saw her face, I knew. I printed out her pictures and raced around town to find Scott, who works for the highway department. Together on the side of the road, we looked at the face of our new daughter. It was a joyous day, one I will never forget. Sierra has been such a gift and she is perfect for our family. God knew what he was doing!!! And oh has she blossomed. We were very lucky during our long wait for
LOA to have received many pictures of Sierra. But in NONE of the pictures was she smiling. She looked
sad and it broke my heart. Now that she is home our house resonates with the sound of her laughter and my heart is filled with gratitude for all those who have made this possible
I will also never forget the timing. On Friday May 16
th 2008 I lost a very dear friend Christine, to breast cancer. On Monday May 19
th we received the referral of Sierra. The two events w
ill always be linked together in my mind and Christine's memory will live on as little Sierra Christine
Weixi Hikade grows and reaches her full potential.
There were many moments of this journey, that are etched in my mind forever but referral day was the first. I will share with you the first pictures we saw of our precious little girl!!
And here she is now with a mouth full of cake...
And with her mommy and Daddy who love her so much!!!!!!!
Praise God that we were united with this precious little angel and she is a gift we will treasure forever!!!!
Kathie,
ReplyDeleteYou now have me crying!!I love the picture of the three of you. She really has come a long way...
Diane
Oh wow Kathie, I didn't realize you had been matched w/ her that many months before travel. Goodness, that had to have been tough!
ReplyDeleteShe's one adorable little chicka and you can just see what all the love and attention you guys have given her has done. What a blessing she is!
She is so precious! Happy referral anniversary!! Great to know you only live 3.5 hours from Boston. We will be living south of there. Maybe Sierra would like to visit Plymouth Plantation with us. (We planned to go there last year, but I got an appendicitis on the first day, so that was the end of THAT vacation! haha)
ReplyDeleteJust to let you know, I remember the first time I saw her pictures and the names "Scott and Kathie Hikade" immediately came to mind. The journey with you and the friendship that has evolved has been truly amazing and one of the many reasons I absolutely LOVE my job! I don't think I will ever forget the serious look she always had in her pictures. I still see that look and it is obviously a part of her personality. Her smile, though, is precious and seeing her with the two of you who obviously love her so much, is priceless!
ReplyDeleteAwe, this is a great post. LOVE to see her smiling!!! The photo of the three of you is GREAT too!!! Miss you guys. It's like..."could we just meet up for a weekend in Guangzhou??" Wouldn't that be GREAT!!! Hugs!
ReplyDelete