Noah's 5th Anniversary

Five years ago today, we walked into the Civil Affairs Office in Changsha, Hunan, China...and saw this precious - and very anxious - face in person for the very first time.




You cried when she first handed you to me.





And you cried some more.






I cried too...but for different reasons.



We walked into that office as a family of three...and we would walk out as a family of four.



You now had a big sister, who would adore you...and dote on you...and try to mother you...for the rest of your life.





You now had a mama...



...and daddy...


of your very own.


A mama and a daddy who had already loved you for months.

A mama and a daddy who were very determined to get your precious little heart the help it so badly needed.




You weren't so sure about us when we first met in that Civil Affairs office...but back at the hotel a few short hours later - with a little help from Laoli - you started to see that we weren't so bad after all.





1st Anniversary of Noah's Adoption Day, 2006



2nd Anniversary of Noah's Adoption Day, 2007



3rd Anniversary of Noah's Adoption Day, 2008


4th Anniversary of Noah's Adoption Day, 2009


We took you to a Heart Doctor, a.k.a. Cardiologist, to get your precious little heart repaired. But eternally more important, we've taken you to the Great Physician, a.k.a. The God of the Universe, to get your precious little heart repaired (as each of us sinners needs to do)...and you now love Him like we do. I can't tell you the joy that brings mama and daddy.

We love you so much, Tong Tong, and we are so blessed that the LORD matched us up - half a world away - and allowed us to become your parents, 5 years ago today.