Three Years With Reagan

October 27, 2013

TP Reags FFD Collage 5
I am a little late in getting this up (a week to be exact), but as they say, better late than never, right?
On Friday, October 18th, we celebrated 3 years with sweet Reags!
It was on this day that I walked into the civil affairs office in Changsha and saw her sitting on the bench with her Nanny.
She was sucking those two fingers and the other hand was looped around her Nanny's purse.

I will never forget that moment. Marla and I were told that she had not arrived and since the room was empty, we were searching for the best bench to sit on in order to get the best light for photos. All of a sudden we saw this cute baby with super short hair, dressed in pink, and then the two fingers gave her away. We tried to talk to the Nanny, but she did not understand us. Moments later our guide Susan walked back in and confirmed it was Chen Wen Yi, our Reagan!

TP Reags FFD Collage 3
Reagan although somewhat relaxed and mild mannered compared to the other children in the room, was definitely in a state of shock.
She had no idea what was taking place, but she knew that it was all different and nothing was familiar, including the two blonde ladies that were holding her and constantly in her face.

The first few days with her were so incredibly emotional that it makes me cry to this day when I think about it. Reagan completely shutdown. Would not eat, would not drink, would not play, and did not show emotion. All she wanted to do is sleep. It was completely heartbreaking to witness.

By day 4, she gave us a glimmer of her personality, she squeezed my finger through the crib rails as she fell asleep that night, and even flashed a smile once or twice. She was starting to come around and all the worry I had been carrying around with me started to fade away. I knew we were going to be okay. My girl just needed time to grieve and time to adjust to what would be her new life beyond the gates of the orphanage in Chenzhou.

TP Reags FFD Collage 4
In 3 years, she has made amazingly huge strides.
Through the love of a family, she has learned to trust and show love in return.
She now knows what it is like to have a sister and a brother, and a mother and father who love her unconditionally.
Reagan is a ray of light that has blessed us immensely and I just can't imagine our lives without her.
There were many times throughout the 5 years of waiting, I did not know if we were ever going to make it to China and back.
By the grace of God, we did and I am forever grateful. Because of Reags, I am a better Mother and a better person.
Her life has opened my eyes and my heart to a country a half a world a way.
It is difficult to sit here feeling helpless when you know so many are waiting without families.
I would love to go back and every time I see the face of a child who is waiting, by heart gets the best of me.
At this time, going back to China to bring home another child is just not in the cards for our family, but what I can do and what I will continue to do, is share how much adoption has meant to us and how it has changed our lives for the better, in the hopes that others that are considering adoption, will take the leap of faith, just like we did.

Happy Forever Family Day Chen Wen Yi!
~We Love You~
xoxoxo

Ni Hao Yall
Linking up to Sunday Snapshots today, to see more, head on over to visit my friend Stef!

25 comments:

Krista said...

Beautiful. Beautiful child, beautiful words. Hard to believe it's been 3 yrs. Happy Family Day!

Number 6 and no more counting! said...

beautiful post Lisa! Somehow reading this give me hope as Bill and I come up on nearly 7-years of waiting. Thank you, for sharing.

lea
xo

Laurie said...

Beautiful post Lisa. Happy Day!

Jboo said...

Beautiful post -- lovely family!! Happy happy family day (a ltitle late) to all of you!

xoxo

Heather{Our Life In a Click} said...

We've followed your journey all along! Wow 3 years already!!! How time flies but I can't imagine/remember your life before her now (I bet you can't either!). Beautiful photos and post!!! Happy Days to you all!

DiJo said...

I still remember where I was as I opened your "Reagan Day" post.. She has blossomed into such a beautiful little girl.. It is hard to believe it's been 3 years..

I love this set of your baby girl!!!

Thankful that the gift of adoption has allowed us to be friends!

Blessings,
diana

Mary Gene Atwood said...

Very touching post. Such sweet sentiments, and such a lucky little girl to land into such an incredible family! I know she has blessed you, and you are lucky to have her. Just goes to show, God doesn't make mistakes. Better late than never, soak it all up!

diane said...

What a lovely story and lovely photos. You are all lucky to have each other :-D

Stefanie said...

Just beautiful in every way, my friend. How she has been transformed into a confident, treasured daughter - amazing what love can do!
oxoxo!

Jodee said...

What a sweet post! Congrats on three happy years together! Time sure flies when you are having fun!

...melody... said...

This is such a sweet note with some lovely shots along with it! Love the crown. :)

Ashley said...

Blessings for your three years of forever!

Ashley

Mimi said...

Love is what lights up our souls.
Just look at the difference in Reagan's eyes- she sparkling! i know she has lit up your life, Lisa, and your family too, but Reagan is one lucky little girl to have landed in your loving family.
Love the ones of her with the stick, so funny!

Mimi said...

Lisa, Belated Happy Birthday! Hope you had a great day!

likeschocolate said...

I also find it hard to believe that three years have passed. It truly feels like yesterday.

Tiffany said...

Congratulations, what a beautiful post. I loved going back to your first post...thank you for sharing your miracle with all of us.

Tiffany

Ty said...

Beautiful girl!
Happy Gotcha Day, Reagan!

PS- What program do you use to edit your pictures?

RaD said...

How beautiful! Both your girl and the emotion in this post.

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

Hi Ty,

I use adobe photoshop CS6 for all of my post processing!

Unknown said...

What a beautiful post ... made me cry this morning as I read it. xoxo Happy Forever Family day!

Unknown said...

How beautiful, she has come so far.

God bless you and your forever family, sweet Reagan! <3

molly said...

Oh my goodness she is soooo beautiful

Mollyxxx

Gina Kleinworth said...

So many blessings my friend- she's growing into such a gorgeous young lady. It's been wonderful to watch her grow- I remember the first year & it's amazing to see how far all of you have come.

Virginia said...

Wow, Lisa, such big changes in your sweet Reagan. Beautiful words and Beautiful photos of your growing girl. Look at how long her hair has gotten!

Gin =)

Hunan Mommy said...

Catching up on looking at blogs. Always such fun to see what the others from Chenzhou are up to especially with such beautiful photos. My Chenzhou girl reacted the same way in the first few days.