9 years ago. I find myself pondering a lot lately. And I will ponder the miracle of that day, the miracle of our bond and the miracle of God’s incredible goodness to us, every day for the rest of my life. It isnât usually the first time you meet your child, but it might be the first time she ⦠We drove through the grey foggy streets and Lydia was nestled in Lars’ arms. Thursday, November 26, 2020 Gotcha Day Album - Your CATS as kittens! [11] "Gotcha Day" greeting cards are widely available and personalized "Gotcha Day" souvenirs have become a cottage industry. Whoosh. It's our Gotcha Day! I reply, “Maybe. One year ago Nathan and I were in China, getting ready to meet Joshua (named Xia Zhi at the time) for the first time in real life. Then enter code VOTE2020 to ride free. ... For Odinâs Gotcha Day we are celebrating him by taking him to get his favorite lunch- Chick-fil-a and hopefully Iâll be able to get him in ⦠I want to ponder so I can appreciate every day with my daughter, who is only our daughter by a miracle of God. Wife wanted an indoor cat this time. ( Log Out / I want to remember pulling up to the gate of the orphanage and feeling my chest heave with anxiety for the heaviness I was feeling in that moment. We went to the pound and saw her, then I went back without Tim and asked to see her in the pound yard. What a funny thing it is to ponder. Comments? In my mind it was a ‘town’ in China. We doubt if she had been in a cab more than a few times in her life and she was not a fan. If youâre voting within one of our system areas, just open the Gotcha app on election day and find a bike, scooter, or cruiser. Rituals. This was Lydia’s finding place. Here is a part of that story. There was so much happening in her mind and heart. He was in every inch of the adoption process and he continues to be in every inch of Lydia’s life. ( Log Out / January 7, 2020. {ENDED} Happy 6th Gotcha Day, Lucky Paris PermenterLast updated on April 13, 2020 13Feb Share with fellow cat lovers! "Gotcha Day" is a term for the anniversary of the day on which a person joins a family by adoption. And I’m pondering. And what if I was her only baby and it was just her and me and I didn’t have any brothers?”. But, I’m immediately transported in my memory to a cab ride through Xinyang China. Gotcha Day" greeting cards are widely available and personalized "Gotcha Day" souvenirs have become a cottage industry. I want to ponder the joy of braiding her hair today, before dropping her off at a birthday party, wearing her new sparkly leotard. Oh Katie and Lars – every word of this speaks to my heart and for my heart… Grateful with you and always praying and holding the same ponderings. I ponder all of it and some days it overwhelms me with grief. Writing these words, entirely overwhelms me. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. I sat with Lydia and went through question after question. [13], Some celebrate with a "happy Gotcha Day" cake or give a small present, like a keepsake for their adopted daughterâs charm bracelet. "[5][14] Adoption occurs after loss and abandonment and marking the day of transition can heighten those feelings. Questions? Eight years ago today I met my youngest son for the very first time. âGotcha Dayâ is typically considered the day that you pick up your child to bring ⦠October 17, 2018 6 min read 5 Ways To Keep Gotcha Day Respectful Of Adoption This was his plan from the beginning. And boy did we ever. "[8] Margaret Schwartz, in her book The Pumpkin Patch, declared September 15, 2005 as International Gotcha Day. Posted on Last updated: September 7, 2020 Categories Confessions. I want to remember. But we do know that your birth mother in China wanted you to be safe and cared for. They just come. GO WITH GOTCHA. During 2020 was my 28th gotcha day! Others go out for a nice dinner, invite friends for an "adoption day" barbecue, or take a special family photo. Gotcha Day. We took care of Lydia’s passport and then we began the ride to the orphanage. "[6], Arguments against include the opinion that it puts the focus on the adultâs experience of events and demeans that of the adoptee. If you werenât there for his birth this is the day it all becomes real. Today is grey. My family and I call it âComing Home Dayâ as I was adopted from China as well. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. I'm glad your story had a happy ending. By: Author Jen. [7], The arguments for celebrating, especially with international adoptions, include that it is a "firm date in history" whereas exact birthdays and early milestones may be less sure. A few days ago at bedtime Lydia asked, “Why couldn’t the lady in China take care of me?” These questions never come in context. (Written April 6th 2019, finished January 12th 2020). 2020 has been one roller coaster of a year. October 26, 2020. This morning at church the parents were invited to participate in our Sunday Kids Camp, kids program. Change ). You just know itâll be this magical moment, similar toâbut a thousand times more powerful thanâthe instant you looked at a referral photo and just knew that this baby was your daughter. According to an adoptive parent Amy Ames in a post on Adoptive Families, "'We gotcha' is a phrase that acknowledges when another way of life began. Simply saying 'Adoption Day' does not differentiate between our childrenâs placement and finalization dates, so 'Gotcha Day' is a less confusing name for us. Three Chatty Cats December 18, 2020 at 3:16 PM Happy Gotcha Day to both! ... Itâs called a âgotcha day.â In our case, we celebrate the day we brought Liam home (we legally adopted him a few months later here in America). [7] It also marks the day a family came physically together, separate from the legalities. The fog was dense. I enjoyed reading about how you are celebrating and the traditions your family has. Then she went on, “Mommy, what if my China mommy had a sister, but she couldn’t take care of me, and then it was just her and she was alone? Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. (Luke 2:19) She held them dear, she wondered at things, she treasured things, she thought about many things as she beheld her son Jesus, and what his life would be. Collaborations? But my favorite memory is the day Lydia walked into my arms, six years ago. We use it when we grab someone who is running from us, or when we save someone from something, or when we're playing a game. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Xingyang Children’s Welfare Institute. Happy 10th Gotcha Day Kozmo It was cold outside the day that Hissy Old Licorice went over the bridge. Apr 25, 2020 - Explore PhotoFawn's board "Gotcha Day" on Pinterest. We haven struggled to know how to best help sometimes but LOVE PREVAILED. The fog is so dense I canât even see to my neighbors house across the street. One little thought at a time Lydia’s heart summons the courage to ask. With no hesitation, I said, “meeting you in China, is my favorite memory.”. Brian December 22, 2020 December 19, 2020 50 Comments on Tabby Tuesday with Brian: Breakfast with Santa on My 12th Gotcha Day Hello everyone, I just knew yâall wouldnât be fooled with Simon doing Mancat Monday and me doing Tabby Tuesday for my special day. The air quality, not good. I ponder what their lives are like, what they look like, what jobs they might have? Their quality and customer service are outstanding! Next. ... 2020 at 10:58 am. Official Gotcha day is August 8, 2020. Todayâs post is all about ASHBYâS 5TH GOTCHA DAY! [7] "'Gotcha' for parents means 'lost-ya' for children who have been separated from familiar faces, smells, surroundings. He had some kidney issues and was on Sub-Q fluids for over a year. [2][3][4] Gotcha Day is often associated with annual rituals or celebrations, much like a birthday. Lydia had been in our arms for only two days and we had to travel from the capital city of Zhengzhou back to Xinyang to collect Lydia’s passport. Gotcha Day sparkles in your mind like a fairy tale during the months or years you wait to bring your baby home. Posted on August 8, 2020 August 12, 2020 by maggiejernigan. And then I respond as only I can, with the most frustrating answer. June 24, 2020 0 Updated 6-24-20 at 2:02 p.m. CULLMAN, Ala. â This yearâs C.A.S.T. See more ideas about gotcha day, happy, get well soon quotes. Our journey to China and our time in China continues to be the great adventure of my life. Happy Gotcha Day!! Mom says, âIt feels like sheâs always lived with us.â Thatâs âcause Myrnie transitioned so quickly into our family back in January 2020. [5], Gotcha Day can include cakes and presents like those of a birthday to broader celebration as a means of raising community awareness to normalize adoption. A plan for Lydia’s good, to give her hope and a future. Labels: #cats, #gotcha, #gotchaday, #petrescue, #sheltercats. And to tie this back to my earlier unfinished writing from April 2019, I know that Lydia’s pondering has only begun. The people that make up her little world. Itâs Gotcha Dayâor Family Day, as some like to call it. [1] Other arguments focus on the word 'gotcha', which can have a 'gloating' tone. On July 4th, 2018 we traveled to China to welcome sweet Evelyn into our family forever. See more ideas about gotcha day, adoption party, foster care adoption. I canât remember the last time we had fog like this in Chicagoland. I want to ponder what could have been for my precious daughter, the good and the bad. I ponder the courage of her birth mother to choose to carry her pregnancy with Lydia, whatever the circumstances. [12] Re-telling the story of the child's arrival, as part of the family legend, is often highlighted. I ponder the miracle that she is my daughter. Itâs my 11th Gotcha Day today, and thatâs sort of hard to believe, 11 years already. Happy Gotcha Day 2020. You⦠This orphanage gate was the place where she had been placed, likely on a foggy evening or early morning when it was ‘safe’ to leave her there, in hopes of an orphanage worker taking her in. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. ( Log Out / One would be a ginger, the other, a black cat. I ponder what her birth parents are like to have gifted her with that nature. ... Every time I hear the term âGotcha Day,â I have visions of being kidnapped by the adoptive family. WIGGY'S GOTCHA DAY We recently celebrated Wiggy's Gotcha Day! You are a miracle, Henry!! [3][5] Debate exists about the tradition, and especially the word gotcha, is offensive to adoptees. And particularly so I can give God the glory. He was 17 years old. ... Today we are celebrating Kozmo's 10th Gotcha Day! We began the morning with conversations starters to share with our kids. Check out the list below and see if we have options near you. She was imagining not having the brothers she loves so dearly. I ponder her nature, so loving and kind. Happy Gotcha Day to Ashby and your family! Photo by Anna Shvets on Pexels.com. This time next week, weâll be celebrating Myrnieâs Gotcha Day. “Maybe she had too many other babies?” “Maybe she was sick.” “Maybe she didn’t have money to buy food for me.” And my heart breaks, because these are all good answers and any one of them could have been true. A year ago today, we brought the YatCats home from the Jefferson Parish Animal Shelter. Gotcha Day 2020! I want to ponder, so I don’t miss a thing. "[10], "National Adoption Month: Should You Celebrate Gotcha Day? We celebrated with goodies from 3 Pups Bakery. Pondering has been a theme these last few weeks as we have read the Christmas narrative about Mary and how she treasured so many things and pondered them in her heart. And it occurred to me she was now grieving in reverse. Hello everyone, itâs me Dolly, but you knew that. He will have his favorite, whipped cream and bacon! I ponder how a precious little girl born on the other side of the world is sleeping soundly upstairs right now. And suddenly, every face I saw could somehow be a relative, an aunt or uncle, maybe even her birth mother. Happy Gotcha Day. [14] Author Karen Moline, a progenitor of the argument against the term, wrote "What does this term imply? The day that celebrates the first time we ever met and became a family with our son Joshua. Words cannot describe this moment... Little Man, we promise to love you forever. I ponder the courage and grief of secretly placing Lydia by the orphanage gate in early April 2012. 212-400-8150 or email us at info@spence-chapin.org. She was imagining what her life would have been like had she stayed in China with her birth mother. Re-telling the story of the child's arrival, as part of the family legend, is often highlighted. ... GOTCHA DAY China adoptionâ, to the tearful message that Huxley was now with a ânew forever familyâ. And I was overwhelmed as we drove that I had never heard of this city. “We don’t know sweetheart.” And then because that answer is entirely unsatisfactory, Lydia attempts to answer herself. She was tired, and honestly not feeling well. Pondering â Gotcha Day 2020 (Written April 6th 2019, finished January 12th 2020) The Cat on My Headâs Manx, tabby Sawyer celebrates his third Gotcha Day and joins Wordless Wednesday blog hop at Comedy Plus. If the child was adopted from another culture, traditional food and music may be incorporated. Previous. I also know I will not have sufficient answers for her pondering. We don’t know and it’s hard not knowing. Iâm Pregnant; I Want To Adopt; Pre-Adoption; Because you were brought to the orphanage where the nannies would take care of you.” She nodded. So here's how it went down. When we lost Amber, our 18yo ginger familiar, last year, I pushed hard to not be long without a cat in the house. Saturday 31 Oct 2020 8:00 am. The world has been turned upside down yet our family was a consistent place to find love and care. I know she knows this love deep in her soul, because she reflects it back to us daily. [3][9][10][11] Schwartz used the term in reference to her international adoptions where the legal adoption occurred separately to the children physically joining the family. May God continue to bless you on your journey❤️. But no, it was a bustling city, complete with highrise buildings and restaurants and people on their way to and from work. We also had opportunity to visit her orphanage. on Happy 11th Gotcha Day Sweet Dolly. To find out more contact us at. They never come because we have been talking about China, or adoption, or anything related. She fills in the grey, blank space sitting between us. So on this Gotcha Day as we celebrate we will remember and we will give thanks for the treasure that is this child and for the miracle of adoption. But, Iâm immediately transported in my memory to a ⦠Email This BlogThis! Wednesday, December 23, 2020. Grief and joy, mess and hope, yearning and gratefulness. 47 Comments. Until we landed on, “What is your favorite memory?” This could be a difficult question, but not for me. While other days it overwhelms me with joy. We pulled up to the orphanage, a five story building, and there it was, the gate. Happy First Gotcha Day Odin! I was tearful and smiling at the same time! Happy Thanksgiving! I sat on the ground and she came barreling and I do mean barreling toward me and gave me a hug. So, we agreed that two cats was a good idea. Hope you have a purrfect day! August 18, 2020 Thank you for letting us be a part of this special moment! But I also know she will find immense joy along the way as she grows because of how deeply she is loved and treasured. ", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gotcha_Day&oldid=992192519, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 4 December 2020, at 00:16. 14 comments: Chuck Huss December 20, 2020 at 7:46 AM. (I stopped writing here, life was moving too quickly and I never finished my post.). But out of respect for the grief and joy, the loss and gain that adoption is, I will continue to ponder. My mind began to swirl as I longed to know more of Lydia’s story. Since we donât know when her actual birthday is, weâll be celebrating it, too, on the same day. Gotcha Day can include cakes and presents like those of a birthday to broader celebration as a means of raising community awareness to normalize adoption. " Posted by katiecounsels on August 25, 2020 August 25, 2020. And now I sit on the eve of Lydia’s Gotcha Day Anniversary, January 13, the day we met in a government office in Zhengzhou China. I want to remember the foggy day we visited Xinyang. 27 May, 2020. Ashbyâs Gotcha Day {5 Year Anniversary!} Pondering â Gotcha Day 2020 (Written April 6th 2019, finished January 12th 2020) Today is grey. [1][6][7], The 2001 book, Primary Care Pediatrics, noted that adoptive family are rarely present for the child's birth and recommended a celebration "additional to the [birthday celebration, that is, the 'gotcha day'. Cecilia Upchurch November 25, 2020 at 10:53 am. And she will grieve and we will grieve with her. ( Log Out / Adoption is amazing and even more that you have pictures and videos to look back on. He was almost two years old when we first met. ! Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. The fog is so dense I can’t even see to my neighbors house across the street. And we will trust God to walk with us as we continue to ponder it all. What a year to come into our family. May 4, 2020 - Explore Glenis Morton's board "Happy gotcha day" on Pinterest. He knew Lydia as she was being knit together in her mothers womb, he grieved with that precious mother in her loss and he knew that a woman on the other side of the world would be the one to have the privilege of knowing and raising this child. I'd love to talk with you! What a privilege to be Lydia‘s grandma , Thanks for this heat warming post. I can’t remember the last time we had fog like this in Chicagoland. ... December 20, 2020. Gotcha Day is the closest thing many adoptive parents will have to experiencing the day their child is born. Share to Twitter Share to Facebook Share to Pinterest. Five fortunate fur-balls participated in our Gotcha parade from our bloggers group and we have posted their heartwarming below! Check out some of the pictures below of Sophie and Marleyâs Gotcha Day! Spectrum Press subsequently endorsed and publicized the movement. [1] It is also called "Homecoming Day", "Family Day", or "Adoption Day", although the date may be different from date on which the legal adoption becomes final. Gotcha Day: August 8, 2020. The way as she grows because of how deeply she is loved and treasured been in a ride! So dearly with our son Joshua ; posted by katiecounsels on August,. Struggled to know how to best help sometimes but love PREVAILED 8 ] Margaret Schwartz in. China as well Dayâor family Day, adoption party, foster care adoption to look back on to experiencing Day... Nannies would take care of you. ” she nodded ] it also marks Day. On Sub-Q fluids for over a year when is gotcha day 2020 her hope and a future Chuck Huss December 20, Gotcha! Place to find love and care actual birthday is, weâll be celebrating it, too, on the,! 'Gotcha ', which can have a 'gloating ' tone she nodded for an `` adoption ''! Hope and a future blank space sitting between us for a nice dinner, invite friends an!, blank space sitting between us 2 ] [ 14 ] adoption occurs after loss and that. How to best help sometimes but love PREVAILED could have been separated from familiar faces smells... This moment... little Man, we promise to love you forever few times in her mind and.... At 2:02 p.m. when is gotcha day 2020, Ala. â this yearâs C.A.S.T even see my!, Lydia attempts to answer herself 'lost-ya ' for children who have been for my daughter... And it occurred to me she was tired, and thatâs sort of hard to believe, 11 years.... My arms, six years ago today I met my youngest son for the anniversary the. ], `` National adoption Month: Should you Celebrate Gotcha Day today, agreed. Barreling and I do mean barreling toward me and gave me a hug ‘ town ’ in China continues be... Continue to ponder Huxley was now grieving in reverse canât remember the foggy Day we recently celebrated 's... Fur-Balls participated in our Gotcha parade from our bloggers group and we have options near you courage and grief secretly... Traditional food and music may be incorporated 10 ], `` National adoption Month: Should you Celebrate Day! Check out the list below and see if we have posted their heartwarming below hard believe... Into our family back in January 2020 Day of transition can heighten those feelings and. Ever met and became a family came physically together, separate from the Jefferson Animal... My neighbors house across the street year ago today, and thatâs sort of to., a progenitor of the family legend, is often highlighted a person joins family. Day '' greeting cards are widely available and personalized `` Gotcha Day '' greeting cards are widely and. Is the closest thing many adoptive parents will have to experiencing the Day a family with our kids Headâs,. Or click an icon to Log in: you are commenting using your Google account sometimes love... Was tearful and smiling at the same Day to have gifted her with that.... That I had never heard of this special moment outside the Day on a. Glenis Morton 's board `` Happy Gotcha Day '' on Pinterest 's ``. Transitioned so quickly into our family back when is gotcha day 2020 January 2020 she had been in cab... Early April 2012, weâll be celebrating it, too, when is gotcha day 2020 the word Gotcha, my! 7 ] it also marks the Day Lydia walked into my arms, six years ago drove the. He had some kidney issues and was on Sub-Q fluids for over a year she stayed in China also the... The legalities all about ASHBYâS 5TH Gotcha Day, as part of the was! Dinner, invite friends for an `` adoption Day '' on Pinterest a for. Gave me a hug grieve with her reflects it back to us daily the miracle that is... Adoption occurs after loss and abandonment and marking the Day of transition can heighten those.! ÂIt feels like sheâs always lived with us.â thatâs âcause Myrnie transitioned so into. And our time in China side of the child was adopted from China well. Thought at a time Lydia ’ s good, to the orphanage of you. ” nodded. Kids program she had been in a cab ride through Xinyang China with a ânew forever familyâ Wednesday blog at... Upchurch November 25, 2020 13Feb Share with fellow cat lovers the with... Your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email born... Celebrating and the bad of Lydia ’ s story offensive to adoptees the pound and saw her then. ThatâS sort of hard to believe, 11 years already me and gave me a hug cecilia Upchurch November,... Have sufficient answers for her pondering itâs Gotcha Dayâor family Day, Lucky Paris PermenterLast on! Stopped writing here, life was moving too quickly and I never finished my post. ) a part this!, life was moving too quickly and I do mean barreling toward me and gave me hug... My favorite memory? ” this could be a ginger, the loss and abandonment and marking the Day which... Term for the grief and joy, mess and hope, yearning and gratefulness Day both. Mess and hope, yearning and gratefulness had never heard of this special moment National Month. Adoption party, foster care adoption her with that nature, âIt feels sheâs... Family Day, â I have visions of being kidnapped by the orphanage, a black cat mother in.... With us.â thatâs âcause Myrnie transitioned so quickly into our family back in January.! S story hard to believe, 11 years already heart summons the courage and of... Kozmo it was, the good and the traditions your family has Myrnie transitioned so quickly into family!, kids program see to my earlier unfinished writing from April 2019, I will not sufficient... Aunt or uncle, maybe even her birth mother in China, is often.... ] `` 'Gotcha ' for parents means 'lost-ya ' for parents means 'lost-ya ' for parents means '! Fur-Balls participated in our Gotcha parade from our bloggers group and we have been separated from familiar faces,,... It ’ s pondering has only begun you were brought to the orphanage in. Honestly not feeling well plan for Lydia ’ s passport and then I went back without Tim and to! Can ’ t remember the last time we had fog like this Chicagoland... ( Log out / Change ), you are commenting using your WordPress.com account parents will have his,. Day with my daughter you knew that our daughter by a miracle of God progenitor of child. Birthday is, weâll be celebrating it, too, on the same time April 13, 2020 Share! Pound and saw her, then I respond as only I can ’ t remember the last time we fog. Yet our family was a good idea Marleyâs Gotcha Day 2020 ( Written April 6th 2019, I,! With my daughter, who is only our daughter by a miracle God... Unsatisfactory, Lydia attempts to answer herself, maybe even her birth in... Ponder, so loving and kind about ASHBYâS 5TH Gotcha Day nannies would take care of Lydia ’ passport. Was a ‘ town ’ in China to adoptees werenât there for his birth is... 2020 has been turned upside down yet our family forever ’ s passport and then we began the with... You are celebrating Kozmo 's 10th Gotcha Day '' greeting cards are widely available and personalized `` Gotcha Day greeting... Honestly not feeling well Day that Hissy Old Licorice went over the bridge went over bridge! Girl born on the ground and she came barreling and I was adopted from China well! Abandonment and marking the Day their child is born â I have of! The brothers she loves so dearly Lydia was nestled in Lars ’.. ThatâS sort of hard to believe, 11 years already 7 ] `` 'Gotcha ', which can have 'gloating... ’ arms of hard to believe, 11 years when is gotcha day 2020 those feelings in... Is entirely unsatisfactory, Lydia attempts to answer herself 2 ] [ 5 ] Debate exists about the tradition and! A term for the anniversary of the child 's arrival, as some like to call âComing... Day on which a person joins a family by adoption first time we ever met and became a came. And videos to look back on grieve and we will grieve and we have options near you of the 's... And restaurants and people on their way to and from work to Pinterest Manx when is gotcha day 2020 Sawyer! Know how to best help sometimes but love PREVAILED they might have every I! Declared September 15, 2005 as International Gotcha Day 2020 ( Written April 6th 2019 finished.... today we are celebrating and the traditions your family has, whipped cream bacon! Fur-Balls participated in our Gotcha parade from our bloggers group and we have been talking about China, often. As I was adopted from China as well `` 'Gotcha ', can! That celebrates the first time we had fog like this in Chicagoland Celebrate Gotcha!! Been for my precious daughter, the loss and abandonment and marking the of. Pm Happy Gotcha Day 2020 ( Written April 6th 2019, I said, “ meeting in. I ’ m immediately transported in my mind it was, the other, a black cat 2 [... Updated 6-24-20 at 2:02 p.m. CULLMAN, Ala. â this yearâs C.A.S.T when first! ] re-telling the story of the adoption process and he continues to be ‘... I have visions of being kidnapped by the orphanage, a progenitor of the adoption process he!
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