It’s TUESDAY TALK time over here. TUESDAY TALK is a once a month link-up hosted by Fancy Ashley and me. We invite all you bloggers to join us to chat about anything and everything!
These are the topics we’ve touched on so far…
Today, we’re discussing something that trumps all over topics for our family…Britt’s Gotcha Day! You guys! Exactly one year ago today, the five of us waited patiently in a Civil Service Room waiting for Britt to arrive. I can’t even begin to explain to you the nerves we ALL had. Her nannies came in a door and Nixon was the first to yell, “There’s Britt!”. I remember it all like it was yesterday.
The first picture of me and my girl. 🙂
Can you tell how proud those older kiddos were?
On the first day, she latched on to Tab and really wasn’t the biggest fan of me. She definitely preferred him.
Although my mama heart was dying to hold her 24/7, we did everything we could to make her as comfortable as possible.
After some food, lots of family time, and baths she slowly began letting us see little cracks of her personality.
Day Two…she showed us just a teeny bit more of her.
Bless her heart. I can’t even begin to imagine what she was thinking or feeling, but she was oh, so brave. She allowed us to love on her and slowly but surely we got to see more and more glimpses of our Britty.
Our third day in Kunming was COLD. These Texas Slaughters didn’t know how to handle it. We headed to the local Gap for some warmer clothes.
Someone was a fan of the warmer clothes. 😉
Britty nailed her first flight. We were all so proud! And then we were quickly home in Texas celebrating many firsts with our girl.
June was full of doctor’s appointments, check-ups, and…
days spent by the pool. 🙂
In July, we celebrated the Fourth of July with our hometown parade, lots of pool time, and fireworks.
August, brought a really tough palate surgery.
But in September, she was fully recovered and we were eating ALL the solid foods again!
In October, Britt experienced her first costume and trick-or-treating.
In November, our girl turned TWO!
And then she met all of her Missouri family by having her first Thanksgiving in Missouri.
Christmas this past year was extra special with all six of us here.
In January, Britty got to experience her first bowl game and then we quickly made our way to…
Colorado, where she experienced her first snow!
Her first Valentine’s Day followed right behind. She was a fan of all the class parties. 😉
And on her first Spring Break she got to experience the Most Magical Place on Earth, Disney World, with some of our favorites.
I think she was a fan. Don’t you?
In April, she experienced her first Easter.
And now we’re back to a FULL YEAR with this precious girl of ours. This past year has been both the hardest and most rewarding of our lives. We’ve gone from a scared-to-death baby who had no clue who we were to a sweet girl who finds absolute comfort and peace in our arms. The three older kiddos still argue over who sits next to her, who gets to play with her, who swims with her, and on and on. She can still be so shy and reserved in certain situations, but has a loud and silly personality if she’s at home surrounded by her people.
I can’t even begin to express to you how thankful we are for this girl. Our hearts would have missed out on something HUGE if we hadn’t listened to the call of adoption. I strongly urge you to pursue that call yourself if you feel God is prompting you. Trust me when I say, you will not be disappointed.
As we celebrate one year with our Britt Bradford, it makes me think of that quote by Jodi Landers…
“A child born to another woman calls me mommy. The magnitude of that tragedy and the depth of that privilege are not lost on me.”
Oh, how I wish I could meet Britt’s birth mother to hug her neck, assure she is safe, well-cared for, and loved unconditionally, and then tell her a huge thank you for giving us this gift of our precious girl.
Today, you’ll probably find me on the verge of tears ALL DAY LONG! Just because I’m so thankful to be this girl’s mommy.
If you missed any of my adoption posts, you can find them…
Bringing Home Britt Posts…
Adoption Questions Answered…
Post Adoption Updates…
If you’re a blogger and you blogged about anything and everything today, please add your blog to the link-up! Thanks for joining us!
XO
Adoption is so wonderful! Not that Britt wasn’t absolutely precious the day she as handed to you, but I have to say, she looks SO much healthier in the days that followed. Her skin and eyes just seem to glow more. It’s amazing what love can do!!
Well, there's a big ol' lump in my throat and my eyes are brimming with tears. Love your girl so much. And yes, the bigs were BURSTING with pride in that first picture! So precious!
Agh! All the emotions this morning!!! Part of me is like "I cannot believe it's been a year" and then the other part of me is like "it feels like Britt has been a Slaughter forever!". Britty has grown, developed and thrived this year so much and I fully believe it's because of the LOVE AND FAITHFULNESS of you five. You all have done such an amazing job welcoming her into the family and showing her endless love. Happy Gotcha Day sweet Britt!!!
Happy Gotcha Day, Britt! This was the sweetest post! What a blessing this has been to watch unfold for your family! We love that adorable girl!
Now that I'm a ball of tears….Happy Gotcha Day to that adorable little girl and you all as well!
Our dossier is complete and this post gives me all the feels. We have so many emotions waiting for our referral but I know if God calls us to it, He will take us through it 🙂 thanks for sharing, it's so encouraging! xoxo ERIN
Sweet Britt has come so far. I couldn’t love this post more! Happy Gotcha Day!
So happy for you all.
What a beautiful story and girl. You amaze me lady.
Britt is the PERFECT fit in your family – so so happy she is home with y'all!!
Happy Gotcha Day to Miss Britt! You all are thriving as a family of six, she's precious and you can truly see how much she is loved by all of you.
She has just blossomed over the year!! Love this so much!! xoxo
That Inspired Chick
That picture of Britt and Madeley is the best. This post definitely had me in tears. Have a great day celebrating!
What an amazing journey for your family! Everyone looks so happy in every single picture!
She has blossomed this year with you! Happy Gotcha Day! Two of my kiddos have Gotcha Days too and it never gets old celebrating and remembering when we finally had them in our arms 🙂