... GOTCHA DAY China adoption’, to the tearful message that Huxley was now with a ‘new forever family’. To find out more contact us at. It’s Gotcha Day—or Family Day, as some like to call it. "Gotcha Day" is a term for the anniversary of the day on which a person joins a family by adoption. The fog is so dense I can’t even see to my neighbors house across the street. So, we agreed that two cats was a good idea. We took care of Lydia’s passport and then we began the ride to the orphanage. Previous. Re-telling the story of the child's arrival, as part of the family legend, is often highlighted. And particularly so I can give God the glory. Photo by Anna Shvets on Pexels.com. Gotcha Day 2020! I'd love to talk with you! Then enter code VOTE2020 to ride free. He was almost two years old when we first met. {ENDED} Happy 6th Gotcha Day, Lucky Paris PermenterLast updated on April 13, 2020 13Feb Share with fellow cat lovers! October 26, 2020. With no hesitation, I said, “meeting you in China, is my favorite memory.”. Writing these words, entirely overwhelms me. "[6], Arguments against include the opinion that it puts the focus on the adult’s experience of events and demeans that of the adoptee. 47 Comments. Wife wanted an indoor cat this time. (I stopped writing here, life was moving too quickly and I never finished my post.). She was imagining not having the brothers she loves so dearly. What a year to come into our family. He will have his favorite, whipped cream and bacon! Happy Gotcha Day. I ponder the miracle that she is my daughter. I was tearful and smiling at the same time! ... 2020 at 10:58 am. [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. The fog is so dense I can’t even see to my neighbors house across the street. Gotcha Day is the closest thing many adoptive parents will have to experiencing the day their child is born. This was his plan from the beginning. What a funny thing it is to ponder. And I’m pondering. Happy Gotcha Day to Ashby and your family! Posted on August 8, 2020 August 12, 2020 by maggiejernigan. Grief and joy, mess and hope, yearning and gratefulness. A plan for Lydia’s good, to give her hope and a future. We went to the pound and saw her, then I went back without Tim and asked to see her in the pound yard. And boy did we ever. WIGGY'S GOTCHA DAY We recently celebrated Wiggy's Gotcha Day! Xingyang Children’s Welfare Institute. Posted on Last updated: September 7, 2020 Categories Confessions. Rituals. Pondering – Gotcha Day 2020 (Written April 6th 2019, finished January 12th 2020) She was imagining what her life would have been like had she stayed in China with her birth mother. I sat with Lydia and went through question after question. Questions? Whoosh. This time next week, we’ll be celebrating Myrnie’s Gotcha Day. Gotcha Day. While other days it overwhelms me with joy. "[8] Margaret Schwartz, in her book The Pumpkin Patch, declared September 15, 2005 as International Gotcha Day. And then I respond as only I can, with the most frustrating answer. January 7, 2020. Five fortunate fur-balls participated in our Gotcha parade from our bloggers group and we have posted their heartwarming below! I know she knows this love deep in her soul, because she reflects it back to us daily. I want to ponder what could have been for my precious daughter, the good and the bad. [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. One little thought at a time Lydia’s heart summons the courage to ask. I enjoyed reading about how you are celebrating and the traditions your family has. By: Author Jen. Pondering – Gotcha Day 2020 (Written April 6th 2019, finished January 12th 2020) Today is grey. Happy 10th Gotcha Day Kozmo It was cold outside the day that Hissy Old Licorice went over the bridge. In my mind it was a ‘town’ in China. Change ). 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. Others go out for a nice dinner, invite friends for an "adoption day" barbecue, or take a special family photo. We began the morning with conversations starters to share with our kids. This was Lydia’s finding place. 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 y’all wouldn’t be fooled with Simon doing Mancat Monday and me doing Tabby Tuesday for my special day. I ponder what her birth parents are like to have gifted her with that nature. Eight years ago today I met my youngest son for the very first time. [2][3][4] Gotcha Day is often associated with annual rituals or celebrations, much like a birthday. Next. The air quality, not good. Email This BlogThis! 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 ponder all of it and some days it overwhelms me with grief. It isn’t usually the first time you meet your child, but it might be the first time she … Happy Gotcha Day!! The fog was dense. But no, it was a bustling city, complete with highrise buildings and restaurants and people on their way to and from work. When we lost Amber, our 18yo ginger familiar, last year, I pushed hard to not be long without a cat in the house. [13], Some celebrate with a "happy Gotcha Day" cake or give a small present, like a keepsake for their adopted daughter’s charm bracelet. [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'. One would be a ginger, the other, a black cat. Words cannot describe this moment... Little Man, we promise to love you forever. See more ideas about gotcha day, adoption party, foster care adoption. My mind began to swirl as I longed to know more of Lydia’s story. He was in every inch of the adoption process and he continues to be in every inch of Lydia’s life. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. I’m Pregnant; I Want To Adopt; Pre-Adoption; So here's how it went down. I reply, “Maybe. I ponder what their lives are like, what they look like, what jobs they might have? A year ago today, we brought the YatCats home from the Jefferson Parish Animal Shelter. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. [7] It also marks the day a family came physically together, separate from the legalities. The Cat on My Head’s Manx, tabby Sawyer celebrates his third Gotcha Day and joins Wordless Wednesday blog hop at Comedy Plus. 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. Spectrum Press subsequently endorsed and publicized the movement. Happy Thanksgiving! 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. " I ponder how a precious little girl born on the other side of the world is sleeping soundly upstairs right now. See more ideas about gotcha day, happy, get well soon quotes. The world has been turned upside down yet our family was a consistent place to find love and care. [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. But, I’m immediately transported in my memory to a … During 2020 was my 28th gotcha day! Saturday 31 Oct 2020 8:00 am. Hope you have a purrfect day! ( Log Out /  Gotcha Day: August 8, 2020. Happy First Gotcha Day Odin! This morning at church the parents were invited to participate in our Sunday Kids Camp, kids program. On July 4th, 2018 we traveled to China to welcome sweet Evelyn into our family forever. But out of respect for the grief and joy, the loss and gain that adoption is, I will continue to ponder. ... Today we are celebrating Kozmo's 10th Gotcha Day! "[5][14] Adoption occurs after loss and abandonment and marking the day of transition can heighten those feelings. And what if I was her only baby and it was just her and me and I didn’t have any brothers?”. She fills in the grey, blank space sitting between us. 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. I ponder her nature, so loving and kind. 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. [14] Author Karen Moline, a progenitor of the argument against the term, wrote "What does this term imply? He was 17 years old. And we will trust God to walk with us as we continue to ponder it all. 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. We drove through the grey foggy streets and Lydia was nestled in Lars’ arms. Hello everyone, it’s me Dolly, but you knew that. ... Every time I hear the term “Gotcha Day,” I have visions of being kidnapped by the adoptive family. If the child was adopted from another culture, traditional food and music may be incorporated. We haven struggled to know how to best help sometimes but LOVE PREVAILED. I want to ponder the joy of braiding her hair today, before dropping her off at a birthday party, wearing her new sparkly leotard. I ponder the courage and grief of secretly placing Lydia by the orphanage gate in early April 2012. You… ... It’s called a “gotcha day.” In our case, we celebrate the day we brought Liam home (we legally adopted him a few months later here in America). And I was overwhelmed as we drove that I had never heard of this city. But I also know she will find immense joy along the way as she grows because of how deeply she is loved and treasured. And to tie this back to my earlier unfinished writing from April 2019, I know that Lydia’s pondering has only begun. What a privilege to be Lydia‘s grandma , Thanks for this heat warming post. If you’re voting within one of our system areas, just open the Gotcha app on election day and find a bike, scooter, or cruiser. I ponder the courage of her birth mother to choose to carry her pregnancy with Lydia, whatever the circumstances. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. ! They just come. Three Chatty Cats December 18, 2020 at 3:16 PM Happy Gotcha Day to both! And she will grieve and we will grieve with her. Labels: #cats, #gotcha, #gotchaday, #petrescue, #sheltercats. I can’t remember the last time we had fog like this in Chicagoland. Share to Twitter Share to Facebook Share to Pinterest. on Happy 11th Gotcha Day Sweet Dolly. “Gotcha Day” 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 I want to ponder, so I don’t miss a thing. She was tired, and honestly not feeling well. He had some kidney issues and was on Sub-Q fluids for over a year. 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. [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. Our journey to China and our time in China continues to be the great adventure of my life. Simply saying 'Adoption Day' does not differentiate between our children’s placement and finalization dates, so 'Gotcha Day' is a less confusing name for us. (Written April 6th 2019, finished January 12th 2020). Because you were brought to the orphanage where the nannies would take care of you.” She nodded. I want to ponder so I can appreciate every day with my daughter, who is only our daughter by a miracle of God. August 18, 2020 Thank you for letting us be a part of this special moment! But my favorite memory is the day Lydia walked into my arms, six years ago. "[10], "National Adoption Month: Should You Celebrate Gotcha Day? We celebrated with goodies from 3 Pups Bakery. Gotcha Day sparkles in your mind like a fairy tale during the months or years you wait to bring your baby home. ( Log Out /  Check out the list below and see if we have options near you. I sat on the ground and she came barreling and I do mean barreling toward me and gave me a hug. 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. Since we don’t know when her actual birthday is, we’ll be celebrating it, too, on the same day. Collaborations? 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. [1] Other arguments focus on the word 'gotcha', which can have a 'gloating' tone. If you weren’t there for his birth this is the day it all becomes real. They never come because we have been talking about China, or adoption, or anything related. It’s my 11th Gotcha Day today, and that’s sort of hard to believe, 11 years already. We don’t know and it’s hard not knowing. [12] Re-telling the story of the child's arrival, as part of the family legend, is often highlighted. I want to remember. The day that celebrates the first time we ever met and became a family with our son Joshua. It's our Gotcha Day! June 24, 2020 0 Updated 6-24-20 at 2:02 p.m. CULLMAN, Ala. – This year’s C.A.S.T. 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? Until we landed on, “What is your favorite memory?” This could be a difficult question, but not for me. Their quality and customer service are outstanding! 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. ", 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. I also know I will not have sufficient answers for her pondering. ... For Odin’s Gotcha Day we are celebrating him by taking him to get his favorite lunch- Chick-fil-a and hopefully I’ll be able to get him in … Check out some of the pictures below of Sophie and Marley’s Gotcha Day! GO WITH GOTCHA. Gotcha Day" greeting cards are widely available and personalized "Gotcha Day" souvenirs have become a cottage industry. Adoption is amazing and even more that you have pictures and videos to look back on. My family and I call it “Coming Home Day” as I was adopted from China as well. I can’t remember the last time we had fog like this in Chicagoland. I'm glad your story had a happy ending. Ashby’s Gotcha Day {5 Year Anniversary!} May God continue to bless you on your journey❤️. Today is grey. 212-400-8150 or email us at info@spence-chapin.org. You just know it’ll be this magical moment, similar to–but a thousand times more powerful than–the instant you looked at a referral photo and just knew that this baby was your daughter. Thursday, November 26, 2020 Gotcha Day Album - Your CATS as kittens! ( Log Out /  But, I’m immediately transported in my memory to a cab ride through Xinyang China. And suddenly, every face I saw could somehow be a relative, an aunt or uncle, maybe even her birth mother. 27 May, 2020. 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. The people that make up her little world. [3][5] Debate exists about the tradition, and especially the word gotcha, is offensive to adoptees. We also had opportunity to visit her orphanage. [11] "Gotcha Day" greeting cards are widely available and personalized "Gotcha Day" souvenirs have become a cottage industry. 14 comments: Chuck Huss December 20, 2020 at 7:46 AM. You are a miracle, Henry!! 2020 has been one roller coaster of a year. Wednesday, December 23, 2020. But we do know that your birth mother in China wanted you to be safe and cared for. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. 9 years ago. Official Gotcha day is August 8, 2020. We pulled up to the orphanage, a five story building, and there it was, the gate. “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. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. 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. May 4, 2020 - Explore Glenis Morton's board "Happy gotcha day" on Pinterest. Cecilia Upchurch November 25, 2020 at 10:53 am. Mom says, “It feels like she’s always lived with us.” That’s ’cause Myrnie transitioned so quickly into our family back in January 2020. Apr 25, 2020 - Explore PhotoFawn's board "Gotcha Day" on Pinterest. 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. We doubt if she had been in a cab more than a few times in her life and she was not a fan. Posted by katiecounsels on August 25, 2020 August 25, 2020. ... December 20, 2020. And it occurred to me she was now grieving in reverse. Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. There was so much happening in her mind and heart. Today’s post is all about ASHBY’S 5TH GOTCHA DAY! “We don’t know sweetheart.”  And then because that answer is entirely unsatisfactory, Lydia attempts to answer herself. Comments? (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. Happy Gotcha Day 2020. [7] "'Gotcha' for parents means 'lost-ya' for children who have been separated from familiar faces, smells, surroundings. I want to remember the foggy day we visited Xinyang. Here is a part of that story. I find myself pondering a lot lately. 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Continue to bless you on your journey❤️ had fog like this in Chicagoland on!, separate from the legalities but no, it was a ‘ town ’ in China wanted you to in... And the bad we when is gotcha day 2020 that I had never heard of this special moment can have a '! Ideas about Gotcha Day we recently celebrated wiggy 's Gotcha Day notifications of new posts by email issues... On Pinterest my family and I never finished my post. ) birthday,! That Lydia ’ s life: Chuck Huss December 20, 2020 at 10:53 AM by katiecounsels on 25.