Monday, February 8, 2010

ahn-CHEE lee-JAY-nesh. (You are my daughter.)

She is officially ours and we are officially hers.

I'm so proud to introduce you to my daughter: 
 Lilah Abeba Gower!


Our beautiful daughter!


Adorable!!!!


Referral Picture!  The first picture we ever saw of our girl!


Love those yummy feet!  Wanna eat 'em up!!!


TEARS in her eyes... This one makes me sad for her...


She looks so strong.  Stronger than a little girl should be asked to be.

Lilah Abeba... 
Her Ethiopian name is Abeba which means 'a flower.'  The day before we got our referral we chose the name Lilah, which also means 'a flower'.  And we think she's pretty enough to live up to both names.  She's our beautiful flower girl!

My girl Lilah Abeba, we can't wait to see you SMILE.  You've been so strong  So strong for far too long.  We look forward to allowing you to be weak; allowing you to be a little girl.  To holding you when you cry.  To tickling you until you laugh... OH!  How I long to hear your laugh!  We are your family.  And we love you.  We will do whatever it takes to help you be all you ever want to be.  


Because we are YOURS.  Forever.  Forever and ever.  




We travel the week of Spring Break!  Is that great or WHAT?!?!?  My husband predicted we would be traveling March 11-19... and that is exactly the time frame (plus a few more days) that we will probably travel!!!!!!

33 comments:

Anonymous said...

Congrats!! She is BEAUTIFUL!!! She will is so LOVED!!! She has 2 great brothers that will make her laugh too. All these kids have such sad stories (our son too). But we give them happy endings..... YOURS TRULY IS HAPPY!!!!!!
xoxox

veggiemom said...

She's so beautiful! We're so happy for all of you!!!

Maribeth said...

Gayla, I am happy beyond words for you. She truly is beautiful. Congratuations!

The Busters said...

Congratulations!! She is adorable!! So happy for you!!

The Mrs. said...

Congratulations! She is so precious!

Katie Morris said...

YAY! Oh Gayla, I have been waiting for this all morning! She is beautiful. I am so very happy for you!!!

Gail said...

Congratulations Gayla!

She is the most beautiful of flowers!

I can't wait to meet you in Addis.

Brenda said...

Congratulations.....She is Beautiful!!

Sohailah said...

Woo HOOOOOOOO!!!! Yii Yii Yii Yii!!!!

Way too exciting. The one thing I have been praying for you for especially is TIMING. Because of the whole state testing, etc... Oh My Goodness... I am so THRILLED for you!

Brooke said...

Congratulations, Gayla! I saw the video post sitting in my feed last night (but the link didn't work), and I was so excited for you guys. Lilah is beautiful, and I have tears in my eyes reading what you wrote. Bless you guys!

Jen said...

Congratulations!!!! She is beautiful and I can't wait to hear more about her. She does look strong and that will be a good thing for her in the future. She will be strong for those that need someone to lean on. She will be able to handle 2 brothers! ;o) I am so happy for you guys and can't wait to see more pictures!!!

George said...

I'm so happy for you...she's a precious little flower. Just beautiful and so strong too in her photos, just like you wrote.

We had court too today, but our agency doesn't notify us of the outcome for a few days (they wait for the written court order/decree)...I'm green with envy!

Good luck as you prepare to travel!

Brenna said...

Congratulations to your family! She is a beautiful flower!

Charissa said...

Aww... congratulations. She is indeed a beauty!

Vickie said...

Gayla!!!! I am screaming with joy for you guys!!!!!!! She os course is beautiful. I am just thrilled beyond measure. This is such an encouragement to us in our journey. I KNOW that God's timing is perfect. This little girl already yearns for your hugs and kisses. I want to draw her into my arms as well. So thrilled!!! Congratulations Dear Friend!!!

Robyn said...

Congratulations! A beautiful name for a beautiful girl!

Unknown said...

I'm so happy for you. She is absolutely gorgeous.Congratulations!

Kimberlie said...

Gayla,
I am so incredibly joyful right now! I am crying lot's of happy tears. So wonderful that everything is working out to fit the plan that you guys needed. God is so good!

I see that strength in her and that strength has helped her to survive up to now. However, she will learn, and you will watch as the walls come down and she learns that YOU will be strong for her as a Mama is for her child.

Congratulations!

_ said...

Congratulations!!!! She is so beautiful and her name is beautiful and you will all be so great together. I'm so happily jealous for/of you! Let me know if you end up with a big layover at Dulles I could could see you. You need to buy the book "Abeba Goes to Bed"!

neely said...

congrats...welcome to the journey of toddler adoption...it is an awesome, glorious, messy and beautiful journey!
blessings,
nm

Cindy said...

She is just beautiful! Congratulations!

Heidi said...

Oh, I love the coincidence of choosing a name that means flower the day before your referral! I don't think i was just a coincidence! She is beautiful and I can't wait to hear that you put a big smile on her face. What a special moment that is going to be for you when you see her light up for the first time :-)

XOXO,
Heidi

Ellen Enright said...

BEAUTIFUL!!!! I love the story of her name. That is incredible.

Wes and Layla said...

Congratulations! She is gorgeous! I am so happy for you and your family! What a wonderful day! :)

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! I am so happy for you!! We will be flying back to the US just a coupla days before you fly to Addis!

Sweet little Lilah Abeba! I can't wait to meet her in Ethiopia.

Tiffany said...

CONGRATULATIONS to all of your family! She is so beautiful. What a happy day for all of you!

Claire said...

the best news! congratulations on your beautiful dauther - she really does look ready to take on the world! awesome!
Claire

Tracy said...

I just happened upon your blog from Soli Deo Gloria. I am so excited for your blessing. Congratulations!!! I pray Spring Break will be here before you know it so you can see her smile and hug her close. God is so good and I am praising Him there is one less orphan in the world today! Hooray!

Jackie Harmon said...

So excited for you! She is beautiful! Congratulations!

emily said...

Praising the Lord with you for this great blessing!!!!

Lisa and Peter said...

Congratulations! Your family is lovely!

Lisa

Gina Conroy said...

Lilah is beautiful! So happy for you both!

Theresa said...

She is beautiful! My husband and I just arrived home last month wth our second daughter. You are going to love Ethiopia.

Selam! G'day! Hello!