Thursday, April 8, 2010

Before and After

Do you even recognize this girl?








Nope.  She is gone.  The little girl who lives in my house only looks sad when she doesn't get to wear a sundress.  Yes, that's right.  I forced her to wear pants because it was 40 degrees outside and the wind was sweeping down the plains and we were going to spend the morning watching Jack and Ben play soccer.  And you would have thought I had mortally offended her.  Hilarious!

I've completed the video I started when we passed court.  It takes the journey from paperwork to referral to travel to home!  I think the difference between our referral pix and our "now" pix are AMAZING!!!  I know people told me not to worry about not seeing any smiles... it's just that we had no idea how very smiley she was going to be!!!

Watch and enjoy...
(look, I know it's 4 minutes, so really it's probably only for family.  I won't be offended if you don't make it all the way through.  ;-)



13 comments:

Tracy said...

wow! what an amazingly radiant smile she has! congratulations on becoming a family of 5!

Brooke said...

I loved the video (yes, all 4 and a half minutes of it) and it is such a joy to see Lilah's beautiful smile.

Sylvia said...

Loved every single minute. As if we would miss it. Fantastic, wonderful, emotional, thrilling, thankful...................etc.etc.

Deena said...

What a great video! I have loved following your journey. We recently got our referral - a little girl who is three, and I have yet to see her smile! Thanks for sharing and reassuring me that our little girl probably has a lot of smiling in her future too!

Gwen Oatsvall said...

Beautiful story of His transformation- love seeing these kids blossom once they get home!

Tricia said...

I came across your blog the other night and showed it to my husband. We are praying through adoption from EA, and have talked about a 2-3 year old little girl, so I was DELIGHTED to find your site! The very first thing I told him when I saw your referral pictures: "Honey, this precious girl has only been home for a few weeks. Just a few weeks. and LOOK how different she looks!" Her pictures just seem to radiate how thrilled she is to be part of your family! OH...such beauty in seeing this transformation! Enjoy your lovely family!!

Unknown said...

I ABSOLUTELY love that our first holiday with our kids was Easter! What an amazing testament to new life, new loves and new SMILES. Thank you Father for your provision. While You set the lonely in families, YOu also allowed the Gowers to give Lilah her smile.

I love you guys and can't wait to see you again.

Anonymous said...

Truly a tear jerker!! She doesn't even look like the same child!! What a Blessing for all of you! She is so in the right family!!

Many Blessings!!!!!

Debbie said...

Absolutely Beautiful. You shared it so beautifully. Its such a happy happy story! Praise Him!

Cindy said...

Beautiful video! I was waiting to see her smile...and it is worth the wait! What a beauty!

Toni said...

I love your video and Lilah is so beautiful. I got your blog from another Gladney family that traveled recently. We just got our referral April 5 for a 3.5 year old boy and 5 month old girl. We are so excited. I was wondering if you have any pictures from #1 or #3 homes? That is where my kids are now. My email is tonikingsbury@cox.net if you can give me any advice. And I noticed you brought your boys on the trip. We are planning to take our 8 and 6 year olds with us and would love to hear how it went. Congrats! You have a beautiful family.

Maribeth said...

Be still my heart! My soul rejoices with you! I knew that smile and that lovely girl was there, and it is amazing to see her glow.

Ironically, the boys have a hard time recognizing her in her new pictures. When I tell them who it is, they smile and say "Oh, Abeba."

Tiffany said...

Oh, I cannot stop crying looking through your site!!! What a beautiful video. Could you please tell me the name of that song and who sings it? Thank you!

Selam! G'day! Hello!