Friday, August 14, 2009

TODAY IS THE DAY!!!

Today, Friday, August 14th, 2009 is THE day. The day we are privileged to be given a daughter.

How very grateful we are to be at the end of this part of the journey. Our lives are forever changed – and, finally, a new journey awaits!

But, for now, we will bask in the glory of this day – today. A beautiful day, with beautiful news, and a beautiful new reality that we are indeed parents to a beautiful little girl.

And now, all thanks be to God for this precious gift!

86 comments:

Anonymous said...

PRAISE GOD!!!!

Can't wait to meet her. Love you guys!

Tracey (and the gang)

More Dorrs said...

Yay!!!!

-beka

Kristy -Mom To 9 Blessings said...

AHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! WOO HOO!!!!!!!!! What a long journey to your beautiful blessing. CONGRATS on the wonderful news!
Love & Blessings,
Kristy

Farmboy and Buttercup said...

Oh, beautiful!!!

She has just gotten more and more darling.

Now have fun packing!!!

{B} said...

A miracle indeed! We are so very very grateful and can't wait to meet her! Love you all three. Dad and Billie

Jen said...

So happy for you! Welcome to your little girl!

J, A, T and Y said...

Today was THE day....we are rejoicing in your news and ours!!! We love you guys!!!!

Stacy said...

CONGRATULATIONS! We can't wait to meet her!!

Scott, Stacy, Tyler and Nathan

Anonymous said...

SO happy for you! Tears of joy! Glory to God!! She is so beautiful and I am so thrilled for you Mom and Dad!! I know for sure that our daughter had to be roommates with Koko because she was born 2-22-08. We thought we may have been traveling with you but it isn't looking that way. Hope I'm not being to foward, if there is anyway you could take something very little for our son and daughter to get them through the rainy season, it would be such a blessing to us. kmaclam@juno.com
Celebrate God's goodness! Blessings, Leslie & Kevin McDermott

Ryane said...

YES!! Wonderful, wonderful news!!

When do you travel? We leave for Addis on the 12th of Sept. Is that when you are traveling?

So, so excited about this.

Ryane

Beth said...

Beautiful baby. She looks so sweet! I am so very excited for you.

Suzanne & Paul said...

What a wonderful day of celebration - and a lifetime to come! We are sooooo proud of you and your journey! Blessings always to Chad, Susan and Koko! Kind of has a ring to it, don't you think?
Praise God! Love, Suzanne & Paul

emily said...

Praise the Lord!! What a gift. :)

The Love's said...

I have been following and telling your story for...well...awhile and I cannot wait to share this happy ending (or beginning). Welcome to parenthood. It is AMAZING!!!!!!
She is so SWEET! Congrats!

Shasta said...

OH JOY!!! I've been "stalking" your blog all day - hoping that today was, finally, the day. A big congratulations. Koko is beautiful - and definitely worth the wait!

Our family said...

Congrats! I've been thinking of you all morning!

Mary

Anonymous said...

Hallelujah!!! Congratulations to all 3 of you! We are so happy for you and can't wait to meet her.

Heather, Bill, Elise and Adam Davis

amwurst said...

Congratulations!!! Thank you God!!! We are all SOOOO happy for y'all.

Heidi said...

Oh, thank God! She is absolutely beautiful! Congratulations!!!

AprilM said...

Oh my gosh, she's beautiful!!!!Congrats!!!!!Praise God!!!

Amy Johnson said...

Susan and Chad,

Congratulations on your baby Kokos home coming. She is beautiful........ I swear I can hear her giggling in the photos. Blessings and love to you. What a joyous day! Susan, if you ever want a play date for Koko, Maia and I would LOVE to hand out! Love to you all! ~Amy (from way back when at Iliff)

Karenmot said...

Congrats on your beautiful new daughter! What wonderful news!!! Can't wait to meet her!

Amy Johnson said...

Susan and Chad,

Congratulations on your baby Kokos home coming. She is beautiful........ I swear I can hear her giggling in the photos. Blessings and love to you. What a joyous day! Susan, if you ever want a play date for Koko, Maia and I would LOVE to hang out! Love to you all! ~Amy (from way back when at Iliff)

Cassandra Britt said...

HOORAY!! I came home and realized how short the REFERRAL/COURT Process list was and YOUR FAMILY was no longer on it!!! YEAH-So glad to see you on the forever families list!!!

Scott said...

To Sister Susan and Brother Chad,

WOOO HOOO!!! What a story you have to tell Koko about your looooong journey to be with her. Your perseverence through all the tough times has been rewarded. We are so excited for you and can't wait to see our new little niece! Congratulations and love you lots!


To my beautiful new niece, Koko,

Welcome to our family! You are such a precious little girl! We can't wait to meet you and spoil you with lots of love, hugs, kisses and maybe a few other things your Mom and Dad might not approve of... like big tubes of bubble gum balls and toys with hundreds or thousands of little pieces (when you're old enough for those kinds of things, of course)!!! ;-)

See you soon!

Love,
Uncle Scott

Cindy said...

woo-hoo! The news we all have been waiting for! Congratulations mom and dad!

coffeemom said...

WAHOOOOOOOO!!!! SHE is just beautiful! I can't believe I held her over a year ago and now, finally, finally she is officially yours!!! Yahooo! Go, pack, go get your girl! Celebrate big time! Love M

Unknown said...

Wonderful news! Praise to God for this gift!

Peace,
Doug and Donna

The Soucys said...

She is beautiful!!!!! So happy for you!

Lori said...

I tried to leave a message but was crying with Joy and could hardly talk. We are so excited to meet her. Lorin says this is a day to remember for sure.

Love
The Mitchell's

emily said...

Thanking the Lord for His gift to you today! Yay. :)

Traci Shahan said...

Joie de vivre!


Hannah and Taylor are already asking to babysit your daughter, Koko. What a beautiful family and exemplars of faith and patience.

Fred, Traci, Hannah, Taylor

Anonymous said...

I am so very happy for you! Thank God!!!
*hugs and love*
Janita

Oh well, hey! said...

Praise the Lord! You don't know me, but I have been following your blog through a friend who adopted from Etheopia and my heart has broken over and over with your trials, but TODAY IS THE DAY! I got goose bumps and tears and smiled as I watched the pictures stream across the page. Those eyes are stunning and her lips are so sweet - she kept you going all along and sweet Jesus was holding all of your near. So happy for you and may God continue to bless your journey. Oh, yes, and Go Huskers ... I believe I saw you were Cornhusker fans - does she have some Nebraksa goodies yet? God Bless - Praise and Hallelujah!

Robbin Hopkins said...

Certainly worth the wait. She is absolutely gorgeous!!!! Congrats guys. Congrats

Anonymous said...

PRAISE GOD!!! What a gift God has given you and Koko. She has amazing parents and I am so very happy for you.
Love you all,
Mary B

Unknown said...

We are so very happy for you both, having adopted, we know the trials and tribulations on finally getting to hold your new bundle of joy. God Bless you and keep the pictures coming!

Anonymous said...

Congrats! You have certainly shown so many what it means to be steadfast in faith. We're so happy for you and rejoice with you in this day. She's beautiful!! The Bridge family

Anonymous said...

Thanks be to God!!!!!!!
We are crying tears of you for you!

Dave and Jeanette Jenks

Erin Layman said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Erin Layman said...

WOW, where to begin!!! Words cannot express the depth of emotion I feel right now. Like Lori I want to call but can't speak or I'll begin to cry. We love you guys so much and look forward to extending that love to another member of your family. Susan and Chad you are a woderful example of KEEPING THE FAITH!!!!!
Maureen& Layman Family

Kopper said...

Today is YOUR day!!!!! Love to you all!
Fricks

Kopper said...

Today is YOUR day! Love to you all!
Love
Fricks

Unknown said...

Congratulations!!!! I am so happy for the three of you. Praise God.

Shirley Johnson

Christina said...

CONGRATULATIONS!! AT LAST!! I am soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo happy for you!

Elisabeth said...

What joyous news!! I am so happy for you guys!! You have taught me so much about grace and patience. God be with you as you start this next chapter. She is beautiful!!

mama becca said...

WWWWOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Deb McMullen said...

Congrats, This is a very special day that you will always remember and tell stories about it to her for years to come. Can't wait to meet her
Dan and Deb McMullen

Sara said...

How wonderful! Congrats.

chylla4 said...

...and they lived happily ever after!
God Bless!
Chylla4

Tam said...

Amazing. So happy for you guys! What a beautiful family. Congratulations!!

Anonymous said...

Wow!! What great news! We've been following your blog extra close this week, hoping and praying that this would finally be THE day!! Congratulations seems like such a small word for such a long journey and such an incredible gift! We are so happy for you!

Diego and Amy Garcia

Carol Watson said...

What wonderful JOY you must be experiencing! This is truly Amazing Grace after all you've weathered on your trek until now!!

I have just ONE question...where do I sign up for the Grandmas Group? She's gotta have a BUNCH of Grandmas!!

Once all of the tears dry, we're gonna have a BIG party and cry some more!!

x's and o's

Grandma Carol

Anonymous said...

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And who said, "All good things come to those who wait." You have waited, what seems like eternity, and now you will spend a lifetime with a precious gift.

Congratulations!!!! We are sssssoooooooo excited to share this glorius moment with you!!!

Love, Dad and Melissa

PS Carol W. get in line for the grandma thing, . . . . you have a few ahead of you already. . . :<)

Bev and Gordon said...

What a blessing for the two of you.
God Bless you on this special day, God bless your lives on this wonderful journey.

Bev and Gordon Egger

Natalie Fournet said...

Praising God tonight!!! So excited for you....your daughter is BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!

Unknown said...

Congratulations! I don't think I've ever been so excited for a family to pass court. She's incredibly beautiful! Enjoy your time in Ethiopia.
Amy

Tanya said...

I am sitting here with goosebumps! Been checking in all day to hear this GREAT news before we head out tomorrow. I will be sure and look for her and try to take some pictures. OH PRAISE GOD!!!

Anonymous said...

We are so happy for you, what a beautiful daughter. Truly a gift from God.
Jill,John and JM

Tracy H. said...

How truly wonderful this is for you. Congratulations!

Anonymous said...

Praise God! We are so happy for the three of you! Your daughter is beautiful, and we can't wait to meet her. What great news!

Brian, Linda, Lauren, Alli and Ben

Colleen said...

I can't believe it!!! I was expecting bad news, again. I am tearing up; you must've been crying all day!!! What a perfect daughter! GOD IS GREAT!

Awesome video!!

Colleen

Anonymous said...

Yay!!! So happy for you guys, and for Koko... What a blessing! She is absolutely precious.

Patrick (Dave and Rita Johnson's son)

D said...

Yeah! I had to come post before even watching the video...you, of all people, have waited so long!

Start to packing!

Hope deferred makes the heart sick,but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. - Proverbs 13:12

D said...

Okay...watched the video now:

1. She is so amazingly beautiful! As with all these Ethiopian babies...those eyes!

2. I'm just so excited for you. It's so great to finally meet them and see what they're like after starting at those pictures for so long.

Congrats, guys! I am so happy for you and Koko!

Unknown said...

A-DOR-ABLE!! I'm absolutely thrilled for you three! She is one blessed little girl and looks so happy! Welcome home little one!

Nyssa Waak

Anonymous said...

PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!! WHAT A BEAUTIFUL LITTLE GIRL YOU HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH. KOKO IS A LUCKY LITTLE GIRL TO HAVE PARENTS LIKE YOU TWO. ENJOY!!

LOVE YOU GUYS

THE RADTKE'S

Anonymous said...

Thnaks be to God.

Anonymous said...

Thanks be to God. How wonderful that this part of the journey is over. Anxious to meet your little treasure.
Pat Horn

Unknown said...

Chad, Susah,
All four of us jumped for joy when we heard the news that you two are now 3! (Although that happened in your hearts long ago.) We share in thanksgiving and excitement for all that's ahead for you. She is truly so beautiful -- and we pray for a safe and life-changing trip to and from Ethiopia!
In Christ,
Larry, Julie, Olivia & Allison

Tracy said...

What a gorgeous girl! Congratulations

NCGator said...

Wow! What glorious news! Jumping for joy and praising God with you in Denver.
Blessings and congrats--
The Sadlers

Jebena said...

Amen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

She's beautiful. Congratulations!

Carrie said...

Praise the Lord! So excited for you. Absolutely Precious!

Giffords x6 said...

Hallelujah! Thanks be to GOD!!
We can not wait to meet Koko.
Ryan, Angela & Britney

PC & Susan, I can not wait to meet your little Angel.
Alissa

Anonymous said...

wonderful - it is a miracle indeed! Welcome little love - we can't wait to meet you!
The Strickfadens

Anonymous said...

Congrats Pastor Chad and Susan! What a beautiful little girl, with such a bright smile! I'm sure she's smiling because she knows what a great Dad and Mom she has! Safe travels to bring her hom!

With Love,
Dennis, Lydia, Chris and Ryan Steinbeck

Jim and Debbie said...

Congratulations!!!! She's a doll.
Blessings,
The Waltons

Neil, Amy and The Girls said...

PRAISE THE LORD!!! Soooooo happy for your family. She is BEAUTIFUL!! FINALLY! Yipee!

Sally Mosher said...

Thanks be to God!

We are continuing to pray with you!

The Mosher Team

msl said...

HOOORRRAAAYYYY!!!! Such Sweet, joyous, wonderful, amazing, beyond happy news!!!!!!!!!! We just got back from our family trip and I had been thinking and praying for you guys!!! I am SO completely overjoyed for you all!!!

Laura said...

I just stumbled across your blog. Congrats on your beautiful little girl!!!

Ordell and Shirley said...

Congratulations to you! What patience you have had--and perseverence! She is beautiful and will change your lives forever. Can't wait to see her! You are in our thoughts and prayers!

Anonymous said...

ABSOLUTELY 100% AMAZING!!! She is precious! Congratulations! You SO deserve this happiness!!

~Sue & Ken Kelley

Why Adopt? Check out this video!