Gotcha Day #2

(or our 2nd Gotcha-versary as my friend Elissa likes to call it!)
(February 2010, Leila's Chinese dance recital)

Today marks the 2nd anniversary of the day we finally met our Leila Grace. We waited over two long years for our baby girl, only to learn that our baby was a toddler! I remember thinking that we'd be adopting the oldest little girl in our group, and that God must have something special in store for us to trust us with the care of this 2-year old treasure. I had no idea how special she would be.

(Jason and I boarding the plane for Chengdu, China to meet our little girl! March 16, 2008)

Trip of a Lifetime:

The trip to China seems like ages ago, but just thinking about it makes me nostalgic and happy. First, I was so excited to be in a new land with two of my favorite people, my husband (man do I love him), and my little sister, Karen. Jason and I were living out one of our dreams of traveling to a far away place together, as we had done plenty of traveling apart before we were married. And Karen. Karen left her sweet new baby girl (only 6 months old at the time), to come with us and be exactly the kind of love and support we needed. She cried with us, rejoiced with us, took videos and pictures, but also respected our time together as a new family. I will never forget the sacrifice she made to be in China with us---thank you Sissy!

(March 18, 2008...breakfast at the hotel with Leila the morning after we adopted her!)

Most Asked Question:

Over the past two years, I have many times had to answer the question, 'Why did you adopt when you obviously didn't have any trouble having 'your own' kids?' First, I have to remind people (gently) that while we consider all of our children 'our own,' we know that God is their true Father, and we are blessed enough to get to be their parents for such a time as this. Second, I have come up with lots of great reasons to adopt, not the least of these being the estimated 143 million orphans in the world at this time. The verse at the top of our blog is not just a sweet little quote. We truly believe that 'taking care of orphans in their distress' is biblical, and it is a command. So the real answer as to why we adopted Leila? We were called to do so. Simple as that. It's not about 'being a good person,' or 'doing the right thing.' It's about deciding that if God calls you to do something scary, or costly, or risky, He probably has plans to amaze you, grow you through it or teach you a lesson you will not learn elsewhere, so it's best to 'trust and obey.' We have found that God has done all three of these things in our life since adopting Leila.

Dad, Mom, and Leila Grace. March 2008

Lessons Learned:
We are amazed daily at Leila's growth, language, development, and...um, attitude. Last night she was singing 'We Will We Will ROCK YOU!' on the car ride home. This afternoon she was teaching her 11 year old sister the actions to a praise song from church. Last week she said to me: 'I wish my dream would come true.' 'Which dream?' I asked, thinking this would certainly involve Cinderella or a pony of some kind. She answered, 'The dream where my sister doesn't shut the DOOR ON ME!' But hours later, she was telling me that she 'thinks the Chin*se government IS fair...if each family can have only one Chin*se girl, there will be enough leftover for the whole world to have one!' So...does this finally answer your question about how her 'language is coming along?' Yeah, we're discussing the one-child policy over a Lunchable, so I think we're doing okay.

We have had to adjust and grow in so many ways. It has been a challenge for all of our children, just as it is when a new baby arrives. However, this new baby was a 2-year old tornado and hasn't stopped bossing everyone since she got here. Leila has had to adjust a lot too. She has had to adjust to waiting. And sharing. And listening. And sharing. But like I said, God is growing us all, and as Leila tells me almost daily, 'It's okay if you come in first, second, or third, because we're all a team 'cause we're all Potocniks.' Exactly. We're a team. We're not perfect, but we love each other and cheer for each other, because we're a team.

Finally, a family of 6. April 2008.

Finally, God has taught us lessons we might have otherwise missed through this experience. I have learned that when I get caught up in 'doing it all' and trying to be the perfect mom to my four very different children, I end up not keeping first things first, and I drift into a sea of frustration and impatience that is, to say the least, not pretty. I have learned that God has just a couple of things He really wants me to teach my kids, and they have nothing to do with tying shoes, remembering homework, or feeding that stupid parakeet. So if I'm teaching them to love the One who created them, glorify Him in their daily lives, and love others the same way, they'll be okay. Even if they are in 8th grade and can't tie their shoes.

We love you, Leila Grace. You are a blessing to us every single day. And to the One who gave you to us, We thank You that we will never be the same.

Much love and thanks,
Alissa