Just because I don’t have the post-holiday blues does not mean I am not nostalgic about 2010. This year will be one that will never be forgotten–not that any of our years thus far are worthy of forgetting. But, you know what I mean. It was a very significant year for us from the very beginning.
I tried to narrow down my favorite photos of the year to a top 10 list. But, come on, people. It was just too exciting this year to limit it to a top 10. So, sorry. You are going to have to look at 20 instead.
#20 & #19 — Our fish
Our older 3 kids finally started swimming. And, our youngest, well, she is just part mermaid or something. I love these shots taken at my parents’ condo in Fenwick Island, DE that capture their excitement. They capture tradition for me too–family vacation every summer now with Lydia joining us.
#18 – Determination
Despite our reservations initially, Ashlyn begged to take Chinese. Every Sunday afternoon, I take her to class, learning a few things myself (confession–Mark says I’m more of a one-trick pony with my repeating of “what is your name?” in Chinese over and over again). Love this picture because it reminds me of how brave and determined Ashlyn is.
#17 – Sillyness
Drew is our clown. Love how this picture captures his sillyness and Lydia’s reaction to it (a sort of “what in the world?” type of response).
#16 – Yahoo!
Even Mark is looking excited in this one. We visited Great Wolf Lodge this summer for a reunion with our adoption agency. Our kids had a ball. Evan tells pretty much everyone that his favorite places are Great Wolf Lodge and Disney World.
#15 – Growth
Evan made such huge strides this year in school and personally. I love this picture of him observing nature and drawing his observations. It just captures his growth this year to me. Somehow, when I wasn’t looking, he really grew up.
#14 – Love
I took this year in February 2010 when we celebrated Chinese New Year. I didn’t pose them at all, maybe that’s why I like it so much. Ashlyn was so sweet with her little brother, and Drew just is loving his big sister.
#13 – Jiayin Designs
In May, I helped a friend in Beijing, Lydia’s godmother actually, start up an online business geared towards adoptive families. It has been a real joy to me this year to help her support her family, provide employment for some Chinese people who were otherwise unemployed (the grandmother who makes tiger items and the young woman who makes the dolls for us, specifically), and provide real treasures for adoptive families and their children.
#12 – We Are Grafted In website and forum
Another project I took on this year that has been a real blessing to me.
#11 – Friendship and Community
I have been so blessed by friendships with women who I’ve connected with through the adoption community. Most of these women I’ve never even met. This picture is of my friend Angie and her daughter Emma as we skyped shortly after Angie received Emma in Xi’an. I love this picture because I can remember the overwhelming feeling I had when I saw them together finally. And, it just seems to capture the feeling I have about all the friendships God has blessed me with in 2010 with other adoptive mommies.
#10 – Beauty
I remember taking this picture while Lydia sat on our bed at the White Swan hotel on Easter morning. I remember being simply in awe of her beauty. I still am.
#9 – Celebration
I look at this picture now and can’t believe I let everyone crowd Lydia like this right after getting off the plane. But, I still love the picture. You can get a real sense of how much our family already loved this child and how excited everyone was to see her finally come home.
#8 and #7 – Family
It’s not easy to get good family pictures. In fact, I think your chance of getting a good picture decreases exponentially with each additional child. These pictures though are so special to me. The first one was from Father’s Day only a couple months after we were home. Lydia looks so tiny still. The second one was taken on Thanksgiving. I love how alive and happy she looks and how Ashlyn and Drew are looking at her. It was a posed shot for our Christmas card–but the kids weren’t posed. Their looking at her was just them being them. And, I love that.
#6 – A Godly Father
One of my favorite all-time pictures of Mark. He was on his knees beside Lydia who was falling asleep in her crib soon after we received her in Xi’an. Everything was so new, so overwhelming. This picture reminds me of Mark’s quiet nature, his humble strength, his commitment to his family, his obedience to God’s call even when it’s scary, and his heart for adoption that was growing in leaps and bounds when this picture was taken.
#5 – Our peanut
I remember so clearly when we got our phone call in January from Sarah who told us she couldn’t wait until the morning and had to email us a little girl’s file to review. We opened it up and this was the first picture we saw. I kept saying to Mark, “She’s so teeny. She’s such a peanut.” I so wanted this little one to be our Lydia.
#4 & #3 – Answered Prayers
If you have read our referral story, you know that Lydia was failing in health according to her original referral. Her measurements were alarming–in fact, they were not life sustaining if they would continue on the same curve (or line). Unsure of what to do, we could not just let her go. We asked for an update and prayed for very specific growth numbers (as pictured in the bottom picture–that was the note where I figured out what numbers to pray for in the update). And, I mean prayed; I don’t think I’ve ever prayed with so much passion. We very quickly got our update with three pictures of our peanut looking simply beautiful and strong. This was one of those pictures. These pictures are not just favorites because they remind me of the moment we knew for sure Mei Yue was our daughter; they also remind me of God’s mercy and how He hears our prayers, our specific prayers, and answers them.
#2 – All Things New
Mark took this picture of Lydia and me as we left the Civil Affairs Office on March 28th. I look at it and can remember how fast my heart was pounding and how full it felt. I remember how small Lydia was and how confused she seemed. I love how it captures just a normal street in Xi’an, dusty and somewhat dreary. It makes the newness of “us” all the more extraordinary.
#1 – My daughter
No explanation needed. She’s amazing. And, by God’s grace, she’s my daughter.
Serving the King says
Girl those are some crazy cool pictures. That one of your husband on his knees next to the crib…take my breath away. Gracious you have had quite a year! So happy for you and Ms. Lydia!
Heather says
Loved seeing all of these!
Adrian Roberta says
Kelly, you should have put a warning on your post. The one of you DH kneeling by the crib has me in tears.
~Roberta
Girly Girl Mommy says
Beautiful pictures and some amazing moments captured! Beautiful.
~Kelly
mosey says
Amazing year! I’m glad you included 20… brought me to tears!
I LOVE this idea! may have to do the same thing!!! to help recap!
Football and Fried Rice says
Wow, Kelly – a great year indeed!! I can’t believe how much Lydia has grown this year!! And those piggies? Push me over the edge! I am very proud of Ashlyn’s endurance and WOW – Evan keeps getting more handsome every year – you really are a blessed mama and wife!
Angie says
So I was crying before I even got to our cameo. And then when I saw our pic…I was flooded with so many precious memories. Just over a year ago, we began talking…as I wondered if I was going to reactivate. How I remember the emotions we shared as we waited for the list to be released…the sweet prayer times we had-especially January 18 as we knew Sarah was beginning the search for matches…little did we know she would call you just a couple hours later!…the scary prayer times we hadas we awaited good news of Lydia’s growth…the tears we have shared- joyful, frightened, overwhelmed. You are so dear to my heart and I have never even met you in the flesh. I praise the Lord for you precious friend. We share a special bond for sure!
Loved all the other pics as well…not sure I could have limited to 20…and I agree – the one with Mark by the crib and the one of you and Lydia just after GOTCHA…love it!
Lisa A : Izabella says
Love this post Kelly …it’s precious. And oh what a year you had! Looks like you are starting 2011 off right! Mark…well, the magic of Disney will grab his youthful spirit the second he walks through the gate.
nateandkatesmom says
That last picture is absolutely adorable! Is that pig tails post-haircut??
Brian says
Is it wrong that the picture of Evan made me cry a little? Some of the other ones did too. Love all the pictures!
katrina says
I love the pictures.
Nancy says
LOVE LOVE LOVED this.
Thank you for sharing so much of your heart, Kelly!
I’ll be posting mine tomorrow. You inspired me.
Nancy-of the crazy 8
Melissa says
What a great post Kelly – and what a wonderful year you have had!!!
a Tonggu Momma says
Kelly, you needed to post every! single! one! of those 20 photos. I felt tears welling up a couple of times. Happy 2011 and I pray this year showers your family with even MORE growth and blessings.
Jenna says
OK- this made me cry!
I remember last January like it was yesterday, Kelly. I don’t remember how you and I connected and realized that we both thought it would be “our month” and how we waited and prayer for each other. But, God had awesome plans- not only by bringing you Lydia, but forging a friendship that would bring yet another child home- Cooper!
2010 was a great year for so, so many reasons!!! :) I loved this post!
Truly Blessed says
What a great year you’ve had! So glad that you had your camera with you to capture some of those great moments. You have a beautiful family!
Nicole says
Oh my gosh Kelly, what a wonderful post!! I don’t know which ones are my favorite … there are the obvious ones that I had a teeny tiny hand in helping you with. But I think my favorite is #6 … it’s overwhelmingly beautiful. The lighting & shadows really help set the mood. Oh I just love everything about it.
I am so happy to be one of *those* new friends … your friendship has been such a blessing!!