Wednesday, February 11, 2009

One Year Ago Today

So I'm sitting here on my couch, watching this video and crying. Happy, sentimental tears. I can't believe it was one year ago. So you catch him from the beginning, our Tesfahun is the one wearing bright green (and 4 layers of clothing on a warm day). It was the single most powerful day of my life. Sorry Tommy, but our wedding had nothing on this :) I've never shared the video before. Here is our gotcha moment.

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

Danni, that was so beautiful! Thanks for sharing it. How cool that Joc and Pacey were with you, and who is that adorable teary family! What a beautiful moment. Judah looks like has been with you forever, even then.

Anonymous said...

HAPPY GOTCHA DAY, JUDAH and MOM and DAD! Someday you will know just how much your parents LOVE you. Happy Day! Love Nana.

Anonymous said...

I feel like we were there an hour ago, where did this year go. Happy day to you all, I miss you so much and I feel so fortunate that Pacey and I will always share this day with such amazing people.

Love you guys,
Joc and Pacey

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for sharing this video. I'm sobbing here.
Its just so lovely.
Also so nice to see Abdissa and Rehobeth and Adugna.
I may cry all day.
love, Jen

Anonymous said...

Oh so much happy tears! When you get out of the van you only said one line to Tommy and I totally felt your nervous/excited energy (I'm pretty sure only a sister could do that) and that's when the tears came. I've seen this before but it is just incredible. And I love looking back at this day knowing Judah now, and knowing that he had 4 layers on because he was sick, and seeing that through it all, he STILL was happy and smiles. He is such a better person than all of us! He gives so much happiness even when he feels the worst, EVERY time! I miss him so much, and you, and Tommy. I love you all so much!

Anonymous said...

My day just keeps getter better. Thank you for sharing that! He is such a cutie. I can't get over how big and chubby he was. And of course I mean that in the best way possible b/c he is so so so cute. I am very happy for you guys and wish you, Tommy, and Judah a Happy Gotcha Day!

Anonymous said...

How surreal, I loved being able to see it from your eyes! I too noticed what Nicole did about your brief question/comment to Tommy, I could feel the anxiety.

Thanks for sharing this and for the tears of joy it brought me! He is a gift!

Anonymous said...

because i needed one more excuse to bawl my eyes out. *wahhhhh*

Anonymous said...

I was lucky to celebrate today with the famous Judah. Wasn't he darling? He was so sleepy, but still incredibly loving to all of us. This video brought tears to my eyes. Beautiful moments.
mom

Anonymous said...

Oops...I think I left a comment somewhere else. I thought about you guys all day yesterday. Happy One Year with your Judah! Thank you so much for bringing him into our lives. I feel SO blessed. Love you all so much! xoxo

Anonymous said...

Thank you... Thank you! Thank you for this video...it is something that I will cherish for a lifetime.
I am at a loss of words, once again. Tears of joy run down my face as I watch this video over and over again, remembering this special day-that changed our lives forever.

It WAS as beautiful as I had remembered. Thank you for sharing. This video has made today even more special for our family.

we miss you like crazy and cannot wait to have more adventures in Ethiopia together.

ps-I still cannot get over that green suit that Judah was adorned in when we met him? and the layers?

Anonymous said...

Beautiful.

Now I'm off to find some tissues. ;)

Jerrie

Anonymous said...

I love that Nicole knows you so well, Danielle. That is such appreciation of one's being and anticipation of what is to come, all in a good way. Judah is one lucky babe. What a caring extended family Judah has in all of the other families (and visa-versa). The unity among all of you-who were strangers just prior to this clip, and now have so much of a common bond-just like family does, and it shows in your journals. I am honored to be able to just touch the edges of the depth of this and yet it is just the first steps of a lifetime of this expression of great faith in the world's humanity. Thanks to you all for sharing your experiences and your love. Love you all, Nana

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful story. I saw your blog on FB and glad I visited it.

Anonymous said...

My tears started flowing as soon as you got out of the van. What an amazing and beautiful moment. Thank you for sharing. -Tanya

Anonymous said...

Abe and I just watched this together, me crying, Abe transfixed. Love you guys.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing such an amazing, beautiful moment! Happy belated Gotcha Day!!!

Anonymous said...

Danni,

I'm not sure who Nana is-your grandmother or Judah's or someone else entirely-but her comment expressed exactly what I've felt all this time about all of you bloggers but have not been able to put in words.

She's wonderful and I lover her now, too. :)
Jerrie

Anonymous said...

I am so honored and happy to know all three of you. You are special people in this world, and I can hardly wait to see and hold Judah again! He is one very special and lucky little boy.

Happy Valentine's Day to all of you!

Love, Karen

Anonymous said...

I am so honored and happy to know all three of you. You are special people in this world, and I can hardly wait to see and hold Judah again! He is one very special and lucky little boy.

Happy Valentine's Day to all of you!

Love, Karen

Anonymous said...

Ok, so I've been waiting until I had a few minutes to watch your video. Now that I've had four cups of coffee and it's 1:30 am, I decided to watch :)

I love the video! I remember seeing your blog for the first time after you guys came home. I saw how sickeningly beautiful your family of three was (and still is!) :) So happy for you guys. Amazing that it has been a year. Judah is such a blessing!

Anonymous said...

Oh, Danni and Tommy! My body literally EXPLODED with goosebumps once the van pulled up to the Gladney home (transition home/foster home?). EXPLODED. And then I started to sob.

You look so beautiful and happy.

Thank you for sharing that. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Much love,

Courtney

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful moment. So happy for you!

Anonymous said...

I am a little behind the 8 ball, but this was so beautiful! I sat here in tears and goose bumps watching this video.

What a special moment...thanks so much for sharing it!