Readoption Day!

One year ago today, on December 4, 2008 we had the giving

and receiving ceremony in Hanoi. On that day, Sophia Rose

officially became our daughter. It was purely coincidental 

(or perhaps fate?) that our re-adoption hearing in the 

Morristown, New Jersey courthouse wound up being scheduled 

for December 4, 2009, exactly one year later. Needless to say, 

this was a joyous and emotional experience for our family.  

It meant a lot to us that Sophia Rose's brother Michael and 

sister Laura were able to be with us for the re-adoption proceeding.  

It was also very meaningful that some of our friends were able

 to be there with us today. 

Swearing in Loren and Susan before the Judge, at the

beginning of the hearing

Our lawyer and family friend Bill representing us

Sophia answering all the Judge's questions....

At the conclusion of the hearing...

With the Judge and our lawyer.  So happy for our re-adoption

to now finally be completed in the state of New Jersey.  :)

GOTCHA DAY!!!

Exactly one year ago today we went to the Dong Anh orphanage

outside Hanoi to meet Hoang Thi Phuong; it was love at first sight!

She was almost 6 months old, and immediately took to us as we 

held her for the first time.  It's hard to believe that it's been a year

since that emotional day.  We are so blessed that she is part of our family now,

and we can't imagine life without her.

.

Mommy holding Sophia Rose for the first time on

December 1, 2008 at the orphanage.

Mommy and Loan (from PLAN) with Sophia Rose and 

two of her orphanage friends, Claire and the other Sophia

Daddy and Sophia bonding during that

first meeting at the orphanage. 

Back at our hotel on gotcha day, finally

out of the orphanage clothes and into something

more fitting for this little cutie.

One year later...Sophia has developed

so much, and has an amazing sense of humor. 

She loves wearing our shoes, and she knows

it gets instant laughs from us.

What a difference a year makes! 

Nothing better than this!  It's impossible not to have 

a smile on your face and in your heart when you are with Sophia.

Sophia absolutely loves her big sister

LaLa (Laura).

We celebrated Gotcha day with dinner out

at a Thai restaurant. It was Sophia's choice

since Pad Thai noodles are one of her very

favorite foods!