Celebrating our first "Gotcha Day."

This was the first picture we saw of Maleia Mekdes. She was 3 months old.

November 3, 2008- Gotcha Day!

Maleia's crib was on the far left with the pink bedding.

Saying good-bye to where Maleia had spent the last 4 /12 months.  

Fast forward a year!
Here are all the kiddos making a cake to celebrate Maleia's "Gotcha Day" tonight!

I guess you can say she helped!

Ellie frosting the cake for her sister.

The finished product! We used M&M's to spell out "Gotcha" because they are Maleia's favorite kind of candy. It's been hot here so our "h" and "a" were sliding! 

Celebrating at Disneyland on one of Maleia's favorite rides!

 

I think she's really trying to read her sign!

 

This would have to be one of my favorite pictures.  

 

  Blow!

 

She finally gets to eat her cake!

 

Maleia will receive an Ethiopian gift each year on her "Gotcha Day." This dress is her first one! Originally we were going to do it on her birthday, but it seems to be a little more special to receive it on this day.  

 

We ended the evening with some dancing to some Ahmaric music!

 

Ellie is gooooooooooood!

Happy to be dancing in Mommy's arms!

 

God brought these three together to be siblings, to protect one another, to love on another, and to be friends with each other. As each day passes and I see them growing closer, my heart jumps for joy. I feel blessed.