Today is the first day of fall (amen hallelujah). It’s also Amiya’s first Gotcha Day anniversary. For Maya’s Gotcha Day anniversary post, I thought I’d share her firsts with us.
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8 Ways to Celebrate Gotcha Day Anniversary
Meet Amiya Kaylee Hoffman
I’ve been waiting for you to meet Amiya Kaylee for almost a year now.
Our day in court, signing final papers was once again a beautiful experience.
Don’t get me wrong, it was bumpy.
We got there, and before our photographer made it through security, the security guys told her she was not allowed to bring her camera in. I about died. This had never happened before. But Jenni totally rocks the house and talked the judge into allowing it.
All three children were wiggly, and Amiya was horribly crabby, but we made it through!
Jenni – Portraits of Grace – captured so many amazing moments (all images in this post are hers from the day – except for the very last onesie one, and more will come later). She did Samarah’s Gotcha Day pictures, our Christmas pictures this past year, and now these. She is incredible, and for those of you who are in this area or the Bay Area in general, I highly recommend her.
I feel like I’m just kind of on a weird high, and the last thing I want to say before Maya talks to ya’ll is…..THANK YOU – thank you for the endless love, prayers, and support. Thank you for following our journey. Thank you for allowing me to share my greatest joys in life via these babies we were lucky enough to find via the foster care system. And thank you for celebrating this mission to spread all the beauty that can be found in life when you BELIEVE that everything is beautiful in its time.
Thank you.
Meet Amiya Kaylee Hoffman
Amiya was not the name given to me at birth, but I’ve known it was my name for quite some time now. In fact, when my mama and daddy woke me up yesterday morning, daddy said, “Pretty soon you will no longer legally be XYZ.” To which I immediately replied, “Amiya.”
You may not know it, but Kaylee, my middle name, is a combination of my mama and daddy’s middle names – Kay + Lee.
I entered the world on May 23, 2016, just one year and 10 days after my biological brother, Isaiah. And on May 24, 2016, my mama and daddy already knew about me.
They waited for a little over four months to bring me to my forever home where I would finally meet the brother and sister I adore.
I was so calm and content for several months. My mama and daddy fell in love immediately.
Even though I wasn’t born a Preemie, I stayed fairly small for most of this past year. But despite my smallness, I thrived at a rapid pace.
I am a little over 16 months now, and I can almost count to ten, sing part of the ABC’s, do somersaults on my own, say my name clear as day, and many other things that you’ll see on the video my mama created below.
I am feisty as any baby out there, and anyone who has spent any amount of time with me will attest to this. In fact, I have been known to yell and spit at my mama already. When I don’t get my way, the whole world better watch out. Polar opposite from my sister, and semi-opposite from my brother.
I love to dance, and I have the major wiggles. I am fast as can be. I hear mama say all the time, “She is unreal.” Yes, it’s true….
My nickname list is short but sweet: Amiya the bee, Bee, and Maya.
My favorite things to eat are bananas, pears, peaches, mama’s bread, cheese, yogurt, chicken, veggie straws, and (weird like my brother and sister), the “fishies” aka Cod Liver Oil.
I love rolling on the floor with Samarah and Isaiah. I love sitting on Isaiah’s stomach. I love chasing Samarah and Isaiah when they ride their bikes around the house.
Have you ever done a “selfie?” Who am I kidding? Of course, you have! Mama introduced me to my own “selfie,” and they can entertain me forever. I look into the phone and make all sorts of faces. Last weekend in Minnesota, I picked up a new one that I did with Grandpa Donny every single day. And again, I heard them all say, “Where did this little bee come from?”
My personality is nothing short of hilarious meets lovable, even on those days I know mama says, “too much.” (Like last Sunday on the plane ride back to California when I screamed my head off for much of the time, and mama literally cried. Sorry, Mama.)
Today……
Today I was meant to legally and finally be with Isaiah, my biological brother, forever.
Today I was meant to have the sister I always wanted, Samarah.
Today I was meant to have a daddy who thinks I walk on water (and who even thinks my athletic abilities might see this through to reality someday!)
Today I was meant to have a mama who looks at me and says daily, “I love you little Maya the bee.”
Today I was meant to make this a family of five (plus one, Ceci, duh!), even if we’re not a normal family.
Today I was meant to be Amiya Kaylee Hoffman.
I hope you love my mama’s movie. She pours her heart and soul into these Gotcha Day videos because this day is the answer to all those unknown Blue Dye Test questions.
Make note: Turn the volume up, sit back, and hang out with us for 12 minutes!
p.s. Elisabeth got her this onesie. Gush.
Xox,
SKH
Happy to See You
I am happy to see you, and you have made our lives so much more beautiful.
Dear Samarah,
On Wednesday late morning, mama was running around like a chicken with her head cut off. You were playing with Isaiah and your nanny, Sujhait (“Sukeet”).
When I came downstairs frantically looking for your new pink headphones for the plane ride, I think I was barely breathing, stressed and filled with chaos.
You ran over to me. I could tell you needed something, so I squatted down by you.
You placed your hands on my face, one on each cheek. Confidently, you said,
I’m so happy to see you, mama.
I had never heard you say those words or put the sentence together like that.
In an instant, I forgot about everything. In fact, I sat on the floor, grabbed you, held you and said,
Oh, sweet Josephine. I am so happy to see you!
Happy to See You
Today it has been exactly 1 year since you officially became Samarah Josephina Hoffman.
Can I tell you a secret, Sam?! Each and every single day since the moment I laid eyes on you in the NICU I have been so happy to see you.
Today might be a big day for our entire lives as we celebrate the day we became an official forever, but God’s plans for us to be together were created long before you were born.
There has never been a day during this past year when I have not felt it easier to breathe, though, knowing that you will be with us for as long as we are here on this Earth. This is a feeling I could not ever describe to you or anyone else who might never know the fear of a child be taken away.
You were born to be ours, and us yours.
I am so happy to be your Mama, Samarah.
I am so happy that I get to you love you like crazy, Samarah.
And daily, hourly and every single moment, I am so happy to see you, Samarah.
Happy 1 year anniversary Gotcha Day!
p.s. The videos I made you for your big day last year…..because we can never watch them enough.
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Xox,
SKH
Meet Isaiah Taylor Hoffman
I wrote you a letter this morning, Dear Isaiah. And now, we are smiling in ways we can’t describe, and if you’re ready to meet him, then he’s ready to meet you. Meet Isaiah Taylor Hoffman.
{All images below were taken today, on Gotcha Day, by Mandi Raymond, of Mandi Raymond Photography. If you are in the California, Bay Area you must check her out!}
Meet Isaiah Taylor Hoffman
Isaiah was not the name given to me at birth, but my mama and daddy called me that immediately because they just couldn’t escape the words “….and a child shall lead them.”
In addition to my real name, here are some of the other names my mama calls me, “Zay, Zay-Zay, Sweet Boy, Chipmunk, Woody Wood Pecker, Izay-zaz and Crazy Little Man.”
My sister, Samarah, calls me “Baby and Baby Isai-zas” mostly.
I am all boy. I smack my hands loudly on the ground when I crawl. I am fast. I scream a lot. I throw a fit, whenever I feel like it. I am a climber. I love to bounce. Music is my jam. As is pushing big chairs, and acting like a maniac 24/7.
I love to eat, and I am really good at it, just like Samarah. My current favorites are bananas, avocado, sweet potatoes topped with my mama’s obsession, Honey Pecan Pie and lately, I’ve been digging salmon and baked cauliflower pieces.
I have the cutest personality, at least that’s what I’ve heard them say. My new friend Shondra says that laugh of mine is hilarious, and most would agree. I act as a stand-up comedian 7 days a week with the Woody Wood Pecker-isms and eye blinks that my mama doesn’t know whether to scream or laugh at.
My daddy loves to help me be entertaining for the whole family. He stands me up, and we do funny voices, make funny faces and wiggle all around.
I have a sister, Samarah, whom I adore. She tells me, “I don’t want Isaiah,” whenever I’m in the way of her and her dolls and other toys. But then she turns around, hugs me, holds me and laughs with me and I am in my own, little heaven.
We have 2 dogs, Fiona, and the big one, Reagan. I spook Fiona a lot when I smack her, but they both love that after mealtime, they get to clean up my mess.
I am a tank. No, I’m serious. I am a tank. I think my mama already told you, but I can push 45+pound chairs all over the house.
I can dance and bob my head like no other one year old around. At the pool yesterday, I spent most of the time jamming to Bob Marley. Everyone thought I was a little ham ball. I am.
Each night before bed, they all kiss me and tell me they love me. My face gets a huge smile, and I sleep nearly the entire night (I do wake up around 4am when mama does, but usually go back to sleep for awhile).
I overheard my mama say today, “adoption is my calling, it has made my life complete.”
I’m not even sure what that means because I am just a wee little.
But guys…..I can feel the love.
They really love me.
I really love them.
Today we became a family of four, with our cowboy boots and hearts ready to love like mad.
This is me, Isaiah Taylor Hoffman. My story, our story, is just beginning.
I hope you enjoy my mama’s movie.
Xox,
SKH
Dear Isaiah
Dear Isaiah, we have made it to our special Gotcha Day.
Today is your day, a most special day with mommy, daddy, and Samarah.
The morning of July 10, 2015, started off so similar to this one with butterflies in my stomach. And so, like that day when I woke up and had to write, today I woke up and knew I had to write this letter to you.
Dear Isaiah
We haven’t even known each other for very long, but here we are, ready to become a forever family with you, our fourth and beautiful addition.
Some mommies wait for this day for 9 months, feeling you kick and tug on the belly inside.
And other mommies wait for this day for years, then months, then days, then hours because we never really know when another beautiful miracle will enter our lives. You kicked and tugged on my heart long before you were ever even born.
Today I am taken back to those feelings when you first entered the room at our disclosure meeting. We knew immediately that you were the one, and from that day on we have loved you the very best we can.
I have thought over-and-over about our highs and lows, but I want you to know that God placed you very intentionally with us.
I call you my sweet boy much more these days than little man, and even though you’re becoming a little man, my heart has now attached to the sweet boy you are.
When you curl up on my shoulders, suck your thumb and flutter kick on my belly, I know that all must be right in the world.
I want you to know that there are so many things we cannot control in life. The way you entered, and the ultimate reasons you were sent to us cannot be described in words except to say they are mercies in disguise. Don’t believe, for one second, there might be any other answer. There simply is not.
I know our lives will be filled with questions (from both you and Samarah) about our family, about your past and about doing life together for always. We are not a normal family, but I pray to God that you’ll always see we don’t have to be in order to be a family filled with love, laughs, respect and even more love.
I recently found this quote on Pinterest (Isaiah, mommy loves Pinterest!), and I had to share it with you today.
Our skin doesn’t match.
You don’t have my eyes or mouth, and our faces aren’t the same shape.
I don’t know what it’s like to look at you and catch a glimpse of myself as a child.
What I see in you is far more beautiful than that.
I see the hand of God in my life.
I see into the windows of Heaven and you, sweet angel, are by my side every single day.
Our skin may not match but we match hearts.adoption.com
Recently, while at the pool, someone asked me, “When is his birthday?” I paused. Please don’t be mad, Isaiah, but for a quick moment, I forgot the exact date. Of course, I know it’s May 13, 2015, so I told her I realized why it was so hard to remember.
Both you and Samarah have many special days. The day you were born is absolutely one of the most important days of our year. However, we have so many other days of the year to celebrate with you both -> the day we received a call for you, the day you came to live with us and (most importantly) the day we went to court to celebrate our biggest day as a family, Gotcha Day!
Dear Isaiah, today is that day for you, for us. Today is Monday, June 13, 2016, and it will be our very special day for as long as we live.
Today you will officially become Isaiah Taylor Hoffman, and later today the whole world (and by “whole world” of course I mean our blog friends, fans, and family) will meet this sweet boy of ours (with pictures and a video because mama loves putting together these memories for us.)
Get your boots on….time to go to court!
Xox,
SKH