Today is definitely a day that will be remembered forever. It has been so incredible that words just cannot do it justice.
We started out on the bus for the Civil Affairs office, with 11 other very excited families. The drive wasn’t long and we were enjoying seeing a little bit of Zhengzhou.
When we arrived, two of the children were already there waiting for us. I think tears sprang up in all of our eyes as we watched those sweet children join their families. From that point on, the babies slowly trickled in as they had each traveled from their orphanages, some of them from many hours away.
There were only a handful of families left when the three of us were standing watching outside the door. Then I yelled, “That’s her!!!”. Even from a distance, I knew, because she was wrapped in the blanket that I sent in her care package.
I was able to take her the minute she walked into the door. It is a moment without words. We held her, hugged her, kissed her, and thanked God for her.
Really from that first moment, she was in good spirits. We soon got down on the ground to play with her and learned that one of her favorite games is to run into your arms for a big hug. It doesn’t get much better than that!
The wonderful ladies from the orphanage who brought Hannah
Hannah looking at the obviously well used photo album that I had sent in her care package! 🙂
Wiped out on the drive back to the hotel
Since that time we have just been cherishing every minute. We have yet to hear her cry, and have already been lucky enough to see her smile and laugh. She is amazing. The agonizing wait has disappeared, and was so very worth it.
Not even 6am and I’ve got tears in my eyes. So happy for all of you!
Beautiful…simply beautiful. I kept trying to pick out my favorite picture, and…well…they all are. What a tremendous gift for all of you! Lots of love!
Blessings to you all. Your joy is priceless and we cannot wait to meet her.
I’m with Allan on this one — tears early on a Monday morning. God is so faithful. Can’t wait to meet her!
Ditto Alan. What a blessing! Wishing you lots of cuddles with your newest family member as you make your way home. Congratulations!
Congratulations! We are so happy for you. She is beautiful and you all look so happy. 🙂 have a safe trip home.
Amazing! Congratulations! What a wonderful day!
What an amazing day, you will never forget the beautiful beginning of the rest of your life. She is beautiful and Z looks so happy also like she was with you always. Can’t wait to meet her.
I’ve been getting up and down all night hoping for pictures. She is adorable!! At long last Hannah is the arms of her forever parents. Can’t WAIT for Sophie and Kate to see the pictures!
Congrats! So excited for you guys!
Amazing, amazing, amazing.
i have just cried wonderful tears of joy for you all! what beautiful pictures–and such a special and beautiful girl. enjoy every minute and we’ll say prayers for a safe return and settling into life at home.
So thrilled for all of you. Such a joy to be able to follow your amazing journey and be able to share in this special moment. Congratulations!
Crying tears of joy for your beautiful family.
Joyful tears for your precious family! Your journey has been amazing to watch and we could not be more excited for you. Congratulations!!!
Joy and delight…..and now ahead of you: lifelong love!
Thinking of all of you as you head home to begin life together as family!
WOW! I have tears in my eyes. She is the most adorable thing I’ve ever seen! I’m so, so, so happy for you all!
We are so happy for you! The photos and videos are amazing! We think Hannah already knows how loved she is! Can’t wait to meet her!
I have followed each posting along your journey and routed for you all along the way. Clearly it was worth every moment of the wait. I also teared up when seeing these pics… your daughter is just beautiful and I wish you continued happiness and joy. Good luck and thanks for sharing your story.
Wow! That is priceless! Congratulations to your sweet family of six!
Like everybody else, I’ve got tears in my eyes. That video is precious… what a sweet child you are adding to your family! Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Congratulations! Such great joy for all of you. Safe travels back to Atlanta.
No words can capture the magnitude of the gift you have given Hannah, and the even better one you have received in return 🙂
What a wonderful day. Our hearts are right there with you.
Blessings on your whole family.
I am so happy for the Hilimire family. Hannah is an amazing girl and the look on her face shows that she is incredibly happy to be home at last. Way to go!!!
What a wonderful beginning to a beautiful life with Hannah! She is beyond precious and looks so tiny!! I cannot wait to meet her, and I am beyond excited for you guys and our whole family as we’ve been truly blessed by Hannah joining our family. Thank you so much for sharing your entire journey with all of us as it has brought many tears of joy and makes my heart feel full of happiness.
Oh my goodness! The first thing I did this morning was check your blog (late in responding though). The pictures and video brought tears to my eyes!!!
I am so happy for you guys and Hannah Min is absolutely precious! Z looks like a proud big brother and you two look so happy.
I hope y’all have a wonderful time the rest of your time there! Looking forward to reading more!
So happy for you guys! Congrats!
Thanks for sharing your joy with us!
So happy for all of you. Hugging is a wonderful act of God!!!
God IS
God IS good all the time. Blessings on your entire family
amazing. there is no doubt that hannah min chose you as a family! she is blissful and thriving and oh so incredible. full of so many emotions, i just keep looking at these beautiful images over and over. awynn watched hannah hugging and asked for more…i think we have watched the video 10 times now! we are so grateful that she has you in her life and so grateful for those wonderful women who brought her to your arms. enjoy every blissful moment. you have a lifetime together!!! love you all so much, jen
Overwhelmed with joy for you all. Amazing that the wait is over and she is in your arms. Hannah is so lovely and you have such a beautiful family. Congratulations!
Oh, …WOW! I just can’t think of another word. Thanks be to God for the care Hannah received in the first months of her life, while waiting for you all to come and take her home. She’s just beautiful.
I am so happy for you!!! She is precious! What an amazing thing God has done.
GOD IS GOOD! Seeing this is such a joy! I wept with empathetic tears at this dream come true! Thank you for these updates and details. God bless you all!
Hurray!!!
Congrads. You made the world a better place, one Hanna @ a time.
She is beautiful! So happy for your family and your new addition. Cannot wait to hear more on Hannah and your return to the US!
Wow! I almost cried when I watched the video of her hugging you and some more when I saw all the precious pictures of your little angel! I am SO excited and happy for you. Can’t wait to get a little Hannah hug myself someday soon. Hugs from Tucker!
Oh the tears and smiles I have going on reading this post! I’ve looked at it multiple times today and now have my mom faithfully following your blog too! The photos are amazing and Hannah is a delight! Seeing her looking at the photo album, smiling, sleeping snuggled up to Jeff, letting you hold her as if you have held her always, and Z hugging her! Oh I have chills. What an amazing day after a long journey. Love, emily
We are all so happy for you! Congrats can’t wait to see everyone soon!
What a joy this has been to share your experience. Hannah is beautiful! Seeing her hugging is just delightful.
This is amazing – so happy for you. She is so so precious! Congratulations!!
I’ve looked at this several times now (partly because L keeps wanting to see D’s sweet cutie pie baby sister and wanting to know when she will get to hold her) and every time it still brings tears : ) I pray that each day will continue to bring more sweet happy hugs!
Love
steph & my girls
How wonderful. We are all so excited. We are so glad you are finally together!!!
Congrats! Hannah is so beautiful! I am thrilled for your family!
I’ve watched this video several times, because it never ceases to bring a smile to my face. I also enjoy seeing the other families in the background, bonding with their new babies too. Can’t wait to see the next installment of your blog, to find out how Hannah and all of you are adjusting!
Congrats Guys!! Its so exciting to finally see you all together as a family!! She is just precious and I know she will be a wonderful addition to the family!