Annabelle the Lamb

For over a year now, Luke has been wanting to go back to Build A Bear and build a bear for Anna. We decided we would wait until after we were finally matched. How many times have we walked past that bright fun storefront and discussed it? I have lost track.

Last week, when we were talking about what to take Alexandra for a gift when we meet her, we decided we would finally build her a "bear" to take to her and Mother's Day would be the perfect day to do it! We loaded up after lunch and headed to the Mall. We decided on a white lamb and took it to the worker to stuff. She assumed Luke was making it, so she asked him who it was for. He told her it was for his sister who we were adopting, which then explained to her why we had all grabbed a fabric heart to put in the bear. She had us all do the heart routine where you rub the heart on your head so she will be smart and rub it on your cheek so she will smile and laugh at our jokes, then rub it on our tummy so she won't go hugry, etc. It really was precious and my heart prayed that this was just a representation of what God would be doing in Alexandra as she joined our family! We then stuffed our bear with all 5 hearts. I am sure we looked a little odd, but it truly was a very special time for us. Luke and Layne "washed her and got her ready" and then Drake and Becca input all of her info for her "records". We named her AnnaBelle and she is dressed with pink and purple bows ready for her suitcase ride to Peru!