7.31.2010

It's Done! Grace's Adoption Video...

I finally finished Grace's adoption video! It was an amazing experience to sift through video clips I hadn't yet seen and piece together a story that I hope Grace will appreciate and cherish. She has already sat in my lap and watched the video at least six times. The first time, she was very serious and focused, and I worried about how it might affect her to "relive" Gotcha Day. But I think it has helped her remember the big change she has undergone, and I love seeing her smiles and laughter each time she views it now.

As a note, the slides with text move very quickly so you may have to just skim while reading. :) I had already set the music before I inserted transitions, and those stole time from each clip.

Thank you for allowing us to share our journey with you.

30 comments:

Joel and Lee-Anne said...

Kelley - what perfect timing for me to see your awesome video!!! We leave in 5 days!!! God used your video to help prepare my heart for what is to come - the good, the hard and the harder. Losing my mom 3 weeks ago today and the preparing to meet Norah in 8 days has got me in a huge ball of emotions right now. It was perfect timing to see your Sweet Grace and your beautiful gotcha day. THANK YOU for sharing.
Much love

Elizabeth said...

Kelley--this is BEAUTIFUL! I sobbed from start to finish! What an incredible journey of faith you have been on. Thank you for sharing it with us! Grace and Carter are so gorgeous!

Kristy said...

1 word: LOVE!

Prentices said...

definitely worth the effort - what a wonderful video of your journey. It is amazing to literally watch your lives being woven together, and i know you will all treasure this always!

Brittany said...

Wow, with tears in my eyes, I can say that is the most beautiful video. What an answered prayer and what an experience - thank you for sharing. Isn't our Lord amazing?

Shonni said...

That was just beautiful and I was definitely shedding a few tears. It is so hard to believe that my little China doll is 10 years old now!!
But soon, we will be back in China :)

Lindsey said...

WOW. Thanks so much for sharing this with us. I had to watch it twice because I cried too much to really soak it all in the first time. I'd love to come and see y'all sometime!

The Alexanders said...

Absolutely beautiful.

The Hairstons said...

AMAZING!!! You should have warned us to have a tissue handy! I cried the entire video! What an incredible journey! God is SO GOOD!

Stephanie said...

Kelley,
The video is incredible. Thanks for sharing it with us!!
Hope to see you soon!
-steph

Ashley Matteo said...

wow what an amazing video that yall will cherish forever. i had tears watching it and am so grateful for everything God has done to bring virginia grace into your arms and for the smooth transition.

Michelle and Jeremy said...

Kelley, what a privilage to watch your journey! LOVED all the hard work you put into the video - great job!

Ashley said...

Kelley that was so beautiful!!! I have watched about 5 "gotcha" video's so I braced myself and decided I wasn't going to cry through this one...WRONG!! cried the whole time! Great to see you at Ashley Mac's the other day...thanks for coming in! Bring Grace with you next time..I would LOVE to meet her! Thanks for sharing your story with us! Such an awesome picture of the gospel! We are blessed!

Rebekah said...

BEAUTIFUL! Wow, Kelley, I guess I needed a good cry today, because I sobbed through that! Love it, and Love you! Such an amazing journey for your family!SO PROUD of your you and your heart!XOXO

Unknown said...

Loved this video!! Lots of tears over here! Just a little emotional during our waiting time. So grateful Grace is in your family! God is so good! Love you sweet friend!

Sarah Armstrong said...

Beautiful. Just beautiful. Thank you for sharing this experience so eloquently and honestly.

Sonya said...

Kelley--I loved the video! We live in China and are Auburn grads and have lots of mutual friend (including Joy and Emily Giffin). We are hoping to pick us our Lily in November and i love watching adoption videos! I've got to start learning how to make videos. Thanks for sharing your precious story with us.

Rebecca said...

What an amazing video!!!!! The tears are flowing. I love how tender and patient you were with Grace on your first meeting. The moment where you are looking at the photo album together is just magic! We're getting ready to adopt a 5 year old boy from China. We're from New Orleans and have been consulting with Dr. Chambers at UAB! Congrats on your beautiful daughter. She fits in perfectly to your beautiful family!!

Mommy said...

What a beautiful beautiful video! You did an excellent job. She is so beautiful! Would you mind sharing the author of the song with the lyric "There's something that's perfect happening here..."? Thanks so much and again great job!

Misty
(AKA HopingforMolly on RQ)

Kelley Brown said...

Thank you so much for all of your comments and feedback. They've been making me teary! :)

Misty...the song is "Something Perfect" by Michael McLean.

And someone had emailed me about the 3rd song...it's "Daughters of China" by Tim Chauvin.

park it said...

What a great job you did !!! Reminds me soo much of K's journey to become part of our family! She is adorable!
Carol in FL

e said...

Kelley - this is PERFECT!!! I cried all the way through. Thank you for sharing this with us...Carter and Grace are so blessed to have you as their Mama!

Shan said...

Beautiful! Thanks for sharing! We hope to go in September to meet our daughter.
http://theroadtoraeanna.blogspot.com/
Shan

Alison said...

What are the songs in your video?

Elizabeth said...

Kelley!!! Beautiful. Absolutely incredible. I cried and laughed with you through the whole thing. I have loved seeing bits of your life through this blog, and the video was such an incredible treat. Thank you so so much for sharing. God's love for His children is overwhelming, and it is so apparent in your story and video. I love you and miss you so much!!!

Amber said...

Beautiful! I definitely cried all through your video! Such a sweet picture of God's love. LOVED IT!

Kelley Brown said...

Hi Alison,
The songs are...

"When Love Takes You In" by Steven Curtis Chapman
"Something Perfect" by Michael McLean
"Daughters of China" by Tim Chauvin
"Beauty Will Rise" by Steven Curtis Chapman
"By Your Side" by Tenth Avenue North
"O Praise Him" by David Crowder

Danielle said...

Kelley,

I have to tell you....I have "blog stalked" you for a few months now and followed your adoption story via my sister in law, Brittany Richey. What an awesome story and testimony to God's faithfulness as you answer the call to defend the cause of the fatherless. She is absolutely adorable!

I do have to ask....I am in love with the little Smock dress with the cupcakes from her video. Where did you get it? I want one for my little girl.

Thanks for sharing your story and letting me follow along. Such an inspiration.

Danielle Baise

Ericka B. Jackson said...

Finally got time to watch this all the way through - cried almost the whole time! BEAUTIFUL!!!

Kelley Brown said...

Hi Danielle,
Thanks for your sweet comments! :) The outfit is "Secret Wishes" (a line I actually haven't heard of before!), and I got it 2nd hand from my cousin, so it's at least a couple of years old. But maybe you can find one on ebay! :)

Kelley