Elliana Joy

Here is a photo of our little Ellie when we first got her (March 2010). When I look back at the photos I have of her from the first few months she was with us, most of them look like this--flat, void of emotion, indifferent. It is honestly hard to look at them sometimes as it is a glaring reminder to me of all that had transpired in her little life in the months leading up to her arrival with us. However! God has done an amazing work in her and in all of us and we have some exciting news to share! From the day we got Ellie, we said we would adopt her if that ever became an option. We attended every meeting at DSHS we could, were present at every court hearing regarding her, and have known for quite sometime that adoption was "likely." In court last July, the judge changed Ellie's "permanent plan" to adoption, but we also knew that we had to let the case run it's course and that there were no guarantees. We had court again just last Thursday and although we were confident the judge would not be returning Ellie to either biological parent, a little "snag" knocked our case back a bit and we were discouraged that it would still be many months before she was legally free (officially 'available' for adoption) and another year or more after that before our adoption was finalized.

Then, in nothing short of a MIRACLE, we were informed that she is legally free, um, NOW!!! I cannot even begin to express how overjoyed we feel! Both parents have relinquished their legal rights and Ellie will be part of our "forever family" just as soon as we can have our adoption homestudy completed! We are seriously so baffled that this happened so quick! It is definitely NOT what we had expected!

I love how God works. I love that He knows the desires of our hearts. I love that He knew the timeline all along, and chose to bless us and surprise us by expediting the process. I love that our little Ellie is growing, thriving, showing empathy, smiling, learning to obey, fun, energetic, full of life, and becoming teachable.

(Ellie-Spring 2011)

We love you SO MUCH, Elliana Joy. We are thrilled to be your family. You have already taught us so much about love, grace, and redemption and we are honored and humbled to be your Mommy and Daddy.

Playing Catch Up!

Sorry for the delay in blog posts, friends, but this Mama has been busy. Like really busy. Like end-of-the-school-year-with-one-homeschooler-and-one-public-school-preschooler-and-one-Christian-School-Kindergartener-busy. Oh yeah! And busy with this adorable little guy.....

Isn't he a cutie? He'll be hangin' with us for a while. We're happy to love on him while we can.

Let me just say, for the record, that having 4 kids is a real hoot! Micah and Caleb just got home this evening from an overnight fishing trip and I had just the "big girls" and the baby....I told my mom I couldn't believe how easy 3 kids felt! And Caleb (the one who was gone) is even my biggest helper! It is amazing how much your parenting "muscles" grow as each child is added.

In other news, our Caitlyn turned SIX years old last month. How in the world did that happen? I am pretty sure that I was JUST snuggling with my sweet baby girl in the rocking chair before laying her down in her crib for the night. Wasn't I? She wanted "rainbow" cupcakes for her birthday party at school so I made these for her. Since I am FAR from "Suzy Homemaker, I have to say I was pretty impressed with how these turned out! ;)

Unfortunately, Caitlyn woke up on her birthday with Strep for the 3rd (or was it the 4th?) time in 10 weeks, so she didn't get to have a birthday party at school that day. She did, however, get a birthday doughnut for breakfast.

Yes, those are Christmas jammies, and yes, this was in May. But it was the kid's birthday and I wasn't going to argue with her over footed jammies. Plus, she was so kind and gracious to share with the rest of the family on HER birthday. That's right--she gave the other 3 kids and Mommy her Strep Throat! Wasn't that nice of her to share?! Our counter then looked like this....

I think we're outta' the woods now. These drugs kicked Strep to the curb and after repeated toothbrush changes, investing in stock for Clorox wipes and a junk drawer full of hand sanitizer, I am confident our house is germ free (at least for now)!

OK, one more photo. Aren't these 4 precious? This is such a classic photo of Ellie. :)