Blessed Beyond Words

With Brother-Tyler

The Gang

With Sisters- Erica and Ashley


Telling her Grandma "Don't even think about stealing my baby!"

With Cousins Alyssa and Caitlyn

Aunt Michelle and Ellie

Today I am feeling so grateful. Once again, we had an amazing visit with Gabi's birth family. I am in awe of them. They are so kind and treat both of my girls (and Howie and I) as a part of their family. The children are so beautiful! Oh how I love to watch Gabi playing with her siblings and cousins. Anyone who questions open adoption should spend a day with our families. Or, should I say family. Because that's what we are, we are one giant family joined together by one of the most amazing little girls to ever grace the planet. I sent Sue a picture from my phone of all the kids sitting together being goofy- and she responded with one word: Heavenly. I couldn't have said it better myself.

At today's visit were:

• Grandma Kathy
• Aunt Michelle
• Sisters- Ashley and Erica (missing- Emily)
• Brother- Tyler (missing- David and Doug)
• Cousins- Andrew, Alyssa, and Caitlyn

When we got home tonight, Gabi was sitting on the floor doing a puzzle when she says to no one in particular- "I don't want to talk because I'm sad". So I ask her what she is feeling sad about. She looks up at me with those gorgeous blue eyes full of tears and says "I miss my brother and sisters and cousins." So we talked for awhile about those feelings. At one point she even said that she would like to live with them so that she could always see them. Both Howie and I listened (to the little girl who didn't want to talk) as she worked her way through her own thoughts. Finally, she said "I feel better because I did this puzzle". So the three of us sat down and did it again, this time together.

Shore Was Fun!!

We've just returned from a relaxing week at the Jersey Shore where Howie's sister graciously puts us up every summer. Her family owns a gorgeous house a block from the ocean. I'll let the pictures do the talking. :)

Elliana's Song

I was surfing the net the other day when I randomly googled "Elliana" to see what would show up. Imagine my surprise when I saw that there was a song entitled "Elliana's Song". I was even more shocked when I read the lyrics. "Elliana, God has answered our prayers"..... it's just beautiful. I had to put it to a picture montage! Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!!! Be sure your sound is on!




Elliana's Song by Watermark

Baby woman, tiny in stature now

But your heart is a treasure

Little princess come follow behind me now

I am reaching for you

(chorus)Elliana, God has answered my prayers

Elliana, God will conquer my fears

To mother a daughter, to look you in the eye

To know that I had everything, to walk with you in life

To give you to Jesus that He would impart

The wisdom that I'm longing for to mother your heart

Elliana, God has answered my prayers

There will be others to lead and to guide you girl

But only one you'll call Mother, the honor is all mine

To show you what a woman's like

I'm so glad you're mine

(chorus)

Tenderness of God is twirling around In our living room tonight

Lighten up your daddy's eyes

And know that he just wants to freeze you in time

(chorus)

The Product of Educators

Every now and then, Gabi throws out statements that clearly remind us she is keenly aware of where we work.

~ One night last week she yelled to me from her bedroom- "Mom, can I get out of bed really quick, I need to get my Faculty Handbook". LOL

~ Tonight in the car Howie and I were disagreeing about something. From the backseat my dear daughter logically explains to me "Mom, Dad is the Principal so he is the boss. Counselors are not the bosses."

She is too much!!!

SAHM I Am (if only for a moment)

How is it that time flies by so very quickly when we are enjoying ourselves, and yet seems to crawl when we are in periods of distress, such as, gee idk- WAITING FOR A BABY?!

The nineteen months waiting to bring home Elliana were pretty much THE LONGEST 19 MONTHS of my LIFE! Anyway, fast forward to now. Ellie is 3 months old. Gabi is finishing her year of UPK. And me, well I'm still off of work, but.... Unfortunately, there is a BUT in that statement.

The BUT is that I am going back to work on Tuesday. It's only for 8 days, to register my kids for summer school and tie up loose ends, and then I am off again for the summer. But technically, my parental leave, no my MATERNITY leave is over. Once I go back, I'm officially back. Don't get me wrong, I am eternally grateful to have the majority of the summer off, only working random days here and there. But, it's never going to be the same again.

Staying home this past three months has quite possibly been the BEST 3 months of my life. I LOVE waking up to the girls. Being able to take Gabi to and from school. Picking her up and running errands, or going for a playdate, or just coming home and being "Motherly". They have been my everything these past few months. I have been able to focus souly on being Mom and Wife. Now I have to be Mom, Wife, and Counselor. I love my job, I love the students, which makes it all a bit easier. But, what I wouldn't give to be able to spend a year or two in the roll of SAHM.

We have tossed around so many ideas. But the reality is, with the cost of two recent adoptions, the start of private college tuition in the fall, and my own student loans, short of selling our house and cars, it's just not possible.

But I'm not going to mope or be negative (much). I'm going to count my many blessings (remind me if I slip) and appreciate (to the best of my ability) the life we've made.

God Bless Elliana

Today Ellie was Baptized. It was a beautiful service with 3 children being dedicated and 2 being baptized. Little Miss Ellie was the only screamer in the bunch- although in her defense she was right in the middle of a bottle. :)

Ellie's Big Week

It has been quite the week for Elle. We went to the Pediatric GI specialist for the first time on Tuesday. Hopefully, we are on the way to finding out some answers. She has started on Zantac, and will have a "Gastric Emptying Test" in a few weeks.

On Thursday, we FINALIZED!!! YUP that's right! IT's OFFICAL!! We had to be home and by our telephone at 2:45 for a very formal court hearing. We even had to raise our right hands and swear to tell the truth. It was so beautiful. Basically, the judge asked us how Ellie was fitting into our lives (perfectly), how we liked having her here (LOVE it) and if we were prepared to be her forever family (um, yah) :) YIPPEEE!!!!!! To be honest, Howie and I both got misty (well I cried) over the call. YAY!!!!!!! It's an amazing feeling to be final!

Ellie is THREE months old today!!!

Tomorrow, Ellie will be baptized!

She's a busy little girl!! :)