Saturday, June 17, 2006

Here, finally, is our first update from home! I am thrilled to report that the flight home could not have been better! Ellie slept almost the entire flight from Guangzhou to Tokyo. Then after a 3 hour layover, she fell asleep on takeoff for Houston and slept for the first 3 hours of our 12 hour flight. She woke up for a few brief hours, which included food, games and a stroll around the airplane and then fell back to sleep for the remainder of the flight home. She woke up just in time to change her clothes and get ready to meet her waiting family and friends. Kate was also a doll for the entire flight and slept for a large portion of the end of the flight as well. Mommy was also able to sleep much more than usual and was spared the sickness of our last trip home, so even she was still smiling when the 5 of us landed in Houston! :)

It was such a wonderful feeling to see my Mom and Dad here to welcome us home again! I couldn’t hold back the tears the moment I laid eyes on my Mom. She had been there the night I thought I’d lost our Ellie to another family and then to celebrate when I discovered that she was OURS! It seemed like something from a dream, bringing that precious baby home now, less than 6 months later. Also waiting for our arrival were Larry and Leigh- the wonderful couple that God used to provide for Ellie’s adoption so that today was even possible! Somehow Ellie must have sensed their deep love for her the moment she met them, as evidenced by her ready smiles and kisses. I had prayed for such a blessing and it was a joy to witness!!!

The transition home has gone amazingly well. I marvel to look at Ellie now. It seems almost impossible that this is the same little girl we met just over 2 weeks ago. She is so happy and easy going; so open to new things and new people; and, much to my delight…now firmly attached to her mommy! Even our nights have been quite easy with her. She woke during the first three nights home, but just laid in her crib, singing and talking to herself, until she fell back asleep. Now, after a week home, it appears that she is back to a “normal” schedule with 3 hour naps and about 12 hours of sleep at night! Wow, do I feel blessed!!!

Sadly, we have still not been reunited as a family of seven, because both of our boys were at Kamp Kanakuk while we were in China and then Sarah joined them the day after we returned. Much to Kate’s delight, Ryan came home from kamp a few days ago to finally meet Ellie for the first time. He was a bit nervous that Ellie might not love him the way Kate loves her beloved “brudder”, but his fears were completely unfounded. Ellie fell in love with him within a few minutes of meeting him, and already, no one can make Ellie laugh the way Ryan can!!! We will travel to be reunited with Russ and Sarah at Kamp Kanakuk next week and will finally have our entire “new” family together!

Ellie has experienced so many “firsts” in her life in the short time we’ve been home. It has been an incredible experience to watch her as she discovers the wonderful things God has planned for her. What a privilege it is for me, as a mommy, to witness such a miracle! I am awestruck again that I serve a God that would give such priceless gifts to ME!