More Pictures and Friends

My friend Karen, who also adopted with us, sent me these pictures she took of us on Gotcha Day. The first one is when the first 3 family's got their babies, but we found out Ellie, and another family's little girl weren't coming until later, and we were going back to the hotel without them. She felt bad, and didn't want to show me this picture until now.





Also, wanted to tell all of you "THANKS" for all of your awesome comments about Gotcha Day, 1 year later. You all have been so supportive, and you're prayers & support have meant more than you'll ever know to me. Thanks for going along on this journey with me!

March 27th, Gotcha Day, 1 Year Later

Wow!!!! One year later, and so much has changed. I remember walking around the corner of the elevator, seeing her standing there, and the site of her almost taking my breath away, as a gasped at seeing her for the first time. I remember on that day, the sad, scared, beautiful little girl she was, holding a cracker in both hands. Silent, while big crocodile tears streamed down her face. Her small world, suddenly changed, after riding 2 hours in a car, for the first time since arriving at the orphanage 14 months earlier.

Today, as I type this, from her room I hear a little girl saying "mommy, mommy" letting me know she's awake. Now, on my lap drinking some sips of my coffee, I think, "Wow God, look what you did".

I won't say it has been an easy year. There have been many highs and lows. Moments of wondering what I could be doing if I didn't have a toddler to take up my time, and moments of being in awe, that God chose me, to be the mother of this beautiful, intelligent little creature.

So, one year later I am brought back to the verse God gave Mark and I as we looked for confirmation, that this was truly His will. Proverbs 13:12 "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But a longing fulfilled, is the tree of life". Without her, I believe my heart would be sick, wondering what could have been. But with her, life is fuller and the future with her is open to the plan that God has laid out for all of us.

Creation Museum, Cousins, & Easter

Here are some more pictures from our trip. We never did get all the girls together for a picture. Two were sick on Easter and didn't get to come over.



My sister's boys Jeremy & Ryan. (Never mind Cole's funny smile)


The girls with their Easter headbands.


Ellie hunting Easter eggs with Cole.


Jeremy's two girls on the left, Ryan's three to the right. One twin & the second oldest were home sick. Ellie was sleeping.


Our only family photo.

Ohio Family

We are in Ohio for Easter. My sister Nadine & her husband live there, and so do their sons & families. We have not been here since Christmas of 2003. I have 4 grand-nieces, that I had never met before. Total, my sister has 7 granddaughters. I will be posting pictures of all the girls together, on Easter. But here are some photos for now.

Signs of Spring

Basketball tournaments and medals!


Trips outside to swing!


And......slide.


Rides on the Gator with Cole and his friend Steven.


And last but not least.........the planter is out of the shed.

Spring has sprung. It is my least favorite season. I wish we could just go straight to Summer. Why....do you ask?? Because any farmer's wife knows, Spring brings long days in the field, muddy boots in the house, and the beginning of another growing season with all its work and worries about what the year will bring. But, I take heart because, "He who plants a garden, works hand in hand with God". I'm sure that counts for fields of corn & beans too!

Ellie & Maddie

I have some pictures from our day at the beach I want to share with you, but I just had to share these first. My friend Karen, took them at the airport before we left. Her husband Mike told her she probably didn't need to take the camera into the airport, after all the pictures we both took over the weekend, but.....look what she got! The last photo was the girls kissing through the glass, after we finally cleared through security.

California Pictures

We took a drive up the coast, to check out the elephant seals. The other ones are pictures of the Phillips family. We are having a great time. It is not quite as warm here as in Arizona. Sunny, but cool & windy.