Sunday, January 20, 2013
Happy Thanksgiving
My little turkeys!
Since Ella was only 2 weeks old, our Thanksgiving celebration was simple and small. Not the typical southern gourmet T-Day meal I would make for guests, but it was just fine for a new family of four. We enjoyed watching the parade and lots of football. Thanksgiving was extra special with such a precious little blessing to be thankful for but it was also sad. This was the first Thanksgiving to not be celebrating at my parent's home, along with their cornbread dressing...I have to learn how to make that now!
This was Adam's dessert creation...3 pies in one: pecan, peach/pineapple and blackberry/blueberry. Very creative and quite tasty!
Our Thanksgiving day was made complete with a visit from the Lindsey family - love them!
Over the weekend, Grandma, Aunt Boop, Morgan and Billy came to meet Ella.
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Reflections on Blessings
My heart is so full of blessings from the Lord as I reflect back on our time in Oklahoma to receive the gift of our precious daughter...
Adam was able to stay on top of work via his laptop while in Oklahoma. Blessing!
Michael adjusted beautifully and didn't seem to skip a beat in his routine. Blessing!
So very thankful that our awesome adoption agency was willing to do an out-of-state adoption, we didn't want to use anyone other than APO. Karla worked very hard and was humble and gracious with a difficult attorney on the Oklahoma end of the Interstate Compact. Only someone with Jesus in their heart that covered the situation in prayer like Karla did could have pulled it off. Blessing!
Even though we were not home in the great state of Texas, we didn't feel like we were alone in a foreign land because the Lord provided us with love, support and "family" in the form of Nan, Pop and Deb. So thankful the Lord provides all we need. Blessing!
Margie's nurse was not only fabulous but she too was an adoptive mom. So Ella Grace was near and dear to her heart. After her shift was over she stayed on with us until Ella was born and she took our pictures. Blessing!
They may not realize it, but Ethan's family was very much a blessing to us. This was a tough time for them but they showed nothing but love and respect to us. We enjoyed the time to get to know them a little bit and they are wonderful. I was very touched by the prayer Ethan's Dad prayed after Ella was born. Blessing!
Staying with the Salzman family was such a treat going to and from Oklahoma. Anytime I get to see my best friend is a treat, but to share our celebration of Ella was extra special. She even took the night shift so I could rest up. Blessing!
Adam was able to stay on top of work via his laptop while in Oklahoma. Blessing!
Michael adjusted beautifully and didn't seem to skip a beat in his routine. Blessing!
So very thankful that our awesome adoption agency was willing to do an out-of-state adoption, we didn't want to use anyone other than APO. Karla worked very hard and was humble and gracious with a difficult attorney on the Oklahoma end of the Interstate Compact. Only someone with Jesus in their heart that covered the situation in prayer like Karla did could have pulled it off. Blessing!
Even though we were not home in the great state of Texas, we didn't feel like we were alone in a foreign land because the Lord provided us with love, support and "family" in the form of Nan, Pop and Deb. So thankful the Lord provides all we need. Blessing!
Margie's nurse was not only fabulous but she too was an adoptive mom. So Ella Grace was near and dear to her heart. After her shift was over she stayed on with us until Ella was born and she took our pictures. Blessing!
They may not realize it, but Ethan's family was very much a blessing to us. This was a tough time for them but they showed nothing but love and respect to us. We enjoyed the time to get to know them a little bit and they are wonderful. I was very touched by the prayer Ethan's Dad prayed after Ella was born. Blessing!
Staying with the Salzman family was such a treat going to and from Oklahoma. Anytime I get to see my best friend is a treat, but to share our celebration of Ella was extra special. She even took the night shift so I could rest up. Blessing!
Monday, January 14, 2013
Texas Bound!
After waiting several long days for the Interstate Compact for Adoption to be complete between Oklahoma and Texas, we finally received the all clear to go home!
One driving Daddy....
Two sleeping children....
And one very happy Mama!
We stayed overnight again in Keller. The Salzman girls were so excited to see Ella. We very much appreciated the hospitality and love from the Salzman's.
One driving Daddy....
And one very happy Mama!
We stayed overnight again in Keller. The Salzman girls were so excited to see Ella. We very much appreciated the hospitality and love from the Salzman's.
We stopped to make a very important and emotional introduction...
And then at last, HOME SWEET HOME!
We arrived on Saturday, November 16. Only sad part is, the hotel staff that brought us fresh towels, made our beds, cooked us breakfast and took out the trash everyday didn't come with us!
We arrived on Saturday, November 16. Only sad part is, the hotel staff that brought us fresh towels, made our beds, cooked us breakfast and took out the trash everyday didn't come with us!
Hotel Life with a Newborn
We were in the hotel with Ella for 6 days. I was dreading it but it really wasn't that bad, not ideal, but not bad. The hotel was very accomodating to our situation and they were genuinely excited for us.
Ella's bed at the hotel. I asked the front desk for an additional coffee table so I could put Ella's bed on it, right next to our bed. This is an Infant Travel Bed and it worked out great.
Ella's swing at the hotel. My dear friend Lucinda, loaned us this low to the ground, light weight swing. Much easier to travel with than our bulky one at home. As you can see, Ella is not the only who used it! :)
And of course, lots of snuggles!
Micahel's favorite part of hotel life was the elevator by far! He loved pushing the buttons and going up and down. As exciting as the elevator was he needed to get out. Adam took Michael to the zoo and they pretty much had it to themselves. Micahel is really into elephants right now and had a blast with Daddy!
Ella's bed at the hotel. I asked the front desk for an additional coffee table so I could put Ella's bed on it, right next to our bed. This is an Infant Travel Bed and it worked out great.
Ella's Changing table at the hotel.
Ella's swing at the hotel. My dear friend Lucinda, loaned us this low to the ground, light weight swing. Much easier to travel with than our bulky one at home. As you can see, Ella is not the only who used it! :)
Bath time in the hotel.
And of course, lots of snuggles!
Getting love from Nan
Daddy and Ella snoozing and catching some sunlight.
Not to mention, picture taking!
Micahel's favorite part of hotel life was the elevator by far! He loved pushing the buttons and going up and down. As exciting as the elevator was he needed to get out. Adam took Michael to the zoo and they pretty much had it to themselves. Micahel is really into elephants right now and had a blast with Daddy!
Oklahoma Part III
On Saturday morning we went to the hospital for the last time. We presented Ethan and Margie with gifts that we had brought with us. Our adoption worker read a few scriptures and led us all in prayer. We said our tearful goodbyes and gave lots of hugs.
Leaving the hospital as a family of four!
"Aunt" Deb came down from Kansas to spend several days with us and she was a LIFESAVER. I cried when she left. I met Deb and her sweet family (husband Stan and 3 boys) my freshman year at Baylor at our church in Waco. God certainly ordained our meeting and a lifelong friendship began. I would babysit their three boys in exchange for the use of their washing machine/dryer and lots of yummy dinners! She is a mentor, sister, friend, mom all rolled into one wonderful Deb! They have been back in Kansas for several years now and her boys are now grown ~ Two college graduates and one almost finished. As a Godly mom of three boys I have learned so much from her wisdom. My little family of 4 was blessed to have her love on us as we adjusted to life with two littles...in a hotel! Michael is still crazy about Deb and asks to talk to her all the time.
Leaving the hospital as a family of four!
"Aunt" Deb came down from Kansas to spend several days with us and she was a LIFESAVER. I cried when she left. I met Deb and her sweet family (husband Stan and 3 boys) my freshman year at Baylor at our church in Waco. God certainly ordained our meeting and a lifelong friendship began. I would babysit their three boys in exchange for the use of their washing machine/dryer and lots of yummy dinners! She is a mentor, sister, friend, mom all rolled into one wonderful Deb! They have been back in Kansas for several years now and her boys are now grown ~ Two college graduates and one almost finished. As a Godly mom of three boys I have learned so much from her wisdom. My little family of 4 was blessed to have her love on us as we adjusted to life with two littles...in a hotel! Michael is still crazy about Deb and asks to talk to her all the time.
Introducing Ella Grace Richards
Singing "Happy Birthday" through tears of JOY!
The next morning we brought Michael to the hospital to meet "Sissy," "Grace," "Ella Grace"...all of Michael's names for her.
Giving "Sissy" kisses.
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