Happy 19 month birthday and five month anniversary, Ellie-Kate!!

Hi Everyone--

What a busy week!! On Sunday, August 23, we celebrated five months with our precious Ellie-Kate, and yesterday, on Wednesday, August 26, we rejoiced in her 19 month birthday. She continues to amaze us, and we praise God for His gracious provision. Today, we traveled to Columbus to meet with our social worker for our mandatory six month post-placement visit. We really loved the chance to introduce Ellie-Kate to our case worker, and, as we visited, we re-realized once again just how blessed that we are.

As we explained to the caseworker that we have not had to do anything to address her previously identified "special needs," we just thanked the Good Lord that Ellie-Kate did not have to have surgery on her hips, her heart, or her tailbone. All of those issues turned out to be just fine.

As we shared about Ellie-Kate's rapid assimilation into our family, we felt so grateful that we did not have to struggle with the attachment issues that affect some other adoptive families. We praise God for a healthy, happy baby, and we really give Him all of the glory. Thanks, Lord, for sparing us and blessing us!! What a miracle that Ellie-Kate has been in our lives!!

Beyond celebrations for and with Ellie-Kate, we've had a hectic week in terms of tennis season and the start of school for Emmy and Chelsea. Chelsea had five matches in six days last week, with three of them at other schools. Emmy and Chelsea both started school on Tuesday, and Roger and I are striving to get ready for OU to begin on September 8. After the past five months away from the office, I'm working on my juggling skills to make sure that I don't drop any "balls" with kids, home life, and/or activities, but I am looking forward to the content of my fall course. The class should be fun, especially after I get back in the swing of things.

Well, that's the update on the home front! I'll post more pictures very soon :)

Christie