9/22/09: Have six months really gone by?

Greetings!

The beginning of the school year has been a blur for us, even more so than the summer, if possible. I've really struggled with balance as I returned to the classroom. It's tough to find time to prep for class, especially given the distractions of new boyfriends (Britti and Chelsea), tennis season (Chelsea), and desires to play with Emmy and Ellie-Kate. However, I realize that we're so blessed... My job is flexible so I *can* still have four days out of the seven at home with girls. I *can* get to tennis matches and soccer games. I get to take Ellie-Kate to story time at the library every Tuesday and to "Wee Wigglers," a play group at the rec center, every Thursday. Our jobs are secure; our home is sturdy, although more than a little messy at times, and everyone is healthy, except for an occasional bug.

As we near September 23, six months from the day that we held Ellie-Kate in our arms for the first time, I can't imagine our lives without her. I love how her eyes twinkle as we share something humorous, yes, even when I'm trying to get her down for a nap... I love her boundless energy, her amazing sense of humor, her incredibly sharp and active mind, and her eagerness to learn and grow.

Praise God that she loves us so much as well!! If anything, the transition back into school has been especially tough on Ellie-Kate. Like our sheltie, she really doesn't like for any of our "herd" to be gone for extended periods of time. Today, she "called roll" almost the entire day until we picked Emmy and Chelsea up from school and tennis practice. She wanted a full accounting of Daddy, Britti, Emmy, and Chelsea's respective locations and activities. Six months ago tonight, our precious little girl spent her last night in an orphanage crib, not knowing about her mommy, daddy, or big sisters. Today, she can't imagine why we wouldn't all just be around during the day and night...

One of her favorite books continues to be "My Family," a Baby Einstein book that friends gave to us as a welcome present for Ellie-Kate. When I initially read the book to her, I was hoping to get Ellie-Kate to see all of us as family. Now, she looks at the pictures and then immediately calls out one of our names and smiles. (Okay, Emmy's not fond of the fact that the older sister looks like a monkey in the book, but she's flattered that Ellie-Kate calls out her name more times than not when we read it!!)

As we near our six month anniversary with Ellie-Kate tomorrow, we would like to thank all of you for sharing our journey with us!! We truly appreciate all of your kind words of encouragement and support, and we are so grateful that you care for us and, particularly, for Ellie-Kate. Thank you so much for participating in this special time of our lives, for following our story, and for caring about us. We are so blessed that God chose to add Ellie-Kate to our family and that He brought all of you into our lives.

Praising God for family and friends and, especially, Ellie-Kate!!

Christie