Ellie's First Christmas!

ELLIE'S FIRST CHRISTMAS WITH US!!!!!! We waited for so long, and every year would wishfully say, "Maybe next year will be the year she will be with us." Now she is! And what a gift!

She has been going to physical therapy twice a week now for about 5 weeks. We are very pleased with the 2 physical therapists who are working with her. They seem very knowledgable, very patient, very encouraging, and very caring. They won't predict the future but they are optimistic (as are we).

Ellie doesn't like them quite as much as we do. For the first few weeks she cried hard the whole time, every time. The last few times she has cried much less, and the last time she went about 40 minutes before she starting whining and fussing!

We haven't seen any major changes, but we do see minor ones like she is chewing slightly better, her hands open and close more frequently, and on some days she can turn (with enthusiatic coaching) from her stomach to her back by herself.

She is also becoming more content with others holding her (as long as we are nearby), and even happy with some of them!

She continues to be adored by her brothers and sister, and remains well attached to them.

MRI and Neurologist

Two weeks ago, an MRI was done of Ellie's brain. A few days ago, we took those results to the neurologist to interpret for us. Her conclusion was that she was enouraged to NOT see any major brain damage that would indicate permanent problems. She was quick to point out, however, that long-term neurological damage is still possible without showing up on an MRI. However, there is still HOPE for improvement with physical therapy, good nutrition, and love.

She will have her first appointment with a Greek physical therapist this coming Thursday.

At our recent Team Retreat she began to show signs that she was more comfortable with others on our team holding her for extended lengths of time. This was an encouragement to all of us.

The interesting thing is that she SMILES AND LAUGHS FREQUENTLY but whenever we take out the camera, she stops! That's why she looks so serious in all the photos (she had been smiling immediately prior to the pictures being taken). However, whenever we take out the VIDEO camera she STARTS smiling even if she wasn't beforehand.

There are no words to adequately describe the growing and deepening love we all feel for Ellie, and the gratitude in our hearts for this precious gift from God. Thanks to all for your continued prayers.

Almost 6 months!

In 10 days (on November 13th) it will be 6 months since we first held Ellie in our arms!!!! We are all still smitten, and it looks likely that we will be for many decades to come!!!

We were able to get her passport and certificate of citizenship shortly before returning to Athens (thanks, Stephanie!) and she has been twice to the pediatrician, once to the neurologist, and once to get an MRI, and in a few days we will start with a Greek physical therapist here.

There have not been any major changes but there have been minor ones. We will write more when we know more. Thanks for your continued prayers.

More pics--Summer 2007

Top 4 Adoption Myths...

“ADOPTION COSTS TOO MUCH.”


Reality: Depending on the circumstances, the cost of adoption ranges from $0 – $30,000 and assistance is available.


“ISN'T THERE A GREAT CHANCE THAT A CHILD'S BIRTH PARENTS WILL GET A CHILD BACK AFTER THE ADOPTION?”




Reality: In modern U.S. adoption, laws have been established that nearly eliminate this possibility.




“ADOPTED CHILDREN PROBABLY HAVE MANY EMOTIONAL ISSUES I WON'T KNOW HOW TO HANDLE”


Reality: It’s true that some children who have had traumatic experiences may have an increased chance of having emotional and behavioral issues. But the truth is that any child, adopted or biological, may present these types of challenges. And the truth is that there are a lot of resources available to help in such situations.






“I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO LOVE AN ADOPTED CHILD AS I WOULD A BIOLOGICAL CHILD.”


Reality: While many people fear this very thing before adopting, according to research, 95 percent of adoptive parents say they experience a strong attachment to their child.


Excerpt from Hope for Orphans @ www.familylife.com/hopefororphans

5 Week Update

It's hard to believe that Ellie has been with us for 5 weeks! The time has flown and yet it seems as if she has always been a part of our family. She has brought so much love, energy, and joy to our family! She is adored by her siblings as well as her parents, and the grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles have taken a shine to her as well.

She had her first doctor visit this weeek. The pediatrician recommended a physical therapist and opthomologist that we have appointments with next week. Our insurance company will not cover any physical therapy concerning developmental issues, nor will they cover any expenses (the first year) for pre-existing conditions.

Mostly she sleeps through the night, although sometimes very restlessly with lots of noisy sounds (she is sleeping in our room with us).

She is gaining weight, getting new teeth, bonding and attaching well, smiling and laughing more and more, getting better control with her hands, and making us all fall madly in love with her! What a precious, priceless, wonderful, awesome gift from God!

Many thanks to the many friends who have prayed, given, encouraged, waited, and been a part welcoming Ellie into our family. We are so grateful to God for you!

When Love Takes You In Music Video

Last full day in China...

Above are some pics of the area in Guangzhou where we have been staying.

Our adoption facilitator turned in all of our documentation to the U.S. Consulate today. After some confusion and mis-information that caused some anxiety for a while, everything turned out fine. Tomorrow afternoon, Vicki will go in with a group of others to "swear the oath" of U.S. citizenship on Ellie's behalf (I will be on my way back to Greece at that time). Afterward, Vicki, Kendra, and Ellie will fly to Vic's folks in Eugene, OR and then join the boys and me in Mobile, AL (at my folks' house) on June 4th.

Thanks to all who have been praying for us. This trip has been a God-given adventure on many different levels. This summer I hope to add more pics and a little video (and maybe music) to this blog.

Happy Anniversary!!!

Today is our 19th wedding anniversary, and it will always rank among the most meaningful and memorable. Here is how we celebrated today...

Vicki took Ellie to get her final medical exam today (and she was PERFECT for all 4 doctors she needed to see), and Scott went to the U.S. Consulate to pay for Ellie's visa and get something notarized. Tomorrow, our adoption facilitator will turn in everything for us and, Lord willing, we will pick up her visa on Wednesday.

It rained almost all day today, but that did not stop Vicki and Kendra from doing some shopping. (smile) Almost everything is pretty cheap here, which makes shopping even more fun! (Of course, when we are operating on a very tight budget, the fun is still limited).

Tonight we ordered in, and afterwards Vicki and I went out and bought each other an anniversary gift and went to Starbucks for Frappucinos!

Sunday in China...

Have I mentioned that we LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE Ellie?!?!?!?!? Well...we do!!

Today Scott went over paperwork with the adoption facilitator and discovered that something notarized at the U.S. Embassy in Athens would have to be re-done here on Monday.

Scott went to church this morning and worshipped in a Chinese Protestant church as the only bald and hairy caucasion among about 200 Chinese brothers and sisters. Although everything was in the Chinese language (without translation), he was glad he went and worshipped in a new context.

Ellie was awake all day long, refusing to nap but full of smiles and laughs all day long until about 8:30 PM when she "crossed the line" and suddenly began to cry loudly and strongly for a while.

It has been raining (either lightly or heavily) in Guangzhou since we arrived, and it is very humid as well.

There are MANY American families here (and a few other nationalities) adopting Chinese children.

Jack and Candy--May 19th

Reading back over past posts on this blog, I realize that I have failed to communicate how much we are OVER THE MOON, ECSTATICALLY, HOPELESSLY, UTTERLY AND ETERNALLY IN LOVE with Ellie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! God made her for us, and we believe that God made us for her!!!

The second best thing that has happened while in China is that we got to spend the day with our dear Chinese brother and sister Jack and Candy!! (THE FIRST PHOTO IS OF THEM WITH KENDRA WHEN SHE WAS A BABY IN AUSTRIA)

They brought really nice gifts for our children and they had an oil painting commisioned for us of an area in Austria where we had lived before! They also bought lunch for us at a Thai restaurant, and we spent the day catching up, reliving old memories from the days in Austria where they came to know the Lord as refugees, and sharing about how the Lord is working in our lives. It was SO ENCOURAGING to spend time with them and to hear how the Lord is using them for the advancement of His kingdom in China. Please pray for them, as China is not an easy place to live for the Lord and they need some kindred spirits to share their lives with.