May 8, 2007

Three Years Ago I met Ella in the lobby of our hotel in Wuhan China. 

Boy has she changed in those 3 years.

Ella was a pretty angry 2 year old.  I can't even imagine what was going on in her head and heart that day.  Adoption is not easy on anyone but its hardest on the children.  No matter how prepared they may be by their foster family, its just not something warm and fuzzy for them. 

I am happy to say Ella is no longer scared.  She is a What you see is what you get kind of girl.  She shares all her feelings and they are usually sweet. 

This morning she ran into my room and said Happy Mother's Day and then proceeded to hold my hand and face and give me lots of hugs.  I get more of that tomorrow.  I am so lucky.

Thank you for being my daughter Ella.  I wish the beginnings had been easier for you but you are a strong girl that is not afraid to love.  For that I thank your Birth Family for doing what they thought was best for you.  I also thank your Foster Family for the strong foundation they gave you.  You were loved in China and you are adored here.  I can't imagine my life without you sweet girl!

Ella loves Rainbows, Princesses, Hearts, BearBear (white stuffed bear), her MomMom blanket (thank you Grandma Jo), Princess and the Frog, candy, tomatoes, school, daycare and so many other things.  At night she has to have all her blankets in a certain order and with no folds and will wake up to fix it in the middle of the night.  :-)

She keeps her promises to her friends and gets upset when they don't believe her.  Adrian tried talking her into not taking a nap at daycare, Ella tried to stay awake and couldn't.  Adrian got mad at her and she told him her eyes were closed because she was praying to Jesus.  It just about broke her heart that he was mad.  But they worked it out and are best friends again. 

Thank you Jesus for my little girl!

Here is a video from one day in China with Ella.  I think it was in Guangzhou.