We are going to Grandma's house

This week we leave to go to Florida to visit my family. Ella will be meeting my grandparents (my dad's parents) and rest of the family for the first time. Sara and Jim will also be going with us.

While down there we are a having Ella's pictures taken again. This time by Stacy who is a Celebrate Adoption photographer. Her blog is here.

Stay tuned for pictures later this week from Florida.

Can I brag a minute?

I have been looking for an intital tee for Ella but didn't want to pay too much for one. So I got a wild hair and decided to make one and here is how they turned out.

(Look at those new front teeth)

Lazy Day at the Lake

How cute is she?

My two favorite people in the whole world.


Yes, Chloe even has a float.

Kaycee even got to make the trip this weekend.

We have a new Birth Certificate

Wednesday Mike stopped by DHEC while in Columbia working and got Ella's new birth certificate with the name we are giving her on it. Now all that is left to do is change her name on her social security card and certificate of citizenship. We are almost done!

Tuesday is $1.00 Scoop @ Baskin Robbins

Tonight we went and had a dollar scoop of ice cream with our neighbors Ann and Dave. Here is a few pictures of Ella enjoying her ice cream.

Readoption Day

Everything went very well this morning at court. We were called and went into a small court room where the judge, his baliff and court reporter were. The judge asked us a few questions and we were done. The whole thing took about 5 minutes.

Catch Up

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. I don't have a good excuse.


On Monday Mike left to go see Pearl Jam in Columbia which made his first night away from Ella. From Columbia he went straight to Alpharetta for a meeting and returned home Tuesday night.


Tuesday was our first day in our change of daycare arrangements and it seems to work. Instead of my mom and sister splitting the day Tuesday thru Friday now my mom has Ella all day Tuesday-Thursday and Sara has all day Friday.


Over the last week and a half Ella has finally cut her top front teeth. We were really starting to wonder if she was ever going to get them and now it looks like about 5 more are close behind.

This coming Monday is Ella's readoption day. I am glad to finally be making some progress on her readoption. We have been waiting for about 2 months for this appointment so we can finish her adoption. After the judge signs off on her adoption we still have to get her birth certificate in the name we are giving her, change her name and status on her social security card, change her name on her certificate of citizenship and apply for a US passport.

Water, Fun and Friends

This past Sunday we went and spent the afternoon with some friends while our husbands played golf. Here are a few photos from the day.

Is he looking at what I think he is??

I saw you looking now don't let me catch you again

Wipe Out

Ella made this mess with the wipes while I was fixing her lunch. I knew she was being a little too quite.

Ella's Dedication Letter

Below you will find Ella's dedication letter Mike read at the service.

Dear Ella,

We first laid our eyes on you on February 28th, 2007 and we knew you were our baby girl. Over the next 12 months you consumed our every thought of every minute of every day while we waited to bring you home forever. Our story is far too long to detail in this letter. It’s a story filled with many emotional ups and downs over those 12 months. One day you will know this story well…you will know that this story is commonly referred to as “our journey.” You will know that a little thing like a bumper sticker on a car that read “why worry, God’s in control”, gave us the answers we seeked and the courage to begin this journey. You will know how supportive our families were throughout this journey and how wonderful they are. You will know how our friends prayed for you and how excited they were for you to come home. You will know how much we love you and that we are the lucky ones. But most of all you will undoubtedly know that God brought us together because His fingerprints are all over our journey.

You came home forever on March 6th, 2008 to a crowd of family and friends celebrating your arrival. We were finally able to be your parents full time and in our home…here in XXXXXXXXXX, SC. For so long we were only able to parent you during our visit trips and in the hotel. Many times we caught ourselves in disbelief that you were actually here, eating at our dinner table, bathing in our bathroom, sleeping in your new nursery. You have adapted extremely well to your new environment and surroundings. Everyone compliments your beauty and your sweet personality. You love to give mommy and daddy hugs…good gripping hugs around our neck which make us feel so special. You also love to give these hugs to our boxer, Chloe…such a good relationship you two have. One of the best feelings in when you wake up in the morning and we come to get you. As soon as you see us you have a big smile on your face and let out a sweet little scream. You then like to stand up but fall back down and play hard to get.

We are so thankful to God for bringing you into our lives. We will continue to thank Him everyday and worship Him in this church and by leading Christian lives. Our prayer is that you accept the love of God and may He shine His blessings upon you everyday. None of this would have been possible without the love of God. He has blessed us with the ultimate gift, Ella Jane Marleny XXXXXX and today we thank Him by dedicating your life to Him.

Love,


Mom & Dad

Her Life Verse:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not
depend on your own understanding.
See his will in all you do, and he will show you
the path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6

Ella's Dedication

A few pictures before we left.

Mike reading a letter to Ella from both of us.

Mary reading Ella's Life Verse

Our family with Mary and DeWayne who are Ella's dedication sponsors.

Thank you Mary and DeWayne!!

Ella with my mom and dad

Group Photo.

All of these wonderful people are in our bible study.

Thank you to all of our friends and family that came to support Ella on this special day.

Who needs a pool when you have a sandbox

Yesterday it was in the upper 90's here and HOT. Since we have already done the sprinkler we wanted to try something different. This turtle is suppose to be Ella's sandbox and since we have not bought sand yet we decided to fill it with water. She loved playing in it except when it was time to get out.