Ellie's Homecoming Party

Hey Everyone! Can you believe it has been a year since we brought Ellie home and became a family? We celebrated her "homecoming" on the 4th. It was a wonderful day, we had cupcakes and balloons, she rode her little car and showed off for everyone and then we went swimming. We had so much fun, sharing the joy of this precious little girl.

Elliana Grace Palmer has adjusted well. It has been an incredible first year, and it is as though she has always been with us. Jim and I can't remember what life was like without her, nor do want to. Every night when I tuck her in I still thank God for Ellie. I think back to her name. You may remember that "Elliana" in Hebrew means "God has answered." When we named her over a year ago I had no idea what it would really come to mean to us. She is, without a doubt, the most incredible answer to prayer we have ever received.

Now that it has been one year I am no longer going to post to this blog. I plan to join facebook soon so look for more pics of Ellie there and in emails. I can't thank you enough, for your love and support as we have progressed on this amazing adoption journey. Thank you for sharing in the craziness to get her, the joy in bringing her home and cheering us on as she has adjusted to her new life. Thank you so much for being part of the amazing "Story of Ellie"!

With love and gratitude,

Donna, Jim and Ellie

Nose kissing with Mommy is funny!

Oooh I love Daddy!

Okay, so maybe I am messy but can anyone really eat a chocolate cupcake fast enough?

Yes, I am the star of this party!

No one told me how hot the summers in Texas were going to be!

I sure love Gaga!

I want to help daddy make the burgers...

I am so showing off!

"Cheeeeeese"

I am driving this thing myself and feeling so cool!

I can't believe it has been so long since I last posted. Life gets busy and hectic! Today I am making up for lost time and posting pictures from April, May and June.

Ellie continues to grow and thrive and change. She is such a joy and the best blessing ever! She is happy, smart and has a HUGE personality! I can't believe a year ago we were in front of a Russian judge and our adoption was final. We still had to wait the 10 days before getting her out of the orphanage, but it was year ago that it was official. I remember the judge asking us if we wanted her. I will never forget choking back the tears and the crack in Jim's voice as he said yes, your honor she is our little girl.

She is talking much more now and is putting words together. It is so funny and neat to hear her say, "hello mommy". She is really loving the dogs now and also the pool! We have her in swimming lessons and she thinks she is a fish! She has also discovered pink, sparkly nail polish and thinks her toes must always have it on them! If it chips off she is sure to tell me so I can fix it...what a girly girl! :) Poor daddy...haha!

We are planning a party for her "homecoming" day, which is the 4th of July...so stay tuned for more pictures! That will be exactly one year. Time has flown by. I can't even remember life without Ellie, nor do I want to. Every night when I tuck her in I thank God for our precious gift, for Elliana....our answered prayer.

Much love,

Donna

Ellie is quite the entertainer! She loves to dress up, but her favorite thing is to "shop naked" after her bath! She puts on her boots and her hat and then goes "shopping" around the house. It is hilarious! She is going to love these pics when she is 16! We laugh so much and absolutely adore our naked shopper!

Ellie turns 2!!!!!!

On May 15th she turned 2. We started the day off playing dress up, then outside to play and finally the best part...cake! It was a wonderful day...to think, a year ago we were with her in the orphanage. She has changed so much...thank God for our precious Ellie!

Waiting for the butterfly wings to take her away!

Being a princess has its advantages....

A big birthday smile for daddy!

Having fun...

Uncle Jason and Ellie playing with her new sand/water box. Thank you for the cool gift Uncle Jason and Aunt Johanna!

Learning to ride her new tricycle...

Looking for trouble....

A moment of serious contemplation amidst the fun...

Being the center of attention is great!

I have to get every bite of this frosting!

Being two is GREAT!!!!

In April Ellie and her friend Jailyn went to the Dallas Arboretum to play. They had so much fun together and, of course, their mommies did too! Jailyn is from China and a couple of months older than Ellie. They really enjoy being with each other!

Mommy and Daddy and Grandma took Ellie to the Ft. Worth Zoo in May. She loved it and so did we!

She loved holding the bird on a stick...she said "WoooW" really loud, so cute!

Nothing better than the carousel with "Gaga"!

She wasn't too sure about being in the stagecoach...

We also took her to the zoo when Aunt Toy and Uncle Taylor came to visit. She had so much fun...she even walks around saying "zoo"...she is always ready to go back!

Concentrating on holding on!

A moment of serious contemplation as she watch the giraffes....

Loving being with Aunt Toy and Uncle Taylor!

Nothing better than a cool drink in daddy's arms!

In April I took Ellie on her first plane ride since we flew home from Moscow. She did great! She watched Barney on the portable dvd player and ate puffs the whole way. The woman behind us on the plane asked how I kept her so quiet, it was a proud mommy moment for sure! We went to visit "Aunt" Devon and "Uncle" Mark and all our friends in Columbus GA. They had a party for Ellie to welcome her. She had so much fun and did really well on the trip. She made herself right at home and had the run of the house! It was so wonderful to see all our friends who have prayed for us and especially for Ellie. It was such a special time. Thank you so much to all of our dear friends...and especially to Devon and Mark....thank you for making us feel so at home!