Monday, August 25, 2008

Happy Birthday, Elli!

Yes, we have another August birthday! Elizabeth Mei turned four years old yesterday!!! We are planning to celebrate tomorrow and will post more about it. As I was going through our pictures to pick some for her slideshow I was overwhelmed at how far she has come since we brought her home not even a year and a half ago. Her progress has been very slow, so sometimes it's hard to see it-- but she has changed so much! Though Elli's life is completely dark (at least her vision is), she lights up our lives in a way I can't explain. She is such a blessing to our family. I feel like she is water to me-- like I have to drink and drink of her every day. I cannot get enough of her tight monkey hugs and screeches of joy when I come into the room. She is a miracle. I will not hide the fact that it can be very hard to deal with her blindness and severe delays. I would give the world just to have a conversation with her. But in spite of that, or maybe because of it, my love for her runs so deep. I teach her cute little class at church-- 12 little "Sunbeams" that are each so special and unique. I love them all, but I truly do look around at each of them and then see my Elli sitting in the corner, babbling or singing at the top of her lungs or jumping in her chair or screaming and I truly think, "How in the world did I get her?" How am I so blessed to call her mine? She is truly my favorite little thing on the planet. Happy Birthday, angel Elli! Your mommy loves you.

P.S. I loved the daisies on the slideshow, but if they get obnoxious, you can click on "view all images" to see the pics without the daisies.

10 comments:

  1. Happy Birthday Elli!!! She is so beautiful!

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  2. Happy Birthday! Great slide show! I think she looks like a mix of Jesi and Graci. She is beautiful and fortunate to have such a great family!

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  3. I was just looking at pictures before I looked at your slideshow and came across some of Elli right after she came home. And I was thinking how much she has changed and the progress she has made! And then I saw your post and it was so neat! My FAVORITE was coming to your house awhile ago and she was so happy and saying my name! SO fun!

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  4. I've been following your Gracie blog, and then came over here. I never realized that Elli was blind. Your Adoption of Gracie was one of the things I factored into our decision to adopt an older girl this time. Our son Acer,3 1/2 , whom we adopted first is totally blind and our Daughter, still working on dossier, is 8 and only has some tiny bit of sight.
    I marvel at both families adopting younger blind children first and then going back for older ones
    Heather BT
    http://adoptakid.blogspot.com

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  5. Happy Birthday, dear Elli!!! Thanks for the slide show. My favorite photo ***by far*** is the one of Elli being tossed high in the air! The joy on her face is amazing. I love it.

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  6. I am so sad that we aren't closer that I can see her more. She looks so adorable. Happy Birthday Elli!

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  7. Happy Birthday Elli! I just love her little laugh and smile. She is so full of life and such a joy to be around.

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  8. Happy Birthday sweet Elli! You have touched our lives so much and we never see you any more. It was fun looking at the slide show. she is a beautiful little angel

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  9. Happy Birthday our sweet little granddaughter, Elli. You have brought happiness and joy beyond compare. We can't imagine life without you. Your wonderful smile, little songs you sing, like "Rock-a-bye,don't you cry, we will go to Grandma's",laughing when we wonder what is so funny, saying,"Treats? Treats?", squeezing us so tight, expressions of pure joy with you family, What a marvelous, sweet blessing you have been to us and all those who meet you. We know the Lord has wonderful things in store for you. May he bless your life as you have blessed ours. We love you. Grandma and Grandpa Nelson

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  10. What a sweethear! She looks so content and loved - no surprise at all, look who she lives with! I am going a little crazy here with Jon rafting. How about you? I hope Jeremy is enjoying seeing everyone again.

    Love ya tons!
    Teresa

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