Best Day Ever

About once a week, when we are doing something fun, Elijah exclaims, "this is the best day ever". I am thankful that he feels that way about once a week! Today was one of my "best days ever" as we made a trip to Richmond to meet up with old (in time, not age) friends from Virginia Beach. Wendy came with her seven children as well as my friend, Jessica, with her five children - including her recently adopted daughter from Ethiopia that lived at the transition home with Selah and Bella. As an extra bonus, Jessica's mother was able to come; Ms. Kathy was Gabriel and Alei's pre-school teacher as well as a family friend from church. (I've never sent any of my other children to pre-school, but I would have sent them all if they could have had her!)

Ben, Ms. Kathy and Baby Ruthie

 I can't believe I didn't even take a picture of Jessica, but I did get her sweet new daughter, Kate, with Selah and Bella. I was blessed to meet Kate in Ethiopia, and tell her the good news that she had a family, as well as show her the pictures they had sent for her. It was one of those awesome memories made possible by the miracle of adoption. 

Selah, Kate and Bella

Here's a shot of one of the big girl tables. We took up the whole back of Chick-Fil-A near the playground; several of the workers sweetly came over to ask about the children. At one point, Wendy explained that although there were over 20 children, they all belonged to our three families. The lady leaned in and asked, "even the African-American ones?" Yes, those are often the ones that allow us these sweet get togethers!

McKenzie , Elizabeth and Alyssa

After a wonderful few hours, we headed outside to take a parting picture of the kids. When our three families met over 20 years ago, only Gabriel was born. Today, Gabriel is the only one out of the house and there were a grand total of 22 children in our three families.
 

There's a lot of kids on that hill; we are abundantly blessed!

 After considerable debate and arguing, I made the executive decision to cross the road with my 10 kids to take a picture by the fountain once the other families packed to leave. Some of the kids don't enjoy being a spectacle in a public place, but since I haven't taken a single picture of all the kids living at home together since Easter, they complied. And I'm pretty happy with how this one turned out.

                                                                                           Jenny