Story of Love

 It has now been over 4 weeks since we picked up sweet Ella Shae and I am just now getting to the point where I can formulate a few words to express our feelings over these last weeks.  For those who do not know the story, we got a call on Tuesday April 23rd that a baby girl had been born on April 14th (6 lbs. 10 oz. and 19 inches long) and her mother had chosen adoption.  The mother's rights would terminate on Thursday the 25th at midnight.  After getting the call, we scrambled to get all of the logistics in place to leave town and be gone for an undetermined amount of time.  We got to Atlanta on Friday evening and on Friday night had a sweet reunion with our little girl.  I'm sure that the emotions that every parent goes through are similar, but Friday April 26th, our "gotcha day," was a very long awaited, prayed over and emotionally charged day.  We were so grateful to finally have her in our arms. 

We stayed in South Carolina for nearly two weeks before we got to come home and introduce Ella Shae Brumley to friends and family.   The Lord's hand was so evident through all of the details in this process.  One of the sweetest parts was that Jonathan's parents were already scheduled to be in Colorado in May, so they were able to be a part of Ella's homecoming and have been able to spend time with her as we have been back and forth to Colorado. 

For those who know our journey, you know it has been a long one.  We are so grateful for the Lord's provision, His wisdom and His timing.  I kept waiting for that moment when the heartaches of the past 4 years would make sense, and they truly did the moment my daughter was placed in my arms.  Yesterday in church we sang the song "Never Once," and I was overcome by the chorus:

Never once did we ever walk alone
Never once did You leave us on our own
You are faithful, God, You are faithful

Please enjoy some photos of our first few weeks as a family.  The song on the You Tube Video is one that I played over and over again as we waited for the call that we had a baby on the way.  I am so blessed to be able to play this song now along side photos of our sweet blessing.  Did I mention our first Sunday back was Mother's Day?  God is good :)