We Dreamed of You, Ellie!

On September 21, 2010 it became official - Eileen Mack Harding - Wheeler is legally ours - FOREVER! We didn't need a judge to tell us that Ellie belonged with us but it is always nice to have the official court stamp on everything.

I'm not sure if you can see it but this is the legal document that makes Ellie a member of the Harding - Wheeler family forever!

Molly was the MOST excited of all of the kids about the adoption ceremony! She is so much like me in that way - she loves the pomp and circumstance of everything!

Auntie Eileen took beautiful pictures of the day for us so that Ellie would know all of the people that came ot celebrate her big day !

Uncle Pat giving Ellie some love!

Grammy and Lizzie loved the bread and oil!

Meg brought Ellie a balloon and a tigger doll that Lizzie has claimed as her own!

Reillyn also came to celebrate with us. Ellie and he played the whole day!

Papa and his girls!

The big sister was so excited to be the one to carry Ellie into court.

This is judge Randolf and our social worker, Michael Walsh. When you hear all of those awful things about DCF it is easy to forget the people like Mike that work tirelessly for kids in need of homes. He is bright, energetic, loving and passionate about what he does. Michael is a huge reason that Ellie's placement with us and adoption were so seamless and just like the social worker that helped us with Peter's adoption, Mary, we will always be grateful to Mike for his dedication to finding the best place for Ellie.

We all met at Bertucci's after the ceremony for dinner - they took special care of us because it was such a special occasion.

Ellie got an early morning phone call from her godmother to celebrate her special day. We had tried to schedule the adoption for when Auntie was home in August but the court could not accomodate us. Good thing Ellie's godfather was there to carry the team! Auntie Beth was there in spirit and we took lots of pictures so she could relive everything!

Ellie and Michael, the social worker that made it all possible!

Pete and 2 of his favorite people in the world - Auntie Eileen and Uncle Jeff.

KK getting a smooch from her godson!KK got out of school early to be with us and it was hard for all of us not to remember Peter's adoption ceremony because it happened in the same courthouse, same room and everything!

The proud grandparents!

The three little girls all dressed up for court! Someone asked why we did not dress Ellie in something different since it was her big day but for some reason I thought it was appropriate for her to be dressed like her three big sisters - to symbolize the untiy of the siblings - if you notice even Pete matched the girls with his handsome white shirt!

Our family of 7!

I wonder if my parents knew that someday they would be covered in grandchildren who can't get enough of them! They are certainly perfect for the role!

Uncle Colin and his godson!

Auntie Jane with Ellie and Reillyn celebrating Ellie!

Auntie Kate and Ellie - the girl of the hour was getting really tired but she had a great day!

Kk and Ellie - they have always had a special bond!

Baby Brendan - Meg brought the twins to court and they were little angels - as usual!

Lila Danielle - looking gorgeous, as usual!

Our Ellie Bean - I sometimes get a pang when I realize how little I know of Ellie and Peter's life before they were with us. It was a short time but I miss knowing every detail of their births and the first few days, or weeks in Ellie's case, of their lives. And then I remember the gift of their entire life stretched out before us - the wonderful memories that we will make as a family and the blessing of having them here and now with us - FOREVER! Who could ask for more?

Sisters - FOREVER!

You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them.

~~ Desmond Tutu

We are so grateful that God chose us for each of our beautiful, wonderful, loving children!

GNM - ILY!