Sweet Home Gabriela

This is Ella's room! We tried to bring in some Guatemalan flare. Ella doesn't really like to sleep in her bed though; she prefers Mom and Dad's bed or Sarah's bed. :)

Ella looks up to Anna Grace

Anna Grace and Ella are playing in Ella's room!

Ella loves her rocking chair.

Time for lunch! 

(this picture is for you, Mimi!)

Bath time!

Sisters in the car! Ella likes her new car seat... sometimes.

We are settling into life at the Stroup house wonderfully. Ella is a great addition to our now family of 8.  We just had our first family picture for the church directory with our complete family.  Will post those pictures later.....  All 8 were looking at the camera!!  Most everyone smiling!   

Ella's Homecoming! 10/18

Let's go home!

We got a ride through the Guatemala Airport.

Ella did great on the plane. She was very busy! :)

John and Greg met us at the St. Louis airport! It was a very big surprise! Our plane got in at 10 PM, so we were very tired.

The girls at the airport. Our great friends Chantelle and Eric Becking met us at the airport too. Chantelle made us a sign. We love it!

Getting Ella's Passport 10/16

Cutie Pie!

Say Cheese!

Ella's passport

Peace, love, rock & roll. Thanks Chantelle for the adorable shirt!

More Embassy Day Pics 10/15

Ella and James hanging out at the hotel

Ella and Sarah

cELLAbrating Ella's Embassy Day with ice cream!

Yahoo!!!!! It's Official!

Yahoo! Gabriela Marie Stroup!

 Celebrate!

Guatemalan Cowgirl!

Blowing kisses to Daddy, John, Anna Grace and Joe!

Going out to lunch. 

New hairdo by Sarah

Embassy Day!

Good morning, Sunshine, its your Embassy Day!

All ready to go!

HERE SHE COMES.......

Ohhhh  Ella with Mommy, James and Sarah

Ella Marie Stroup

Headed to Guatemala!!!

Leaving St. Louis 5:00 AM in the shuttle at the airport.   Rise and Shine and Give God the Glory Glory......  This photo is after a 2 hour trip to St. Louis at 2:30AM!!!  Sarah, Shari, James and our good friend Shelly who came with us!!!!

Sarah and James all checked in ready to go!

American Airlines taking us to pick up our little girl

Guatemala Airport

We have arrived!  Do we have enough luggage????

PINK!!!!!!!!

SHE IS COMING HOME!!!   We Have PINK!   Pink Pink Pink!!!   We are so excited to bring our sweet baby girl home!   "Let them give thanks to the Lord for His love and for the miracles he does for people".  (Psalm 107:8)   We thank God for this amazing journey of faith, patience, goodness and love.  The adoption journey is one that will live in our hearts forever and be a testimony to our children of God's love.  As we bring this sweetheart home, we are thankful and reminded of God's great power and mercy and hope.  We started this adoption right as the government was closing the adoption process with zero guarantees that we would be able to bring Ella home.  Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, if your faith is as big as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, Move from here to there, and it will move.  All things will be possible for you."  We have held onto that faith and that hope!  And now our sweet Ella Marie is coming home.   Thank You God.

Guatemala or Bust

It's a match! Ella's DNA is on its way to the US Embassy. I am dreaming PINK! We should be hearing soon. 

"PRAISE the LORD , GOD our SAVIOR,  who helps us every day".  Psalm 68:19.  God has truly helped us through this journey.  When I would get discouraged,  He would pick me up, when I would get anxious, He  would gently remind me that His timing is ALWAYS perfect.  When I would be so very thankful, He was always there to give praise to.  God is Good All The Time and His Love endures forever!  I am so thankful for such an amazing and loving God.  And also thankful for such supportive family and friends who have walked with us through this journey of faith, compassion, mercy and grace.   THANK YOU!