Reece's Rainbow

"It is so magical to watch this child come alive right before my eyes...my cup runneth over"

It was a year ago that I picked up my little Ella for the first time in Cali, Colombia! In some ways it's hard to believe it's already been a year and in other ways I can't believe we haven't always had her!

It is amazing the difference a year has made. At first she was the most emotionally and physically unresponsive child I have ever seen...she slept and ate and not much else. Slowly, slowly, she started to respond to our love and affection for her and blossomed into a loving and affectionate daughter. At first she never cried or complained, just looked at us with those deep, dark eyes. I never thought I would be relieved to hear her cry, but I was because it meant she finally trusted us with her pain. I think she is still in the process of blossoming, but she has come so very far.

We all adore her, we always have. We are all thrilled that she is here and is a Spicer and that she will always have her family's love to count on for the rest of her life. Ella is a blessing to us and we count ourselves blessed beyond measure to have her in our home.

We had an absolutely awesome time in Hong Kong. Our social worker was an excellent tour guide and we saw many of the sights and learned about the history of the city. It was a once in a lifetime experience for all of us, and that does not include the most wonderful part of the journey!!!! Jacob took to our family immediately, he must have felt the love that we have had for him for so long. The orphanage staff was wonderful to us and our family. There was a very tearful goodbye when we took Jacob home.

The staff could not grieve for very long, because they had other children to care for that are still waiting for their forever families. I do not think that I will ever have the right words to express how we all felt, all I can say is that he is the most precious gift our family has ever received. He is funny and engaging and is already flirting with Emily and Erika's friends. LOL See the attached photo of our joyous family.

Thank you for everything. My sister is having a welcome home party for Jacob in about 2 weeks, and is telling everyone to donate to Reece's Rainbow, in Jacob's name or not, instead of gifts. Praise the Lord!!!