What a wonderful Wednesday this is for our family. We woke up to news from Kiev that finally all the papers and legal documents were in order and my dear Sister-in-law will be traveling home with their new son, our new nephew ( the initial trip to the Ukraine and applying for the legal papers was at the beginning of July). My brother Leonard and niece Hope are anxiously waiting for that plane to land later this week with Mandy and Andrew on it. Home at last and a forever family for little Andrew (5 yrs. old). Hope met her new little brother during the initial trip in July. When I get the OK, I’ll post a photo of their family. We are thanking the Lord for his love and care in this grueling process which started way earlier than July…
More good things happening here…
Last night we got together to celebrate Josh and Laura’s 13th wedding anniversary. Josh and Laura are a wonderful couple and such a blessing to our family, Laura’s family and friends.
We are really enjoying the fact that for the first time since they got married Katie and Andrew are living in the Seattle Area.
We are also grateful to God for watching over our son Dan on an assignment away from his home for a month. He’s back home now safe and sound and we rejoice with that news. So all of our children are in the state of Washington for now. Very good news.
On Sunday Dear and I were at a local elementary school getting it spruced up for the coming year. Dear was spreading bark and I was suppose to help a teacher in her classroom along with a couple other volunteers. When I got to the classroom two young ladies walked up with their name tags on and I was surprised to see the name Ellen on one of them. I do not encounter many other gals named Ellen. The other Ellen commented “No way, I never meet Ellen’s” and then she said, “We have the same t-shirt on, no way!” These were t-shirts from a 5k “Stop Human Trafficking event from 2 years ago. Well at that point we decided we needed to document this strange occurrence in both of our lives!
Fun times!
Another fun random thing is that our Seattle Sounders Soccer Team is celebrating their 40th Anniversary this year just like Dear and I. 
Yep! I bought Dear a t-shirt with this logo on it just because…
This is my happy day, happy post with so many things that are making me rejoice. What’s giving you a reason to rejoice today?
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:4-8 ESV
The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b. 
Oh, this is a happy post! Rejoicing with you that the legal stuff for getting little Andrew home is behind and that the family will soon be together. Rejoicing with you to have all of your kids in the same state now. Fun meeting up with another Ellen and how funny about the matching T-shirts.
You look pretty happy! Your entire family always looks happy! So glad that your brother’s family is welcoming a new member. What joy!
Among so many other things in life(healthy) I am thrilled to finally get some dental care… It had been on the back burner for a long time…You have many praises..
You have so many reasons to be Happy. I love it that you bought a shirt. Why not. And we are so excited to hear about the updates on Andrew. Now just to be able to give him a huge hug.
It’s a great feeling indeed to have all your children in the same state! Congratulations on your new family member! You do have a lot to rejoice over.
Love the idea of your favorite team having the same anniversary year as you. I would have bought a t-shirt, too..
Oh happy day indeed! So exciting and an answer to many prayers I am certain! Great pictures of you all and so cool that you met another Ellen!! Hope you celebrate your 40th for the whole year through – you should! Hugs!
A happy pots indeed…on this wonderful Wednesday! I am rejoicing along with you on so many levels. And I am also giving thanks over here for some answered prayers.
Oh yes, a happy day! How exciting to be welcoming a sweet little nephew from across the miles, and to know that he will be loved and cherished.
I know that it warms your mother-heart to know that all of your chicks are near you once again. Happy anniversary to the happy couple!
So, you met a kindred spirit at the elementary school? 🙂
What a great post full of happiness. Love it, every bit.
That is amazing about meeting another ELLEN and wearing the exact same shirt from 2 yrs ago. There’s more to this story…it may come quickly or it may be slow but I just KNOW there’s a reason for Heavenly Father letting you two meet. 🙂 I just LOVE watching GOD work, don’t you?
This post is filled with so many happy things! Thanks be to God. I’m so glad the paperwork from Kiev is settled and your new nephew can come home to his family. Good news out of the Ukraine isn’t very common these days.
Enjoy having your family close at hand.
It’s like five faves on a Wednesday 🙂 Wonderful happy news, Ellen. I’m sure you love having your dear ones so near.
You have a lovely family. So happy for all the great news your family received. Enjoy your weekend.