Monday, June 7, 2010

Day 151


Johnny spent his first month of life with his birth mother and then lived at Hannah's Hope as we waited month after month to bring him home (150 days to be exact). During this time, he grew attached to his environment at Hannah's Hope and came to love his special mothers. He was very happy and so well taken care of. We are so thankful for the love and care he received while at the orphanage.


When we picked him up, Johnny took to us as his parents quickly. He was very affectionate and interacted with us without fear. But there was a part of him that he kept guarded. It is difficult to explain as the changes we have seen in him have been so subtle but each month John and I have been able to see him open up more and more and trust us with who he is. It is nothing big, just small seemingly insignificant moments when he seems to let go and trust us with another piece of himself. Children are amazing. Trust comes so easily. It would have taken me years to open up the way Johnny has and trust that my environment and the people in it were worthy of my love. That I could trust them to be there for me as time passed. But children understand what it really means to love and give and receive it freely.



Today marks the day that Johnny has been with us longer than he has been with anyone else. It is today that we have surpassed the previous caregivers and will continue to daily show him that he is ours and we are his. Though he is completely unaware that today is Day 151, I cherish this day. We do not take for granted the trust that he has given us as his parents. We are his forever home and are blessed completely by this son of ours...

11 comments:

X said...

Happy 151st Day! This blog post is brimming with happiness. I'm so glad that all is well in your world :)

Shauna said...

I totally get it. Its a great feeling... Yay!

Jenny said...

i LOVE it when i read the "he's been w/us longer than anyone else" posts! they give me chills! SO awesome!

JonesEthiopia said...

Congrats!

We are not there yet with E, but we're getting closer!

Ben and Emily Wells said...

Congrats! So blessed to have each other. We love your family! XO

Kamille said...

How wonderful to say this. I knew in the beginning that 151 meant how long he's been with you, but even upon reading it as I scrolled down gave me goosebumps. What a privilege indeed!

Shana said...

you just made me cry!

Anonymous said...

151 down a lifetime to go...We are blessed to have our Johnny. Love Meemaw

Tim and Kasey said...

Congratulations Pell family!!! Ok, so your post made me cry tears of joy. I can just feel and hear your love for Johnny through your words. Johnny is so blessed to have the three of you... as are you to have him. We miss you guys so much and look forward to the day we get to meet the little man we have read so much about!
Love, Kasey

Amanda said...

Beautiful post friend...what a great day! I'm all choked up thinking about it:) Love you!

Kimberly said...

Precious! What a beautiful thing to mark and cherish!