Bella's hair adventure...

Brooklyn and I took Bella to an Ethiopian hair salon on Colfax this morning. It took them 2 hours to braid her hair! Such nice people who really loved on our girl -- we don't exactly love the style they chose, but we're learning! I think she's pleased, though. And that's what matters! We are just having a BALL. So thankful for these warm, happy days... Karen

More pics of the kiddos...

Neighbor took some pics...

More pics...

First Week Highlights...

Kids dancing to “High School Musical 2” soundtrack – holding hands and MOVING

Bella’s first trip to the grocery store – she was wide-eyed and grinning at the choices before her – I saw it differently, too, for the first time in a long while…

Booker’s proclamation that “this is AWESOME” after a couple of days of uncertainty had passed by....

Our 10-year-old neighbor saying “it’s great to be friends with people who have adopted kids” – he is on board, for sure.

Bode and Brock’s giggles echoing down the hallway after we tuck them in… they don’t speak the same language, but then again, they do…

Bella’s bowed head when we pray… she has been taught by someone to revere God, and we owe that someone a big thank you some day… the seeds have already been planted.

The girls getting dressed each morning… Bella is delighted by her choices, and Brooklyn likes showing her the options.

Bode’s nearly constant singing in Amharic…

Brock sharing his stuff -- and then again, sometimes not sharing his stuff. Can't blame him for getting frustrated. He's a lover, though, not a fighter. Grateful for that. Goodness, how I love that kid.

Hearing the kids tell about how fun it was to hand out the Ethiopian treasures we'd brought home for their classmates. Think they were king and queen of their classrooms for a day. Smile.

Dear friends’ visits – at one point, we had an “United Colors of Benetton” ad in our backyard – kids from ALL over the globe were represented!

Brooklyn and Bella sleeping in their bed, arms entangled and smiles on their faces, even as they slumber…

Bode’s adoration of Brant. He has been nurtured by females before… but he’s not had a daddy he can remember. It is a joy to watch him love and play with his daddy.

Our first outing to WalMart as a family – it was actually fun. Chaotic, but fun. We really feel like a herd. But it’s a good, solid herd. Smile.

Kiddos all sleep through the night – for parents who’ve gone years at a time without sleep in the past, this is a fabulous reality.

Staying up late with Booker and hanging out after the other four (four?!) are in bed. He found a Wii this week and can’t WAIT to try it out – bought it with his hard-earned money that he’s saved for years!

Mealtime INSANITY – that, and the insane amount of laundry this family now generates. We fall in to bed at night EXHAUSTED, but thankful to be that way. We yearned for days like this… and feel so ridiculously blessed. Our house is FULL. And then some! Love, The Schelhaas Seven

Kids in new towels...

2 more pics from airport...

2 pics at HOME...

Last pics of Denver airport...

More pics of Denver airport...

HOME at last...

After touchdown in Denver, we made our way to the escalator at DIA that would finally unite us as a family of seven. Oh, how I've waited for this day for YEARS. The kids were very groggy, as we had to wake them up when we landed (it was late-night for their body clocks). They rallied, however, and as soon as we'd gotten to the top of the escalator, I saw Brock come FLYING across the floor. Oh, that little boy. How we love him. Booker and Brooklyn were quite embarrassed by the MANY onlookers, and they approached us rather shyly. But it was a wonderful reunion. I've traveled quite a bit -- but I have NEVER missed my kids like I did on this trip. NEVER. Holding them again was a dream come true.

Brant's parents, my dad, my brother, and Brant's sister and her husband were all there to greet us. We made our way to baggage claim, where, by some miracle, ALL of our bags had arrived.

Buckling ALL FIVE KIDS in to the van was really surreal. By that point, they'd begun to loosen up, and Bella and Brooklyn held hands. They've been holding hands ever since -- really glued at the hip. I found them on the first night here at home all snuggled up in bed, arms around each other, sleeping peacefully. DARLING. Bode sang songs in Amharic all the way home from the airport, which completely endeared his new brothers to him...

We picked up pizzas on the way home, and enjoyed our first dinner as a family of seven. It was such a "moment". I will never forget it. The kids played ball in the backyard for a bit before bedtime, and it was really precious. Kids don't take long to start the bonding process... so fun to watch it all unfold. I wish you could've seen Bella and Bode's first "tour" of the house... by the time we made it to Brooklyn's room, Bella had silent tears in her eyes that eventually spilled down her cheeks. She has NOT stopped smiling.

This is just the beginning, we know, and we're anticipating some bumps along the way. But I have to tell you that we're really enjoying the first few days of being a family.

I am not doing well physically, and it's taking some of the fun out of it for me (thus, these VERY tardy blog posts!). On our first day home, I got the familiar twinges in my stomach and abdomen, and I've been puking and enjoying all that goes with that. Smile. Just glad I didn't get THIS kind of sickness until we got home. So, all you locals who are dying to meet the kids, THIS is why we've had the door shut and haven't ventured out in the front yard yet! Give me another day -- I want to really enjoy the big introduction. That, and our kids are really enjoying the bonding time.

Love you ALL. You have prayed and supported us every mile of this journey, and we will never forget your investment. Hugs. Karen... for ALL SEVEN OF US...

Last pics in DC...

More of DC time with family...