We’re loving being home. Loving every minute of it. Things are crazy busy but amazingly wonderful. There truly are no words to describe how blessed we feel that God chose to add Hailee and Harper to our family. They are both just so completely adorable. We love them with a passion and cannot imagine life without them.
Our other children sure have been incredible. They adore their little sisters already. They have been such a huge help to me in the last few days-always willing to serve in any way they are needed. It blesses my heart enormously to see the seed of adoption that is so firmly planted in their little hearts. They get it. They understand that life has changed and that things will probably be challenging for the next while, but they are so fine with it. How blessed we are.
It was so sweet to see the older five children waiting anxiously for their sisters at the airport. They were all so tender and gentle with Hailee and Harper.
They were so patient as the news crew asked us some questions. I know all five of them were so eager to have their turn to hold their new sisters.
Harper took to them like she had known them her entire life. She has such a sweet little personality. This girl is all about some loving.
Granddad (“Bampie” to our children) got to hold his seventh and eighth grandchild for the first time. I honestly don’t know what we would have done without my Dad and Beth in the last few weeks. They flew here from South Africa just to come and help out in whatever way they could. They have been amazing…a gift to our family in this busy season of our lives.
Harper baby got passed from one sibling to the next-kind of like the pass the parcel game we have in South Africa. She gladly went to any arms that would hold her tight.
Hailee was so drowsy. Still, she managed to open her little eyes every now and then.
Sleeping beauty safe in the arms of one who adores her. How angelic is that little face?
Hailee is adjusting okay. We have good moments, and very tough moments. We’re fine with it all, knowing it is going to take this angel a lot of time to feel safe and secure. Who can blame her after all she has endured in her short life? We’re just taking tiny little baby steps with her-trusting our God of wonders to heal every part of her body that needs a touch from Him. We have a long road ahead of us to see her healthy. This morning her little fingers and toes were so blue (due to the lack of oxygen)-quite scary. I know that the high altitude we live at is not helping her at all.
She is tiny-painfully so. When I look at Hailee like this, it breaks my heart that she really is five years old. Oh my goodness, how can it even be? How can a five year old weigh sixteen pounds?
Hailee will NEVER look this way again! Her road to healing has begun. Hallelujah.
We know that Hailee will catch up fast. We know that she will gain weight quickly.
We celebrated her fifth birthday with the whole family. She is such a picky eater that I was pretty convinced she would not even try a morsel of cake.
How wrong I was!
One taste and she was hooked. The little mouth opened wide for more, more, more. It was the sweetest thing ever. No doubt the first time she had ever had cake.
We keep the little hat on her all the time to try and allow her ears to heal. She is obsessed with scratching them until they are raw and bleeding. Thank you to the blog reader who recommended the Hanna Anderson pilot hat. I got Hailee’s in the mail and it is wonderful-covers her ears completely.
She has definitely decided that cake is one of her most favorite things to eat. A girl after my own heart.
Harper is doing amazingly well. I think that she probably thinks she has been in our family her entire life. She is such an endearing little girl. She knows how to love and I have no doubt that she is going to teach us all a few lessons in loving each other well.
We’re counting our blessings daily. We’re so absolutely thankful that God has blessed us with these daughters. Yes, they are the ones who have been rescued, but I just know that we are the ones who are going to be so incredibly blessed by being their parents. We cannot stop thanking our Father in heaven for choosing little old us to parent these amazing children. His goodness overwhelms us.
Blessed be the name of the Lord.
*** If you have e-mailed me and are waiting for a response, I am slowly but surely getting there. I so appreciate the many questions you have asked, and the sweet encouragement you have sent my way. How blessed I am to have you all in my life.
You absolutely make me cry. I love what you and your family are doing for them. Hailee has so touched my heart. My nieces husband was adopted from the Ukraine when he was a little boy. I told him about Hailee. You could tell it affected him. Your story gives me hope…..God bless you!
Lisa S. (Yana’s Mommy!)
Adeye, thank you so much for taking the time to update us with these wonderful pictures! Seeing and reading that Hailee loves cake is exciting - for being such a fussy eater, she’ll learn quickly what’s worth her time to eat!
Wow, Adeye! I am struck with the difference you can visibly see in the pictures of Hailee with the cake. Yes, she has changed just in the few short days you’ve had her. I can see it in her eyes. Praise the Lord for His touch that has begun to heal her.
Love reading updates on the girls and the other children. So glad everyone is smitten with one another.
I know this is going to sound silly - but - is there a chance that Haillee is not 5 years old? The size of her hands and feet, even her belly button look like that of young baby. I guess it is so unimaginable that I’m just searching for an answer other than severe malnutrition and neglect. She is a beauty, as is Harper. The picture of Haillee with her mouth wide open is priceless. Just the beginning of what’s to come. She’s going to be ingesting everything she was lacking in the coming days, weeks, and years in such a loving family and I have no doubt she will blossom. God Bless.
What a gift you are to these adorbale girls. My adopted daughter had open heart surgery 8 months ago and is scheduled for her final one on July 16. If there are any questions I can answer for you, I would be more than happy.
Hugs
Sue
Oh my gosh! I can see the healing in Hailee already. She’s gorgeous and she is going to BLOSSOM before our eyes. PLEASE keep blogging so we can watch her grow and develop the way she is supposed to!!! I’m so happy you are home!
How amazing to see these pics - I loved that she loved the cake :).
What a blessing to see you all together finally. What a beautiful family.
The last pic. of Hailee - she looks so much more alert and healthy! No saggy eyes or scabs on her face. Praise God how much she has changed in just the first few days home! Can’t wait to see her grow!!!
Congrats!
Happy birthday again Hailee!!! How sweet to see her eating the cake. I can’t wait to see this precious child’s life transform! Thank God for your incredible love and devotion to His children!!! I wish I could come help you pack and take care of kids, but heck I have more than you do at this point!!! Love you and yours Adeye!!
So wonderful to see the girls with their true family. How blessed you ALL are! You have amazing and wonderful children and the way they have embraced their new sisters is so precious. I will e-mail you later, when all is calmer - but, is it ever calm in your house
Love Janelle
So good to see you all home.
So good to see Hailee eating cake.
What a PRECIOUS picture of Hailee with her granddaddy. And, how totally AWESOME that he could come from South Africa to do whatever he could to help. You are BLESSED to have such wonderful grandparents in your children’s lives.
Praying for you as you prepare for your move.
Laurel
So glad your home with your family now. I honestly thin Hailee looks better already even though she is struggling. I wish I was closer to come hug on those babies.
So happy to see your post this AM. I’m selfishly waiting to read more and more on your blog!! I just love reading how the girls’ lives are unfolding now. Love how much Hailee enjoyed her birthday cake. Her eyes are so alert! Keep that up, and she’ll be gaining weight in no time! Thanks for sharing, and I can’t wait for the next blog with more news and photos. Hugs!!
Adeye - welcome home….there are no other words….
Blessings on your house -
hugs - aus and co.
I absolutely LOVE the pic of Hailee eating cake. There’s just something about her ace in it - I see a little bit of joy coming through.
Oh it is so good to see your precious gifts HOME! After praying for you guys for so long… all I can say is..GOD IS GOOD!! When you are able…. send prayers our way as we make our journey soon to bring Aaron home!
This is such a sweet post. So happy that Hailee and Harper are home and their adjustment to family life is beginning. Thank-you for sharing all of these precious pictures. So great to see Hailee enjoying her birthday cake. By the way, I saw the picture of Anthony, holding Hailee, on the Homecomings page of Reece’s Rainbow. Beautiful picture!
Blessings,
Barbara
i love love love seeing hailee open her mouth so wide for that cake! and this is just the first…oh the good, the great things she will experience now that she is with those who love her dearly.
What a sweet homecoming! You are sooo blessed!
thank you so much for sharing, I just love, love, love the photo of Hailee sleeping in your dad’s arms!!!
And the picture of her eating the cake with a wide open mouth! 
All of the pictures are beautiful and got me smiling big time 
It is so good to have all your family with you. Praise Yah
Praying for comfort and wisdom for all involved in helping both girls.
Thank you again for sharing, we are blessed to be given the opportunity to have a little window into your walk with our Saviour, doing the things that pleases Him.
What a wonderful surprise to turn my computer on to pictures of your girls this morning!!! You and Anthony have done a wonderful job with your kiddos preparing them for these 2 cherubs. I’m so glad they are helping out while you pack and get ready for your move. I’m loving Hailee’s new diet and wish it could be mine as well-cake for breakfast, lunch and dinner I say!!!
Thanks for the pictures-I know you’re incredibly busy so it makes it extra special that you continue to take the time to let us all into the miracles happenning in your home.
Love ya Sista!
You are amazing people with hearts of gold. These children are so lucky to have been blessed with such wonderful, loving, giving parents. You have saved these children from an unthinkable future and given them back their life. God bless your beautiful family!
Sincerely
Heather from Canada
Tears of joy!
SO thankful they’re home, safe, with you!
SO very very thankful to our mighty God!
HE IS MIGHTY TO SAVE!!!!
As I look at these sweet little pictures my eyes fill with tears!
It is so hard to imagine what that sweet little girl has been through. I am sure she will blossom with your wonderful family.
I can’t help but let the tears flow reading this. I praise God for your family, for your hearts. I, too, have a passion for those trapped in orphanages. In fact, I’m headed soon to Uganda to work and love in one for 6 months or more, It’s because of how you’ve described the girls as being in a prison that God’s cemented this passion in me, as well as the decision to adopt special needs. Thank you for your willingness to follow His Spirit no matter where He leads. Thank you for sharing your story. I’m rejoicing for you, for your family, and that two orphans now have a forever family.
I am so very grateful you allow us to read all about your journey. I am grateful to you for hearing God’s call and not turning Him down due to fear but saying “Yes, Lord!” Thank you for adopting these precious children. Thank you so much! Be blessed.
Ah, those sweet smiles… on everyone’s face! So blessed and wonderful. Welcome home!!
Tears of sadness and tears of joy. Tears of amazement of what the Lord can do and what He has already done. May He honour your every request for these girls and may He smooth their paths to recovery. So amazing, Adeye, thank you for sharing your journey…it is so inspiring and encouraging and humbling, all at the same time. xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo to ALL of you Salems!
Look at that sweet little bird mouth of Hailee’s…. so precious. I cannot wait to see how fast and furious she is going to grow into your family. And that sweet Harper baby - isnt she the sweetest!
They are so beautiful. I love seeing them finally where they belong! HOME.
Awwww. Look at that girl eat cake with those bright eyes! The first of many firsts. Let the healing begin!!!
Thinking of you and praying for you all so often!
Barbra
Oh Adeye, this is just the most beautiful post ever. The love…I can see it everywhere! You’re so right though…I’m sure your family will be the ones blessed, even though you rescued the girls! Harper is just a sweetheart and Hailee, well God’s going to do something big there…I just KNOW it! She is a little angel.
The picture of your dad holding Hailee made me cry. That is so beautiful!
Oh and your children loving on the girls….absolutely precious!
Hugs and blessings to you all!
Tammy
What beautiful pics of the family. I love that your little Hailee has such a sweet tooth!! Oh little darling girl - if only you knew how many people are praying for you! Sending you all my love sweet friend. Jan
Beautiful!!!
Such sweet pictures! I love seeing that baby in the arms of a loving Grandpa. They will both blossom in a loving family. I know how busy you must be right now so thank you for posting. It brings joy to my heart. I wish I could help you in any small way but I am very far from you. I do live in Va though. If you do need help when you get here please don’t hesitate to contact me. I would love to help by making a meal or running an errand so you can be home with your babies(all 7 of them). We don’t know each other but I feel we could be friends. my love to you and your family at this busy but oh so precious time in your lives. God bless.
have not heard anything so positive as the fact that little Hailee loves cake! I do believe she is going to bt just fine! ;). I will anxiously await the time that miss yana can try some cake as well
I am so happy to see your family together once again! Praising God!!
Awe…..Look at those sweet lil girls with their FAMILY!!! Its amazing what a family can do. I know they have a long road ahead of them but with God……All is possible!!
I am so glad that the Hanna pilot caps works for her as we too found them an essential for our lil girl but for a different reason.
We are sending prayers for your upcoming move and for the adjustment for you all with 2 new family members!!
Your girls are so precious. Thank God you answered his call to bring them home. They now have a future with a beautiful loving family. You have a special place waiting for you in heaven!
Oh, I have waited to read this update from you!! I am so glad you are settling in & relishing the “firsts” with your girls. I don’t know about you, but adopting a child that has had such limited experiences has allowed me the opportunity to see the wonder in some of the simplist things I have always taken for granted. May you be blessed through the eyes of your girls over & over!
How beautiful! I am so happy for all of you. To see the love in your family and the blessing that these adoptions bring to all involved! My heart is full of joy for each one of you. Thank you for sharing your lives through blogging. It is a shining example of God’s love and it changes the lives of those who read it!
Just the thought of Hailee loving her cake is overwhelmingly heart wrenching and yet joy filling as well. Her first but definitely not her last little morsel of cake love. I am so thrilled to see all of the pictures of your family loving on your girls. I believe you are right. Hailee will never look the way she does again. And I believe she will grow quickly and get healthier ever day.
I always love reading your posts! Highlight of my day. I don’t know if we will ever meet on earth, but I can’t wait to get to know you in heaven. : ) Your family is beautiful, and those little girls. Precious!!! That Hailee’s little face. Oh, my heart! I can’t wait to see that little one putting on some weight. We are praying for you all!
COuld she possibly get any cuter? I see a beautiful, fun loving, feisty litle girl just waiting to come out! A few little kinks to be worked out, but watch out World, here she comes!!!!
Blessings to all of you!
Welcome Home and I think that girl should get cake everyday for the next 5 years! Seeing the pictures of your family back together again fills me with hope and joy.
You are right — Hailee and Harper are going to teach your family so much about love. It’s clear already from the things you write. You are so blessed to be their mamma and they are so blessed to have you! Thank you for listening to God and rescuing these little ones! I love watching Hailee blossom and Harper looks a lot like our little guy, Jacob. I’m praying for you as you pack and move.
Blessings,
Carolyn
Welcome home! The girls are so blessed and so are you all. I think you should have four more birthday cakes for Hailee as she needs a few to make up for the ones she missed…Your families love is already healing… I hope many more families will see the news report and adopt more children.
SERIOUS HOLY GOOSEBUMPS reading this post! I am so touched by your Dad’s photo with Hailee - wow! That is so the love of our Father!
Love the stories of your other children wrapping your new children in so much love! What a testimony!
Hugs and so much love! Prayers of healing coming your way for sweet Hailee!
Jill
I just read a few of your post and you are such an inspiration! The girls are just precious! Your whole family is adorable!!!
How lovely to see Hailee getting to do something that should be so “normal” in a child’s life. What she has experienced up til now is so ABnormal! Already her senses are perking up, and at a cellular level, her brain is laying new pathways in response. As that happens, it should become less stressful to her to experience sensory input. God has built such amazing capacity into our nervous system. I can’t wait to see Hailee blossom!
Beautiful beautiful photos, shining with love! So touching!
And I can’t help but smile at the sight of Hailee eating cake. So precious!
Oh my goodness, look at Miss Hailee’s face, she looks so happy and loves cake…lol…good girl
Im so pleased you are all slowly settling into life with the littlies, and the older children must be such a help to you.
Big hugs to you and you family from New Zealand.
Oh my goodness, I just about screamed out loud seeing Hailee eating that cake! That photo says it all about her new life! May she have cake every blessed day of her life now! : )
Thanks for keeping up the blog at such a busy time! The girls are so blessed…and of course you are too! It is so touching to see your family together. to think, these little ones now have 7 family members who will LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them each and every day! Praise God!
Thank you for the great update. CHecking in daily to see your beautiful family grow and be blessed! Yes, Hailee looks better in these pictures, although she has only been with you days. Imagine, months from now, years! Praying for you all. Hang in there. Thank you for sharing and inspiring me with this blog.
I love the picture of Cade looking at Hailee! Wonder what was going through his mind?? All of the Big Brothers appeared to be in love with those new Lil’ Sisters!
I am curious as to how the girls felt about their first bath! And, what size are they wearing? And, what do they eat (besides Nummy Birthday cake!!!)
Are they sleeping in cribs or with Mommy & Daddy? Ohhh….SO many questions! How are You and Anthony doing with getting back to US time? And, is your Dad and Leah staying to help you move? O.K., I’ll stop now! ; )
Hugs to ALL of the Salem Family! Jo
Oh my goodness, friend. What a blessing it is to see these pictures of your precious family. Hailee looks better already. Her eyes are clearer and she looks like she has gained a tiny bit of weight. Harper…what a treasure! I look forward to hearing about her. I have a feeling she will be the life of the party.
Oh we need more Harper love…she is adorable! I got so cheered up by seeing her sweet smile and I’m so glad she’s fitting in so well! (Knew she would…she’s a cheerful soul!) That girl inspires me.
I bet she can’t get enough of her brothers and sisters! Hannah-Claire is of the age where she’d appreciate a real, live, playful baby doll like your girls are. G-d bless you!
You almost had me in tears. All the stories of orphans are touching, but there is something unique about Hailee’s. Probably the fact that she is 5 years old and weighs 16 lbs. How could that possibly even be! I showed her picture to a friend today and asked how old they thought she was. My friend said “a year.” I told her no, she’s 5 years old and weighs only 15 lbs! So sad, but she has a new life and opportunities galore ahead of her!
Hi,
I have been following your blog which is soooo moving. Thanks a lot for what you have done for these two amazing girls, you deserve to go straight to heaven, actually, you are already enjoying the glorious of it right?.
I have some suggestions regarding Hailee:
- high calorie, high fat diet if her heart permits would help her gain some weight. Enrich her foods with half and half, oils, cream, butter, mascarpone cheese, duocal and complement with pediasure or instant breakfast. Don’t even doubt about it if a g-tube is suggested, it can be a life saver for SGA or failure to thrive kids, specially if they have sensory issues.
- whenever she has her heart procedure, she can have an endoscopy to rule out silent reflux. That way she doesn’t need to be put under twice. Her eating can improve greatly if reflux is under control.
- a swallow study would be useful if aspiration is suspected or needs to be ruled out.
- GHT can help with low muscle tone (eating, walking) as well as failure to thrive, not only improving height.
- ask about the use of apetite stimulant “Periactin” if no reflux is present.
I’m not a Doctor, but a mother of a SGA girl.
You might want to take a look at the Magic Foundation site for more suggestions for SGA kids.
How wonderful to hear that the girls are settling in their new home and how incredibly special are your other 4 kids - just taking the lead from their beautiful, faithfull and the ultimate of loving parents. And just a joy to see Hailee enjoying the cake so much - how wonderful. Praying for all of you xxx
Such beautiful, beautiful girls. Such a beautiful family. So grateful that they are home at last.
Blessings,
Sarah
Oh those sweet little lips wrapped around that cake! SO PRECIOUS FRIEND! How I would LOVE to give them, you and the other 5 a BIG HUG IN PERSON! Love and hugs!
jen
The picture of Hailee eating cake made me break out into tears. Words can not express how much your family inspires us. Harper lights up my day when I get to see her loving little face smile.
Thank you for sharing so much of this journey with us!
ABSOLUTELY LOVE THE CAKE PICTURES!!!!!!!!!!!!!! so thankful that they are home.
Thank you for being so faithful in keeping us posted on things happening with your family. You must be going crazy trying to prepare to move next week and helping 2 new children become a part of a real family. Your pictures said thousands of words. It looked like Hailee was very happy to have cake. Such a sweet picture of her eating the cake and then the cake on her face afterwords. Harper looks right at home in her pictures.
Thank you Adeye, for sharing with us. We all care so much about your whole family. Looking forward to watching Hailee become
happy and “alive” with all of you.
May our Lord hold you all closely and watch over you. You are indeed special.
The picture of Hailee enjoying her cake brought tears to my eyes! She is going to flourish with you and I am so thankful that I get to glimpse just a small part of your time with them both.
Well.
I choose right when you are moving and totally unable to blog to find your story. I spent hours yesterday evening reading the entire store of Hailee and Harper’s adoptions. Oh I was riveted. My girls kept asking, “What’s happening now Mama?” “The mommy just got to their country. She’s on her way to meet them!”
I cannot wait to hear more. I have been praying for your family!