The Difference a Year Makes

Last Year's Christmas Picture:2011

This year:2012

Next year I am declaring that they will be home with us!!

Joyeux Noel 2012--Haiti

Hooray!  Hooray!  It's Christ's birthday today! 

Our Haitian Sensations got gifts today.

Julner bottom right

Julena right foreground

Vindy in Thomas the Train shirt

2013 Haiti Calendar Cover Model

The God's Littlest Angels fundraiser calendar is in print now.  Julner is on the cover.   We are so thrilled!!

8 updates, 2 birthdays and NO signature!!

Oh how I can not wait for the day when I can finally post that the President has signed our dossier.  Each week we wait expectantly for that email saying our dossier has been signed.  I was looking forward to going to Haiti before the end of 2012.  I want to touch our children.  I want to see them smile in person.  Here are some of the pictures we have received from the October update: Julena who had her 6th birthday yesterday is to the left of the teacher.

Julner with his friends.  He is in the orange shirt.  Love his authentic smile.

Vindy with his classmates.  He is in the red shirt that says Dad's best friend.

Please continue to pray for us.  We have had to start getting refingerprinted and an updated homestudy because they have expired.  US immigration department requirements.  More cash extraction.  Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving.  Wade turns 44 and Jack turns 9 that day.  It doesn't seem possible that 9 years ago I celebrated Wade's 35th birthday with a hospital provided cake.  I am a blessed woman.

September update and October 1

Our cuties in the classroom.  They officially start school on October 1 after the summer break they had.  There is also a birthday coming on October 7--Vindy turns 4.    We are planning a Sponge Bob party for him.  The Haitian Social services department opens back up on October 1.  I expect to hear this week or next the good news we all have been waiting for.   Then I hope to hop a plan to Haiti before Julena's 6th birthday on November 16 to finally meet these awesome gifts God gave us.  Please pray for us.

Closer

This was the August update picture.  We also found out in the beginning of September that we are the next in line to get our dossier signed.  Yes..we are closer and I expect to post in the next week that we have the Presidential signature we need.   Do you see the light starting to come from Julner's eyes now?  Every month the hurt seems to be a little less in his eyes.  Our God is good!!

Happy 8th Birthday Julner!!

                                     

So today our son Julner turned 8.  We thought we would throw a party for him and video us singing Happy Birthday.   I just emailed it to the orphanage and hope he gets to see it.  We did a Mickey Mouse theme hoping that it is universal enough that he will understand it.    I can hardly wait to make my first custom cake for him which I hope will be next year.  This date August 16 holds dual meaning for me.  10 years ago today I said goodbye to my mother until eternity.  Only my great, merciful, wonderful Lord could take this date and turn it into a joyful one.  No longer will I be sad on this day due to the life of this little boy Julner.  God has turned my sadness into gladness and reminded me that He brings life out of death every single time.  He is worthy of all my praise!!

Good News: They know we are adopting them.

Yes things are moving slowly but surely. I received the July update today and cried as I read and saw pictures of our Haitian Sensations being introduced to their forever family.

This is the part of the report:

Julner, Julena, and Windy were THRILLED to learn about you this month in detail for the first time. Previous to this they knew they would have a new family, and that one was waiting for them, but until now they did not know your names and faces. Joyce sat and talked with them about you, how you will make one visit to meet them for a few days, and then you will come again and they will go home with you to their new lives. She talked with them about what a family is like, trying to introduce the concept that they have never really felt before. Julner took it all in quietly, almost motionless, eyes glued to the photo on your album. Julena, smiled, giggled, fidgeted, said “YES” repeatedly, and overall beamed. Windy looked from Joyce, to his big brother, to his big sister, and then back to Joyce, trying to understand how he should be feeling from what Julena and Julner were. They loved the album, and took long moments on each page, only flipping forward when Julena could no longer contain her excitement to see what was on the next page. Julena being more verbal than Julner at this point about it, commented that her new Mama is beautiful. She pointed to Emily and declared that she wanted to be her. They were concerned by the Halloween costumes, and as Joyce explained what they were for they shook their heads at the oddness of it, and flipped on. They are all pretty certain they want to swim in the pool in your neighborhood, so good luck if you get them home in the winter months. And they would like to have ice cream with you in the photo.

After they took their time and flipped through the album again and again Joyce showed them the plush animals you sent, they tried to guess which was for who. Julena was certain the blue one was for her, so GREAT job picking it out! The boys have swapped back and forth several times already.

They would like to say “THANK YOU” for the album, and the toys you sent. They said they would like to say “Hi” and “How are you?” and “We want to see you.” And since they can’t communicate with you in person they each “wrote” you a letter, or more accurately drew you a page. They are scanned and attached below. Hope you enjoy a little something from the hand of each of your three loving, spunky, excited little ones here.

May Update

This months update was especially difficult for me.  The last Sunday in May Haiti celebrates Mother's Day.  Our update was written in the children's voices.    I can not tell you how much I love these children that I have never met.   I have been having days lately that I wonder if that President is ever going to sign our dossier.  I keep reminding myself that all I have to do is believe it--that what God has started He will finish .    Look at the difference a year makes.  I see so much joy.  It's amazing to see how children are transformed when they just get the basics on a daily basis.

Life Changer Day

One year ago today our 3 Haitian Sensations were relinquished by their mother into the care of God's Littlest Angels Orphanage.  Things for them have certainly changed.  My prayer is that next year they are in my arms.

You Make Me Smile!

This girl is full of joy.  Her smile is infectious.

Look at the girls knees.  There are ashy.  The condition happens when their skin doesn't get enough moisture.  Their skin has a higher moisture requirement than ours.  In fact, they lotion up twice a day at the orphanage.  She also has a white mark on the bridge of her nose that I think is from an injury(or as my Sam(little Dr. in the making) told me"She has a boo-boo Mommy).  

Wounded Heart

Please pray for Julner.  We received an email from Molly(Orphanage coordinator) about his behavior this week.  He has been vacillating between good and bad.  My heart is heavy for him.  Since he doesn't know that he has a new family, we are wondering if he is lashing out because of that information being withheld.  It was a year ago that his mother relinquished him.  Normal growing pains of an emotional age of 6.  Anyway, it is hard to know he is struggling and that I can't reassure him by a hug.  I have given it over to God, but taken it back a couple of times.  I know He has the plan for Julner's good.  He is the Master comforter and broken heart healer.  I pray feverishly that He touches Julner.

April Update Late

Haven't they grown?  Don't they look fabulous!!  

No is the answer to the burning question of whether or not President Martelly has signed our dossier. Yes it is a little frustrating.  though we are focused now on the positive fact that as of May 4 Haiti has a new Prime Minister.  He is the one that pushes paper to the President.  We also know that the Haitian Social Service Department will not accept any new dossiers in the month of May to clear out(push through the system) older ones.  This is a most encouraging step forward cause we are an old one.  In my heart I am still convinced we will travel to meet them for the first time this summer.

President Martelly

President Martelly in a sling

This is the man who needs to sign our paperwork.  He is in the United States today in a hospital in Miami, Florida.  He is being treated for a blood clot in his lung--a pulmonary embolism, which if not treated can be fatal.  It was caused by his shoulder surgery, which he also had done in Miami, Florida.  Does taht tell you something about the medical care in Haiti?!  So while I am thrilled he is still alive, I'm perturbed by the fact that his hospital stay in Miami, Florida is going to delay the signing of lots of paperwork.  Oh, I forgot to mention that while he was away from his office busloads of  ex- soldiers stormed parliament grounds.  So I'm praying for a speedy recovery for President Martelly so he can get back and sign some paperwork!

Easter In Haiti

Julner has his arm over his eyes and Julena is looking at him.  Both are on the right side of picture.

It's so great to know that this year my Haitian Sensations get to experience
Easter for the first time (possibly).  Last year they were living in a tent city, malnourished, dirty.  This year they colored eggs, went to church, had an Easter egg hunt.  It's just proof that God  makes things new.  

Easter

Julena Easter 2012


Oh for the love of blogging.  I can not figure out how to rotate the picture so  I'm sorry you have to rotate your head.   


I love Easter.  It is so filled with HOPE.  Real HOPE.  I am so glad that my Haitian Sensations get to experience some of  the same things there as my children here.  


Do you ever have a week where it is filled with all the dark emotions life can throw at you?  
We had it this week.  The D week!
We started off the week with a phone call from a great friend who called off a wedding in three weeks from now.  We were all so upset we still don't know the reason why.  Devastated.  Next, we traveled to  West Virginia for Wade's Grandfather's funeral.  Death.  Paperwork stuck in Haitian  Judicial offices.  Disappointed.  A colleague who is 18 weeks along who got pregnant through fertility treatments to find out there is a genetic defect and she will miscarry any time in the next 2 weeks.  Desperate.   To today, a life long friend's mother died from cancer at the young age of 65.  Destroyed.


I reflect on all these D"s and am so thankful that I have a Savior who took all these D's to the cross for me.  And when he rose from the dead gave me:


Darkness=Light
Devastated= Rebuild
Death=Life
Disappointed=Satisfy
Desperate=Hopeful
Destroy= Restore


Yes when we have those  D weeks and because we are human we all get them.  We look to the one who has saved us with thanksgiving and hope, knowing that He is good.  We can be confident that one day we will not experience the D's again.  


So rejoice!  Be filled with Hope! God has saved us!!


Happy Easter!

Sam Turns 6

Oh where has time gone?  It seems like just yesterday I brought this handsome baby home--all 9lb 13 ozs.  Fast forward 6 years and we are at Chuck E. Cheese to celebrate his precious life.  And full of life he is.  

We had an Agent Perry party from Phineas and Ferb(Disney).  I think he is still living the fun that we had at Disney.  I made my first decorated sheet cake.  It took me 3 hours to ice it.  This is a tradition that I have carried on since my mother passed.  Every year on my birthday she would make me a cake and ice it.  It would take her lots of time and I now fully realize her efforts.  I miss those cakes to this day.  

the kids choose any cake they want and I go at it.  They get more challenging every year.

A fun time was had by all and thankfully Chuck E. Cheese was not crowded.

Some good news and pictures

Julner with a football

It makes my day when I got to check out Gods Littlest Angels Website and I see one our  kids.  Today I got to see the boys in 2 different pictures.  I love to see what they are doing.  It is getting close for the end of March update so I'm getting a little squirrely to see what has happened in a month's time.    We did get some good news about the President signing some dossiers from our orphanage.  8 out of 14.  We do not know if our dossier was signed, but  we did actually find out that he is still signing.  He signed 59 last week.  We pray that it continues to be at that pace or better.  So keep praying cause I am convinced that your prayers have helped!!  

Vindy is on the far right

Working

It's been some time since I last blogged.  My helpers and I have been refurbishing the Rainbow playset.  It is 6 years old and it was time for an update.  So we closed it down for a week of pressure washing, staining, and greasing. We took away the toddler swing :( and replaced it with a standing swing.  New ropes, new trapeze, new bell, megaphone, spotlight, and play phone.   We reopened it yesterday and all the neighborhood kids are back.  Jack, who wants to be a Disney Imagineer, is in charge of the new playset.    I have had an awesome case of laryngitis, which the kids love.  It is hard to be a Mom when you have no voice!  I think I have finally turned the corner-maybe.  Hoping for some rain tonight to knock down the worst pollen year in history.

Slight Update

  We got another update on from orphanage director.  It is what it is- PRESIDENTIAL DISPENSATIONS: I am trying to find out why 13 dossiers were given dispensations out of several hundred.  Dispensations are not individually sent to the President’s office.  They are sent in batches of 6 to 12 attached together.  If for some reason, such as a health issue, one child in the batch is “fast tracked” then all of them in that bunch are signed.  The Presidential dispensation office is notorious for working on dossiers out of order received.  No GLA children were in that batch and I am doing my best to find out if dispensations are being signed, why the oldest ones aren’t first, and why this batch was signed.  Will let everyone know as son as I find out something.


There are 15 families waiting in our orphanage.  Some have been waiting for 3 plus months.  So we sit and wait.  There still is no prime minister either. 
God was extremely gracious to me last night through a dream.  I have been talking awhile about how I just want to tough my new additions.  Well last night in my dream I met them all, hugged them all, and toured the beautiful orphanage.  It was very real.  It still gives me goose bumps to think about it.  I am sure it was God's way to encourage me through the waiting.  He is good all the time!!
 

Circus

We went to opening night at the circus Wednesday.  The tickets were only $12.  Wade didn't really want to go, but he was the one that had the most fun.  He was cheering and raising his hands in the air most of the time.  His philosophy was " if you can't beat them, join them."  referring of course to me and my desire to do fun things.   He also commented about the circus being like Disney World at a  Motel 6.  Funny.  The last time I was at the circus was 2 years ago.  Look at how the kids have grown:

My grandmother loved the circus.  There was no Disney World in her time. She took us that year. By the way she was 91 the last year she went to the circus. Great memories. The kids said that they liked going to the circus with Grandma better cause they got more toys, food, programs, etc. when she was with us.  Of course,  it's that the fun of being a Grandma, so I've heard.

On a completely different note,  there was an earthquake in Haiti yesterday.  A 4.6 on the Richter scale.  thank goodness no loss of life or damage.  Still,  there will be aftershocks and maybe another earthquake.  I do know that our children felt the earthquake and I wonder what  memories it has evoked in them.  

Also I met a new friend the other day who is also in the adoption process.  God is great at bringing people together who are going through the same experiences.  We had a great lunch and exchanged stories.  Their family has not been matched with a child yet.  They are adopting from the Dominican Republic,which borders Haiti.  The Lord has laid it on my heart today to ask for prayers through this blog for a match for this family to come through soon.  So yesterday I asked for prayers for our family but today I ask for prayers for this family-the G family. (I don't mention people's names unless I get their permission,which I did not in this case) BUT--God knows who they are.  Mountains are moved by prayer!

15 years ago

15 years ago at 7:09 PST Wade got down on his knee at Disneyland Train station and proposed to me.  He carried the ring around with him on all the rides all day.   I was stunned.  It was a complete surprise.

He proposed at my favorite place--Disney and the Cindrella's castle was in the foreground.  Funny, that when he got on his knee and I realized what was happening he said to me "Don't start screaming, crying or making a scene."   Yeah right!!  Me - I don't react that way at all.  HA!

So he put a ring on it that night and I was on cloud 9 here the next day at La Jolla Beach.   

He was smart to do so on March 8th.  Because it was my Dad's birthday.  Now every year on March 8,  I can smile for more than reason--I can relive my engagement and  I can remember the man who loved  and cherished me first  as Daddy's little girl.   Double blessed!!

Sure do miss you Dad!!