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.
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!!
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.
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!!
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 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!!
We recently received some discouraging news about the signing of our dossier . Since our dossier needs President Martelly's signature, we are waiting. Well apparently the Prime Minister of Haiti handles this area. On February 24, the Prime Minister quit! Hence none of the 15 dossiers from our orphanage that need his signature are going to be signed until a new Prime Minister is ratified. I just read today that there is a Prime Minister designate is waiting for ratification. However this is not an easy process. Here are pieces of what I read from an article from March 5:
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (defend.ht) - Haitian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Laurent Salvador Lamothe, Prime Minister-designate, indicated that he is waiting for the signal from Parliament to begin the process of ratification. However members have asked the nationality commission to complete its investigation first. colleagues are not in a hurry to ratify a prime minister before the report. It is important to note that the ratification process for prime minister already involves a nationality investigation among other matters of the designated's parts.
Nothing is Haiti is ever fast. So I am asking for prayers. I know this looks impossible to us, but with God it is possible. I am asking if it is in line with God's will for this to be a faster process. That it will not take 6 months or more to get the President's signature. We can not go meet the children until the President signs. And they will not be told they have a forever family until the President signs.
I know God is faithful and what He has set in motion will come to pass. This is part of the journey of faith to be reminded of this very fact in uncertain times. I want to be real and relevant about our journey. There is a lot to learn during this time and sometimes these lessons are hard, uncomfortable, and painful. I know and am reminded through this roller coaster called adoption why we need a Savior. So I look up to the sky, and even though it is raining today--I know the Son is there.
Psalm 121:2 My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
It reminds me that God is my shield, my strength, my portion, deliver. My shelter, strong tower, my ever present help in time of need.
I trust you Lord today and always!! I know you keep your promises!
My funny boy. He just makes me want to laugh all the time. He has such silly playful expressions. Here is what the director wrote about him:
Molly asked Windy’s nannies who they think Windy’s closest peers are and according to Windy’s nannies they see him interact the most with and have the closest peer relationship with these three following children. Daniel is in the same caregroup as Windy. - Windy and Daniel are very much developmentally the same. They sleep on the top bunks in their room and are both interested in the same activities. Running, laughing, wrestling, sneaking around, and watching the big kids actions. Windy and Daniel love to lie in bed in the evening and come up with random chants and songs before sleep. Dieudson is in the same caregroup as Windy. - Dieudson is mischievous, and so is Windy, naturally they like to get into trouble together. Windy taking after Dieudson’s lead sometimes and other times it is Windy leading. They like to sneak out to their porch and drop things down from the balcony. They also like to sneak out of their room after bath time and run up and down the hallway till caught and brought back to bed. Wanso is in the same caregroup as Windy. - Wanso is much more laid back than Windy. Wanso is almost the same age as Windy, but Windy is farther along developmentally, and Wanso kind of looks up to him with a wide-eyed wonder. Windy enjoys the attention and their bond has a sort of teacher follower light heartedness to it. Wanso being willing and available to hang out with Windy and play cars, build with blocks, pick up rocks, crawl around like puppies, or whatever they may decide sounds good at the moment. Windy is healthy and growing:
Height: 91 cm
Weight: 30 lbs
My smiling sassy beautiful girl!! Here is what the director wrote about her:
Molly asked Julena who she enjoys to spend time with ans feels are her closest friend and then wrote out what the she had to say. Also, according Julena’s nannies they see her interact the most with and have the closest peer relationship with these three following children.
Julner – Though the two don’t spend that much time together, Julena declares him to be one of her best friends. She says she knows that he loves her, and she loves him. She likes it when he wants to play tag with her and he makes her laugh a lot when he does funny things. She says that he shares his things with her and she likes it when he gives her one of his balloons Frantzdie is in the same caregroup as Julena. – Julena says that she loves Frantzdie and thinks she is a good friend because Frantzdie and her like to play hide and seek together on their balcony. She thinks that Frantzide is bossy, but she is also funny and she makes her laugh. She likes it when Frantzdie blows bubbles for her to pop. Berline is in the same caregroup as Julena. - Julena says that she loves Berline because Berline helps Julena with her homework. She likes to play with dolls with Berline, they sit next to each other and braid their hair and feed them. The two enjoy playing at lot of the same games, tag, and pretend cooking. They also enjoy taking strolls through the yard together.
Julena is healthy and growing
Height: 102.5 cm
Weight: 40.5 lbs
If you are ever invited to attend any military function---go!! Don't miss it for anything. Having some experience in the military arena, I knew that the retirement ceremony for CDR(Commander) Hibbs would be one full of rich tradition, pride, sacrifice, and honor. And I was not disappointed. In normal Waldon fashion, we right on time, which really means we were almost late.
We were ushered to our seats which were saved for us in the second row. The boys were in heaven seeing all the military stuff there. The National Anthem was sung a capella. It was gorgeous and came from a little tiny enlisted woman. By the way, put your hand over your heart and sing the National Anthem!! That means SO muchto all of the military personnel and veterans who protect us and fight for our freedom. After that we saw all the awards, certificates, and the presentation of his shadowbox. It was very impressive and I'm sure a whole room in his house will be devoted to this , if it is not already. We had the pleasure of hearing from a Navy Seal!! Yes a real Navy Seal. Later Jack got to sit next to him and talk to him at dinner. He has been in the Navy for 22 years and he is a Seal. That is an accomplishment !! He states that he goes to 1 funeral a month for a Navy Seal. He spoke very highly about Commander Hibbs and his commitment and sacrifice. Of course, by now, all Navy experience that I have had starts flashing through my mind. It seems like a lifetime ago that I was a girlfriend watching a ceremony for Wade. All these emotions start to flow, so I start to cry. And just as I start to compose myself somewhat they start the next part which is the reading of Olde Glory. Not only are they reading this poem, but they are passing the flag through the ranks that CDR Hibbs achieved, with America the Beautiful being sung in the background. They end with CDR. Hibbs taking the flag and giving it to Irene(his wife.)
Well by the end of this part of the program, I have gone through all the spare tissue I had in my purse. My family is giving me a puzzled look wondering why there is a waterfall flowing from my eyes. Sam leaves his seat to give me a hug and rub my back to comfort me( he is my sensitive one). I am relieved that I wore waterproof mascara and my makeup setting spray. You get the picture--I was a mess.
I know why I was a mess. For only 5 years, I got a small glimpse of what a military man sacrifices. I know the dangers. I know the risks. I know the hardships his family and loved ones go through when he leaves. Most return safely, but there are the ones-the sons, the daughters,the mothers, the fathers, the brothers, the sisters, the fiance, the husband, the wife, the friend who doesn't return. And as a token of what they fought for , the flag returns in their place-- to the arms of a grieving mother,a wife, a husband. You see freedom comes at a price. I think most of us take it for granted--really--- until something happens like September 11.
CDR. Hibbs gets up and starts talking about his naval experience and his love for his family. He tells us that he was not going to have a retirement ceremony. He did it for his kids. Boy, I am so grateful he changed his mind. I know that our whole family was deeply affected by this experience. We all will benefit from the gift of this ceremony for years to come.
The end of the ceremony was the best. The reading of "The Watch".
The Watch
For twenty years
Commander Hibbs has stood the watch
While some of us were in our bunks at night
Commander Hibbs stood the watch
While some of us were in school learning our trade
Commander Hibbs stood the watch
Yes.. even before some of us were born into this world
Commander Hibbs stood the watch
In those years when the storm clouds of war were seen brewing on the horizon of history
Commander Hibbs stood the watch
Many times he would cast an eye ashore and see his family standing there
Needing his guidance and help
Needing that hand to hold during those hard times
But he still stood the watch
He stood the watch for twenty years
He stood the watch so that we, our families and
Our fellow countrymen could sleep soundly in safety, Each and every night
Knowing that a sailor stood the watch
Today we are here to say
'Commander Hibbs... the watch stands relieved
Relieved by those You have trained ,Guided, and Lead
Comander Hibbs you stand relieved.. we have the watch..."
"Boatswain..Standby to pipe the side...Commander Hibbs going Ashore.."
Surprise--the tears started flowing again. I was in awe. I was proud. I was filled with gratitude that there are men and woman that stand "The Watch" for me and my family even when I am not aware of it. Thank you Commander John P. Hibbs for standing the watch for 20 years. We salute you and your accomplishments. We wish you nothing but the very best as you and your lovely family enter into the civilian world and workplace.
We just returned from a long weekend in Virginia Beach. We had the honor of attending a Naval retirement ceremony of CDR John P. Hibbs. He was Wade's housemate from 18 years ago in Newport,Rhode Island. He has served our country for 20 years. Below is a picture of him and his lovely girlfriend(now wife) Irene from the Thanksgiving meal we(Irene and Jill) prepared for them 18 years ago!
And now for Wade and I:
And the latest picture of all of us:
As you can see--many wonderful things have changed in the last 18 years, but the connection John and Wade have shared did not. I'll post more on this fabulous event tomorrow. As you can imagine we are a little tired from our most excellent adventure and are very sad to have left Virginia Beach and our friends( and new friends as the kids keep calling the Hibbs kids :)
