March Update

Finally --Lots of great news!!

Yes.  It has been a long wait, but it has been so worth it.  After 15 months, the President of Haiti signed our dossier.  We received the news on March 7 via Facebook of an adoption group I'm in.  The children's names were printed in LE MONITEUR.  That is the national Haitian newspaper.  So we were flying high on emotion.  We still had to exit IBESR.(Haitian Social Services Department).  This can take a short time or long time.  Well 14 days later, shockingly enough we got the email we exited.  That was March 21st.  We waited 4 days and received the dates to travel to meet our 3 children!!  We will be traveling April 15-20!!!  I have gotten lots of pictures since then.  I will be posting here on trip.  So with this happy news, the next part of our journey begins.

Christmas in Haiti

Report from the Orphanage:

Christmas Day (or “jingle bells” according to the kids) at the Toddler House began with the children waking up to a large decorated Christmas tree in their play yard. The tree was on a blue carpet and it was brimming with gifts for each child underneath. It had been set out and decorated after they went to bed on Christmas Eve so they could wake up to the surprise. The oldest group of kids made their way out into the yard as soon as they were allowed to check out the tree and gifts close up. The other children checked out the tree in wonder and excitement for what the day was about to hold as they made their way to eat breakfast. Breakfast consisted of special cereal that they do not have on a regular basis. After breakfast everyone was given a brand new outfit, picked out especially for them to wear that Christmas day. After everyone was dressed in their new outfit, the older kids prepped to act out the Christmas story. Once dressed in their costumes they made their way outside and while one of the nannies read the Christmas story, they acted out the story of Jesus birth as all of the other kids watched. Next it was time to open the gifts under the tree!! A large circle of benches and chairs were set up around the tree and after each child had found a place to sit, Molly and Joyce passed out a gift to each kid. After a everyone had their gift and a short countdown, everyone tore into the wrapping paper to see what the treasure in their lap was. The next couple of hours before lunch was filled with checking out their new toy, trading toys for a while to see what other treasures were in the yard, and enjoying some play time underneath the big tree. Lunch was very special as well. It consisted of the most favorite Haitian celebratory meal staples such fried chicken, rice & beans, and fried plantain. In addition to their large meal that had some sweet treats of cupcakes and coke or sprite to drink. The little ones then went down for a nap or rest while the older group of kids watched a movie – theater style – in the dining room. After nap/rest time it was time to receive their stockings. A stocking for each child was set up on a table in the middle of the yard as the kids gathered around and were handed a stocking as they waited patiently for everyone to receive theirs. After a short countdown everyone checked out the small toys and candy that was stuffed inside their red stocking. The rest of the afternoon was filled with more playtime with all their new toys. By 6pm, it was evident that everyone was exhausted and ready for a little supper and bedtime.

Julner, Julena, and Windy were all looking forward to Christmas day with joy and excitement. They remembered that they got gifts last year and had a high sense of anticipation for what was to come this year. They were wide-eyed as they walked through the yard and saw all the gifts stacked underneath the tree. They could not wait until the moment they would get to open the gift that was labeled just for them. While waiting for the big kids to dress and get ready for the nativity play some of the kids got up to lead the others in a song. When it was time to receive their gifts Julner and Julena sat patiently and waited for their gifts to be handed to them and to be told when it was time to open them. Windy on the other hand did all he could to contain himself as he waited for the moment he could rip open the paper and see what was inside. Julner was delighted to find a some matchbox cars, a track for the cars and a white recorder. He especially enjoyed the recorder and began to play tunes on it as soon as he opened it up. A month later it is still one of his highly prized toys and his friends are always asking him if they can borrow it. Julena’s smile was giant as she discovered a baby doll and then she was even more impressed when she found out that when you touched its hand or cheek it would babble and coo. Windy found a yellow dump truck and small soft basketball. He could be found racing and trading his truck to check out other toys that had been received on that day. The three of them spent the rest of the morning enjoying their new toys and checking out the toys that other had received. They then beamed when they found out their lunch was going to contain a cupcake and some soda. After their afternoon rest Julner, Julena, and Windy were delighted to receive a stocking full of small toys and candy. It was especially exciting for them to get more then one lollipop! They went to bed that night with smiles on their faces and so content to go to bed after such a wonderful day.

Only one week after their big Christmas celebration it was time to celebrate the New Year as well as Haiti’s independence day, which is on January 1^st. The highlight of the day for most Haitians as well as the kids at the Toddler House is a celebratory soup that is traditionally served at lunchtime. The soup is called “soup joumou”. It is a pumpkin soup that has meat, carrots, potatoes, and cabbage. Everyone looks forward to this soup that is typically only served in Haitian Independence Day.

January 2013 Update

They are all growing and doing well. We have not gotten confirmation of them suffering from chicken pox even though it was spreading like wildfire through the Toddler House.  Yes you heard me right chicken pox.  My kids were like "What the heck is that?'    Makes you thankful that you can get a vaccination now days for that.  Below is an example of one of the kids with the chicken pox in Toddler House.

The Need for A Miracle

We have surpassed the year mark of waiting for a signature. Hence, we are in the process of updating our home study again so we can extend our immigration papers with the U.S Government.  Once you start the immigration papers you must continue updating them or the case is considered abandoned.
 We need a MIRACLE in a BIG way. 
Let me share with you the following email we were sent by the orphanage director Jan 10.  Yes it has taken me that long to process it and reprocess it.  To be clear before you read it:  the dossiers she is talking about are our 3.


Hi Wade and Jill,

I just posted an adoption update on the blog and then I received your email! We met with the lawyer and a formal inquiry has been made by IBESR and the Ministry of Justice to the Bureau of the President asking them to do a search for the dossiers that have been waiting almost exactly a year in Dispensation. IBESR kept telling us to be patient and wait. It seems to have been taking others about 6 to 9 months and there is no order in the way they come out. We first inquired with IBESR formally back in September/October. Then we spoke to the Minister of Justice and he said IBESR had resent a copy of all of the dossiers but they did not resend the files because they didn’t want the dossiers to be relogged in to the system and have to wait more time. So finally in November (the end), the Ministry of Justice sent this letter formally asking them to search and find your dossier. We have not heard anything yet and the lawyer is checking with them asking for a reply. Hopefully, we will hear something soon and then we will notify you.


Is your jaw on the floor? If you are confused let me translate for you: They are trying to find our dossier(paperwork) since Sept./Oct.    Adopting from Haiti is not for the faint of heart I tell you.  We need as many prayers as you can pester God with.  We serve a God who is bigger than any challenge we face. We need an army of prayers.  Put this on your personal list, your church list, anyone who likes to pray as them to pray for this situation.  Please.   

Significant gift

So the new year has started off with much needed encouragement.  My neighbor Michelle, was lucky enough to go on a cruise that took her and her family to Haiti during Christmas.  I was very jealous!  Not only did she enjoy the warm weather and being pampered but she also made it to a place I can not wait to go---Haiti.  She promised me that she would bring me back something from Haiti.  I could have never imagined the gift she brought back would have such significance.   God's timing is perfect as I am getting a little weary of waiting for a man's signature.   The story of this angel is that she looked all over for something that would have meaning for us.  She was approached by some people selling items on the beach.  She immediately saw the angel and said she had to have it.  " It is the angel that is going to help bring those kids home."  She tells me that there were no others like it, as she looked.  It is a beautiful soap stone carved angel.  It is so smooth and now is proudly displayed in our family room.  In addition the profit from her purchase goes to fund a school in Haiti.  How can I thank her for such a gift?  It truly is priceless to me because I know that God used her to bring us a message of hope.  I am just so glad she listened to His voice.

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!