Pictures!

It was so good to see pictures of the kids.















This bright yellow shirt made it easy to find our boy in all of the pictures. :)















A huge thank you to the moms who took these pictures!










This wide-mouthed holler makes me think he will be able to hold his own with his big sister.

News From a Traveling Mom

"Your babies are sooo cute!!! Wiguerson is going to be a dancing king. I have video and photos of him bustin' his moves!!! Ronese is a sweet quiet baby but she smiles a lot. Ok we are going to eat but I wanted you to know I have spent time with your kids and they are wonderful!!!"

We were so excited and relieved to get this email! We have been praying for their little hearts to be filled with joy.

No New News Yet

There is a group of parents leaving for Haiti on Friday. They are going to visit their kids and sign some paper work. We are anticipating that our turn for this type of trip will be in the fall sometime. Each person that goes to the orphanage takes two 5o pound suitcases filled with formula and other essential food and supplies that are unavailable to our children in Haiti. This is all part of the donation program set up to provide the best possible care for our kids. Other orphanages that do not have this support have to give the kids flour paste to fill their little tummies. I am so grateful for the nutrition our kids are receiving. We are gathering formula for our turn already. This effort is organized and maintained by one of the moms and the link to the site is at the right.

We have not received any updates on our kids yet, but hopefully the visiting families will be able to bring back a little information or maybe a picture or two if the kids are in the main orphanage. When the children first come, they are brought to a transition house to be cared for. They make sure they are not sick and do not have any parasites that could be shared with the other children. Because of the lack of clean drinking water nearly all of the children in Haiti have some type of parasite and skin rashes etc. are also common. With 70 children living together it is important for each child to be healthy.

Keep praying for our kid's transition and for their little hearts to know the Father's love.

Easier Than You Think

While at the zoo today, I met this nice mom and we visited while our kids played on the slide. (I know, we went to see the new Russian Bear and the Tiger, but the slide is still the last stop before going home.) She said having 4 kids is easier than 2 and having them close in age is so helpful because they really like to play together. She assured me that "It will be easier than you think, there is a little more laundry and food, and picking up. But really, it won't be hard." I had to think she must know a little of what she was talking about. Her oldest is eight and her baby is 12 months, the other 5 are somewhere in between. All seven kids were so cute and fun and well behaved. She was dressed, showered, had packed a full picnic with all the food groups and had even remembered a comfy lawn chair for herself. I was impressed! She assured me that five year olds are very helpful (something we do not see a lot of at 4 yrs old.) and are so proud of their siblings. She recommended grocery shopping at night while the kids are in bed for the first several months while we all adjust. "It is peaceful alone time and you do not have to hear all the comments from strangers about 'all those kids'". Good tip, it took hours to get through Costco when Anna was little because everyone wanted to talk to her. So, i guess i will not worry about having 2 two year olds or 4 pair of flip flops to find in the sand box. We will just thank the Lord for His plan and timing and count the days until our family of six is sharing a picnic together.

LOOK WHAT THE LORD HAS DONE!!!

Today we faxed our referral acceptance and financial agreement to Chances for Children and I am overjoyed to tell you that we have all of the money needed for our in-country fees!!! It has been so amazing to be a part of what God is doing with this. So many individuals have given so generously in answer to the voice of the Lord. We are overwhelmed by His goodness and strengthened and encouraged by the generous and sacrificial obedience of so many people. It remind me of that little Vacation Bible School song, "My God is so Big, so Strong and So Mighty. There's nothing my God can not do!"

Referral!!!!!

Yes, two of the new children are for us. Our request was for siblings 3 years or under (So Anna is still th oldest), at least one boy. Our referral: Biological siblings, little boy 2 years 9 months and baby sister 12 1/2 months. This is so perfect. They are now in the orphanage getting the nutrition they need. Ronese is almost 13 months and gained 2# her first two weeks in the orphanage. She is 12 pounds and 21 inches. Wiguerson is 33 inches tall. His birth day is July 22 and he will be 3 years old. Their biological parents are living but unable to provide food for their family. I do not think any of us can understand the reality of this living in a country like ours. We live in a town that has at least six McDonald's restaurants.

We are very excited for our family and very sobered by the reality that has caused this to take place. I have included the only pictures we have of the children and a map of their birth place. (To enlarge the pictures hold down the shift key and click.)

Fun Facts: All of our children were born at home
All of our children have brown/black eyes
Anna has 18 teeth
Beth has 12 teeth
Ronese has 6 teeth
Wiguerson has 20 teeth
Daddy has "lots'a teeth"
and so does Mommy

More Blessings

Saturday we received our first on line donation through our blog. Friends from half way around the world gave with a few mouse clicks. That is so cool. Sunday we were given an encouraging card and a check from friends at church. Then, just minutes ago we got an email notifying us of an other gift from our blog's donation button, again from a friend on the other side of the world. We know this is truly God's plan and His provision. We are so amazed! If you are keeping track, that is $230 toward our in-country fees.

Also, stay tuned for the news we have all been waiting for...

Update!

On Saturday night we found out that there are 5 new kids at the orphanage. We do not know anything about them or if any of them are "our kids". There are 13 families waiting for referrals and we are one of them. They said it will take a week or so to get the medical exams and history complete for the kids and then they will start making referrals. There are 6 kids at the orphanage waiting for the US embassy to give them their papers so they can come home, and the papers in the other offices are moving again. This is all good news for waiting parents as the waits have been long and the offices were closed for a couple of weeks.

On Tuesday night we found out that Chances for Children had received $8000 toward our in country fees and on Wednesday morning we found out that a check for $2000 is being mailed to Chances today. If you are keeping track, that is $10,000. That means we need only $3000 to cover our in-country fees due at referral. Praise the Lord! We will keep you posted.

Good Mail

Anna and I have a silly tradition, each day we make an enthusiastic trip to the mail box. Now that we live in a house with the mail box attached next to the front door, the ritual is a little sillier than it once was when we had to cross a very busy street and hike our steep driveway in order to retrieve whatever treasure might await. Still, each day I call to Anna and ask if she wants to get the mail. She still comes running, hollering questions of what the mailman might have brought to us. We open the door, reach in, and open the "good stuff" first. The green envelopes from Claudia are her favorite. My favorite are anything with our names and a stamp. Stamped mail is always best. Beth loves anything Anna gives her with the excited "oooh, Bethy! Look, it is for you!" (usually an add for internet or Direct TV)

This week the "good mail" included a letter from Shaohannah's Hope notifying us that we would receive a grant of $3000 toward our adoption expense! Praise the Lord! For those of you keeping the running total we now only need $13000 for our in-country fees. I know that sounds like a lot, but if you ever watch "Antique Road Show" you will see that it is only one special vase or paining away. Of course we have not found that vase yet, but who knows, our church youth group is having a yard sale in a few weeks... :) We are not worried, we know that God knows and every gift and grant are His to give.

Hope you get some "good mail" today!