'Stand by for news'

Haiti's Carnival vacation is over and every one should be back to work for a normal month of March (before the big Easter break early in April). So, we will "stand by for news."

"The rest of the story". Paul Harvey, the news commentator and talk-radio pioneer whose staccato style made him one of the nation's most familiar voices, died Saturday in Arizona, according to ABC Radio Networks. He was 90.
I grew up listening to Paul Harvey's Noon News and Comment. Still try to catch it if I am in the car. I think I will miss that familiar voice.

Nine months since referral

Today marks 9 months since our referral. We went into this knowing that it would be "longer than the normal gestation period". But today seems significant anyway.

This weekend we celebrated adoption by attending 2 different fund raising chili dinners. They were so fun! (For all of Kristi's friends who want to know: Yes, cinnamon rolls were served with the chili.) One of the fund raisers was for a local lady who is adopting a little girl from Haiti! We were so excited to meet her and introduce ourselves. Her little girl is the same age as Wiguerson and hopes to be home this spring. We are already looking forward to playing together.

I know adoption is not for every one, but supporting adoption is and it was very encouraging to see both places packed with people who love and support adoptive families.

January Update Photos

Don't worry Mom and Dad. We are very happy here.

Happy Birthday Beth

Beth turned two today! She is so fun. We had a great time celebrating last night and again today with her birth family. I LOVE open adoption! After her little party last night, the girls woke up this morning promptly at 6:46 just like every day. We heard Anna inform Beth that today is her birthday again. After a little conversation between sisters it was time to call in the parents to get her "out please". Her breakfast request was for an other cupcake "for my Happy Birthday". How could your deny such a cute little girl such a sweet request when spoken with a soft little whisper right in my ear followed by the most precious smile of the morning. I don't know, but I did. No more cupcakes. She loved every present and had enough hugs for everyone. "Happy, Happy to you" Beth Alexandra. We love you very much!

The Year of the Ox

Talk about more kids and more fun, last night was the celebration of Chinese New Year with other families who have adopted from China. There were around 50 children and their families gathered to celebrate and play together. This was Anna's glory hour. She played and loved being with her summer play group friends again. Beth was impressed with all the "Annas" and wanted a turn on the stage for the talent show. We had great food and great fun.

More Kids - More Fun

Anna and Beth think every one either has or is getting a new baby. They do not care if you are not pregnant because you could just "get more kids for your family." Last week Anna asked the lady at the fabric store if she had any kids at her house. "No, my kids are all grown." Anna just looked at her and said, "Well, when are you going to get some more?" She laughed (sort of). Anna lives with a basic belief that she states simply, "More kids, more fun!"

Although we have not heard that our adoption papers have been signed, we decided to tell the girls about it because EVERYONE knows and asks. Anna was very excited. She knew that her friend and his baby sister lived in the orphanage and when we told her they needed a family she asked repeatedly in rapid fire succession if we could be their family. We told her that we asked "Haiti" and they said yes but it will take a long time to do all the paper work. She then moved right to wanting to know if she could go on the air plane to get them. Sorry, but no. The next issue was where would they sleep and could the babies sleep by each other and me and my friend could sleep by each other so I could look at him at night and check on him. Yes, that would be great. Two weeks later, "Mommy, when can we get some more kids in our family?" Me: "Remember we talked about the 'Haiti kids'?" Anna: "Yea, but you said that will take a long time until I am almost 6. We should get some more kids first, before they come." Maybe she is just social, or maybe it was her first year in the orphanage, but she really believes that more kids are more fun. I hope this great desire for siblings lasts through the teen years.

Oh, we did tell her the kids names. She has been calling them “my friend and his baby” or “the Haiti kids” because we did not want to confuse the issue with different names and were not ready to go public with their new names until we exited IBESR and visited them. (We had Beth in our house for eight days before we knew we were adopting her and the name change was difficult for Anna and Beth still gets called “Baby” by all of us a lot.) Anna knows their Haitian names and uses their new names. She understands because she knows her Chinese name. In case you missed the names in a previous post, they are Emery and Abby. Beth thinks they are at our friend's house. Every time we go there she asks, "Where Abby?" We tell her she is in Haiti and she just says "Oh." I often wonder what goes on in her little head. :)

Babies Babies and 2 More Babies

What a fun week of visiting all the new babies around here. Welcome to the world Jax, Luke, Hope, and yesterday twin girls! Congratulations girl friends!
I am praying for you and your families. Screen your calls, take a nap whenever you can and don't be afraid to serve pancakes or cereal for dinner.
Love you all.

Christian Alliance for Orphans Summit

Register online now for the Christian Alliance for Orphans Summit V April 30 and May 1, 2009 at Irving Bible Church in Dallas, Texas. Summit V is an opportunity to worship God by learning about how He is caring for orphans around the world through His people... and how YOU can join Him. Detailed breakout sessions and strategic networking opportunities have been designed to equip the lay person, the church pastor & the orphan care worker with tangible steps they can take to love the orphan in their home, in their church, and through trusted organizations. Don't miss our keynote speakers including Dr Tony Evans, Dennis Rainey, Russell Moore and Rob Mitchell. Hosted by Irving Bible Church: a Christian Alliance for Orphans Member

Mini Vans

Ok all you mini van drivers out there: we need advice, opinions and words of wisdom. We currently own a Subaru Forester. We love our car and also know there is no way around the mini van with four kids all in car seats. We bought our car in May of '05 intending to drive it for 7-10 years. We get good gas millage, free oil changes and love the 4 wheel drive. Our Subaru has 71,000 miles, new breaks and newish tires.
I know nothing about mini vans. Can you drive them 200,000-300,000 miles like the Subaru? With 4 car seats is it important to have bucket seats in the middle, or can you crawl around that short bench? Do vans have 4 wheel drive? Are all vans crated equal or do some rise to the top? Do they come with that little soccer ball decal or do you get that later? What do you think?