Thursday, August 30, 2007

A Note About the Clothes

My mom and my sisters have made it their personal mission in life to keep our boys well dressed. I've seriously only bought a few outfits for them. My family has spent a fortune on clothes (yes, mostly on sale, but still...). Anyway, I say all that to remind you that my luggage didn't make it to Haiti until 15 minutes before I returned the boys to the orphanage. That is why they aren't looking as snazzily dressed as normal. Someone gave me two tank tops and another person gave me the outfits you see them wearing in most of the pictures. That was all I had in the way of clothing for them. We survived, but I hope I never experience that again!

Happier Things - Pictures!!

Samuel had a fever, so they wrapped a wet cloth
around his head. I had to get a picture of it!

Samuel, caught off guard. So innocent!


Noah posing for a picture, but forgetting to smile.


Samuel's now famous, "Whatchu talkin' bout Willis?" look.



There ya go, Noah! Pose and smile for the picture!



Okay, getting both kids in the same picture AND
looking at the camera is a big deal. Too bad they didn't smile.



Noah striking a pose.



Okay, both boys in the same picture, looking at
the camera AND smiling. Way to go Mom!



Noah having some fun!



Samuel looking like he wants to say, "I know
what you're up to."


Samuel sleeping.



The boys belly to belly. Do you see how big
those bellies are?? That is not a good thing.
Their bellies did go down some while I had them.

Monday, August 27, 2007

No Recommendations

I'm under the impression that most people who read this blog know me. However, since I can't know for sure, I feel it necessary to post this.

I can make no recommendations for good orphanages in Haiti. Well, actually I would totally recommend God's Littlest Angels if you are okay with not being able to visit your children. Other than that, I have no experience with other orphanages other than the one my boys are in and I DO NOT recommend it.

I've really battled with whether I should post this or not, but if you have read my whole blog you have heard me sing praises about the orphanage my boys are in. Now I weep tears over it.

I don't know if I've ever mentioned the name of our orphanage on this blog, and I'm not willing to go back and search through the posts to find out. I've always tried to keep where the boys are kind of vague because I don't trust the intentions of all people on the worldwide web. If you are reading this and you are someone at the beginning stages of a Haitian adoption, I am more than willing to email privately with you and disclose the name of the orphanage. I will not post it publicly; although I'd like to.

For those of you who know me, I can't post details, but our adoption process and our boys could use some serious prayers. Chuck and I could use prayers for God's perfect leading and guidance.

Thanks everyone.

Thursday, August 23, 2007

My Trip to Haiti

I was in Haiti last week, Monday through Friday. I went down with a group from our orphanage. It was a really quick trip. I didn't get into Haiti until late afternoon on Monday and left first thing Friday morning.

It was a challenging trip for me because I didn't get my luggage until Thursday afternoon. It just so happened that I had packed my clothing and four baby toys in my carry on bag. I had NOTHING for the boys. No diapers, no clothing, no meds, nothing. It was tough, but it was a huge lesson in how God provides. The people on my team really rallied around me and shared their resources. It was so completely humbling. I was given diapers, wipes, medicine, clothing, and even a sippy cup. God truly does provide. I have had dreams where I go to Haiti last minute and forget to pack, so the luggage thing was truly a nightmare come true. I'm an ultra-prepared person. I'm the one you come to for Motrin when you have a headache. Chuck makes fun of me because I usually leave the house with at least one bag in tow. But I survived and I'm alive to blog about it!

The boys are great. They were delivered to the hotel after dark on Monday night. They were a little dazed and confused when they arrived, probably because they had been asleep. They both had a nasty cough and runny noses. We had dinner and went to bed.

This first night was rough. My roommate, Courtney, and her two girls and me and the boys were in a really small room. We had a full size bed. We were able to get a twin mattress as well. So, me and the boys slept on the mattress on the floor and Courtney and her girls slept on the bed. We were totally cramped. I didn't sleep much because I was hearing every little noise.

Tuesday we spent the day at the orphanage. I spent a lot of time holding and playing with babies. After a late lunch we went back to the hotel. Courtney and the girls went swimming and the boys and I rested in the hotel room. Noah napped, but Samuel never went to sleep. He did lay quietly next to his brother and rest, but never fell asleep. We had dinner with the group that night - the boys and I shared Creole Chicken. We ended up sharing the same fork, which is probably why I've been sick. The boys coughed a lot that night. Luckily Courtney had medicine. It was not a very restful night for me.

Wednesday we were planning to stay at the hotel and just hang out with our kids. However, when I woke up I knew the boys needed medicine that we didn't have. At breakfast it was suggested that I go with the work team to the orphanage so that the boys could be looked at by the nurse. I went to the orphanage with 3 guys from our team and the boys got medicine. Much to our surprise, the boys' birth father was there at the orphanage. We were able to visit with him for quite some time with a translator. It was really nice. He held Samuel for most of the time. Noah won't let him hold him. He's been that way the last two times we saw their birth father. He cries if we try to hand him over. It must be so hard for the boys' birth father, but I'm glad he sees that Noah desires to be held by me. I hope that gives him peace about putting the boys up for adoption. After our visit I returned to the hotel and we hung out in our room the rest of the afternoon with Courtney and the girls. It was a nice, relaxing time. The boys took a good long nap. Courtney and I got to chat a lot. She's an amazing person. She has 7 kids and is adopting two more. And she's younger than me!! I was so blessed to have her as my roommate. She was such an encouragement to me. We had dinner that evening with the group and then headed back to our room. After our kids were asleep we took turns going to check email.

Thursday was an excursion day to Fort Jacques and the Baptist Mission. I wasn't planning to go, but at breakfast I was encouraged to go. Someone lent me a stroller and another person offered me a sling. I was so glad I went. I love to get out and see Haiti while I'm there. It was challenging getting around with the boys at Fort Jacques, but I had people helping me. We enjoyed having lunch at the Baptist Mission, but I didn't shop. There were just too many breakables and I wasn't comfortable walking around with the boys. We drove back to the hotel and learned that my luggage was finally available. Someone went to get it and I cheered when they rolled the bags to my room. I had just enough time to sort donations and gifts for peoples' kids before we headed back to the orphanage to return our children.

As we drove down the bumpy road to the orphanage I held the boys close and thought of the irony of the drive. When I get to Haiti I can't get to the orphanage fast enough. But when it's time to leave, the drive there couldn't be long enough. We got to the orphanage and had a little over an hour to spend with our kids. It was just Courtney and I, as the rest of the team was leaving the day after us. I delivered my donations to the office and gave gifts to some kids from their parents and got pictures. Then I spent time with my boys. Samuel was running a fever so they gave him some medicine and wrapped a wet cloth aroung his head. He looked so funny! I hung out with the boys on a couch and then fed them before it was time to go. I hadn't finished feeding them when it was time to go, so I brough their food to the nannies. They finished feeding Noah before I left, so I had to actually place him in a nannies arms. He screamed and cried for me. It was horrible. Samuel was eating, so he was distracted and didn't realize I was leaving. Oh, how I hate to leave them there. It is gut-wrenching. No mom should have to do that repeatedly. That's the fourth time I've had to say goodbye. It gets harder, not easier. Courtney and I cried and held each other on the way back to the hotel. We got to our room and quietly began packing. We knew it was time to go up to dinner, but we weren't ready to face the other families who still had their children. Finally they called us to tell us our dinner was getting cold and we went up to dinner. I couldn't eat. And if you know me, you know that's not usually a problem for me. Courtney and I shared our testimonies with the group. I shared about how hard it is to leave the boys and how it gets harder each time I do it. I told them that I suspect God is breaking my heart each time because it's out of that utter brokenness that we are better able to do His work. I guess I needed a lot of breaking. We stayed up late that night, talking with others and catching up on email. We took advantage of not having our kids with us. Finally, at about 11 I returned to the room to finish packing and go to bed.

Friday morning we woke up bright and early and headed to the aiport. We got checked in with no problems and our flight was thankfully on time. Courtney and I said goodbye in Ft. Lauderdale, as she lives not far from there. I flew home later that day and my luggage made it.

On Thursday night I began to lose my voice. Friday morning I felt horrible, but God sustained me through the long day of travel and through a BBQ the next afternoon. After that I crashed. I have been pretty sick all week long, and I'm not 100% yet. Nights are the worst because that's when the coughing begins. I saw a Dr. on Tuesday and learned that this is just a nasty upper respiratory infection. I've never been sick for this many days in a row before. I finally got out of the house today, and that was nice.

I took a lot of pictures, and hopefully I will add some to the blog soon. I do have a Snapfish Album that I can share if you're interested. Just shoot me an email at ittybitties@msn.com for the link.

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Sorry I'm So Quiet

Sorry I'm so quiet on here. I'm still really sick and I don't have much energy to do anything. I'll post again when I can.

Sunday, August 19, 2007

Haiti Weather Update

I just heard that everyone is okay in Haiti! They really didn't get much rain or wind. That is incredible when you consider the size of the storm that passed just south of them. My mommy heart can rest now. Thank You, Lord, for sparing Haiti!

Jamaica is a different story...Hurricane Dean is passing a lot closer to that tiny island. Please keep Jamaica in your prayers.

Haiti Hurricane News

This is some information I just found on the web. I still haven't heard from our orphanage, but more than likely power is out.

Haiti was spared the brunt of Dean's force with no major flooding or mudslides and only a few homes damaged by winds as the storm's eye stayed well south of Hispaniola -- the island that includes Haiti and the Dominican Republic. (Posted 11:42 a.m.)

That is good news. I'll feel a whole lot better once I hear from our orphanage directly.

Thanks for your prayers.

Saturday, August 18, 2007

Sick & Prayers for Haiti

Chuck and I are quite the pair this evening. We are pretty sick. I have an upper respiratory thing going on (I didn't know lungs could hurt...) and Chuck has the flu. Usually I just push myself when I'm sick, but I seriously can barely get out of bed.

In other news: Haiti is being hit by a strong hurricane right now. Please keep our boys and everyone we know and love in Haiti in prayer. I'll update the blog when I hear how the orphanage faired.

Friday, August 17, 2007

What A Week!

Wow, what a week I've had! I'll post about it when I can. Please, no questions in the comments. I promise to share when I'm able to. I am home and can be reached through email or on the phone if you just can't wait. Love, Juli

Saturday, August 11, 2007

Stuck

I got some news about our adoption this morning. Yesterday I emailed our Director and Adoption Coordinator asking for an explanation of why our paperwork hasn't moved on to the next step. I wasn't doing so in an accusatory manner, rather I just needed to understand what was happening and why we weren't moving on.

I learned that our dossier (adoption paperwork) is stuck. We have all the proper approval, but for some reason it's stuck with other dossiers waiting for approval in the Parquet office. Our Director spoke with a Parquet attorney about our dossier and explained that we already have approval.

Please join us in praying that it will be released next week. We have some very expensive immigration paperwork that expires next month and we really don't want to have to refile it. Plus our boys just need to come home. It's been long enough. Too long.

Friday, August 10, 2007

No News

I've had a lot of questions about the showings on Wednesday, so I thought I'd give an update. We haven't heard anything. Our agent is out of town this week, but he is available by phone (he scheduled our Wednesday showings while out of town). I'm thinking he'd know it and call us if someone made an offer. But maybe I'm wrong. We know that the first showing happened because they got here 15 minutes early; just as we were walking out the door. The cool thing about them is that they had a baby with them. The boys' room is painted like a nursery and it breaks Chuck's heart that all the blood, sweat, and tears that he put into it might be wasted. He really wants a family with a baby to move in.

We have a few "maybe" houses that we may look at on Sunday. We were looking all over the "desired city," but now we've decided there are only a few areas we want to be in that city. It all has to do with major waterways. Traffic around here is awful, mainly because of all the draw bridges and tunnels (and the fact that this is an overpoplulated area). We've decided that we want to be on the other side of the major waterways than we currently are. That really limits where we can live in that city and we must be within that city. We've also altered our house criteria. We went from at least 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths to 3 bedrooms 1 bath IF AND ONLY IF the home is at least 1200 sq ft and has the potential to add at least a 1/2 bath (see, I'm not asking for a great big house). If I've learned anything living in our current house for the last 3 years it's that 2 toilets are far better than one. I've also learned that houses and appliances break and you better be prepared for that, but the two toilet thing is a big deal to me. We have friends who have 3.5 baths in their great big condo and I always get bathroom envy while I'm there. It's not the 3 stories or the great loft or the big screen tv that causes me to sin, it's the bathrooms that drive my envy.

So, that's what's new in the house department. I won't blog again until I have news either on the house situation or the adoption.

Wednesday, August 08, 2007

More Good News

We have another showing between 7 & 7:30. Yippee! We are working on dessert with friends later or at a restaurant. I guess God had other plans when I decided today isn't a good day for showings!

Bad News, Good News

The bad news is that last night Chuck noticed that the rug in front of the dishwasher was soaked. Not good. Luckily it wasn't the dishwasher. It was the refrigerator. Not good. On Friday we had the ice maker repaired. When I pushed the fridge back in place I had a thought about the water line and wondered if I could hurt it when pushing the fridge in. We learned last night that, yes, you can hurt the water line. I guess I put a very small hole in it. So, for 4 1/2 days there has been water leaking under the fridge and dishwasher. We don't know the extent of the damage because Chuck hasn't been under the house yet. We are praying it's not serious. Replacing the floor in that area isn't something we really want to have to do.

This morning I woke up thinking that today would not be a good day to show the house. The rug is all pulled up (it's an 8 x 10 rug) in front of the dishwasher so that it can dry out. We have company coming over at 7 for dessert, and it's going to be a killer hot day and our house doesn't stay super cool on killer hot days because the air conditioner is made for a slightly smaller house (we are 1080 sq ft and it's made for 1000).

The good news is that I had to laugh when our real estate agent called this morning to tell me that someone wants to look at the house this evening! The rug can dry out and be put back by then, dessert will be pushed back to accomodate the showing at 6:40, and I'm praying that the air conditioner keeps up. I shaded it with our patio table umbrella, which helps.

If you think of us between 6:30 and 7 tonight, please pray for God's will in the showing of our home. This is the first one, and the market has slowed around here, so it would be a total blessing if this is the person to buy it.

Tuesday, August 07, 2007

Adoption Update

Well, the update is...that there is no update. I used the title to lure you in so I can ask you to pray. I know; I have no pride. But it worked, didn't it?

We've been waiting over 5 weeks now for someone to finish "reviewing" our file before it can be submitted for 2nd Legalization. I'm having one of those days where I'm on the verge of tears. I'm pretty adoption weary today. My heart aches to hold my boys in my arms in this country. We have had to wait longer than projected in almost all the steps of our adoption. And the place that our file sits isn't even technically a step. I know, I'm whining and I'm sorry. I'm just having a hard time choking it down today. My prayer has been that our paperwork has been submitted to 2nd Legalization and that they just forgot to tell me.

If you have a few minutes, please pray for our adoption process.

Thanks.

Friday, August 03, 2007

It's Gone

The house, that is. Not ours, but the one we fell in love with. Wednesday morning I gave it to God and last night the owners confirmed that they accepted another contract. Bummer! My heart is a little broken over it. But, as Chuck reminded me, God has never let us down. I don't know how He's going to do it, but I believe He's got something better planned for us. I would just like to know what it is. Now. :)

Now on to other news. Tomorrow we are going to the outlet mall to hopefully get Chuck a pair of Vans. He's been out of the Coast Guard a few months and has pretty much exclusively worn sandals. His feet are killing him. We tossed around the idea of getting him some tennis shoes, but he looks weird in tennis shoes. It's really awkward to look at. We've tried. So, after much thought and prayer, Chuck has determined that Vans are the shoes for him. We are hoping for mad sales.

No one has looked at our house yet. That bums me out a bit. But, tomorrow is Saturday so maybe some people will look this weekend. We've been looking at houses online. We found one that we really like, but it's a condo and we aren't down with condo fees. There are about 6 houses we'd like to look at, but none of them are really screaming, "I'm the one!" Maybe the house God has for us isn't for sale yet.

Wednesday, August 01, 2007

For Sale

Well, the house is officially for sale; the sign is in the yard. My house has never been more clean! I'm still working on getting the closets super organized and I have a list of other small things to do, but for the most part we are done!

I'm beginning to think that the house we are interested in is no longer available. I called the owner last night and emailed today and have had no response. I'd be lying if I said I'm not disappointed. But, I do have a good attitude about it for two reasons. 1) Maybe that house was the thing that got us moving. Well, it was. I would have never worked so hard to get our house ready to sell if I didn't have something dangling in front of my face. I am lazy at my core, so that house got me moving. I can liken this to our adoption. If you've ever read our super long adoption story (look at me hyperlinking like a pro!), you've read about Jabez. Jabez is the reason we began to pursue adoption. We had talked about adoption, but then I met Jabez, and then that talking turned into movement. Initially we were trying to adopt him. So, he led us to our boys. He was the thing that got us moving. 2) God always gives me so much better or more than what I want. Always. Take our adoption for example. We wanted a baby. God gave us two. This pattern has repeated itself over and over again in my life. God is just like that. My thinking tells me that I must have this one particular house, that it is perfect. But God has something better for us if this is not the one. And better than perfect would be awesome!

So now we wait and pray. In the words of a dear old lady who is very close to entering Heaven, "Thy will, not mine, be done. Amen."