Three little boys are A LOT of work.
We wouldn't change a thing, though. Yesterday had it's high highs and low lows. My lowest was just before bedtime when I turned to Chuck with tears in my eyes and said, "What was God thinking?"
At one point all three were screaming. Good times, good times.
We had a friend come over and one of the boys was definitely mommy shopping. We've decided it will be best, at least for a while, to have no visitors. The boys need to begin to settle into the idea of one mommy, one daddy. And speaking of daddy, please pray that Noah warms up to Chuck. He definitely prefers me and at times is fearful of Chuck. They have fun playing, but when Noah's mood is more serious he clings to me when Chuck is near. It is heartbreaking to see Chuck receive this. Anyone who knows him knows how he has longed for his boys.
I've shared my concerns for Samuel in the past. I have to say that he is absolutely blossoming. Of the two, he is doing far better. The Lord certainly heard my prayers for that little heart. Now, I pray He will answer my prayers for Noah.
More later, and hopefully pictures, too.
This blog was created to share information about bringing our boys home from Haiti. Now that they are home and we've had a baby, we share the day to day craziness that we now call life.
About Us
- Juli
- Mom to three fantastic little boys: Noah and Samuel, 6 year old twins, born in Haiti, who've been with our family since 9/08 and Tristan, our 4 year old handful! God's moved us all over the country and continues to move in our hearts.
Not a Surprise...
Chuck and I have noticed that most people make the assumption that Tristan was a surprise. You know, the idea of, "adopt a child and you'll end up pregnant." While that may be true for some, that is not the case for us. Believe it or not, Tristan was planned. At the time of his conception we were unsure our adoption would ever complete and we decided to stop putting our family on hold. God saw fit to bless us with Tristan, Noah and Samuel all at the same time! While the transition into parenthood was not easy for us, we trust that God knew what He was doing!
April 21, 2009
Brothers
Noah and Samuel, 3 years old
Samuel and Noah at 2 years old
Tristan, 5 months
Tristan, 5 weeks old
Noah and Samuel at 21 months.
Noah at 19 months.
Samuel at 19 months.
Samuel and Noah at 11 months old.
Our Timeline
May 2005 - God began speaking to us individually about adoption.
July 2005 - Decided to move forward with adopting from Haiti.
October 2005 - Applied to adopt through an orphanage.
November 8, 2005 - Approved to adopt through chosen orphanage.
January 19, 2006 - Committed to adopt the boys.
May 15, 2006 - Dossier arrived in Haiti.
July 14, 2006 - Dossier submitted to IBESR.
January 23, 2007 - Dossier exited IBESR.
September 21, 2007 - Exited Parquet.
October 2007 - Received Judgment Granted.
December 2007 - 2nd Legalization completed, which means Noah and Samuel's adoptions are complete. They are ours!!
March 2008 - Finally receive all needed documents from Archives.
March 13, 2008 - Birth parent interview completed.
Late March, 2008 - Submitted to MOI.
May 20, 2008 - Confirmed that our updated fingerprints have reached the USCIS office in Port au Prince.
May 20, 2008 - Received word that our MOI long form has been completed.
June 24, 2008 - Received MOI approval.
July 10, 2008 - Received word that Samuel's passport has been printed.
July 16, 2008 - Received word that Noah's passport has been printed.
July 25, 2008- Confirmed that our passports were presented to the USCIS office in Port au Prince and that out I-600 file has been approved.
July 26, 2008 - Emailed our request for the boys' visa appointment.
July 31, 2008 - Emailed 2nd request for boys' visa appointment.
August 4, 2008 - Spoke with the Embassy, awaiting email confirmation of visa appointment.
August 5, 2008 - Email confirmation of visa appointment received. Our appointment is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 12th.
August 12, 2008 - The visa appointment went well! Visas should be ready tomorrow.
August 13, 2008 - The visas are in hand and the boys CAN COME HOME!!
August 15, 2008 - Baby brother Tristan was born.
September 1, 2008 - Flew to Miami and spent the night.
September 2, 2008 - Woke very early only to learn that our flight to Haiti was cancelled due to Hurricane Hanna hitting Haiti. We spent the next few days visiting friends and family in Florida.
September 5, 2008 - The boys are HOME!! However, we are stuck in Miami for the night because Hurricane Hanna hit Virginia, too, and our flight home was cancelled. Hoping to get home tomorrow.
September 6, 2008 - We are FINALLY home. To God be all the glory!
July 2005 - Decided to move forward with adopting from Haiti.
October 2005 - Applied to adopt through an orphanage.
November 8, 2005 - Approved to adopt through chosen orphanage.
January 19, 2006 - Committed to adopt the boys.
May 15, 2006 - Dossier arrived in Haiti.
July 14, 2006 - Dossier submitted to IBESR.
January 23, 2007 - Dossier exited IBESR.
September 21, 2007 - Exited Parquet.
October 2007 - Received Judgment Granted.
December 2007 - 2nd Legalization completed, which means Noah and Samuel's adoptions are complete. They are ours!!
March 2008 - Finally receive all needed documents from Archives.
March 13, 2008 - Birth parent interview completed.
Late March, 2008 - Submitted to MOI.
May 20, 2008 - Confirmed that our updated fingerprints have reached the USCIS office in Port au Prince.
May 20, 2008 - Received word that our MOI long form has been completed.
June 24, 2008 - Received MOI approval.
July 10, 2008 - Received word that Samuel's passport has been printed.
July 16, 2008 - Received word that Noah's passport has been printed.
July 25, 2008- Confirmed that our passports were presented to the USCIS office in Port au Prince and that out I-600 file has been approved.
July 26, 2008 - Emailed our request for the boys' visa appointment.
July 31, 2008 - Emailed 2nd request for boys' visa appointment.
August 4, 2008 - Spoke with the Embassy, awaiting email confirmation of visa appointment.
August 5, 2008 - Email confirmation of visa appointment received. Our appointment is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 12th.
August 12, 2008 - The visa appointment went well! Visas should be ready tomorrow.
August 13, 2008 - The visas are in hand and the boys CAN COME HOME!!
August 15, 2008 - Baby brother Tristan was born.
September 1, 2008 - Flew to Miami and spent the night.
September 2, 2008 - Woke very early only to learn that our flight to Haiti was cancelled due to Hurricane Hanna hitting Haiti. We spent the next few days visiting friends and family in Florida.
September 5, 2008 - The boys are HOME!! However, we are stuck in Miami for the night because Hurricane Hanna hit Virginia, too, and our flight home was cancelled. Hoping to get home tomorrow.
September 6, 2008 - We are FINALLY home. To God be all the glory!
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11 comments:
Juli,
Your reaction is right on...You and Chuck should be the ones for now with the boys!! And it may take alittle while for them to get use to Chuck, my son would not let a male touch him for along time....
I don't think they are around men that much mostly female nannies..
It will happen, they just need time....let him do alot of the fun things for now...
Make sure you get your rest , because you are going to need it...
God Bless to all of you!
Rose Anne
Awwww...what a sweet blessing! Enjoy the bonding time with your cuties!!!
Hang in there! I can't imagine how overwhelmed you must be right now. I will pray that you guys can find a routine that makes everyone happy and the boys bond to you both equally strong. Blessings!!
Tons of work, but you will be an old pro in no time. Hang in there. God did know what He was doing.
Juli,
I think I can, I think I can...You may have to buy yourself a copy of The Little Engine that Could and just keep reading it. Kenson is not a real fan of Derek either so tell Chuck he's not alone. He tolerates him and will play with him but freaks out if I try to give him to Derek. (In fact, he really wouldn't go to anyone but me. When we were talking to my parents about boundaries once Kenson comes home, my mom was saying how she really wanted to hold him, etc.. And all I could think was "Yeah right! He'll be a bawling mess if you try to pick him up.") The first day in Haiti this summer was so sad because I know Derek was sad because of it. But then I think Derek just realized he didn't cause it and he couldn't immediately fix it. Instead, it's just baby steps. Keep on, keeping on.
Kayla
I bet he'll warm up soon. Both twins were afraid of Rick in Haiti. I don't think they have many male visitors--especially white ones. Kayla didn't warm up until we were literally walking out the O. door the last time.
Can't wait to see pictures. This must be an exciting--if not coo coo--time in your life : )
Pictures would be FABULOUS! I'll be praying for you all. It is still so amazing the timing of this all. God bless...
Wow, those moments when all your kids are crying at the same time can be tough! I am praying for you guys-what a huge transition for all of you!
I am sure you all will have a time of adjustment. It gets better though. I had a baby right when we brought two from Russia home. It waa hard! But, over time it got better.
I am here if you need me...just to talk/vent/cry...
Love you!
Wow wow wow, I have been waiting to hear this great news that your boys are home. The wait was tooooo long. Give yourselves time, this is a huge adjustment for you. Your baby is so beautiful!!! Your c-section experience sounded just like mine. It was a relief to hear someone else felt the same things, especially after the baby was born. I am still sad that I was out in la la land that I couldn't focus enough to connect. I only remember some things but I do remember just wanting to "go someplace" very strange, especially when your in that much pain.
Take good care of yourselves, there are a lot of people praying for you. One day at a time.
All is well here.
Love and L*ght,
Jill
congrats! i am so happy for you. i pray for the Holy Spirit to bond you all together and for peace to abound!
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