I've been home for 9 days and hit the ground running. Mathea's birthday party, laundry, packing for Washington, cleaning the house, taking the girls to Nutcracker, passing on a family 5k for my sanity, well visit appointment for Mathea, haircut appointment for Ellie... I didn't have much down time to be sad that I was missing such my sweet, cuddly boy. Admittedly, I did tear up when our pediatrician and I talked about my trip. I have thought of little stories, memories, of Christopher and my time together that I will write and retell as I remember.
We left 4 days after I returned. We flew to be with our extended Hires' family in "a mountain house" outside Seattle. It's been funny, noisy, crazy, sweet and memorable as we hiked to cut down our Christmas tree, went sledding, went skiing, watched movies, stayed up late, played board games and wii games, had singing performances, ate and ate and ate. We have been having story time before bedtime each night telling the story of Jesus' birth. Love it.
Yesterday was my birthday! It was a special time to be with family. I was thankful for my early present in Haiti but so sad as I thought of how much Christopher would love a piece of my cake. This trip would be overwhelming to him if he were able to be here now, but I dream of the day when he is comfortable with his new family, loves new experiences and plays with cars, coins and boy toys on the floor with his cousins! What will he think of snow? Will he be adventurous and want to ski? How will he handle being introduced to new people? So many curious thoughts pop into my head on an hourly basis. I can't wait to start answering all the unknowns.
As I woke this morning to Mattie's little voice - "Happy Christmas Eve, Mommy!" It was such a sweet way to continue this Christmas season. Tonight, we will be going to Christmas Eve service as a group of 17. We will again listen to the Christmas story of Christ' birth and sing Christmas carols. We will try to get some sleep tonight before the children are up before dawn to open their stockings. We pray that this is the last Christmas without our little boy and although that would be a miracle, we still pray in faith that God would bring him home to his forever family soon.
Merry Christmas, dear friends.
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Haiti, Day 3
Our First Meeting - Mama's overjoyed!
Day 2 - One of his first smiles on camera!
Day 3 - Happiness with balloons, balls and friends!
When the nanny came, I was worried that Christopher would have nothing to do with me so I prepared myself to shower, blog and read while he as in her lap all day or at least ignore me. He wanted to kick around that ball with me, he wanted me to blow up his balloons and he wanted to share his stickers. There were the occasional sitting in her lap, but when I saw that it was getting later, I asked if he wanted to come upstairs with me and he immediately put out his arms for me to carry him. We spent almost an hour in the room eating, getting cleaned up, and singing. Then when it was time to go downstairs, I did something that upset him (don't ask me what but he scowled and let me know that I was the source of his anger). I finally picked him up despite the possibility of screams and walked him downstairs. There was no screaming but he pushed away from me as I put him down and he ran to pout. Thank God that Patrick was around. He went and spoke to him, then got to hold him and carry him up to the restaurant for a little lunch. I realized at lunch that he was probably upset because he was watching me put his clothes in a bag. He's no dummy. He wasn't quite ready to leave.
We rented a van to go to the orphanage so 7 adults, 3 kids and a driver dodged down the 1 road into Croix des Bouquets. I got some great pictures of tap-taps (taxis unlike anything you've every seen that hold MANY people), people carrying more on their heads than seems natural, trash, a cemetery, tent cities, pantless children, school kids in uniforms and more people. Watching everything cut the drive to short, I thought. I don't know how he did it, but Christopher actually fell asleep in the van! The roads are not smooth. You literally need to keep your teeth together so there's no fear of biting your tongue on the horible bumps; not to mention the near death collisions as people come at you head-on in your lane as though you aren't there. When we got to Lifeline, he was awake and snuggled tighter. I let him down and grabbed the stickers out of my bag. I brought a few hundred stickers. I got mauled by all the children demanding I give them stickers. There were hands and bodies pressing in from all sides. I ended up getting the kids in trouble as the nannies yelled at them to move along. I handed about half of the stickers to Nicole and she says to me, "You made the bed you are lying in." We had a good chuckle as she put the stickers in her office. Christopher separated from me when it was time to eat their lunch. He got through half his bowl of rice and broth by the time the others finished their bowls. He was still pretty full from being able to eat at every hour of the day. Typically, these kids leave not a single morsel or rice piece in their bowls. I took pictures of the sweet little ones 5 & under for their mothers and for CCAI files (if I haven't connected with their moms). Facebook has been amazing in helping all the families connect and gather pictures for each other. We hugged their kids and talked to them about how much mamas love them :) The 4&5 year olds who have met their parents seem to brighten when we talked about their parents. Sweet!
One of the families that came down this trip got Crocs to donate 80 pairs of Crocs so we lined up the kids outside the door and they all came through one by one to pick new shoes from the room we werein. It was so sad when we ran out of large sizes for the teenagers. These Haitian teens had big feet:) Mama Nicole had about 25 pairs of average sizes left over that didn't fit anyone. Shoes for the littler ones to grow into.
The girls from ages 11-13 followed me everywhere. They wanted me to take their picture. They wanted to give me a tour and show me where to get good pictures of the scenery. They played with my hair and asked me many questions. Their English was broken but clear enough to communicate our sentiment back & forth. I got 2 of them singing on video. They totally reminded me of my girls and the hams they are! They loved the photo book of Christopher's new family and can't wait to meet the girls. They all picked one of my girls, called them their friends and told me to tell my girls they said "'lo". It was so sweet. 2 of them warmed my heart so much that I had to resist coming home & trying to convince Ellie she would love older sisters. They are 11 & 12 years old without families waiting for them. That breaks my heart.
Mama Nicole gave an official tour and talked to us about how God is meeting needs and where they have more needs. At the end of our tour, we ended up at their garden that was filled with papaya trees, plantain trees and vegetables. They have a pig, turkey and chickens. There are a couple of small dogs on the grounds and the older children learn to take care of it all.
Nicole sent the other kids away and then we sat in a circle. She thanked us for loving Haiti and for caring for the children. She went on to say that she is encouraged to know they will be loved, will get an education and will grow up knowing & loving Jesus. She was so sincere as she spoke. I know that God will give him peace during this brief time apart. Then she spoke to each of our boys about our leaving and our returning for them. The moms were in tears. The 2 older boys looked sullen as they understood but didn't like it. Christopher took it in but it didn't seem to sink in. We hugged and kissed our boys. I told Christopher, "manman renmen ou. Christopher renmen manman?" (mama loves you. Christopher loves mama?) He nodded his head yes. I melted. She took them into the kitchen building and started reading them a book to distract them. I looked back and Christopher was standing with the 10 children waving good-bye. He looks to sad and confused. I waved just in case he could see me. Heart wrenching. The car ride home seemed longer. We got home right as darkess hit the town. We had 20 minutes to clean up before the lawyer Sarah was to come for dinner. Sarah didn't end up coming, but dinner was encouraging. The families with kids at Maison - their kids went back, too, so it was only adults with Haitian rum and huge plates of food. The conversation was good. After dinner, we went by the pool and talked more. It wasn't as lonely knowing we were all in the same emotional state. I finally went to my room to pack and felt peace. He is loved. Mama Nicole and her staff love those children. He will be home as soon as possible but until then, God is with him.
I am on my way home tomorrow with a better understanding of how to pray and precious pictures to place in his story book. He is loved and God chose him for our family. Love can be hard and what a deeper picture of God my Father's love for me. When we invite Jesus into our lives, we can rest in the assurance that God wants us, forgives us and can't wait to lavish His love on us for eternity when we accept God as our Father and Jesus as our Savior.
Please pray:
Tracy's been sick while he's been in Texas (healing)
Christopher's adjustment back to the orphanage (his tummy didn't like the food change)
My girls (need special attention and love when I get home)
Balance (I have to go back to work as soon as I get home - literally)
Christmas travels (we leave on the 20th for Christmas with Tracy's family)
If you'd like to see pictures and aren't a FB friend, leave a comment or email me and I will send you a link to an album I will have posted.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Haiti, Day 2
Through the night he was amazing. Exhausted from all the stimulation and food and a little later bedtime than he's used to, he fell asleep very quickly. I awoke to hear him in the bathroom peeing. I got up and led him back to bed without a peep and he fell back asleep. In the morning, he looked a little shell shocked so I got up and gave him a cliff bar. I don't know if it was the start of his digestion kicking into yucksville or if the newness finally all hit him (I know it was the above and more) but no amount of bribing, sweet talk or silliness would bring him out of staring, then scoweling then screaming as I went to touch him. I was lucky enough to have a room with windows that faced the open restaurant so as soon as a friend was there I told him in my horrible Creole that we would go see his friend. Howling, he writhed and went limp. Nothing was to console him, so mama and son both went back up to the room in tears. Even the groundsman was sympathetic. He took him from me and tried to whisper in his ear and sway him to calm, but he was beyond himself. He and I cried together for about 10 minutes and after I got over it and decided we were going to solve this, both his friends and their moms entered the room. The boys talked (rather loudly over Christopher crying) as I went to my arsenal of balloons and stickers. The boys gave him bread, raisins and 2 bigger than Christopher balloons. He calmed down, ate his raisins and when asked if he wanted to go "mange", he nodded and came with me to breakfast. By the end of breakfast (which seemed to take forever) he was running around trying to hit his little friend with his big balloons. Night and Day. As those of you who adopted and have told me, this may be life for a while. His age and his utter confusion lends itself to "on and off" true survival skills. He doesn't want to put himself out there to get hurt. Even at 3 he's self-protecting and that's heartbreaking.
The day as the pictures indicate was for the most part joyful. He loves that his friends are here. It's a big party. It was a day off for us all so there was no where to be. He loved dipping his feet in the pool, running around with the boys and eating. I don't think I could win an eating contest with this kid. I'm dumbfounded as to how much he packed away. From what the other parents said diarrhea was on its way and sure enough by day's end the different food finally effected him enough. Poor little guy would hold it and hold it. It as soon as he sat down...You get the picture!
He and I napped and that was sweet. I freaked out slightly at the prospect of his waking fro the nap and tensing up, but Patrick had come to check on how the day went and Jean Benito came in at the same time so I asked his friend to wake him for dinner. That was smooth and so helpful.
He was a title more awake on Skype with daddy and then the girls. I think there's a little recognition. He has our photo book and laminated picture so I am hoping when he sees everyone in person, it will be smooth.
I liken Christopher to a cat. He doesn't want to show you that he wants love and affection but he sure does stay close just in case you decide to pursue him! I love that little smile and his giggle is so sweet. I took many pictures and of course I wonder why I didn't take more. Mainly, because he was in my lap soooo much and I got tired of snapping close-ups of me, honestly.
I went and bought more art and jewelry today. Maxo is the seller who I have befriended. He gave me his email and showed me his family pictures. He gives me the biggest smile and biggest hugs and tells me I make him very happy each time he sees me because I am a blessing! I thought at first it was too much and that he would make a great car salesman but he paints and makes the jewelry and prays for people that bought from him that day is what we talked about. Whether it's a line or not, I still bought from him because he seems to have a big heart and a love for what he does. Isn't that what we want to see in this world? People following their passion to give God glory when they are blessed? That's Maxo. Pray for him, his wife and his 7 year old son.
I fear I have left out parts and I am sad that I couldn't write before day 3 happened. Christopher didn't want to fall asleep so we laid and stared at each other and I sang to him until he fell asleep after 9pm. He stayed in bed all night long. At one point he woke up and just stared until he fell back to sleep. That's better than a few of the families that had criers in the night.
God definitely picked the right personality for our family. He's an amazing addition to the Hires team and I'm so thrilled to be Christopher's manman!
The day as the pictures indicate was for the most part joyful. He loves that his friends are here. It's a big party. It was a day off for us all so there was no where to be. He loved dipping his feet in the pool, running around with the boys and eating. I don't think I could win an eating contest with this kid. I'm dumbfounded as to how much he packed away. From what the other parents said diarrhea was on its way and sure enough by day's end the different food finally effected him enough. Poor little guy would hold it and hold it. It as soon as he sat down...You get the picture!
He and I napped and that was sweet. I freaked out slightly at the prospect of his waking fro the nap and tensing up, but Patrick had come to check on how the day went and Jean Benito came in at the same time so I asked his friend to wake him for dinner. That was smooth and so helpful.
He was a title more awake on Skype with daddy and then the girls. I think there's a little recognition. He has our photo book and laminated picture so I am hoping when he sees everyone in person, it will be smooth.
I liken Christopher to a cat. He doesn't want to show you that he wants love and affection but he sure does stay close just in case you decide to pursue him! I love that little smile and his giggle is so sweet. I took many pictures and of course I wonder why I didn't take more. Mainly, because he was in my lap soooo much and I got tired of snapping close-ups of me, honestly.
I went and bought more art and jewelry today. Maxo is the seller who I have befriended. He gave me his email and showed me his family pictures. He gives me the biggest smile and biggest hugs and tells me I make him very happy each time he sees me because I am a blessing! I thought at first it was too much and that he would make a great car salesman but he paints and makes the jewelry and prays for people that bought from him that day is what we talked about. Whether it's a line or not, I still bought from him because he seems to have a big heart and a love for what he does. Isn't that what we want to see in this world? People following their passion to give God glory when they are blessed? That's Maxo. Pray for him, his wife and his 7 year old son.
I fear I have left out parts and I am sad that I couldn't write before day 3 happened. Christopher didn't want to fall asleep so we laid and stared at each other and I sang to him until he fell asleep after 9pm. He stayed in bed all night long. At one point he woke up and just stared until he fell back to sleep. That's better than a few of the families that had criers in the night.
God definitely picked the right personality for our family. He's an amazing addition to the Hires team and I'm so thrilled to be Christopher's manman!
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Haiti, Day 1
I had to write in my journal since by the time I had time without Christopher, they were having rolling electricity outages.
I'm thankful I read about what to expect when I arrived at the airport. What I didn't expect was that on my flight I was 1 out of maybe 15 that were not Haitian, scattered around on a very full flight. I don't know what I was expecting but when more instructions were in French than English you figure out you're the minority pretty quick. They were such kind people, smiling and nodding their hellos. The woman next to me couldn't have been older than 30 with 2 teenagers told me she was traveling on business and finally heading home.
I had to chuckle at the 2 women (who didn't seem to know each other) as they shouted in French to a man 10 rows ahead as he tried to stuff a too big bag in the overhead bin. I'm pretty sure they were telling him he was stupid if he thought it would fit and he needed to pass the bag to the flight attendant to put under the plane so we could get going. I couldn't imagine that happening on a domestic flight!
When we arriv we all crammed on a bus to take us through to the immigration line. An older American man looked at me nervously and asked, "Do we HAVE to all ride this bus?" I think he was a little overwhelmed by the herd mentality and the band that greeted us.
Baggage was hilarious! The men were pulling off bags as they came in the luggage belt and stacking them in rows. I had to watch the belt and the bags as they piled up since I was 3 people deep and couldn't see much of anything. I rented a $2 cart which allowed me to push my way out without being rude (since everyone was pushing us all forward). One lady was mortified that she bumped me with her cart. I turned around, chuckled and sat down on her bags; she and her friend laughed. I love that body language can communicate beyond words sometimes.
Once I got to the outside door, Patrick's hired man caught me before I was accosted by the men in red. "You look for Patrick? I'm here for you!" No one else approached me. They are very respectful of the pecking order and how not to take people from other men.
Patrick was able to come through the "tunnel" and took me to the car as the man whisked my bags & the cart to the car. He was a pleasant welcome in all the craziness. So much stimulation! Miguelson was our driver who took us four-wheeling to the hotel. I had my key by 10 with the promise that Nicole (the orphanage director) would arrive at the hotel by noon with Christopher. I was so hungry but I wanted to wait until He arrived. 2 hours later, I figured out that I better not get hopes us that she would be here before 2 so I ate. The hotel has all American friendly food. My girls will be thrilled to see chicken strips & French fries on the menu!
While I was waiting, I met the other families staying here. Three of us had boys from Lifeline and another family had a boy the same age from Maison. We are from West Virginia, South Dakota, Kansas and Colorado. Chase (Wenkie) will be living in Denver so we are going to try our best to get them together when the boys come home.
He's shy. He came right to me and clutch me tight but he also wouldn't look me in the eye. He's sweet and cuddly pretty close to all the time. He sits in my lap to eat dinner and play at the table and Skype with the family. There were a few tears at miscommunication of food requests. His buddies look out for each other. His world brightened when they were equal in their food portions. They constantly barter and make sure things are as equal as possible... We'd better bring more snacks to share next time! If there's a bar, they all need the same bar. That goes for goldfish, gum and bread! They are such sweet kids to watch as they interact.
He's tiny. The 2T shorts are too big. I'll have to bring adjustable waists in everything. Big tummies and no behind. They boys run holding on to their pants! I need to measure him before he goes back to the orphanage. I'm curious to see how he measures up to where the girls were. He has scars that I won't ever know how they came to be. His hair is starting to get thicker. It's not from malnutrition; it's not orange, just sparse. He's mine and I'm not sure how I'm going to leave him. He's just so fragile in every way.
He ate too much today and has bad gas, but he finally was able to relieve himself before bed. He went on the toilet so hopefully he's further along in his potty training than the diapers in his bag indicate.
I love the outpouring of support from Facebook. Such sweet sentiment. We are truly blessed with the community God has given us.
I bought some souvenirs today. There are 3 men outside the gate of the hotel selling theirs wares. I bought a bag, a couple of paintings, a sculpture and some metal wall hanging seen everywhere.
Tomorrow is a "free day". Patrick has to take the Maison families to the US Embassy to file paperwork so our 3 families from Lifeline will stay at the hotel all day. We tried to tour PAP today but the truck was a death trap sp we turned around. hopefully, we will get a quick tour on Wednesday after Lifeline's Embassy appts. before the boys return to the orphanage. If I have to wait until April to see Port-au-Prince I can but it would be so great to have more pictures than just is hotel space. I feel safe here so I am not complaining!
Got to Skype with the girls (since today was Mathea's birthday, I sang Happy Birthday!) and Tracy and Corinne briefly. Praying for a smiley day tomorrow and that we bond and stay healthy.
I'm thankful I read about what to expect when I arrived at the airport. What I didn't expect was that on my flight I was 1 out of maybe 15 that were not Haitian, scattered around on a very full flight. I don't know what I was expecting but when more instructions were in French than English you figure out you're the minority pretty quick. They were such kind people, smiling and nodding their hellos. The woman next to me couldn't have been older than 30 with 2 teenagers told me she was traveling on business and finally heading home.
I had to chuckle at the 2 women (who didn't seem to know each other) as they shouted in French to a man 10 rows ahead as he tried to stuff a too big bag in the overhead bin. I'm pretty sure they were telling him he was stupid if he thought it would fit and he needed to pass the bag to the flight attendant to put under the plane so we could get going. I couldn't imagine that happening on a domestic flight!
When we arriv we all crammed on a bus to take us through to the immigration line. An older American man looked at me nervously and asked, "Do we HAVE to all ride this bus?" I think he was a little overwhelmed by the herd mentality and the band that greeted us.
Baggage was hilarious! The men were pulling off bags as they came in the luggage belt and stacking them in rows. I had to watch the belt and the bags as they piled up since I was 3 people deep and couldn't see much of anything. I rented a $2 cart which allowed me to push my way out without being rude (since everyone was pushing us all forward). One lady was mortified that she bumped me with her cart. I turned around, chuckled and sat down on her bags; she and her friend laughed. I love that body language can communicate beyond words sometimes.
Once I got to the outside door, Patrick's hired man caught me before I was accosted by the men in red. "You look for Patrick? I'm here for you!" No one else approached me. They are very respectful of the pecking order and how not to take people from other men.
Patrick was able to come through the "tunnel" and took me to the car as the man whisked my bags & the cart to the car. He was a pleasant welcome in all the craziness. So much stimulation! Miguelson was our driver who took us four-wheeling to the hotel. I had my key by 10 with the promise that Nicole (the orphanage director) would arrive at the hotel by noon with Christopher. I was so hungry but I wanted to wait until He arrived. 2 hours later, I figured out that I better not get hopes us that she would be here before 2 so I ate. The hotel has all American friendly food. My girls will be thrilled to see chicken strips & French fries on the menu!
While I was waiting, I met the other families staying here. Three of us had boys from Lifeline and another family had a boy the same age from Maison. We are from West Virginia, South Dakota, Kansas and Colorado. Chase (Wenkie) will be living in Denver so we are going to try our best to get them together when the boys come home.
He's shy. He came right to me and clutch me tight but he also wouldn't look me in the eye. He's sweet and cuddly pretty close to all the time. He sits in my lap to eat dinner and play at the table and Skype with the family. There were a few tears at miscommunication of food requests. His buddies look out for each other. His world brightened when they were equal in their food portions. They constantly barter and make sure things are as equal as possible... We'd better bring more snacks to share next time! If there's a bar, they all need the same bar. That goes for goldfish, gum and bread! They are such sweet kids to watch as they interact.
He's tiny. The 2T shorts are too big. I'll have to bring adjustable waists in everything. Big tummies and no behind. They boys run holding on to their pants! I need to measure him before he goes back to the orphanage. I'm curious to see how he measures up to where the girls were. He has scars that I won't ever know how they came to be. His hair is starting to get thicker. It's not from malnutrition; it's not orange, just sparse. He's mine and I'm not sure how I'm going to leave him. He's just so fragile in every way.
He ate too much today and has bad gas, but he finally was able to relieve himself before bed. He went on the toilet so hopefully he's further along in his potty training than the diapers in his bag indicate.
I love the outpouring of support from Facebook. Such sweet sentiment. We are truly blessed with the community God has given us.
I bought some souvenirs today. There are 3 men outside the gate of the hotel selling theirs wares. I bought a bag, a couple of paintings, a sculpture and some metal wall hanging seen everywhere.
Tomorrow is a "free day". Patrick has to take the Maison families to the US Embassy to file paperwork so our 3 families from Lifeline will stay at the hotel all day. We tried to tour PAP today but the truck was a death trap sp we turned around. hopefully, we will get a quick tour on Wednesday after Lifeline's Embassy appts. before the boys return to the orphanage. If I have to wait until April to see Port-au-Prince I can but it would be so great to have more pictures than just is hotel space. I feel safe here so I am not complaining!
Got to Skype with the girls (since today was Mathea's birthday, I sang Happy Birthday!) and Tracy and Corinne briefly. Praying for a smiley day tomorrow and that we bond and stay healthy.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Gift of Love
The week that I never thought would get here has arrived. I begin my journey (& truly my family's journey) to Haiti tomorrow morning. We spent today as a family of 5 for Mathea's 6th birthday. Christopher was on our minds all day long.
We have packed a duffle bag full of diapers and clothes for the orphanage, and all of Christopher's gifts are tucked in my carry-on for safe-keeping until I arrive.
To end today, we were visited by a dear friend who dropped off a present for Christopher. What is so special about this gift is that it was picked out by and is from a 4 year old boy. He wants to be Christopher's friend and can't wait for him to be with our family. Our friend's son doesn't understand how I can go to Haiti and see Christopher but he can't come home and play. He is sending a gift and a picture to let our son know he has a new friend waiting.
I love that Christopher not only has a family waiting and longing to have him home but a friend. With this sweet gift of love, I realize that this little boy's life will change more lives than just our 5.
We have packed a duffle bag full of diapers and clothes for the orphanage, and all of Christopher's gifts are tucked in my carry-on for safe-keeping until I arrive.
To end today, we were visited by a dear friend who dropped off a present for Christopher. What is so special about this gift is that it was picked out by and is from a 4 year old boy. He wants to be Christopher's friend and can't wait for him to be with our family. Our friend's son doesn't understand how I can go to Haiti and see Christopher but he can't come home and play. He is sending a gift and a picture to let our son know he has a new friend waiting.
I love that Christopher not only has a family waiting and longing to have him home but a friend. With this sweet gift of love, I realize that this little boy's life will change more lives than just our 5.
Monday, November 28, 2011
A Very Happy Thanksgiving
We found out today that our dossier was received in Haiti on Thursday, November 24th! While we sat around the table with friends and family praying for our little man, God was answering our prayers and seeing that this Thanksgiving would be even more memorable than ever!
A dossier for those curious, and so that you don't have to go back and reread previous blog entries, is our entire lives being presented to the Haitian government. We collected birth certificates, a marriage license, bank statements, IRS tax returns, letters of reference, our health reports (both mentally & physically), 3 forms of ID and a few important pieces I know I have left out. Almost without exception, each document needed to be notarized and then sent to the State of Colorado to be certified (this is a verification process that the notary is truly a notary). All these documents were our job to collect and process while our home study was written by our case worker, notarized and certified. They all came together to be bundled and reviewed by our agency BEFORE it was sent off to be translated into French. After translation, it was sent to the Haitian consulate in Chicago where the bundle was "legalized". When the adoption agency got it back, it was now officially ready to be sent to Haiti. You're all caught up - that's the last 5 months in a condensed soup!
We still haven't received our clearance from Homeland Security yet to file Christopher's visa paperwork, but since Tracy isn't traveling with me on this trip it's a mute point. We both have to be present at the US Embassy in Haiti to file. We will get that done on our trip in April. His visa is the very last step and since we know we are still looking at an 18 month wait, there is no rush. 18 months you say? Yes. Now that our dossier is in Haiti, we have just paid the Haitian lawyers (via our agency) to put together Christopher's dossier; Smaller but pretty close to ours in required documentation. Once our dossiers are paired (which can take a couple of months) we will be presented to IBESR (Institut du Bien Etre Social et de Recherches - their Social Services). We then get sent to the President's desk for a dispensation. Their law states that no one with biological children may adopt from Haiti. They allow exceptions now with the Haitian President's signature. This can take up to 6 months we are told. Once that happens, we are sent back to IBESR to be assigned an file #. We are then and only then officially "in the system" and can kinda track our progress via our file #. Our paperwork will then be placed on 5 desks for signatures. That is why it takes so long and we will not have a lot of answers along the way. I am hoping to post every step of the way.
Our friends got back almost 2 weeks ago from visiting their little girl in Port au Prince. Hearing their story and seeing their pictures kept me up and restless for a few nights. As I lay praying for Christopher, I had to pray for my heart, too. I am a little unsure as to my emotional state after taking care of him for 3 days. He will be with me, eating, sleeping and playing in a different environment than he's used to. I'm not confident that he fully understands what adoption is. I have heard that the older children are told and understand the process. They are excited & hopeful when it's their turn to be taken on a "trip" with their "manman blan" and "papa blan" (white mom and dad). They know that someday they will have a family forever. I am thrilled to have one-on-one time without other needy toddlers competing for love and affection, but I am uncertain that I will see his real self if he's scared. I know God is preparing his heart and I know he has a longing to be loved by a mom. I am confident that God will give me a way to give him the hope that he needs.
As I wrap this up, I have some pictures! Here's the bag of clothes to donate. It's not near 50 lbs yet! I'll take more diapers or kid clothes of any size if you are local:
The froggy bag is Christopher's that I will bring home with me and fill back up for next trip.
Here's what's in his bag this time - a photo book entitled "Fanmi mwen" (My Family), a teddy, a sippy cup, an activity book and crayons. There is a recordable book in the bottom picture that someone suggested taking and I just loved the idea. Each of the girls will record their voice on a page. They are thrilled!
I have drugs to stave off many kinds of sickness, bug spray, sanitizer, wet wipes and instant coffee
My bag will get repacked a couple more times but notice his stuff on the left takes up almost the same space that mine does :) This is a carry-on size; I'm packing light so I can bring the black bag back with presents!
As you pray for us the next 2 weeks before I leave on the 11th -
> No sickness in our family before or during the trip
> Tracy does now have to go to Austin, TX the week before and the week I am gone to Haiti - pray for his peace being away and success on this new job
> That I will be able to have everything organized for while I'm away as well as for our Christmas trip (we leave for Washington 4 days after I return)
> That God will prepare Christopher's heart to meet me and have new experiences
Monday, November 14, 2011
What a big week
I have been putting off this update because God is moving us forward and I don't know when there will be any breathing time. So as I pant and try to catch my breath, let me bring you up to speed.
I posted 10 days ago Friday.
Saturday, Tracy and I decided that we should move forward in faith and plan my Haiti trip (without Tracy). There was a possibility that he may have to travel in December after all and we didn't want to pass up any potential work.
On Sunday, I was approached and asked how much more money I would need to make my trip to Haiti happen. I threw out a pretty random number not really knowing the cost of my hotel & food there in Haiti but guessing based on what other experiences had been. "That's about what we thought" was his response and our conversation ended. Later that day, we were presented with an amazing gift and a story that brings me to tears even as I write this. God had impressed on their hearts that their money was not their own. In a nutshell, and without sharing someone else's story, we should not put off giving when God prompts us. At church, we shared with another adoptive family about how we received our appointment letter with USCIS (Immigration) to have our fingerprints taken again. They encouraged us to try and go before our appointment time to see if we could get them earlier. They had done it without hassle. Love that we have friends who have gone before us with little pieces of advice that give us hope!
Monday, with my trip paid for, I began to plan and look into plane tickets. Our agency director will be in Haiti from December 5th-15th. I was planning on going before Mathea's birthday on the 12th but to my dismay, the 2nd half of his trip was to host the families that have children at Lifeline (where Christopher lives). I reluctantly told Mathea I would have to be gone for her birthday and to my surprise she told me that would be okay - she wouldn't be sad. That was a very different tune from the week before and so I knew God had helped her little heart. I think it helps that I'm going to try and Skype while in Haiti. She and I planned her family birthday for the day before I leave and I made a bowling party reservation for the weekend after I return. She's thrilled.
Tuesday, I made plane reservations and a hotel reservation in Florida. There are only early morning flights from Florida to Haiti so I lose a day to travel but I was able to come into FL early enough that I can get to a hotel and try and get some sleep before my very early flight the next morning. I joined an adoption discussion group through CCAI. I also started buying stickers, nail polish and balloons for the kids at Lifeline. Tracy and I trekked to Aurora (East Denver) and got right in for our fingerprints - 9 days before our appointment! I am confident that God will send my letter soon so that I can check into the Embassy as an adoptive parent.
Wednesday, I gave my phone number to a South Dakota mom who will be in Haiti with me! She and I talked and I could hardly contain myself. I scoured Facebook as she told me of people who had been there in the last few weeks and may have pictures of Christopher. Her son is 4 and will be staying with her and her husband in the hotel. I didn't realize that Christopher may be able to be with me at the hotel the entire trip. I am still clarifying that with the director but I am over the top thrilled and praying that he and I can bond in a closer way than I imagined during my 3 days there.
The rest of this week has been listening to Creole on CD and figuring out the differences between Creole and French. I have been following our dear friends by blog and Facebook as they have been in Haiti with their daughter. I am unashamed to say that I have already pulled out my suitcase and packed some summer clothes and 3 oz. toiletries. I have a sweet running friend who gave me 4 HUGE bags of boy clothes that I went through and picked out my favorites to bring with me now and some favorites in 4T to save, hoping we will come home before he turns 5. We had a worship service on Sunday and I was able to share with everyone in 1st service God's testimony in the Hires' lives these past few months. It was awesome!
Phew! Please pray for Christopher's health. We heard that the kids have parasites (not uncommon) and they only get 2 meals a day with a small snack. One thing I just read as well is that he is shy and that's the first time I have heard them use that word to describe him. I don't want a petrified sweetie when I am there so please pray that God will give Him comfort in knowing this change is good and I love him.
I posted 10 days ago Friday.
Saturday, Tracy and I decided that we should move forward in faith and plan my Haiti trip (without Tracy). There was a possibility that he may have to travel in December after all and we didn't want to pass up any potential work.
On Sunday, I was approached and asked how much more money I would need to make my trip to Haiti happen. I threw out a pretty random number not really knowing the cost of my hotel & food there in Haiti but guessing based on what other experiences had been. "That's about what we thought" was his response and our conversation ended. Later that day, we were presented with an amazing gift and a story that brings me to tears even as I write this. God had impressed on their hearts that their money was not their own. In a nutshell, and without sharing someone else's story, we should not put off giving when God prompts us. At church, we shared with another adoptive family about how we received our appointment letter with USCIS (Immigration) to have our fingerprints taken again. They encouraged us to try and go before our appointment time to see if we could get them earlier. They had done it without hassle. Love that we have friends who have gone before us with little pieces of advice that give us hope!
Monday, with my trip paid for, I began to plan and look into plane tickets. Our agency director will be in Haiti from December 5th-15th. I was planning on going before Mathea's birthday on the 12th but to my dismay, the 2nd half of his trip was to host the families that have children at Lifeline (where Christopher lives). I reluctantly told Mathea I would have to be gone for her birthday and to my surprise she told me that would be okay - she wouldn't be sad. That was a very different tune from the week before and so I knew God had helped her little heart. I think it helps that I'm going to try and Skype while in Haiti. She and I planned her family birthday for the day before I leave and I made a bowling party reservation for the weekend after I return. She's thrilled.
Tuesday, I made plane reservations and a hotel reservation in Florida. There are only early morning flights from Florida to Haiti so I lose a day to travel but I was able to come into FL early enough that I can get to a hotel and try and get some sleep before my very early flight the next morning. I joined an adoption discussion group through CCAI. I also started buying stickers, nail polish and balloons for the kids at Lifeline. Tracy and I trekked to Aurora (East Denver) and got right in for our fingerprints - 9 days before our appointment! I am confident that God will send my letter soon so that I can check into the Embassy as an adoptive parent.
Wednesday, I gave my phone number to a South Dakota mom who will be in Haiti with me! She and I talked and I could hardly contain myself. I scoured Facebook as she told me of people who had been there in the last few weeks and may have pictures of Christopher. Her son is 4 and will be staying with her and her husband in the hotel. I didn't realize that Christopher may be able to be with me at the hotel the entire trip. I am still clarifying that with the director but I am over the top thrilled and praying that he and I can bond in a closer way than I imagined during my 3 days there.
The rest of this week has been listening to Creole on CD and figuring out the differences between Creole and French. I have been following our dear friends by blog and Facebook as they have been in Haiti with their daughter. I am unashamed to say that I have already pulled out my suitcase and packed some summer clothes and 3 oz. toiletries. I have a sweet running friend who gave me 4 HUGE bags of boy clothes that I went through and picked out my favorites to bring with me now and some favorites in 4T to save, hoping we will come home before he turns 5. We had a worship service on Sunday and I was able to share with everyone in 1st service God's testimony in the Hires' lives these past few months. It was awesome!
Phew! Please pray for Christopher's health. We heard that the kids have parasites (not uncommon) and they only get 2 meals a day with a small snack. One thing I just read as well is that he is shy and that's the first time I have heard them use that word to describe him. I don't want a petrified sweetie when I am there so please pray that God will give Him comfort in knowing this change is good and I love him.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Miracles Big and Small
We are still in the midst and I haven't fully processed all the strings that God is connecting for us, so I apologize if this post sounds disjointed.
I have struggled with sharing this portion of our journey. I desired to see the Holy Spirit work through the hearts of people without voicing our needs publicly. I know that God works through people as they hear the needs of those around them, but I had a deep desire to have a private prayer with God that He would wet the fleece and keep the ground dry (Judges 6:36-40) in this stage of our story.
As of September 1st, Tracy had no contract with the VA & it needed to be renewed. 3 weeks later, there was still no contract. A 2nd contract was available but he wouldn't start until after our anniversary trip in October. Fast forward 8 weeks, we had 4 failed contract, only 2 weeks of pay and our spirits were as low as our reserves. God was providing our needs but as we starting looking forward beyond today to our Christmas plans, 2nd round of steep adoption fees and our desire to go to Haiti, I went humbly before God and asked for miracles; big miracles that only He could perform. My prayers went beyond job offers or more work for me. They were prayers that asked God for supernatural provisions. They were prayers that the US government would move faster than could be explained. They were prayers for friends/family to send an unexpected email asking how they could help. They were prayers that God would be the only one that could possibly be credited at the end of this journey.
In the midst of the growing of our faith and the diminishing of our finances, God propositioned us with three avenues of giving. They were from 3 very deserving groups of people all desiring to meet the spiritual needs of people starting in our neighborhood & moving to around the world. These were in addition to paying for our adoption and our regular support of church & missions. Tracy and I both heard God loud and clear something we hadn't been living out to its fullest obedience. Our money is not our own. Ever. We are spending God's resources. We have no right to panic or second guess why we found ourselves in the position of want. We just needed to pray.
During my silence and prayer, I got a Facebook message from a dear friend offering us miles to get to Florida! She thought the offer might sound random; it made my heart leap! God heard my prayers. This Monday, October 31st, Tracy started a new contract that was better than any of the 4 contracts that fell through - no travel through December! After 2 long months, God heard our prayers and answered the way He knew we needed. Today, we received our letter of appointment to move forward with our immigration paperwork with Homeland Security. In 4 1/2 weeks, we could be on a plane to Haiti because we serve a mighty God who desires to show us His love by answering our prayers! The wheels are still in motion after being discouraged for many days these past months.
I am not sure if you have ever felt a tug on your heart to help us to bring Christopher home. If so, I just want to give you a couple areas in which we are praying for financial provision:
- In the next 2 weeks, Christopher's paperwork needs to begin processing
- Our travel expenses still needed to go to Haiti (getting to Florida is covered)
Thank you prayer warriors and friends who love us! I know that our lives are blessed because of you.
I have struggled with sharing this portion of our journey. I desired to see the Holy Spirit work through the hearts of people without voicing our needs publicly. I know that God works through people as they hear the needs of those around them, but I had a deep desire to have a private prayer with God that He would wet the fleece and keep the ground dry (Judges 6:36-40) in this stage of our story.
As of September 1st, Tracy had no contract with the VA & it needed to be renewed. 3 weeks later, there was still no contract. A 2nd contract was available but he wouldn't start until after our anniversary trip in October. Fast forward 8 weeks, we had 4 failed contract, only 2 weeks of pay and our spirits were as low as our reserves. God was providing our needs but as we starting looking forward beyond today to our Christmas plans, 2nd round of steep adoption fees and our desire to go to Haiti, I went humbly before God and asked for miracles; big miracles that only He could perform. My prayers went beyond job offers or more work for me. They were prayers that asked God for supernatural provisions. They were prayers that the US government would move faster than could be explained. They were prayers for friends/family to send an unexpected email asking how they could help. They were prayers that God would be the only one that could possibly be credited at the end of this journey.
In the midst of the growing of our faith and the diminishing of our finances, God propositioned us with three avenues of giving. They were from 3 very deserving groups of people all desiring to meet the spiritual needs of people starting in our neighborhood & moving to around the world. These were in addition to paying for our adoption and our regular support of church & missions. Tracy and I both heard God loud and clear something we hadn't been living out to its fullest obedience. Our money is not our own. Ever. We are spending God's resources. We have no right to panic or second guess why we found ourselves in the position of want. We just needed to pray.
During my silence and prayer, I got a Facebook message from a dear friend offering us miles to get to Florida! She thought the offer might sound random; it made my heart leap! God heard my prayers. This Monday, October 31st, Tracy started a new contract that was better than any of the 4 contracts that fell through - no travel through December! After 2 long months, God heard our prayers and answered the way He knew we needed. Today, we received our letter of appointment to move forward with our immigration paperwork with Homeland Security. In 4 1/2 weeks, we could be on a plane to Haiti because we serve a mighty God who desires to show us His love by answering our prayers! The wheels are still in motion after being discouraged for many days these past months.
I am not sure if you have ever felt a tug on your heart to help us to bring Christopher home. If so, I just want to give you a couple areas in which we are praying for financial provision:
- In the next 2 weeks, Christopher's paperwork needs to begin processing
- Our travel expenses still needed to go to Haiti (getting to Florida is covered)
Thank you prayer warriors and friends who love us! I know that our lives are blessed because of you.
Monday, October 10, 2011
8 Weeks & A Lot of Prayer
I can't believe it's been only 3 months. If it was a pregnancy, we'd be exiting the 1st trimester. I can't begin to explain the harsh reality that hits me every now and again - our boy isn't coming home for a LONG time. I have a hard time wrapping my mind around the memories we are missing out on - celebrations, milestones, and the everyday. We will be in Washington for Christmas without Christopher. All of the stockings will be hung and cousins will fill the house and he won't be there. He's missing birthday cake on Mattie's birthday, on mommy's birthday and Jesus' birthday...I am missing potty-training, little boy curiosity, and toddler giggles. I miss him today.
A home study - I posted last time that our case worker was bringing a 15 page report of our family for us to review on the 16th. We had to postpone our meeting until the 23rd. At our meeting, we approved and agreed with all she wrote. She then had to send the home study to our agency for approval who had 2 weeks to review it and have her change any of her wording. It then gets sent on to the state of Colorado for final approval and authentication before it can be bundled with our dossier to be sent out for translation. Tracy and I left for Mexico on the 29th without submitting our dossier due to 1 piece of missing paperwork and not knowing how much longer our home study process would take. The day after we got back, October 4th, we were happily driving our entire dossier package (except the home study) to FedEx! Friday, we received an email that the home study has been sent to Colorado and it should be authenticated and back at CCAI by Friday, October 14th. CCAI is now critically reviewing every document to make sure we are ready for translation and "bundling"! Once it's bundled, "we" get sent to Haiti and then our 18 month clock begins ticking.
So what's in 8 weeks? We could possibly be in Haiti!! CCAI has a trip planned to take some lucky families to see their children and have their appointment at the Haitian Embassy before the Christmas holidays. In order to travel to Haiti while in the adoption process, we must file an I-600A with the United States Immigration Office declaring that we are traveling to see our child. Qualifying for this travel status can take up to 6 weeks to finalize AFTER we submit our paperwork. The paperwork is a form + a state approved home study. It was such a slim possibility 3 weeks ago that our agency director didn't want to give us hope that we could make it happen. As of Friday, our hopes have been renewed. It only gives us 7 weeks to be stamped and approved. We need to be thinking about plane tickets before we are 100% sure we can travel. God is so much bigger than this timeline. We have faith that the mountains are being moved so that we can go and hug our son. I truly believe that would be the best birthday gift/Christmas gift I've gotten in a long time.
*Will you join with us in prayer that our paperwork will not be delayed a single hour?
*Please pray that US Immigration will be having a slow time and can process us speedy quick.
*Please pray and ask God whether we are supposed to be on this trip.
I can't imagine waiting since the next group trip isn't until April, but during December we would be postponing Mattie's birthday party, missing Ellie's 1st choir concert, and missing my outreach Christmas brunch for Women-to-Women (that I help put together for 200 women). Thank you for supporting us. We love you!
A home study - I posted last time that our case worker was bringing a 15 page report of our family for us to review on the 16th. We had to postpone our meeting until the 23rd. At our meeting, we approved and agreed with all she wrote. She then had to send the home study to our agency for approval who had 2 weeks to review it and have her change any of her wording. It then gets sent on to the state of Colorado for final approval and authentication before it can be bundled with our dossier to be sent out for translation. Tracy and I left for Mexico on the 29th without submitting our dossier due to 1 piece of missing paperwork and not knowing how much longer our home study process would take. The day after we got back, October 4th, we were happily driving our entire dossier package (except the home study) to FedEx! Friday, we received an email that the home study has been sent to Colorado and it should be authenticated and back at CCAI by Friday, October 14th. CCAI is now critically reviewing every document to make sure we are ready for translation and "bundling"! Once it's bundled, "we" get sent to Haiti and then our 18 month clock begins ticking.
So what's in 8 weeks? We could possibly be in Haiti!! CCAI has a trip planned to take some lucky families to see their children and have their appointment at the Haitian Embassy before the Christmas holidays. In order to travel to Haiti while in the adoption process, we must file an I-600A with the United States Immigration Office declaring that we are traveling to see our child. Qualifying for this travel status can take up to 6 weeks to finalize AFTER we submit our paperwork. The paperwork is a form + a state approved home study. It was such a slim possibility 3 weeks ago that our agency director didn't want to give us hope that we could make it happen. As of Friday, our hopes have been renewed. It only gives us 7 weeks to be stamped and approved. We need to be thinking about plane tickets before we are 100% sure we can travel. God is so much bigger than this timeline. We have faith that the mountains are being moved so that we can go and hug our son. I truly believe that would be the best birthday gift/Christmas gift I've gotten in a long time.
*Will you join with us in prayer that our paperwork will not be delayed a single hour?
*Please pray that US Immigration will be having a slow time and can process us speedy quick.
*Please pray and ask God whether we are supposed to be on this trip.
I can't imagine waiting since the next group trip isn't until April, but during December we would be postponing Mattie's birthday party, missing Ellie's 1st choir concert, and missing my outreach Christmas brunch for Women-to-Women (that I help put together for 200 women). Thank you for supporting us. We love you!
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Christopher Monuma Renalson Hires
September 16th marks a very important day in this process (or it did until last night). Friday, our case worker is coming to present us with our 1st draft of the home study (15 page report on our family). I have my physical (which was going to be the last of the dossier requirement to check off the list) on Friday, too. Tracy and I were hoping to get through the paperwork of the dossier and have it all submitted by the end of September. I just found out via email that our agency didn't code our fingerprints correctly and a report didn't get generated. Ugh! More money and more time, we have to get that document requested pronto. Just when I feel all my ducks are in a row, one goes waddling down to the creek to drown itself. Is that image clear? Our case worker said that this process really does weed out the faint of heart! God certainly is refining my patience and grace in the midst of miscommunication.
About Christopher - he's the 3 year-old joy who was the little one I described in my previous blog entry. He melts the heart with his big brown eyes (at least that's what a momma thinks). He doesn't smile for the camera but was observed in July as very playful & happy. He loves to be held by older girls (thrills the girls' souls to know he may think they're awesome)! His birthday is the day after Ellie's so she's thrilled to have that connection with her brother (although she was a little worried that birthday parties might be a little tricky. Cute!). The girls are so excited to tell anyone who wants to listen about their brother. Kasia has printed his picture and inserted it into the cover of her 3-ring binder! The girls had their personal interviews from our case worker on Saturday (Sept 10th). They all wanted to talk to her separately but that was proving comical as they all stammered and struggled with answering each of her very easy questions - do you like school? are you excited to have a little brother? how did your parents tell you the family was adopting? THEN, she suggested the 4 of them sit down together. She may have regretted it, but it was sweet to hear the girls gush and talk over each other, all "remembering" new stories they wanted to share with her before she left.
We are still trying to collect more information on his background (and more pictures of course)! We may have to wait until the December trip comes back to the States.
Please pray for:
Christopher's health & heart while he is living in Haiti
Our paperwork will continue on the path of forward motion
Our girls' hearts in preparing to have a new family member
Thank you for your prayers and excitement! We definitely don't feel alone in this process.
And then there were 6!
(Part of this was written and then life got busy and now I am catching everyone up. The timeline of the past 3 weeks are getting squished into 1 update.)
We would like to let everyone know that Christopher Monuma will be #6 to join Team Hires!
This week (August 23rd), we filed our CHILD MATCH PAPERWORK! Although we are not through with our home study & dossier, they do not anticipate any issues with our family and so we were matched really early in the process. We were slightly shell-shocked to be making such a monumental decision 2 shorts months into the process. It does not speed up our process since the incredible wait actually starts after our paperwork is officially filed in Haiti, but now we are able to travel to Haiti with a match. There is a "bonding trip" (as our agency calls them) in December and I so desperately want to go, but the adoption agency felt I may be pushing the process a little too quickly since I have to have some initial paperwork filed with USCIS to travel as an adoptive parent. If it all didn't go exactly as planned, we'd have to pay to move my ticket. I'd like to risk it but I have responsibilities with church (Women to Women's Christmas brunch) during the trip as well so (sigh) I'll wait. Tracy and I know that we will make it for the trip in Feb/March. We don't have to make a court appearance like we originally thought since Christopher's orphanage is outside Port-au-Prince. We will have an embassy meeting but apparently they can be scheduled instead of assigned. This process is certainly "learn as you go". I read and reread the process but some paperwork and terms don't make sense until trial and error get you to a place where it's acceptable.
We would like to let everyone know that Christopher Monuma will be #6 to join Team Hires!
This week (August 23rd), we filed our CHILD MATCH PAPERWORK! Although we are not through with our home study & dossier, they do not anticipate any issues with our family and so we were matched really early in the process. We were slightly shell-shocked to be making such a monumental decision 2 shorts months into the process. It does not speed up our process since the incredible wait actually starts after our paperwork is officially filed in Haiti, but now we are able to travel to Haiti with a match. There is a "bonding trip" (as our agency calls them) in December and I so desperately want to go, but the adoption agency felt I may be pushing the process a little too quickly since I have to have some initial paperwork filed with USCIS to travel as an adoptive parent. If it all didn't go exactly as planned, we'd have to pay to move my ticket. I'd like to risk it but I have responsibilities with church (Women to Women's Christmas brunch) during the trip as well so (sigh) I'll wait. Tracy and I know that we will make it for the trip in Feb/March. We don't have to make a court appearance like we originally thought since Christopher's orphanage is outside Port-au-Prince. We will have an embassy meeting but apparently they can be scheduled instead of assigned. This process is certainly "learn as you go". I read and reread the process but some paperwork and terms don't make sense until trial and error get you to a place where it's acceptable.
2 months and counting!
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
For the one accepted...
there will be 2 left behind.
Since my last update, I have been working away at asking for letters, getting things signed, making appointments, asking advice and really trying to stay on top of it all. There are so many details that come up that no one seems to remember can happen. Actually, I have some amazing friends and support who are helping me with the details so that we don't get too far along and then have to backpedal through the mistakes. One instance was that I was able to spot a notary discrepancy on one of the letters and politely ask for a new letter before it even got to the agency. That saved us time. I drove an hour round trip to hand deliver my fingerprints because I am almost positive they are going to reject. That trip is going to eventually save us time (if I'm right about the unreadable fingerprints God gave me). And so on...God is helping me notice the little things, remember the big things and keep it all in perspective.
We got a phone call from our case worker today! She's coming Friday morning for our first visit. She introduced herself on the phone (the agency told me her name) and I about screamed in her ear! So ready for the home study to truly start. All the paperwork for the home study is in except for the girls' teachers' questionaires. They couldn't have been requested by the teachers any earlier since school just started Monday so I'd say we're doing well.
I went to my first adoption coffee tonight. It was a small group of 5. There are many more in our adoption community. It is so comforting to know that although our journey will be unique to us, we are in the same boat as many families. I feel loved and supported even now as a newbie to coffee nights. They are going to be my cheerleaders when I can't cheer for myself. They will be my teachers, my sisters and become a new family.
So back to the title of this blog. Patrick, our agency director, asked if we were ready to look at profiles. There are 3 boys that fit our criteria of 0-3 healthy boy. We received the first boy today. I can break your hearts and share him with you but what if we don't pick him? He's still there. He's so amazing and beautiful. He's 3 (so on the older side of what we were thinking) and he's been there since he was 1. He loves to be held and he loves older kids and playing with balls. Well there you have it, but is he our little man? We are going to ask for the other profiles since both of the other boys are younger and just came into the orphanage.
Please pray for us as God helps us make the heart-wrenching decision of which little man is for us right now. Please pray for the 2 boys that are left behind. Help them see they are loved and cherished. Pray that they find forever homes soon as well.
Since my last update, I have been working away at asking for letters, getting things signed, making appointments, asking advice and really trying to stay on top of it all. There are so many details that come up that no one seems to remember can happen. Actually, I have some amazing friends and support who are helping me with the details so that we don't get too far along and then have to backpedal through the mistakes. One instance was that I was able to spot a notary discrepancy on one of the letters and politely ask for a new letter before it even got to the agency. That saved us time. I drove an hour round trip to hand deliver my fingerprints because I am almost positive they are going to reject. That trip is going to eventually save us time (if I'm right about the unreadable fingerprints God gave me). And so on...God is helping me notice the little things, remember the big things and keep it all in perspective.
We got a phone call from our case worker today! She's coming Friday morning for our first visit. She introduced herself on the phone (the agency told me her name) and I about screamed in her ear! So ready for the home study to truly start. All the paperwork for the home study is in except for the girls' teachers' questionaires. They couldn't have been requested by the teachers any earlier since school just started Monday so I'd say we're doing well.
I went to my first adoption coffee tonight. It was a small group of 5. There are many more in our adoption community. It is so comforting to know that although our journey will be unique to us, we are in the same boat as many families. I feel loved and supported even now as a newbie to coffee nights. They are going to be my cheerleaders when I can't cheer for myself. They will be my teachers, my sisters and become a new family.
So back to the title of this blog. Patrick, our agency director, asked if we were ready to look at profiles. There are 3 boys that fit our criteria of 0-3 healthy boy. We received the first boy today. I can break your hearts and share him with you but what if we don't pick him? He's still there. He's so amazing and beautiful. He's 3 (so on the older side of what we were thinking) and he's been there since he was 1. He loves to be held and he loves older kids and playing with balls. Well there you have it, but is he our little man? We are going to ask for the other profiles since both of the other boys are younger and just came into the orphanage.
Please pray for us as God helps us make the heart-wrenching decision of which little man is for us right now. Please pray for the 2 boys that are left behind. Help them see they are loved and cherished. Pray that they find forever homes soon as well.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Dossier. That a fancy word for paperwork, isn't it?
There is no guarantee that this will be the way it will continue, but we have been encouraged to hear that parents whose paperwork was started post-earthquake and submitted to the Haitian government in November of 2010 are taking home their children! This news COULD potentially cut our wait time in half. We are not putting our hope in man, but our miracle making God could bring our family together sooner than we ever could have hoped!
This past Wednesday, we had our Dossier orientation. For all of you who just went, "huh?" I'll catch you up. When going through the adoption process, our family will submit a home study & dossier to the Haitian government. More on the home study as we walk through that in the next 6 weeks.
Our dossier is a compilation of legal documents that show we are who we say we are. The documents include a letter from us to Haiti asking for the privilege to bring home our son, birth certificates, marriage certificate, employment letters, bank letters & statements, tax returns, police clearance, Psychiatrist wellness letter, blood work and Doctor wellness letter, (overwhelmed yet?) Passport photos, 3 different picture IDs, and reference letters. If that isn't enough to send you into a locked bathroom and cry...Most of the documents must be notarized, certified and some authenticated! "What does that mean?" and more importantly, "How in the world are we going to get this accomplished in the next 2 months with the kids going back to school and ministry starting up in September?"
We are stepping out in faith that as we get all our tasks accomplished, Haiti will be able to get their tasks accomplished so that our son will not spend 1 extra day apart from us. Our agency director informed us that there are 2 little boys that fit our age requirement whose paperwork has not yet been completed. That means they haven't been there long. God knows if 1 of them is ours. Please pray with us that our little boy has been able to spend time with a loving, caring mother for his baby months/years.
Now if you will excuse me, I need to make my bite size to-do list so that I can take it 1 document (and day) at a time.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
The Notebook
I started our adoption notebook this weekend. This is the notebook that will organize the process and allow me to cling to some sort of sanity in the midst of each round of papers needing to be filled out and mailed and notarized and filed.
I pulled a shiny new 3-ring binder from the school supplies, punched holes in the copies of signed paperwork and family information we had already mailed into the agency and popped open the rings to slide it in. As the binder popped closed and went into the desk organizer I couldn't help but reflect on what lies in store for our family. The process is foreign and a little daunting. That folder will be filled before we have our son and another will be started. The calendar will get filled and the checklist will slowly (emphasis on SLOWLY) get highlighted and marked as complete.
It's a beautiful anticipation to start a new road in life. Everything is easily optimistic, we can't see the dips, the bumps, the long period of waiting. We can dream the biggest dreams and be excited for our future. Our nighttime prayers are sweet as the girls pray for our little man. Their joy is fun to watch as well. Their questions numerous and unanswered at this point, but we will start writing them down - can I share a room? will he play soccer like me? will he like me? How old will he be when he comes home? Can we name him anything we want?
As I take this first stage of the journey in, I pray that I will allow God's goodness to take over my heart on the frustrating days. I pray God's grace washes over us as we face trials that will come before and after he's home. I pray that our family will learn a deeper love than we ever imagined for each other.
The notebook (and our hearts) are open and are ready to be filled.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Our Hearts Are in Haiti
We would like to officially announce that we have begun the adoption process to have a son join the Hires Team!
We are in the very beginning process of submitting our application with CCAI Adoption Agency who has specialized in Chinese adoptions for 20 years and opened their doors to Haitian adoptions in 2008.
Our hope is that this blog will be an invitation to you, our friends and family, to join in our journey through the next 2 years before we bring our son home. This will be his baby book of sorts that will show him our love and devotion even before he arrives home.
Please pray that God:
keeps our little boy safe & healthy
provides finances
teaches us patience
shows us His strength in the long process
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