Cowboy Night

Tonight was cowboy/pioneer night at AWANA's (Baptist Church Acitivty).

Hunter and Demi Roo dressed up to the best of their head banging ability (with accessory help from Mammy and Pappy) to pretend to be cowboys and cowgirls! Aren't they CUTE?!

Afternoon Basketball

Here is Demi Roo going in for the free
Throw...Great shot~
















In, out, around and In!!













He shoots, He scores!!!












Dribble power..
watch out WNBA!!













Perfect lay up and
the ball goes in~
SWISH!!

The Fight Was Lost....

What happens when you are so tired but you don't want to give up the fight? You do what Demi Roo does, you climbs into your toy box and watch TV....... (snore, snore...) :-P

Quick Update

Well, yesterday was one of those days I pushed it to far. I dorve all over doing errands and made myself sore in teh belly area...never said I was to smart. ;-)
Still waiting to hear from Haiti about passports for us. Now it seeks like it is taking about 2 weeks to hear back from the US Consulate in order for them to pass the dossier off to USCIS(Immigration) to make the Birth prent interviews....aarrgghh! I am hoping things will move a little smoother as time goes on, but it is Haiti after all. We are still praying hard for the kids to be here before Christmas.

Nerves

I have some nerves that I am currently dealing with. It is funny to me that I am having these thoughts now, and I am not sure if they are normal or not.

I am concerned about my mothering skills. HOW am I going to mother 4 kids?? CAN I mother 4 kids?? WHY did I want to mother 4 kids?? Now, of course I should have thought about these things some time ago, and I have. I am just now going thru the realization that very soon my child to parent ratio will double. We have things in this house that we are pretty slack with. During the summer and weekends there is a very late bedtime and sleeping in. If someone gets cranky or tired (this includes mommy and daddy) we take a nap. We sometimes eat weird things at weird times of the day (Hunter is famous for chicken noodle soup for breakfast everyday). I am wondering how this fits for 2 new people who may be very set in their ways. Kai is 5, he has been around the orphanage since he was 2 and will have some family life aspects he will need to learn, and what a weird family for him to figure that out in huh?! :-)

We are all anxious about the settling in period. Hunter has asked me about things that Kai and Nikaya may do that he witnessed from Demi Roo when she came home. Do they bite? Throw tantrums? Hide food in weird places? Ever seen a tv? Ever played with a basketball? Ever played Playstation? What will they think of Christmas and the family? Will they be afraid of all the kissing like Demi Roo was? (No joke, when Demi came home Dec. 1st at the age of 23 months, she would look at us like we were these freaks with sucky lips that wanted to lick her all the time.hehe) We are a huggy / kissy family. To this day, when we want to torture the children we don't tickle, poke or pester, we kiss and hug. Hunter will come up to you and plant one on your cheek and sit there with his lips on you until you cannot stand it anymore, JUST TO TORTURE!!!
I think we may do just fine with the new kids. They however may want to escape within the first few weeks, but we may be just fine. hehe

We Are Doing Good

Well, I think I am on the way to recovery. I am feeling much better now and only have difficulty wearing clothes...do you think that is a problem? :-)
I am looking forward to getting some things done this week...nothing to harsh (I promised Curtis) but I have managed to clean the kids bathroom and load and unload the dishwasher from time to time over the last 2 days. If I take it slow, heck...I a might have the house clean in time for the new kids to come home. hehe
I have some things I need to do as the time for our kids is closing in. I need to make photo albums, 2 of them, for the birth families as a gift. I am putting together pictures that I have recieved of the kids over our wait, our house, Curt and the kids and I, the kids playing etc...just a little idea for them to know where the kids are going. I know it gives the birth families comfort to see a picture and have an idea of where the kids will be going and what their life may be like. I have some from this summer of the kids swimming and having fun. I wil be able to explain to them during our birth parent interview some of the acitivites we have planned for the kids once they are home and settled; such as soccer for Kai (he loves it and loved my friend/assistant Amy for taking hackey sacks to Haiti with us last time). I am also planning on swimming lessons for the kids this next summer...Hunter and Demi Roo enjoyed theirs and learned so much...they even jumpp off the diving board now NO PROBLEM!!
I also need to go thru the clothes I have saved (which there are not many of since I had a cousin that had a baby and passed them on to her) and to see what I will need for them when they come home. Got lots to do!!!

My Kiddos

Here is the recent photo of my babies. Nikaya looks like she bored to death and mid yawn hehe.
Heard today that they have done the last of the checks for the ministry and have signed for the passports etc. and they should have them in hand by this next week! ;-P

Recouperarting

Well I am on the mend. It is amazing how much a surgery can take out of you. I spent the first day laying down...sitting was out of the question....to much pain. Today I am doing better with the whole standing up more straight thing, but I am not able to do it for long periods of time. When I spend to much time on my feet I pay for it later...pain, itching in the incision areas etc....man, I get tired easily now. This is not fun for someone like me who when I want to move, I move. If I want to be a bum I can be a bum, but forced bumming is not fun at all!!!

I called Haiti today and got no new news. One of my families came out of passports and they are about 2-2.5 weeks ahead of us. I am hoping things will speed up and we can go soon....PLEASE...

Surgery

I met with the surgeon today and he said I needed to have my gallbladder out tomorrow. He is concerned about a stone passing in to my ducts so they are going to suck it out tomorrow morning at 9:45am. I will post more after the fact...

Fight Night

Saturday was fight night, and what a night it was!!!
I had to call 3 fights to an end and was booed while in the ring. hehe
It was a night for facial cuts like no other. I had to call 3 fights due to bad cuts that would require stitches and you could see meat and bone underneath ( to much info I know). Anyway. people in the audience didn't like me calling the fights. At one point I was booed when I went into the ring for a badly bleeding fighter. Some of the people called me some pretty nasty names and wanted another person to do my job. Good thing that the promotors know I know what I am doing and calmed the crowd down. Once I got out of the ring, it had to be mopped due to all the blood. I had quite a bit of blood on my shirt the rest of the evening. All in all, the mat had to be mopped 2 times with rags and 1 time with a mop...nasty! ;-P
Had a lot of fun and some good fighters won title belts for their weight classes. Hunter is begging me to take him next time...I will have to think about it first though.

An Answer

I had my HIDA Scan test yesterday. I have not gotten the official call from the Dr. yet, but the lady that did the test explained what I will hear.
A HIDA Scan tests your ejection fraction, the amount of time it takes for your gallbladder to fill up and then empty. To have one considered normal you need a 35% rating or more....Mine, 0%. That puppy isn't filling or emptying and will more than likley need to be removed soon to stop the pain that I am having.
I am glad to have an answer and an option to fix it. It kind of stink that the option is surgery so close to the holidays and the kids coming home, but I will do whatever to make myself 100% by the time we get them.
Thank the good Lord for getting me thru 15 hours of no food or water and the pin sticks for the IV, pain of morphine induced attack and sitting still for 1.5 hours for test! ;-)

Passports

I called Dr. Bernard yesterday to check on passports for me and one of my families. Come to find out, Haitian Immigration has added steps to the passport process since a certain wealthy someone adopted Internationally and now several Countries are adding steps to assure that us wealthy adoptive parents are completing the process legally... Thanks to the person who did this....I wanted my kids home this century you big bunghole! ;-P

More Tests....

Today the Dr got my results from my ultrasound. They said it appears that I have stones in my gallbladder. This is not a surprise since most of the females on both sides of my family have all had their gallbladder out by the age of 36.....I will be 35 in December.

They want to do a HIDA scan next Wednesday. They said they are not 100% sure that the gallbladder was what was causing my pain.....I am ...... Pray for the following:
1. I can sit still for 2 hours to have the test
2. The dye does not make the ensuing gallbladder attack to much to handle
3. They get definitive results and can fix me

I prefer just to have the surgery to remove the gallbladder. I know that eventually I will have to have it done, and I prefer to have it done before my kids come home and I have little ones to care for.

Write more on that later...

Holiday's and Tests

Well, no news from Haiti today. Today is a Holiday in Haiti.....Death of the Father of The Country. Hopefully tomorrow I will hear more about passports for me and another waiting family and will know dossier placement for the several others who are waiting anxiously for ANY word.

Today was test day for me. I went to the hospital and had an unltrasound completed on my abdominal cavity. I am hoping this shows something so I can be diagnosed and given a solution and end to the pain I feel. The one downer to today...the ultrasound lady has to push down in order to see what she needs to see....this makes my fibromyalgia act up...OUCH! I feel a little like I have the flu..achy body and sore. I pray it will go away soon.

Hopefully more news on both fronts in the next day or two!
God bless to all who are reading!

My Fast Growing Babies...

The newest photo of our fast growing babies. They look so ready to come home.


WE LOVE AND MISS YOU AND WILL BE THERE SOON, I PROMISE!!!

Dr. Visits

I spoke to the internal Dr. Friday, he is having me go in for a CT Scan on my gallbladder and reassured me that it is not my heart! ;-) So, I will be going in Tuesday am for a quick test to see how my gallbladder is doing. The Dr's are starting to lean that way since the majority of my family members have no gallbladders...had to be removed due to disease....isn't it nice what genetics shares with us all?
I will post what I find out later!

Quite a Scare

Well Friday turned out to be a scary day for me.

It actually started Thursday night for me. I got a horrible pain in my chest that after a while went away. Friday I got up and the pain was persistent but not as bad...I passed it off as bad Burger King Thursday night. hehe

Tracey and I took the kids to the movies, no school due to teacher state conference. During the movie the pain got worse again. I called my Dr. and he was out of the office, so I had Tracey take me to a quick care locally. I called Curtis and told him I was going...I was a little scared since the pain was getting a little worse again. Once at the clinic they took me right back. Hooked me up to monitors and told me that my heartbeat had some irregularities in it on the EKG. They told me I needed to go to the local ER and that I would have to go by Ambulance, car transport was NOT an option. Needless to day, I cried and freaked a little...come on, I am only 34...granted, I am fat, but I am young and mean if I wanna be. ;-P
The nurse put an IV in and gave me baby aspirin. The fireman and paramedic's arrived and carted me away to the hospital...me in tears, Curtis with fear in his eyes.

The ER checked me again and again. Something was wrong with my EKG...abnormal rhythm and my blood pressure and pulse were off the charts...I was admitted to the ICU for observation and given nitro under the tongue and then a nitro patch on the chest. Now, if you have never had nitroglycerine let me tell you something....it gives you a headache beyond headaches....OUCH!
Curtis finally left at 11:30pm. Well, actually I MADE him leave and told him to get something to eat and some rest. Hunter and Demi were with my wonderful friend Tracey for the night, or until I got out of the hospital. I talked to her on the phone Friday night and she was in tears. She told me she loved me and that I had better get out of the damn hospital or else! ;-P

I had many blood draws and wires hooked to me like you would not believe. I had to have someone with me if I wanted to move from my bed to go potty....I don't like vouyers...I had a several Friday night. hehe
After all the tests were run my cardiac enzymes came back clean..no damage to my heart PTL...and my stress test was stressful, but I passed with flying, sweaty colors! Do you know that they wash you with alcohol and THEN sand paper the area for the LED's to stick...OUCH again!
They have decided that I may have a hiatal hernia, ulcer or other blockage in my esophogus that caused it to spasm. I guess when your esophagus spasms etc....it can mimic heart pain since it is the same nerve controlling the same area. Good to know for next time!!!

I have been given a clean bill of heart health, but must now see a Dr. to have scope down my throat to see what is going on along with med's for stomach acid reduction. I am thankful that it was not my heart. I prayed so hard all Friday night. Even after sleeping pill I could not sleep...so I prayed.

I am glad to be back home and even though the hospital took good care of me I am glad to be back where I am the boss. hehe ;-P

Mr. Cadet is gone!

For those of you who read the blog regularly you will know I speak of Mr. Cadet from IBESR in Haiti. He was head of Haiti's version of Social Services/Child Welfare. He was a crappy man and would sit on families adoption papers for ever for no good reason at all.
I am excited to say that rumor has become truth. Friday was Mr. Cadet's last day of work for IBESR!!!!!!!!! The man is no longer in charge of children's future...that alone should show a non believer that there is a God. :-P
We are not sure who the next IBESR Director will be, an interim one is to be taking the office shortly, but it has yet to be seen. Pray that the new Director is one with a good heart for the children and will do his or her job with integrity.

Passport Phase

Well, we have made it to the passport phase of the process in Haiti!!! This is wonderful since we were held up in Ministry of Interior for over a month, but have now been released. We went into passports Monday...PTL!
Not sure how much longer it will be. I have a family who has been in passports for over a month, but they got caught in the change over of Director's just as I did, just a different office. I am praying that all will go quickly this part of the process.
Once passports are received then birth parent interviews can be scheduled at USCIS (Immigration) in Haiti. Once they are done...we go get the kids!!!! I am so excited. I am still slightly guarded as far as a time line but pray to have them home by Thanksgiving. This time line is looking more like it could really be a reality, but after 16 months of waiting for my kiddos it is hard to believe it will be real soon.
More as soon as I hear it!

St Gertrudes Monastery

I am not a catholic, and do not profess to know much about the religion. I will say, that most churches are to be honored while you are there, show respect and notice the beauty that surrounds you and feel God's presence, not matter what religion you profess to be.

Well, while granny and I were looking for the correction Facility we came upon this campus of huge buildings. The sign stated it was The Monastery of St. Gertrude of Helfta http://www.stgertrudes.org
A monastery of Nun's in Cottonwood Idaho...huh...who would have thunk it> ;-P
Granny and I noticed they had a sign that stated visitors were welcome and it was intriguing to say the least.
We went in and spoke with someone who told us that there was a self guided tour with brochure inside the Chapel. Granny and I didn't know what to expect, but grabbed a brochure and went in.

Let me start by saying...WOW!!! What an amazing place. Above I have entered the web address that has photos, but they will do no justice to this absolutely beautiful place God has helped make.
St. Gertrude's is high above Cottonwood in the mountains of Idaho. It has a view that would make God himself proud of his work. The grounds are immaculately kept and the peace, the peace is so amazing...you can honestly feel God's presence with you as you walk the grounds. We looked at the gold arch they have as an altar, the pictures that are painted beside the altar and the drawings on the ceiling depicting parts of the Catholic religion. The acoustics inside were amazing. The pews that the Sister Nuns sit in are so different from what we were used to. As we looked, a wonderful and kind lady came in. She was Sister Cecile, a Nun now living here from Switzerland. She told us so much about the church, the grounds and its history. St. Gertrudes has been in Cottonwood since the 1920's.
Sister Cecile saw our crosses and ask us what religion we were and if we had a favorite hymnal. We both told her Baptist and agreed that Amazing Grace was one of the best Hymnals around. She began to play the organ and asked us to sing. Granny sings in church quite often, me not at all, and I have not sung for anyone but myself and the shower since High school. Granny started but choked half way thru due to emotion. I, seeing her struggle, stood up and sang the best I have ever sang in my life. I truly gave it up and sang my heart to God....I could not believe the voice that came out of my body...I am not sure if it was good, or the church acoustics were great...hehe ;-P

It was truly an awaking for my spirit. Now, I am not planning on becoming Catholic, but I have agreed to write with Sr. Cecile and share my spiritual journey with her and enjoy her company as well, she was truly a wonderful woman of God.

Behind the Chapel is a hill...a huge hill that shows the stages of Jesus' crucifixion. We did not have time to do all the stations, but the walk in the woods and really feeling close to God will not be soon forgotten, I hope to make it back and to finish the stations and to see Sr. Cecile again.

Grangeville and Cottonwood Visit

I got back late last night from visiting Travis. First off I want to describe the town that we stayed in, Grangeville. Granny and I thought that since we were alone and had time to kill we would maybe catch a movie. The Guardian with Kevin Costner and Ashton Kutcher came out Friday and we thought "hey, cool beans...lets go see a show!" WRONG! I call the local 'theater' and the conversation went something like this"
Movie Guy: Hello?
Me: Hi, is this the theater?
MG: Yep
Me: Well, what are your movies and movie times?
MG: 6:30 and 8:40pm
Me: What time is that movie for?
MG: Gridiron Gang
Me: Ok....what else do you have
MG: nothing...
Me: You only have 1 movie playing?
MG: Yep
Me: Ok, uh...thank you...

WELL, granny and I didn't go see a movie since she really wasn't interested in seeing Gridiron gang and we were a little concerned that it might just be some guy with a big screen TV in his house instead of a real theater. ;-P

We hung out at the hotel and relaxed. It was nice to spend time just granny and I visiting, munching and watching CSI. We fell asleep about 9:30pm.....well, she did. I read, tossed and turned until midnight. Granny woke me up at 6:15 am by opening up the curtains and telling me good morning. I reminded her it was Saturday and Saturday mornings don't start at 6:30am...she didn't listen.

We went for a visit with Travis. We got lost on the way and arrived at a beautiful place called St. Gertrude's Monastery. I will write more about it in a later post.


The Visit:

We finally found the prison and were allowed in. It is very well watched in there. You are only allowed your driver's license for ID and change for the vending machines. You leave your ID with the gate guard and go in after they clear the grounds of all inmates.
You meet your loved one in the cafeteria area. You are allowed to hug at the beginning and end of the meeting, but not during your visit. You can hold hands, but must be seated on opposite sides of the tables. Inmates are not allowed to leave their seat unless asked to by a guard or if they raise their hand and ask to use the restroom. I would get the snacks from the vending machine so we could munch and visit. Snacks are not something Travis gets much of so he was thankful for the goodies.
I believe he was most excited by our visit. We are the only ones who have written him and who have asked for approval to go and see him. He has felt cut off from friends and family, he is totally alone. It is hard to feel like you are not a complete outcast when you are 200 some odd miles away from home and no one familiar reaches out. His tears in his eyes and the smile on his face made the long drive well worth it.
We got to spend 3 hours with him on Saturday and decided to come back on Sunday to see him again. We laughed, joked, talked and enjoyed each others company. We were able to confirm with Travis the change that is making. The change from the criminal to the MAN who can become something out in the real world. He has mastered his GED and will graduate from his anger management program. He is currently in AA and will continue with counseling and AA meetings on the outside when he is released.

To talk to him you can see the child inside who is so afraid and who is lost. He had a really bad childhood and it all contributed to the person he is today. So many contributed, HE is the only one trying to fix it and we are trying to help him and encourage him along the way.
I have family members that have turned their backs on him, his own mother and father all feel that he reaps what he sows and he is on his own....I hope nothing bad ever happens to them, the road will be hard to hoe for them as well all alone.

I will continue to write Travis and visit with him by phone and letters until it is time for him to come home. I will be here for him during court dates and will stand by him for whatever sentence agreement he must work out next. I will pray for him and watch him to remind him not to fall, it will be hard, you cannot change over night...but God is good and with him anyone can do anything.

Travis

I am going this weekend to see my cousin Travis. Travis is a lost soul that is slowly coming around to the way the Lord has planned for him. He is currently serving anywhere from 6 months to 1 year in a correctional facility for a drunken accidental shooting of a friend. Nearly killed his friend, Travis ended up in jail for it, and rightly so.
It is hard to make sense of the way I feel. Most of the family has decided that he is the black sheep and is not worth the worry or the prayers....Granny and I think otherwise. He is a lost soul, one that needs someone to look out for him until he figures out for himself the direction to go. He says that he found the Lord while in county jail....doesn't everyone? I don't know whether to believe him, or even if it is my place to believe him...just pray for him.
We are making the 5 hour drive to stay overnight Friday to get to visit with him for 3 hours on Sat. It will be the first time I have seen Travis since his court date and the first time I can give him a hug since last year. It will be nice to see him, and a nice get away for Friday night and Saturday night for me and time with my granny. :-)
I will miss my family, but I think it is good I go away sometimes....keeps them appreciating me huh??!!
Keep our travels and Travis' heart in your prayers.....we would really appreciate them!

I'm a Grandma....

Today was THE day. Hunter went to the Zamzow's store with me and we picked out his turtle. We got the tank, filter, food, dock and heat light for the little guy. He is now safe and sound in Hunter's room acclimating to his new home. His name is officially Rock Shellbullet...Rocco for short! ;-P
I will post a photo soon!

Ministry of Interior

The Ministry of Interior is the office we are currently stuck in. We have been there for about a month I believe. One of my adoptive families went in right before me and came out in about 2.5-3 weeks time. Well, we have not.
I spoke to Robinson, one of our Lawyers in Haiti, today and he said that MOI has a new Director and that is why there is a hold up in the office. Nice to know it isn't personal....if you knew me you would be amazed it isn't personal. hehe
Anywhoo...we are still waiting but hoping to be out soon as the new Director gets used to his/her new job and gets on the ball.
Once that is done, we get passports printed which is about 15-30 days and then Birth parent interviews at USCIS (INS). After that we travel!!!!
We are praying hard for before Thanksgiving. We would love to have them home for all the family to meet them and see their little faces.

Fights

The fights went well. One more major owie was a fighter with possible broken nose and concussion. A few bloody noses and one possible tendon / foot bone break, but nothing to bad. Good fights though! Had about 600 people in attendance!!!
I think my brother Eric enjoyed himself thoroughly...a lot of yelling and "oh man, did you see that?!" coming from him! hehe

Usual Day

Today has been a usual day. Nothing out of the ordinary for us. Friday will bring volunteering at the school. Saturday instead of cheerleading, we are going to be downtown selling baked goods a the Indian Creek Festival. This is the first Annual Indian Creek Festival and the Comets are using it as a fundraiser. should be fun. We are doing the 10am to noon shift....I am hoping and praying for warmth since it has been down to 68* lately...cold spell meaning Fall is coming. :-(

Saturday evening I will be sitting ringside Medic for Muay Thai/Mixed Martial Arts fights in Ontario. Should also be fun. My brother is escaping and getting to come with me. This will be his first time and he is excited to see the fights...we should have some good ones considering we have 20 fights and only 5-6 of them are Muay Thai. Muay Thai uses mostly kicks and punches and is not as harsh as the mixed martial arts. With the MMA you have short finger gloves and usually no shin pads. Fights go fairly quickly to the ground for grappling and submission holds. Not for the faint of heart I assume. I love to watch and enjoy getting to be ringside Medic (front row seat for free!!!) I will post Sunday about how it went....if there was anything broken on anyone. hehe

Well, off to bed...or at least to read a while to unwind. Gotta have the energy up to spend the day at the school.

September 11th-Never Forget

God was there...


Last night Rob Moore gave us a verse that summed up his feelings about what he saw and felt as the Two Towers collapsed in front of his very eyes.

James 4:14 KJV
Whereas you don't know what your life will be like tomorrow. For what is your life? For you are a vapor, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away

This explains to us that the rest of today and tomorrow are not promised to us. The victims of 9-11 found that out 5 years ago today. We all need to remember to live life to the fullest for every moment we have and every breath we take.

True American Hero

Tonight I met a true American hero. A Fireman from New York City named Rob Moore. He was with one of the first fire battalions to be on the scene of the World Trade Center September 11th, 2001. He watched in horror and helped many people during the fall of the two towers. He lost many friends that day and will remember them and their sacrifice of life that they gave 5 years ago tomorrow.

It was amazing listening to him talk about that day, something that many of us saw on TV, but that he experienced in real life. I would have loved to have sat down with him and talked one on one with him about the feelings of it all, I am sure they were surreal.

He gave the talk at our church this evening. He wanted to remind everyone of the Sept. 11th day coming up, but how as a Christian he was affected. He met death that day and said that he was not afraid due to his strong belief in God and his salvation and how that it might be the end for him here, but it was only the beginning for him elsewhere.

I hope we all remember to take a few moments tomorrow to remember the ones who gave their life for so many to be saved.

No Tv Continues

Well, last night I was bored and decided to check on my theory.
At 11:30pm I went downstairs and tried on the Shark Boy/Lava Girl 3D glasses and turned on the TV. Low and behold the dumb things worked.....nothing like 3D all the time! :-P
Curtis came down and laughed at me. I decided that I looked like a dork, and I didn't know if it was harmful to my eyes and the TV to continue watching 3D all the time so I turned it off and went to bed.

No TV

Funny how the Lord works. Today I was thinking about how I need to watch less TV and low and behold the sucker broke. We were watching cartoons and the crazy thing went blue then red and then kinda blurry. All of the red and blue convergence went wacko and you cannot watch TV. It looks like a movie that is in 3D....hey, I just asked Curtis if we can use our 3D glasses to watch TV and it would look normal.....I think I might be desperate. hehe Let you know if it works....

Today was pretty uneventful. We found out that we are in the last stages if legalization in Haiti and should be out soon. I pray that it will be soon, I am going crazy. Don't get me wrong, I am thoroughly enjoying my alone time while the kids are in school all day. I can lounge, clean at will, maybe not even shower until I am done with my cleaning for the day etc. But, I get bored. I have found that TV holds nothing much for me during the day, and some days I get so lazy I don't want to do anything so I just sit there and watch the crap that is on...how many episodes of 'Next' can a person watch?? ;-P

I have enjoyed a few days of volunteering at the school. I have not gone as much as last year, but I have enjoyed not being on PTO and HAVING to be there. I need to make myself a schedule and decide what days to go, which days to clean, which days to veg etc or I wont get anything done.

Tomorrow is Demi Roo's first day of cheer...she is excited. Once we get going, we will get back into the swing of things and get a schedule going again.

A schedule..I never thought of myself as a schedule person, but I think it will be a good thing once the new kids come home or I will go insane!

Demi Roo School Schedule

For those of you that know Demi Roo, you know that she is NOT a morning person. Now that she is in 1st grade, she goes to school every day at 7:20am.....YIKES.
Below is what you will find her doing about 4pm most days afterwards:






Demi Roo and Skittle getting some R and R.

;-P

Jesse Johnson

My new friend Jesse Johnson made it to Miami in 40 days!!!
Check out the story at www.bikeforhaitikids.org
Not sure yet how much money he made or if he even came close to the $1 million he hoped for. Either way, all the money is going to be used for the kids of Haiti and he is awesome!
Below are photos of when he came to Boise on his long 4000 mile trip....

Back Row: Rachael (Jesse wife), Jesse, MaryAnn (Jesse Mom), Trinity (Jesse Daughter), Michelle, Taye Reece, Bella.

Front Row: Hunter, Elijah, Jonah, Allie, Demi Roo.

Pretty much same as above, but this picture has me and Ken (family friend of Jesse and camera man for documentary that was being filmed during the trip.)

I do believe that Jesse and his crew are some of my heroes. He rode day in and day out across the US to raise money for the kids of Haiti. He endured beer bottles being thrown at his head, hawks attacking him, and a 3 shots from a BB gun in the thigh from an idiot kid (it was just for fun according to the father of the boy)...as Napoleon Dynamite would say....."Idiot...gosh!"

Thanks Jesse, I look forward to the documentary and talking to you as soon as you find your way home!!!

Turtle Grandma

Well the time has come for me to become the grandma I have always wanted to be! ;-P
In about 3 weeks Hunter will become the proud father of a Red Eared Slider Turtle.
We have done the research, found the equipment and now we are working hard at saving our money to purchase said turtle. hehe
We spent today going to a few pet stores looking at the actual cost of getting a turtle, housing it, feeding it etc. Hunter is over the moon with excitement. To help him learn we bought a turtle care book so he can prepare for the upcoming new arrival and what he needs to do to put it all together.

When Hunter puts his mind to something he is serious about, he really means it. When he first mentioned a pet just "for himself " (like we have no animals...counting the 3 cats, 3 dogs, bird and fish) he mentioned wanting either a snake or a turtle. I about died at the thought of a snake in my home....EEEWWW!!!! I also made Hunter understand that I will never own an animal that must eat another living thing to survive. Therefore we have decided that a turtle is the best pet that he can have himself. ;-P

Hunter began researching it on the internet. I mean honestly Curtis and I thought that he would get over it by now, but no such luck...he meant it about the turtle. He had answers to all of our questions. He even promised that when he goes to college he will take the turtle with him...When he marries, he will take the turtle with him...we will see if the poor thing survives this long, but it is good he is looking long term.

He gave me a lecture tonight to make sure that I do not allow his sister (and new siblings) to play with the turtle unless he is there. That I will not turn the fan on and make his turtle cold so it will become ill, that I will make sure that I keep MY pets away from it so Mr. Turtle will not be harmed. We agreed.

Once we buy the turtle I will post pic's of my new grand child when he or she arrives!!

More NLL Pictures...

All of The NLL Group That Came













New Extended Family

Us with Kim and Sarah and Jack the Dog. Sarah is Nikaya's Biological Birth Sister.












The Gang at Dinner

Nll Reunion Photos....Finally...

Here is the start of the New Life Link Northwest Reunion pictures. These photos are courtesy of Amy....



Me and my family in
Couer D'Alene (minus our little ones coming soon)



















Hunter at dinner


















Demi Roo at dinner

















Hunter at the pool















Demi Roo at the pool












All the girls in the pool

Eva, Demi Roo, Sarah

First Day of School

Today was the first day of school. Hunter boarded the bus to go to his fist day of 4th grade, Demi Roo boarded the bus to go to her first full day of first grade...I am home alone for the first time in a LONG time!!! ;-P
I have read my book. lounged, dozed off, and will now have to start the day in full as the school is hoping I will come and volunteer ( I supposedly retired after 3 years on PTO, 2 of them President, but I cannot say no). I will go and help with the new registration of new kids and packets to the teachers, kids find their new buses home today and parents find their way thru the halls to pick kids up. Whew....I think I may actually be busy today.
I will probably get a nice comfortable routine down and the new kids Kai and Nikaya will come home and I will have to start over...I am so glad to have that to look forward to!

Out of Courts, One Step Closer

Well, we got the official report that we are out of the Courts in Haiti. We now have the official adoption decree, Kai and Nikaya are ours!!!!!

We are done with translation of doc's into English and we will be entering legalization/Ministry of Interior Monday. This is the first part of the passport process. Our time frame now looks like this:

Legalization: 2-3 weeks, 2 being average

Passport Printing: 15 days on average unless a machine breaks down, it rains or there are no books...I mean hey, it is Haiti after all! ;-P

Birth Parent Interview with USCIS (INS): This varies on how busy the office is as to when they get families in. They have made contact with both sets of our Bparents so they are ready to come in when needed, that is half the battle with Haiti.
If no DNA is required and Bparent goes as planned we will then be able to travel to Haiti to get our kids!!!!!!

Not long now and we are excited.

Roo's Hair

Well I was able to do Roo's hair in the twists again and semi camo the areas that she had cut. Some of them had to be put together in an interesting way to cover a bald spot and some have to be waitied down a little with beads to cover the BIG bald patch, but I managed. No one at the reunion noticed until I pointed it out, which is a comforting thought. I do know the mom's would have been honest with me, we are all like that with each other...it comes from being in the trenches with each other I think! ;-)
This time I tried beads on her hair...Thanks for the instruction Amy...it looks beautiful. I will try Jana's lesson on corn rowing and french braiding next. When I tried it yesterday it was difficult since there are so many bald patches, but I think I may be able to do it with Nikaya's hair....until she cuts hers off I guess...:-P
Demi Loves the beads since they make a clacking sound when she shakes her head and runs etc. She thinks it sounds soooo cool.
Well, off until later.

Home Again

Well, we are home again from our reunion trip to Couer D Alene. It was beautiful up there and we had a blast with the other families.

The kids made a lot of new friends, and many of the important people in my life got to meet. It is weird to say that you consider some of your best friends to be people who live so far away and all you do is talk on the phone or email everyday, but that is the way it is with me.

We got to spend a lot of time with Sarah, she is the biological older sister of our little Nikaya Mitchelle. The family is also adopting Santo, the bio. older brother to the girls. It was nice to visit and strengthen a bond that will be forged for our whole lives as we keep these kids close as possible since they are full siblings. My children loved to see Sarah and to get a glimpse of how cute and crazy their sister will be. Nikaya is a mini me with Sarah when it comes to looks.....they are so much alike that after seeing Nik in person and now Sarah again I can see the similarities. It amazes me that 2 children that have never been in the same country at the same time but have a biological bond can be so much alike. Hunter was really drawn to Sarah. Not only is she a bio. sibling to his new sister, but she is a little girl...Hunter LOVES little kids of ANY kind. He would follow Sarah around and do whatever she asked...he was infatuate with her and would read her stories and talk to her about her likes and dislikes....it was so cute.

Demi Roo was excited to have so many little Diva's around to flaunt her attitude with....girls that could match her. You would think that it would cause discourse, but they all got along well and had a lot of fun. When we left and got a ways down the road the kids cried. They hoped their new friends would not forget them and that next year we could have another reunion and it comes soon!

Reunion

I am excited to say that I will be going to a New Life Link reunion this weekend. It wil not be as big as we had hoped, but I will meet some of the kids I have placed, and meet hubbys I have worked with but have never met. Most of the mom's had a mom's weekend with me so I know them, but not the daddies! ;-)

I am anxious to see the kids in their homes, happy and loving family life. I remember some of the from their time in the orpahange and others just from photos...I AM SOOOO EXCITED!!!
I am anxious for my kids to meet the other kids just like them and spend a few days with people who are other than white...Idaho is VERY white and I desire for them to see more people who of a different color and not Hispanic (about the only other color Idaho has).

I will be sure to take pictures and post them when I return.

Roo Did What???

Oh, boy, today has been one of those days that make you question WHY you want to be a mommy.

I sat down on the couch to get ready to do Demi's hair tonight. She had 'helped' me by pulling her rubber bands out of her hair for me yesterday(which is NOT a good thing to do).....WELL...as I am greasing her head and hair, finger-fulls of her hair are coming out in my hand. With some looking closely I realize that there a several spots on her head that are down to the scalp...see where I am going with this??

Come to find out Demi Roo decided to use the scissors on her hair to get her rubberbands off and cut BIG bald spots on her head. I was so mad I could have spit nails, cried tears of sadness for lost hair growth and just anger at her for playing with the scissors. How am I going to do her hair? Is it going to have to be cut? Can I camouflage it by making twists bigger? Smaller?

All I know is that I had to go visit granny and papa (my grandparents) down the street for a couple of hours. This is where mommy goes when she needs a time out....no kids, we sit on the porch and drink ice water, have home made ice cream and visit....very calming. ;-)

Now I am home and the anger is gone...I still love my little Rooster, although tomorrow will be an exercise in futility I am afraid, I will try to make it look nice so she can start 1st grade without a bald head. I am also feeling that I am going to take some photos of her to use to horrify her as a teenager when she brings her boyfriend over. ;-P

New Photos

Some recent photos from one of my wonderful adoptive families....Thank you Ryan and Kim!






Nik looking out at the world








Kai checking out the camera



I am sad because the latest photos they do not look as happy. Well, Lord allowing they will be home in 6-8 weeks and the smiles will be abundant!!!

We're Out...Kinda

Well I got word today from our Lawyer in Haiti. He went to IBESR (Haitian Social Services), where our dossier has been for 7 months, to check on it and several others. I am happy to say we are OUT OF IBESR...kinda...

Our dossier is signed and completed but had one mistake on it that IBESR needed to correct.
Our Lawyer will be going back Monday to pick it up and get it ready for the Courts!!!

This is making a hopeful mommy pray that only 6-8 weeks are expected before her kids come home! ;-P

Doing the happy dance at our house!!!

BooBoo Funny

I have to put this one down.

A little bit ago BooBoo came into the computer room where I have been doing some last minute working for Jesse Johnson on his ride and answering emails for adoptive families. He asked me if I would change his sheets on his bed because they were 'itchy'. To BooBoo, this means that there are germs or something on his bed that make him itch??!! BooBoo is a germ-a-phobe, fatalist. In his life everything is always "I Never", "You Always", etc....

Anyway, I told him to give me a minute. He said "you always say a minute and if I time you it is more than that." I said "BooBoo, go away you are making me crazy" to which he replied with a stone cold face "hey, I am just a kid in this house trying to survive!" hehehe

When I begin to laugh out loud at his comment he storms off asking me "why does everyone always laugh at me?" What a card!!!

Adopting is a Waiting Game

Well, so far things have been slow but sure-enough in Haiti. I have one family there this very moment getting their 3 children to bring home forever...God is good!

We wait for our turn, which will not be soon enough. Some dossiers have come out, 12733 -12,735...both dossiers have been in since December '05. Ours went in 1-23-06 and are 12,899 and 12,900 so we are getting closer.....please God let it be soon!

Camping Friends and Family

Finally, here are some of our family and friends from camping!





Linda, Kevin and Shelley. Lifelong family friends













Grandma and Grandpa K.
















Chase and Shelby











Me and my family....aren't we cute?!

















Uncle Derek and girlfriend Kami

Finally...some camping photos

I am finally able to get my photo program to work so I can post the long awaited camping photos..here goes!!





Here is Hunter with family friend Kevin on the jet ski. Hunter had his first driving lesson. He is quite careful and drove fairly slow. Demi Roo on the other hand is balls to the wall and thinks Hunter drives too slow! ;-)









Demi Roo in her most innocent pose she can do...you would NEVER think that SHE could be naughty huh??!!












Hunter and the beauty of the scenery.













Demi Roo and the scenery.















This picture is supposed to show how close the deer was to our camp. I would prefer NOT to be in it since I was swollen and miserable from allergies, but my hubby insisted...

An Old Friend Visits

Here are some photos of when Ange and the kids visited Idaho. I am sure glad they got to come by and see us. The kids all had a blast. It was to short of a visit, but I cannot complain, at least I got to see them! ;-)

Mostly the whole crew...notice how Ange is hiding behind Trae?? ;-)





Hunter giving bunny ears to his new girlfirend...he and MaeLynn hit it off well!














Two divas in a pod.....Sassy and Demi Roo were quite the duo. Tyson giving updside down bunny ears to the two of them! T.J. hugging sissy and getting in the photo.

Jesse Johnson

Yesterday I met an amazing man and his family. This man is riding 4000 miles on his bicycle (from Seattle to Miami) to earn money and raise awareness for the kids of Haiti.
Jesse and his family were kind and offered shirts to us so we could show our support for Haiti's kids. I am hoping to arrange a meeting between Jesse and Dr. Bernard in Haiti on Jesse's next trip to see if he can include New Life Link in his funding of Haitian projects.
I see Jesse as a man with a huge dream, but know that if anyone can make that dream happen it will be him. He has tremendous support of his family, who are enduring 40 days on the road with him. They are also in the process of making a documentary about his trip...I am hoping he can get BIG press for it. The Today show has shown interest and will be meeting with them in a couple of the cities as well as be in Miami at the end to show he made it.
All I can think of is...The Today Show showing something about Haiti, where it is, WHAT it is and that people, general people, in everyday life may see in Haiti what some of us do. Beauty, tragedy, the people who are rich in spirit but lack the means to a good end. That maybe someone out there may feel led to help in a way that only they could.
I will post pic's of our meeting as soon as I can get my hubby's computer to work with me!

Sel Bondye Konnen

Robinson told me he went to the orphanage to teach English to the older kids Friday. My little Kai C'Eus went up to him and said he was tired of waiting, where was his mama. You see, usually Kai goes up to Robinson and says "Where's my mama" and he answers "no mama today C'Eus, more paperwork" and my boy runs off or sticks out his tongue and laughs (he and Robinson are pals!). Well Friday he told Robinson a different saying and Robinson knew he meant it.
I was very concerned how my children would be since I saw them in February and then had to leave them again. I was very concerned they would feel abandoned by me and be angry. I had Dr. Bernard explain to them every day how many sleeps until I would have to go home, but that I would be back with their daddy to take them to their forever home very soon. Kai seemed to understand, heck, he was almost 5. Nikaya Mitchelle seemed to understand as much as a 2 year old could.
I know now that they KNOW we love them and KNOW we are coming back for them. When people hang pictures in their bed for them, they know who I am, who their new family will be, and know that they will be home in God's timing. One thing I am thankful for is that the children in Haiti are taught very early on that everything happens according to God's will and timing ie... "Sel Bondye Konnen" Only God Knows.

Haiti Update

Well, I spoke to my counterpart in Haiti today and he said we have 1 signature left for IBESR approval. At IBESR (Haitian Social Services) you need 5 signatures at the different offices involved in IBESR. Well, we only need 1, the last one, Mr. Cadet himself. I am hoping he feels gracious and remembers our first meeting and takes mercy upon us and signs away quickly. The lady who spoke to Robinson (one of my Haitian Counterparts) said that our file was pretty straight forward and should go quickly....I pray that it will and that the kids will be home very soon.

I have 11 families in process right now, I also pray for them and that their process goes smoothly and quickly (as quickly as things can move in Haiti!)

C-Man & Mitch Update Photo

Here is the latest of our kids in Haiti. They look good! I miss them terribly and hope they are home very soon.

Camping

Our camping trip was so fun. We spent the first night getting camp set up and visiting with Curt's family and roasting marshmellow's. The first night we had some rain and wind. The tent held up fine, however my allergies did not. My eyes were swollen and my sinuses a mess for the rest of the trip, but it was fun none the less.

We spent the 2nd. day at the beach. I LOVE THE BEACH at Red Fish Lake. The kids swim and play and I sit part time in the sun and most of the time in the shade ( I burn horribly..I know there is Irish in me somewhere!!)
Demi Roo got to ride Chase's jet ski since Uncle Jared left to buy a new truck..THANK YOU CHASE! ;-)

Hunter finally got up courage on the last day to try and ride a jet ski. Kevin, a family friend, taught Hunter how to drive..THANK YOU KEVIN! ;-)
Demi Roo had fun riding with them, but feels that Hunter drives to slow. Demi is kind of a balls to the wall, pedal to the metal type of gal.....she goes mach 5, hair on fire and enjoys hitting the wakes. Hunter rather go slow and look at the fish underneath them.

Every night we had deer in our camp. One day I was sitting realxing as Curt and the kids went to get me eye drops at the local market. Heather, Curt's sister, told me to look behind me. Low and behold there was a deer eating not 5 feet from me. He was beautiful. I looked at him for a while catching a close glimpse of one of God's creatures and then I began to think of TV's 'when animals attack' and my possible stint on the show with a wild creature so close. He left me alone and I got to watch him and hear him chew while everyone else took photos. Curt and the kids got back in time to see him and get a few photos for us as well.

It was beautiful until the night of the 4th. A huge storm came through and we could stay no longer. Our clothes were damp and it was getting cold. We took advantage of a break in the rain to pack up our stuff. The kids went to the 4th fireworks with their grandpa and grandma K. and Uncle Kevin and Aunt Heather. We met up afterwards and headed home....finally arriving home at 2:30am tired, damp but glad to be there. A nice bed was well worth the drive.

I will post pic's soon!

July 6th

Well, I did not post about this yesterday because I was to sad. But, July 6th was the 5th birthday or our little Kai C'Eus...HAPPY BIRTHDAY HONEY!!
Days like these, birthdays, holidays etc. make me miss the kids even more and make the distance seem greater. I know that Lord allowing it will be the last birthdya we will miss, but it still makes it sad.

Poker Update

Well....we are not going to be millionaire's. Curtis tried hard but did not win the poker tourney to go to Las Vegas. All in good time I guess. ;-)

I will post about our camping trip along with photos very soon...still recovering from my vacation!

Poker

Ok. I have to share good news. My hubby plays no money poker on Tuesday and Thursday nights. It involves no money to play but you get a chance to win prizes and a possible chance to play in Vegas with the pro's if you are good enough.
WELL.....Curt beat out 200 other people Tuesday night at the tournament finals and placed in the top 10. He plays Saturday and if he beats the 39 other people he is playing, he gets an ALL expense paid trip to the televised World Poker Series in Las Vegas in August!!! He is so excited. He doesn't gamble really, but loves to play poker on line and in person for fun.
IF he were to go to Vegas, the top 250 people there win $10,000. IF he were to win the big table, he is up for $9 Million.....YES, MILLION!!! Steak at the orphanage every night for ever I say! ;-)
He is excited...keep the prayers coming..he could use them.

God and Country Rally

Well last night was a good night to get together with friends and enjoy our local God and Country Rally. Good music and fireworks were in order as well as the kids all running around having a blast. It was so hot at the beginning...100*...by evening a huge wind storm hit us and they didn't know if we would get to have fireworks.
It amazed me. Point of Grace came out to sing and they asked for a prayer at the beginning. All of a sudden the wind picked up and it blew hard.....Satan sure hates a good God party doesn't he?! WE prayed him away and the fireworks and concert went off without a hitch.
I forgot the camera so pictures are a no go...sorry!

Fighting Kids

Today is one of those days where my kids have done nothing but fight. I am geting frustrated at them and the attitudes today. I would ground them to the house with nothing to do, but I feel that this punishes me as much, if not more, than it does them.
Today we are to go to karate in the park and then swimming with the karate group. I hope this will wear them out for the rest of the day and the evening will be quiet.
Hopefully I will have some pic's to post when I get back!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

I wanted to wish a Happy Father's Day to the all of the Father's out there in the world.

Without Fathers, I believe all of us would still be riding bicycles with training wheels, cry everytime we fell and never want to get back up again. We would be wrapped in bubble wrap because mom's are just to careful with us. :-)

I am thankful for all of the Father's who are seperated from their families because they are serving in Iraq or somewhere else in the world keeping us safe. I pray that they are safe and can at least speak to their loved ones this Holiday.

I am also Thankful for the biggest Father of all....our Heavenly Father, for the biggest and most loving sacrifice of all! And that he also lets us learn our own lessons without the bubble wrap as well.

God's Blessings to everyone out there!

Quick Kid Funnies

Demi Roo loves to do artsy things all the time making her own little projects out of whatever.
The other night she came over to show Curtis her newest invention and he said to me "Dear, did you see Roo's CRAFT?" Before I could respnd Roo hollered "daddy, it isn't CRAP! and you can't put it in the garbage because I like it!!! We laughed for quite a while on that one. hehe

The other one is about Hunter. He had to do a "Star Student of the Month" board about himself. When he was filling out the part where it asks him to mention his talents Hunter wanted to put' belching and passing gas ' as his talents......I am such a proud mom!

My Beliefs

My beliefs in the Lord are changing. I guess I shouldn't say changing, as much as I should say that they are being strengthened.
I have never been an outwardly religious person. I was always raised with the belief that a person's religion is a private matter and no ones business but their own.
Well, I have been reading from a wonderful website called "The Way of the Master" at www.wayofthemaster.com It is a site that teaches people to share their beliefs to non believers. It uses 2 people, Ray Comfort and the ever cute Kirk Cameron. I was very skeptical at first....what does Mike Seever know about God and how is he going to show me anything. Well his testimony touched me and I have been reading their web site, signed up for the newsletter and listening to the free lessons they have on their site. I am currenlty listening to one called "Soundly Saved".
Now, I am not a dumb person, but it puts the scripture into real life situations that I can relate to. I like watching them witness to many people on the street and put the 10 commandments into a way that everyone can uderstand how sinful we really are and the price that has been paid for us by Jesus Christ. It may just give me the courage to some day approach the people I know in my life that have no beliefs...we will see! :-)
Until then, I will strengthen my own faith and work on my family first!!!

FRIDAY!

Well, it is Friday. We are looking forward to a busy weekend with a pool party birthday party for the neighbor friend who will be "13". She is a great friend to the kids and they love to race bicycles in the cul-de-sac with her and her sister. It should be a blast. We have two things at the same time and the same night so....
Curtis is splitting up and attending his sisters graduation party to represent our family. Heather is graduating with her teaching degree and will be a second grade teacher at a local school this next year. His family has also decided to celebrate Father's Day that day so he felt he should go see his dad as well. We will celebrate our Father's Day either tonight or Sunday by going to the movies and seeing "Over the Hedge" and eating somewhere cheap (can you say McDonald's) ;-)

Off to a busy weekend! Post more later!

Another Blessing

I wanted to post a quick praise for Hunter's Karate Teacher. Hunter takes Muay Thai kickboxing (which is not a cheap sport!). He is now a Kids Blue Belt and breaks boards with his feet!!
Anyway, we have had some financial issues as of late and thought that we would have to take some time off of karate until we could afford to start up again. When I discussed this with Hunter's karate teacher Mr. Chris (who is a wonderful Christian man) he said he would forgo being paid for now if I did odd jobs for him around the dojo (filing papers, copies, stuffing envelopes etc.) I said yes and officially started my payoff to him during class yesterday!

He is a wonderful man!

I love when the blessings come up from behind and just slap ya upside the head!!! ;-)

No Real Reason To Post

Well, we are surviving summer so far. Birthday parties are abounding and swimming is going on and now Demi Roo has another Cheer event to do Thursday PM. She LOVES to cheerlead...is that a word? Anyway, we have been staying busy.

I have several families thru Heritage, about 11 I believe with 2 more signing on...I am so glad I have Amy to help me or I think I would be insane. She is still threatening to move to Spain in a year...I have to see what I can do to stop that in its tracks right now! If she does, I have to find someone else who has the heart she and I do to help me with the family bulk that we are getting. I love having so many families, it is just easier though with someone in the office with the same heart for Haiti that I have that has been there done that and can help families like we can. The more families at Heritage means more chidren home which means more children into NLL and to safety and good food, clean water and a bed to sleep in.

I love the calling that I have been given, it is better than being the stork! ;-)

Enough for tonight, since I really have no reason to post other than to blabber away!

Good night and God Bless!

Tornado?

Today was an exciting day for us. About 4pm they began broadcasting a tornado warning for our county and outerlying area.
The kids and I turned off the computers and the tv's (except for one to watch the progression of the storm) and sat on the couch listening to and watching the thunder and lightening. We had hail a little smaller than a golf ball beating down on the house and windows.
I was proud that I kept my cool during all of this considering it isn't the usual weather patterns for Idaho...this is why I have never lived near tornado or hurricane ladden cities...I am a chicken with a capital "C".
We loved watching the storm and hearing the phone ring repeatedly. We never answered until afterwards due to the lightening and Hunter's fear the phone would blow up! ;-)
It was our friend Tracey down the road. She cracks me up...her children, along with 2 neighborhood kids at her house, will forever need therapy (she stuffed them all in the closet and put pillows over them). HEHEHE
The storm passed and no one is the worse for wear here, I am interested to see the nightly news to see what damage was brought on by the storm.
Here's hoping and wishing a calmer day for all of you....now we are off to karate!

Unanswered Prayers

Father's day is just about here, and it, like Mother's day, makes me want to cry.
I am one of the many people that do not have biological children and if it were not for the brave, selfless decisions of another human being I would not be a parent.
Whenever Mother's Day or Father's Day comes it reminds me of the sacrifice that our birth parents have made for their children. Their sacrifice has allowed me to have 2 beautiful children home, and 2 more beautiful children coming.

I used to cry when I would see a pregnant woman. My hubby and I had been married for a few years and desperately wanted children. We suffered thru 4 miscarriages and constantly asked "why us" to the good Lord. Of course, when you suffer this way you begin to promise God that you will be a better person, a good parent etc...etc... To no avail our pregnancies never worked. You really believe that you are being punished for something you have done earlier in life.

Well, a few years more into our marriage I found out I have a disease called Celiac Disease. This is a gluten intolerance to wheat, rye, oats, barley and malt, an allergy of sorts. This disease causes a myriad of things to happen and can be incompatibale with pregnancy and child birth, causing serious malformations to the unborn child if the pregnancy did work for those seriously affected....I am one of those individuals that has the type that makes Dr.'s go "huh....you lived?" ;-)
At least now I had a reason why I could not have children and I was saddened but could put a reason to the problem and try to deal with it. If I knew then what I truly believe now...that this was only part of the reason I could not have biological children.
I firmly believe that Celiac Disease is God's way of directing me to an avenue that I was meant to have all of my life....adoption!

After researching the countries and adoption programs available we decided to adopt from Haiti. Long story short, Haiti is now where all of my children are from, and where my heart truly lies. I can now not only rejoice at Mother's Day and Father's day for myself, but I have helped other families rejoice in their own holiday's as well as a Coordinator for Haitian Adoption. It truly amazes me sometimes when I sit and ponder what I may have had if I had only had my way....like the Garth Brooks song says "some of Gods greatest gifts are unanswered prayers!"

Sunday with the Family

Today was a nice lazy day with the family. We spent the afternoon doing things around the house and the evening watching a movie.
We try to allow each child to pick out a movie, either one we own or one we rent, and sit as a family and have a movie night.
Well, since we are broke, it has given us even more time to do nothing much outside the house and more movie nights together...a good thing from a crappy situation! ;-)
Saturday Hunter picked Zathura. Great movie and the kids enjoyed it. A lot of funny parts for adults and kids.
Tonight was Freaky Friday's, Demi Roo's choice. This is the newer one with Jamie Lee Curtis and Lynday Lohan (before her eating disorder..hehehe)
Anyway, we have all seen it before but it was just as fun to see again. We danced around afterwards to the song they sing over the credits, the kids love to do that. Friday Curtis and I picked and we watched Shrek, another fun one to dance to with the Shrek dance party at the end. I know we sound weird, but it was a great time that I hope our children remember when they get older.
We hope as our children grow that they remember the fun times and that they don't realize we are broke etc... I want to be the grandma that has the grandkids over every weekend and spoils them rotten having sleep overs and dance parties with them as well.
Well, off to get the kids in bed and to lay down and read until I pass out...another good weekend at home with the family!

Missing My kids

Well today after cheerleading (Roo's not mine ;-) I came home and began my daily search for everything Haiti online. This is one way that I keep on top of my calling/job, by seeing which adoption agencies are working in Haiti and who is adopting from where and fees and all that jazz.

WELL...it usually ends up with me looking at more photos of Haiti and wishing I was making another trip soon...sooner than I really will be since we are still in IBESR. It got me to missing my two kids that are still there something awful. I felt so very empty, like a big hole was in my heart and an emptiness in my arms...makes them ache. It is hard for some to understand, unless you have actually been there...done that...type of situation.

It is hard to explain the love you have for a child that is yours that you are not pregnant with or can feel with you every day kicking. Some families have not yet met their children and they still feel that love for them, just from a photo......it is VERY powerful. You can look at a picutre of a child that looks nothing like you and KNOW that this is to be your child, that God has given them to you. You wait for this child and the wait time is determined by something so far out of your control in a country that is typically run by bribes and greed and chaos...it is a trust building exercise for sure.

Now I have NEVER been accused of being patient, I don't believe I ever will be either. However, I have tried to learn to trust in what God has told me about my children and that they will be home in HIS timing and NOT mine! This is a prayer that I seek for him to answer for me in the ability to trust in him and his timing and control over the situation. I know that I need to pray for the ability to turn it over to him...TOTALLY..which I am also not good at.
Until I am I will be destined to feel the ache in my heart and my arms and to hold onto the hope that my kids will be home soon!

I will pray for the empty hearts of the other moms and dads out there who feel the same way. Pray that our kids are home soon and that until they are we are peaceful with the timing and process for his great name!

Just a Post

I thought I would take amoment to post since I am up. It is 1am my time and I haven't gone to bed yet.
I have alot of things on my mind, big things that don't allow sleep to come.
I have the following prayers:

My children home from Haiti
Everyone's children home from Haiti
Safety and protection for our friends in Haiti
Haiti's government and new IBESR appointment (I pray about this alot!)
Financial respite as we adjust to Curt's new job, which will take him to new heights of managership where he wants to be.
Safety for the troops over seas
Safety for our Missionary friends oversees
Faith to hear and follow what the Lord is telling us to do wether we can see the bigger picture or not right now and wether we feel supported or not by the people around us.
Prayers for those around us that do not have a belief at all, and that they may feel our prayers for them

Gotta try and sleep...
Good night and God Bless

Summer Fun

Today was a good day for summer fun. We started the day at the park for lunch and spent the afternoon at the pool. Below are some pic's of the kids with their good friends Zach and Annie.


Hunter being the pro back floater.


Hunter and Demi Roo with Zach and Annie


Demi Roo on the slide!

Demi Roo and her friend Annie.


Hunter enjoying lunch at the park!

Tooth Gone....

Well, BooBoo had to have his tooth "wiggled out" by a friendly pair of dentist pliers today. Longest part was the numbing and the tooth was free in 2.2 seconds....man that was an expensive 2.2 seconds. :-/
Hunter is doing well and plans on swimming this afternoon after his lip gets off the floor. ;-)

Summer Begins

Nothing really to post today other than summer vacation has begun.
Summer has just begun, today being the first official day, and my children are already killing each other. ***sigh***
I don't think I am insane enough so I am just going to add 2 more to the squabble and see what happens! ;-)
Tomorrow afternoon we are off to swim, hopefully everyone will be to water logged to fight and I wont burn to bad.

PS. Prayers for Hunter tomorrow (Tuesday) he has to go to the dentist in the AM to possibly have a tooth pulled. He has a stubborn baby tooth that wont fall out and his permanent is coming in behind it pushing and grinding the baby tooth. :-(

C-Man & Mitch 6-2-06

Here is the newest of my Haiti Babies we are waiting for. They look happier than some of the photos I get from the orphanage, that makes me happy. C-Man is a smiler, but Mitch is one to just be content..you have to know some serious intel to get her to smile for you! ;-)

Does anyone think she notices the headless barbie she is holding???hehehe

Dog Days of BooBoo...

Here is BooBoo hanging his head out the window like a dog. He thought it would be fun to let his lips flap in the wind like a labrador......made us laugh something serious....I had tears in my eyes it was so funny....flap, flap, flap...eeww, a bug! ;-)
He even figured out a way to do it while using his seatbelt appropriately...something he wasn't doing here. He tells us we just try to take the fun out of everything!

Roo and Teacher

Here is Roo with her favorite kindergarten Teacher in the world....Mrs. Scherer. She taught Roo so much this year it is amazing!

Roo Graduation Photo

Here is Roo after her graduation...we were all smiles!
Notice the two teeth missing on the top!! ;-)

Roo Moves on...

Well, tonight Roo graduates from Kindergarten. I am hoping I can get thru the night and not cry. For a while she was the youngest, still is in a sense since the other kids are not home yet. I always wondered if this would be 'my baby' graduating and then I would be done.....however the good Lord had other plans and we will soon (I hope) have two others to add and see graduate. I know that they will be singing their School Theme Song, BINGO, I don't Know Why She Swallowed A Fly" and I am not sure what else. Another milestone for one of kiddos makes me sad, happy and proud all at once...how confusing. ;-)
Post pic's later....