COMMENCEMENT!

First off I would like to apologize to those of you(all 2 of you) that have checked my blog repeatedly to see if there were any new posts and there weren't time and time again.

This past month has brought on many changes. Some exciting, and some difficult. The greatest change that we have went through this month was the realization that our adoption of our three beautiful Haitian children will no longer be happening. Today was the first day that I have been able to admit that to anyone, even myself. I have told my children, my husband, and God that I wouldn't give up on these kids no matter what obstacles came our way. That I (we) would do all we could. I am however grateful to say that we have done that. Our children have been very unselfish, willing to give what they have(time and money) to our cause for the adoption. Casey and I have tackled what seemed like weekly issues, and we did so in faith knowing that the Lord would provide the right outcome. We have never given up and we still aren't. Even though it is painful I now realize that our, My loving Heavenly Father has other plans for our family and for our Haitian children.

After so many answered prayers to know these children, to feel connected with them and to have these overwhelming feelings of love and devotion to them, it has been an amazing experience. I have really learned to rely on faith. I have a much larger testimony of the power of prayer. I am ever so grateful for our journey that our family has been through this past year. It has been one of the most difficult journey's, but in the process has taught us to grow in our reliance upon GOD much much more.

I have mourned our losses this past month for so many reasons. I now pray for stength to ask for the ability to let go, and for peace and comfort in knowing the Lord has wonderful plans in our Haitian children's lives.

Through this process we have met some remarkable families, I am glad that we have had this opportunity. I have loved hearing their strong testimonies of their faith in God and in their and own adoptions journeys, it has helped me in so many ways.

I know as this chapter ends in our stunning book of life, another will begin. I continue to look forward to what is to come. I know we have been prepared for a reason.

Jude seeing his forever family!

Thank you to the McDonald family for taking this video for us. They just sent this over this morning, so it was the first time I had seen it. When they went to Haiti they were kind enough to deliver Jude a photo album we made him. We wanted him to see his new forever family!

Watching this video says a lot! We were very blessed to have choosen Jude from a picture before he was actually brought into the orphanage. This video was taken the first week he got there. How overwhelming for this little boy to be moved away from his family, into an orphanage with more than 100 children and then told he now has a new mom and dad. WOW! That's one heck of a week.

It was great to see my son, but I really feel for him. I feel for his confusion and emotional loss of his family. How heartrenching! My emotions while watching this video were for two different reasons. One out of sadness for Jude and the other our of complete happiness seeing Keke at the end telling ME her MOM hi and that she LOVES ME. Oh that was fantastic to hear and see! Thank you, thank you, thank you Heath and Heather!

Man oh man our KIDDOS are sure growing!

I just received our measurements for our children in Haiti. I decided it would be fun to measure our children here at home to see where they all stack up in size. Here we go, from the oldest to the youngest!

Keke(9) Weighs-54lbs Height-52.5 inches
Halli(8) Weighs-57lbs Height-49.5 inches
Camry(6) Weighs-50lbs Height-44.5 inches
Jude(5) Weighs-39lbs Height-43.0 inches
Jodalene(5) Weighs-34lbs Height-42.0 inches
Elijah(5) Weighs-50lbs Height-46.5 inches
Livy(3 months) Weighs-16lbs Height-22.5 inches I am estimating she a little harder

It sure has been really exciting to see how the children at the orphanage have grown since they have been there. Jodalene has really filled out. I will post in the next couple of days the first pics that we ever saw of our children and the most recent one's. I can't wait for you to see the change that's taken place. I look forward to keeping track of their growth on a chart in our home.
At home, everyone is telling me how much Elijah has taken off. He's grown into a BIG BOY! Camry maintains her petite little frame but her SPUNKY little attitude definitely makes up the difference. Halli is our SHINNING Little star. She is quite tiny compared to most the girls in her class, however her smile and her desire to constantly perform help her standout!

Keke seeing her forever family!

We have made some wonderful friends on our adoption journey! The McDonald family went on a mission trip to Haiti this summer and were kind enough to deliver Keke a photo album we made. We wanted her to see her new forever family!

After posting I wanted to add that I really loved the way that Keke wouldn't let go of her photo album. I felt like she was so excited to finally have a family and there was no way she was going to let anyone take her family from her. Even though we couldn't be there she had her family wrapped up in her arms!

Our Adoption Journey- It has been long and bumpy at times!

When Casey and I went into this decision we pondered, prayed, and heavily relied upon our Loving Lord for direction. We knew these children were ours. We had no idea how, but we knew it!
We have faced great financial struggles since we committed to our children. Obstacles that have stalled our adoption process. It has been very difficult, overwhelming, and emotional at times. Each time we come out of it knowing we are to do all we can and the Lord will provide a way!

Just this week we received an email that told us to hurry and get our dossier(international paperwork) in before some changes may be implemented because they could affect our adoption from going forward. It really stressed me out. I knew there was no way to hurry what they are wanting from us right now. So after a lot of crying, I prayed and then decided to go to the Temple the next day. I came home with so much peace. Knowing that all things are done in the Lord's timing. I learned that I needed to trust in His time frame and know that He has it taken care of.

Where do I begin?????

Well, I guess since most of you have no idea how our adoption has come about, that's where I will start.

Since adoption is a big part of our lives and we've always know we would do it again, constantly keeping an open mind, checking websites of children available through the state and through private agencies. We started the process for the fostercare program in April of 07.

Gratefully I was lead to know that our newest purchase should be a beautiful 12 passenger VAN!!! This was not easy to talk my husband into...believe me. At the time he was driving a chrysler 300. So after the purchase of the van we sold the 300. He keep telling me he was going to put "FROM PIMP TO BLIMP" on the back window.

Now mind you, we only had three children at this time and one on the way! So we had quite a few people ask us WHY the van????? Our next door neighbor came over with the same question and I told her that our families growth was inevitable and we might as well buy the van and get it over with. I also explained about us doing fostercare. She told us that we reminder her of her niece Heather. Heather had done fostercare in the past and had adopted four beautiful children through the process and was currently working on an adoption through Haiti to bring three more children to their family. After talking with my neighbor for about 1 1/2 about Heather's experiences, I immediately looked up the orphanange. It was emotional. I called Casey and told him to look at the list of waiting children. We knew immediately that this is what we were to do. We both came to the conclusion of who our children were individually and then together. That started our journey! - APRIL 07