Prayers needing anwers urgently

Some of these pictures you may have already seen.

But because I was editing them.

They were worth posting again.

Better this time I think!

We are praying for some answers this week. We need an answer as to where our children (Sophie, Dominick and Alyssa) are going to school. They start school Wednesday and we had petitioned the school district to allow them to go to the one elementary that is ADA accessible. This is the one where Angeline has to go to school. We desperately want our children all together during this transition from home school to public school. We have tried for most of the summer to get someone to commit to making a decision and we are working with the district assistant Superintendent to get some things accomplished. He is a busy man and I am a relentless nagging mother. Tomorrow if I don't have an answer we are having a sit in at the district office.

I am not kidding. I will wait there and wait with books to read until we have an answer. And YES we are bringing ALL the children with us to sit there. This is insanity not having a plan for my children and for my sanity!

Next order of business is dear Isaac. I am about to wage a sit in to get my son home too. I have had enough. The latest is that they attorneys office needs a new POA. This isn't to get out of MOI- this is for the consulate.

Each time we have had to do a new POA (this is number three or four of power of attorneys we have done) we have to write it up, hubby has to get off work, then we get it notarized, sent to the state for legalization, then translation, then the Haitian consulate, then back to us, then we fed ex it to Haiti. Its a process. Its a pain. Why can't the people who are on one of the POA's that they already have handle getting things done the rest of the way?

I know that if it means we can bring our son home then that will be worth it... OF COURSE. But I just feel edgy and touchy about the whole thing. I just want some good news and not news of another stinking paper that someone has to get done and signed in dragon blood and sealed in wax from the titanic. I mean seriously- why is this process so hard? Its just crap. Its crap for the orphanage, its crap for the adoptive families, for the attorney and their employee's, and its especially crap for the kids! WTH?

My family spent the entire day today with the continued PURGE of "stuff" and organizing of the house. I just have to get everything in order that I can control because there are so many HUGE things going on right now that I can't control. And that's hard for me. I have a hard time letting go and praying and turning it all over. I know that I have issues...

PRAY.

Pray also for Bear's parents. His Mom has still been sick and is not able to get down to RHFH. Literally there are parts of the walk/hike down from their village that require her to be able to be on her hands and knees scaling rocks. She is ill and having leg pains. Pray also for Lori who has to deal with getting them down there. Pray that she finds the right answers... because this has to be so frustrating for her. And we need them to come soon. Its imperative.

Movie night!

My Cole is just the sweetest boy.

OK- he can have his moments- but typically

he is the sweetest boy.

I love shopping with him.

I love cooking with him.

He is anal.

I am anal.

We get each other.

He doesn't bother doing something

unless he is doing it right.

I love that.

We found this cool popcorn set at

the thrift store for about $11.

We had a coupon and that made it cheaper.

We are thrifty.

I taught Cole how to make popcorn

the old school way.

It tastes so much better than microwave.
We are going to watch:

17 Again
Zac Efron- be still my beating heart.

Or something like that. lol

I hope you all are having a good weekend.

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful today.

I think I will make a thankful list:

1. I am thankful that I got to leave today for several hours with Bean, Bear and three pre-teen girls for shopping (skinny jeans woe is me)

2. I am thankful that Danny and Leishan went and got Bean's new glasses for me since while I was out I forgot to pick them up.

3. I am thankful that she was able to see the Eye Dr. last week and we found out she has a large discrepancy in her vision between her two eyes. I am praying the cute pink glasses work and will help her Amblyopia and that we won't have to start patching her eyes.

4. I am thankful that although we didn't get news about Isaac today- there is always the chance for news tomorrow- and in the meantime I am thankful that he is with people who love and adore him almost as much as I do. :)

5. I am thankful that while I don't know where my children are going to be going to school next week (because the school district is busy figuring it out amongst 124,450 other things) I am thankful anyhow- because I get to spend these last few high stress anxiety filled days of summer with them. Their behavior has just been peachy and far surpasses all expectations of normalcy. I am thankful for never having a dull moment.

6. I am thankful for my husband. Even though he is working 70 hours this week- he still manages to be kind and nice and loving to me even if he can only stay away an hour while he is actually here at home. I am thankful for having a way to pay for all those school supplies. (That I will buy once I know which list to use- once I know where my children are going to school.)

7. I am thankful to have found a new home for eight of the TEN books listed below. If there are any takers on the other ones let me know. I am also thankful to have two heavy boxes of home school books to pass on to my lovely friend in Haiti. And I am MOST thankful to get them out of my house! Ahhhh!

8. I am thankful for resale shops, thrift stores and bargain hunting skills. Just one more pair of shoes to buy before school starts.

9. I am thankful for my school district buying Angeline her very own wheelchair so she can take the bus this year. I am thankful she starts school TWO WEEKS after the other children so she has plenty of time with Mom before then- and plenty of time to be pushed like a WILD THING all over the house and neighborhood and spin and spin in that little wheelchair of hers. And I am most thankful that she doesn't actually HAVE to use that wheelchair. Praise the Lord.

10. I am thankful for the possibility of a part time job this fall. More about that soon.

11. I am thankful for good friends and family who never tire of listening to my same woes and who always give me sound advice- or no advice at all- but listen just the same.

12. I am thankful for knowing Lori and being able to call her my friend- please pray for her and RHFH.

13. I am thankful for Lauren and her help and love. Even when I am bossy to her and even when she is over me. :)

14. I am thankful for good health today- except for Dominick- who I am thankful for his vomit only being on the floor and not on the furniture. (His aim has significantly improved over the years. He is the family "puker". Does your family have one of those?)

15. I am thankful for Leishan and her boyfriend Vince and Danny all starting NEW JOBS this week. I am thankful Tyler is having a fantastic time in Hawaii with his grandma and thankful that Jeremy sent his dad a text to say "he is ok". (Wherever he might be.)

16. I am thankful that when Leishan told me that her boyfriend Vince said that Angeline is "so smart" but "might be autistic" that he wasn't actually here at my house. I am also thankful that Vince doesn't know much about autism. (He is very nice by the way. A really sweet guy whom Angeline likes to bat her eyes at and call her boyfriend too- shhh--- don't tell Elijah!)

17. I am thankful that writing on this blog provides therapy for me and my tired mind. I am MOST thankful for God and knowing that all the ruckus and hanging loose ends will soon be tied and that he is orchestrating the plan and the tying of them right as I type these words.

Free to a good home

We have too much stuff.

Its PURGE time.

These are some books I love and want

to keep- but I just can't.

So I am offering them to YOU

for FREE.

I will pay the shipping and if you feel inclined-

you can just pay me back the few $$ that it costs

to get them to you via MEDIA Mail.

(*USA only please)

So just email me- or leave a message and let me know

if any of these books could bless you:

1. Home Learning Year by Year

(how to design a HS curriculum from preschool-high)

2. Where Little Ones Cry

(Tragic stories from Liberia)

3. Believing God

(Beth Moore)

4. Cry, The Beloved Country

(Alan Paton)

5. Their Eyes Were Watching God

(Zora Neale Hurston)

6.Twenty Things adopted kids wish

their adopted parents knew

(Sherrie Eldridge)

7.Fields of the Fatherless

(C. Thomas Davis)

8. The Zombie Curse

A Doctors 25 Year Journey into the Heart

of the AIDS Epidemic in Haiti

(Arthur M. Fournier)

9. The Ditch Diggers Daughter

(A Black Families Astonishing Success story

by Yvonne S. Thornton)

10. Love and Logic

Becoming a Parent

Parent Handbook

(Foster Cline)

11. 2 videos

The Love of Liberty Brought us Here

(Liberia)

and

Liberian Ministries

(Promo video)

The Sound of Music

Please take four minutes to watch this fun video. It will definitely brighten your day.
Be Blessed!
Sarah

This week

Will this week be YOUR week baby boy? Is it almost time? I wish that I could see the future and know when you are coming home. But for now we will keep praying and getting the word out for others to pray and we are hopeful that THIS week will be YOUR week. Your week to finish the Haitian part of the adoption process and we will be that much closer to bringing you home.

Today I even looked up plane ticket prices to bring you home. I looked for the weeks just before your fourth birthday. I am so hopeful that you are home and here celebrating your fourth birthday with us sweet boy. October isn't that far away anymore.

We can't wait to see your smiling face and hear your beautiful songs in person. Soon soon soon. We can feel it.

can you?

Nine Months

Sweet Baby Bear- your nine months old.

You are starting to really form

a BIG personality.

Last week at the hospital we learned

that you WILL need surgery on your feet.

Although the "casting" helped to make your feet

look more straight- the bones still are in need of change.

So at least one of your feet will have surgery soon.

(We will know more later next month.)

You can now sit when we put you in that

position but aren't able to sit yourself up yet.

You must weigh about 20 lbs by now.

You love being held the best and

you are starting to get shy about strangers.

Your vocabulary is rapidly developing

and you love to give kisses.

Your first tooth JUST popped through.

(finally)

We are so blessed to have you in our lives.

Beautiful beautiful Boy.

Hey Girl!

Disclaimer: I am writing this post and scheduling it- so by the time that it is read- we will be at home. (I don't like posting about not being at home- that's foolish- so just know that my posts are honest but not always in "real time".)

Tonight I am in Seattle having a "quiet" night with four children. (David, Cole, Bean and Bear)
I was really looking forward to these two days of appointments so that I had an excuse to get away for a little bit from reality. Now I am here and enjoying my vegetarian dinner and watching my "big" boys watch soccer with their dad on the TV. Bean is working on some mac and cheese and Bear is sitting with David and he is looking really tired.

After the appointments this morning I took the children with me shopping at the mall. Rarely do we actually shop at the mall. (If we have some fantastic coupon and can make it worth our while we may do so.) But today we went to the big city mall and I let the boys pick out some new school clothes. (Not a ton but enough to make them feel special and looking forward to the first day of school.) I was impressed with how they passed up the things at Nordstroms and other "teen" type stores to look for nice things that were at a good price. That made me feel accomplished to know that I have left an impression on my sons to be smart shoppers.

So while I am here enjoying a bit of quieter time, I am also fighting a terrible sinus thing that came on all of the sudden. I am also missing my children at home which make absolutely no sense. I heard that they are doing a nice job with the sitter and they have been working on some end of summer crafting- Waldorf Doll making. I also heard that Sophie and Dom had a pretty good day- and that Lulu's behavior has been outstanding. (So I feel warm and fuzzy despite missing home and missing my children all together.)

Today Leishan got a new job that she is really excited about- and her boyfriend who has proved thus far to be a good influence on her- also got a job today! What a brilliant phone call that was. They have worked SO hard to find jobs. Praise the Lord.

Today I also got new pictures of Isaac emailed to me, a little update about him that was unexpected and saw his name on the COTP prayer list again. To know that there are so many people praying him home brings tears to my eyes. I also heard that he is praying for his mom and dad and praying to get home- and that is just perfect team work. I miss him. (If there are actually words to describe the way it feels.)

I had a rough thing happen with Bear that I am waiting for more news on- so if you could be praying specifically about his Medical Visa extension that would mean so much. Once I have more news I will fill you in.

and let me end this post with a cute Bean story...
Each time that she talks to a woman who is African American she says: "Hey Girl!"
I have no clue where she learned "Hey Girl"- or why she only says it to other women who look like her. It is so "nature" and not "nurture".
After playing for a bit at the playroom in the hospital today- we went to pick her up and asked her how her day was... she replied: "I was mean. I wouldn't share. It was SO terrible. I fought with my girl about the markers. Then I said that I was sorry. And I was forgiven and then it was much more fun."

Isn't that great advice?

Lightroom

I am officially addicted to Light Room.

I don't really know how to use it YET.

But just playing around is easy to take your pictures from bland to glorious!

I might have to buy it....

(Thanks G. for the details!)

Now can someone help me get my pictures bigger on blogger??

Rough

Sophie has been having a rough time.

For about a week now.

Something happened on a church outing.

And now we are paying the price.

What was it you must ask?

Nothing terrible.

Nothing tragic.

Not to worry.

It was attention.

The wrong attention.

Not from a peer.

But from an adult.

One who didn't know better.

One who thought being nice

was the right thing to do.

Because it is.

But unfortunately for Sophie-

it isn't.

For Sophie encouraging her to be friends

with peers is the best thing. And treating her

fair and "the same" is the best way.

Treating her special as you so want to do

is the worst thing for her.

It tells her- "we love you more".

And that's what she believes already in

her heart- that the people who love her

the most DON'T love her.

That her family doesn't love her.

Because you love her more.

So your love and kindness gets mixed up.

And she works you with her power

her super power of manipulation.

And I know you can't see it.

You just have to believe me.

So a day of attention coupled with

questions asked of peers...

gave her the control and power

to justify her feelings of UN attachment.

It began the spiral downward.

A day spent with an adoring adult.

How do I explain this?

How can we encourage normal peer relationships?

Counseling is helping a great deal.

Just giving her and 'us' a place to talk.

But as the summer days are numbered.

Her anxiety grows.

And one day of bliss became the jumping point...

of the fast roll downhill.

So please pray for her.

Pray that she adjusts OK.

To whatever school situation this fall has to offer.

(we are still trying to figure out with the school what the plan will be for our children this fall... school starts in 12 days... we need an answer PRAY.)

And in the future what you can do to

help me- help her-help us

is to back us up.

That her special time needs to be

with us. US ALONE. And when she's with you...

she is just the same as all the other middle schoolers.

And you can reiterate to her how much we all love her.

Especially if she comes to you with concerns

of peers, or siblings, or parents, or counselors

or if you see the other children give her a look

that might seem harsh

please know that there are moments of

their lives that she has controlled, distorted, manipulated

and that they hurt too.

and your questioning them about it

about her

about their relationship with her

just makes them more aware

how not normal this all is

so let family matters be family matters

and church outings be about FUN and GOD

and not about solving or fixing

because then what my children view as FUN

and time to learn about GOD

becomes more burden

for them to carry

and they pull away from the one they need the most

HIM

Hill story

While Angeline's boyfriend

was busy eating sand...

A gaggle of children were bounding

up a big hill of grassy dunes

some Mom said OK to them
and they ventured far far away

when I zoomed in as close and I could
here is what I saw

children striking a pose

they should have been contemplating

a better plan for their descend

one that didn't involve RUNNING

lulu and kylie fell down
broke their crowns
and ate a mouth of sand
TOO

But they certainly weren't as happy

about it as Elijah was

Big Rocks

I have had the great privilege in my life to visit several big rocks. My first experience with a massive rock was the biggest ever- and that's Ayers Rock in Australia. (I climbed it and whined a great deal in the process.) The big rock we spent time at today was Haystack Rock- we didn't climb it, actually we didn't even touch it. It is a wild life preserve. But we did spend the better part of the afternoon sitting right there on that beach. We played in the sand, kicked the soccer ball and walked in the freezing water. I took a lot of pictures that I will post soon of course.
It was so beautiful there. It gave me an awesome sense of peace being there. The whole town where this natural wonder is at Cannon Beach- is a really great place. I wish we had a beach house there because I would spend lots of time there and invite you all to visit me. :)
Tonight we are on our last night of this trip before we go home. The camping was good- but we are feeling super comfy tonight at a hotel. I just finished a very late dinner of take out salad. (Arugula, pear, Gorgonzola, toasted walnuts, balsamic V.- oh yum) We will do one last fun activity in Oregon tomorrow before we head home- I am so tired.
Off to bed. More soon.

Tidbits

This week we got a special package.

New Videos of Isaac!

We have watched them each day

since they arrived.

Everyone was so surprised how

Isaac knew some of their names already.

And how tricky he is.

How much he sings. :)

His soccer skills.

His flirty smile.

His language abilities.

and how much they all miss him.
Thank you COTP for making our week!

Also this week-

we feel all of your prayers.

THANK YOU.

We are hopeful.

This weekend the two love birds will be together.

(Bean and Elijah *Kikas Son)
Angeline has been talking about sharing a tent

and a BED with Elijah.

She said that they are going to snuggle.

innocent love of course

She told me:

"Mom I can't snuggle you anymore."

I told her that made me sad.

She said:

"I forgive you."

lol

Now that's EYE SMILING for ya.

Pray for Bears parents.

They are needed big time.

Last we heard his Mom was

still recovering from her fall

(off the donkey that was bringing her down the mountain)

We are off soon on another adventure.
With this little guy on the lefts family.

He is much older than Bear.

(Wouldn't think so comparing the sizes!)

I imagine there will be many pictures

this weekend like this one.

(small boys strapped in strollers)

to keep them safe
and away from camp fires

I don't know if you have visited the

MAT BLOG

lately or not?

But this little beauty needs

a host family in California.

Know anyone?

If your live in the Pacific Northwest...

Yogu San

New REAL TART organic FRESH frozen yogurt

seriously TDF

at the mall

healthy and delish

small- 120 cal.

love it

Victoria, BC Canada

Last weekend for a mini holiday- and for David's birthday-

we spent the weekend in Victoria (Vancouver Island).

(British Columbia Canada.)

Here is a quick recap of our trip.

We headed north- crossed the border-

and got to the ferry EARLY.

We boarded the ferry and checked for

a life raft. (Picture above. CHECK!)

We instantly appreciated Canada for
the real melting pot it is.
And on the ferry- the world got
a little smaller and a lot more fun.

We found Waldo.

And were amazed at HOW BIG the ferry is.
(150 cars + people+ restaurants etc.)
and how close it went to several islands
we watched for ORCA's



We took lots of pictures of Cole squinting. :)

Once we hit land- we drove the van

and saw the EMPRESS hotel.

Lovely.

We walked and walked

and went to the wax museum

where we saw many famous faces

of history

including Joan of Arc

(being burned at the stake!)

We covered small eyes.

We walked a fair distance to eat lunch here.

(So did everyone else.)

Fisherman's Wharf and FAMOUS

Barb's Fish and Chips

Yum.

($93 Canadian to feed us all. Yikes.)

Then we went and did much more walking

and drove up up up to the campground

where we went to bed for the night

The next morning after an early morning swim

and pancakes (plain, blueberry and skeeter cakes)

we went to Mineral World

Where we spent HOURS looking for beautiful things

to fill our baggies with

We even panned for gold

and I put Dominick's hood down

at least 22 times

(which didn't help apparently)

shells and rocks and minerals and gold

OH MY!

From there we headed to the

Ocean Discovery Center

we enjoyed the touch tanks

but were not allowed to touch these

(obviously)

Then we headed to an indoor playground

and outdoor mini golf

the big kids mini golfed

and younger ones played

we appreciated the accessible options

for the playground

(Bean could go all by herself)

she was SO proud

Then David picked his birthday dinner.

A late night meal at the WHITE SPOT.

Then back to camp.

back to sleep

tons of rain flooded the tent

(dh and I, sophie, bean and lulu

were warm in a cabin!)

The next day we packed up camp.

and headed out

to Beacon Hill Park

we LOVED the Children's Farm

especially the goats

(SO CUTE)

The goats loved Bean's walker

especially her basket

(which I strung back

together after we left)

Bean loved to run with her walker and

pick up her feet and GLIDE

she drew a bigger crowd than the goats

Miss Personality

We dined on a feast of berries, apples and PBJ

in the van. (I am now the queen at the sandwich

making on the cooler lid while we are driving)

We made it to our last stop:

The Victoria Bug Zoo

Between my hubby and kids

they held stick bugs, tarantulas, scorpions

millipedes, beetles, cockroaches-

you name it they touched it!

I really missed Isaac while we were here.

I think he could have really gotten into the bug zoo.

We were almost late for the ferry.

Grace took some artsy pictures of Sophie.

We listened to a Coastal naturalist give a talk

for the trip back to the mainland.

We held an orca tooth.

and kept our eyes peeled for one

but didn't see any of the Pods

on this particular day

It was such a lovely time.

We could have spent a week there.

SO much to do.

Next time we will go to the NORTH part

of the area. (BEAUTIFUL too)

Thanks BC Ferries for getting us home safe.

Well- home to the other side of the water at least.

At the border heading back into the USA...

it was BUSY.

We had a 70 minute wait.

We were stopped.

They took the keys.

Questioned the kids.

Tapped the sides of the van.

(Could we be hiding something

in the panels? Kids or drugs?)

NOPE.

So they let us go.

We feel safer now certainly.

Perhaps its because we have

so many children? Or because my

hubby is getting long hair? :)

David had an awesome birthday.