And The Responses...

From the Senator’s Office:

Dear Ms. Wilkins,

Thank you for contacting Senator Merkley regarding the Family and Medical Leave Act. The Senator asked me to reply to you and tell you, first, congratulations on the adoption of you new son and secondly, that you make some interesting points regarding the Act.  I will forward your email to the Senator’s legislative staff for their consideration. Input such as yours is an important part of the legislative process and the Senator appreciates the time you took to bring this to his attention.

From my HR Department:

Hi Jill,

Thank you for your email. Feedback regarding our policies is always good. I will be forwarding/sharing this email with the director of benefits to let her know of your concerns regarding the adoption policy.  At the present time, you are correct that you are eligible for (10) days off from the time you have custody of your child. From there you can apply for FMLA for 12 weeks, which is unpaid time. You can also use any vacation that you have as well.  I’m sorry I don’t have any other news for you, but I will forward this email on.

Am I just crazy to think that the majority of logical people would be "ok" with a bill supporting equality to adoptive parents? There is no reason for adoptive parents to be treated unfairly when it comes to family time. I wish family mattered a bit more in the USA.

Here is a good article (The Case for Paid Family Leave:) http://www.newsweek.com/id/210252

Time For Change

Today I am reminded of how unfairly adoptive parents are treated with regard to time-off work. Some other adoptive friends and I have been correlating data and researching options. Not only are adoptive parents given less time worldwide, but specifically the US laws are appalling when compared to other country policy. I will have much less time to spend with my son vs. a mother who has given birth to her child biologically.

We really have no good support in the US. I think this is probably why many moms stop working, as they don’t really have a choice (and as a result, we end up losing a lot of capable workforce members.)

Adoptive parents need this time off because they need to spend time working on the attachment process with their new child. This is a critical step in ensuring the adoptive children bond with his/her new parents. This process can take 6 months or more (especially for international adoptions when you don’t get the children home until they are a toddler, which is our situation.) I would argue that for the well being of the child who is going through transition in an adoption there is a need for a "transition leave" that a parent could take. I firmly believe that this will help to ensure the success of an adopted child to become a healthy and productive member of society, and there are many studies to support this.

• The only PAID time off I am eligible for are 10 days from my employer (and that is because of my company policy, not US law.)
• And then I will have up to 12 weeks UNPAID via the Family Medical Leave Act (though I can use accrued vacation as a part of this time if I have any days available.) However this cannot be in addition to the PAID leave mentioned above, so my max is 12 weeks.
• My husband has 5 PAID days off for adoption, with the same FMLA 12 weeks (again, it cannot exceed 12 weeks.)

So we essentially only have 3 weeks PAID. We can take a total of 24 weeks between us, but will have to use our vacation days if we are to get partially paid for the balance (21 weeks) of that timeframe.

I did find out that both the California and Washington laws are structured as insurance programs so that workers pay for the costs, lessening the impact on employers, and even this could be a “start” for the rest of the states:

• Washington's new law is a partial-wage replacement insurance program. The law provides for up to five weeks of paid leave for the birth or adoption of a child. The maximum weekly benefit is $250 a week, with pro-rated benefits available for part-time employees. The law establishes a 13-member legislative task force to determine the funding mechanism for the insurance program. Benefits under the law become available effective Oct. 1, 2009.
• California's paid family leave insurance program allows workers to deduct a small premium from their paychecks to participate in the State Disability Insurance Program. Employees taking leave qualify for 55 percent of their pay, to a maximum of $882 per week, for up to six weeks.
  It seems that in Canada, they have parental leave which allows 35 weeks at 55% of pay (similar to CA, but longer timeframe)… Although maternity leave is an additional 15 weeks (of which adoptive parents are not eligible for.)

So… I am frustrated.

I am sending a letter to our senators and also sent a note to HR… however I am not holding my breath for change.

Even a Beautiful Sunny Day Isn't Helping...

Consider it pure joy my brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds. Because you know the testing of your faith develops perseverance. JAMES 1:2-3

I was thinking about what how to sum up my thoughts... thinking about how sad I am today. It is beautiful outside - 83 degrees, but I can't seem to find my smile.

• We went to church and this sadness came over me as I watched a baby boy get dedicated (I was imagining the day we get to take Samuel up there.)
• We went to the mall and into Pottery Barn Kids - big mistake (why do I do that?!)
• I read about someone being in MOI for 2 years... wow, did that send me into a tailspin.
• I am at the end of my rope - truly. I don't know how to get through another year+ of this. I am getting older by the day and our house feels empty. We have some really great times together, and I try to appreciate each of those moments, but the truth is, we have had 15 years of moments "alone" - we are ready for a family.
• I wish I could remember how life was before Samuel, so that I didn't have to feel the pain of not having him in our life.
• I am tired. Feeling old. Trying to keep perspective. Asking God for his help.

Then I read Stephanie's blog and she summed up a lot of my issue... this idea that you are missing some step, or not doing something you should be. You check this blog, or that website or the GLA site to see if anything has bee updated with new information... but usually it holds no answers that provide peace: http://iansadoption.blogspot.com/

Be Still
I have spent much of this afternoon online, checking and re-checking e-mail and Googling every possible variance on the words "Haiti adoption" ... searching in vain for something that will connect me with my boys and confirm this crazy hope inside of me that all will work out on this trip.

But in the end I am reminded that there is not going to be a voice from the sky or a bolt of lightning to tell me how this is going to play out. Instead, this is one more exercise in waiting patiently on the Lord for His decision, not mine.

Frankly, I am not very good at this part.Psalms 46:10 says:

"Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth."

2 Things for Tuesday...

1. Another couple just returned from their Haiti "judge visit"... she has some videos posted on her blog (toddler house, not the main house where Samuel lives.) They are fun to watch and see GLA: http://lilacsinbloom-bsc.blogspot.com/
2. For anyone who reads this post... I just ask that you take a couple of minutes to say a specific prayer in "this very moment." a) For Samuel's file to continue to move through the system this year b) for my friends files that need to move as well... So that we can bring our children home by next spring, if not sooner c) and for Dixie / GLA that they have the resources they need to run the orphanage.

I know it can come true… I believe God is listening.

For where there are two or three gathered together -- to my name, there am I in the midst of them. - Matthew 18:20

Investing in People

Each day I receive updates from FamilyLife… I just liked the message of this one in particular and felt like maybe I should share it. I think when I read the list of "eight cardinal virtues" below, I felt like I have some big gaps. However, it didn't get me down, but more inspired me. Maybe I will print these out and hang them on the bathroom mirror! J

And I guess I relate this to my life right now because it's so easy to become negative & cynical in this adoption process. When it feels like we have to climb mountain after mountain and have to cross rivers that are a mile-long, with the strongest currents we have ever known. It's easy to become self-absorbed and play the martyr. I don't want that for my life... and I think when I step back and just breathe... listen to others and "give" vs. "take" I am a better person --- which means I am better able to deal with this very tough time in life. I can't keep being negative... I will never make it over the next year. I will become old and I don't want that for my life.

September 19: Investing in People

Admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 1 Thessalonians 5:14

Who are the people that have meant the most to you in your life? Who has had the most influence in your life? Your parents? A coach, a teacher or a Sunday School teacher? Undoubtedly they challenged you to rise above the status quo. I remember people who cared about my character and who inspired me to a solid standard of holiness, devotion and diligence.

The bottom line? They all called me to noble, pure virtues.

Others have also stepped out of the herd and stepped up. Consider the famed scientist and inventor George Washington Carver who once wrote down what he called the "eight cardinal virtues":

1. Be clean both inside and outside.

2. Neither look up to the rich nor down on the poor.

3. Lose, if need be, without squealing.

4. Win without bragging.

5. Always be considerate of women, children and old people.

6. Be too brave to lie.

7. Be too generous to cheat.

8. Take your share of the world and let others take theirs.

Virtuous words. Yet even from a distance of nearly 100 years, they touch us at a deep level of our souls and call us higher than the selfish parts of our natures typically want to go.

I encourage you today to be careful where you look for inspiration—be sure that the people who influence you are those who can be counted on to lead you in the paths of purity and righteousness. And I encourage you to become an influencer, one who has the thick-skinned courage to step out and up and motivate others to be Christ followers.

I will never understand my tears...

I will never understand the source of my tears… are they tears of joy, sadness, exhaustion, delight?  Sometimes the things I think “should” set me in a tailspin of sniffles, instead lead me to a state of indifference, withdrawal and a state of neutrality.  And sometimes the things that set me off are not the things I would expect...

I was reading Susan’s blog (nurse at GLA) and I thought “I wonder if she posted anything about Samuel when he arrived at the orphanage.” So I went back to check on that timeframe, and look what I found?!

I was in tears. Amazing how it just hit me. Everything seemed to match up (including a picture we have from around that same time.) Weight, timeframe, story about eating, etc…

I think more than anything I was excited to have a story to share with Samuel Chancelet one day; something more to offer him when we asks questions. I just loved reading this blog post and I just felt thrilled to have this for him.

...and if anyone says it's not him... well... don't tell me please. :-)

Photo on Susan's blog...

Photo we had already...

http://heartsongsfromhaiti.blogspot.com/2008_12_01_archive.html

SUNDAY, 14 DECEMBER 2008

....and I am in love!

At 12lb, our newest baby boy was petite for a 6 month old. With wide eyes, long lashes and a perfectly round baby face he was also extraordinarily beautiful.

Whenever a new baby arrives, the nannies bathe them right away. They lotion them up, they apply baby powder to their neck, underarm and groin areas, and then they dress them in clean clothes. Many Haitian Mothers simply sponge their babies down rather than immersing them in a bath tub. Our hygiene rituals must seem quite strange to the new arrivals. This little boy, like most, voiced his protest quite loudly! The baby was clean, fresh smelling and distinctly unimpressed when the nanny passed him to me to be weighed and fed.

New admissions arrive in the high care room regularly and it is always special to give them that first bath, and that first bottle of warm milk.

Our new boy, though, spat the teat out. 'He doesn't know how to suck', one of the nannies observed. No-one was surprised. When Mothers die or abandon their infants in this country, their families are rarely able to afford bottles or formula. They feed the babies whatever they have in the house; usually broth or porridge. With this in mind, we offered our new little friend some milky cereal, which he ate with great enthusiasm. It is possible that he had been spoon fed all his life.

It took several weeks and a lot of patience to get him to accept liquids, even from a spoon. Initially, we gave him milky cereal and gradually made it thinner and thinner as the days passed. Although the baby is able to drink from a bottle now, he still prefers to eat.  But you see, the little man in question is blessed with many beguiling ways, and so this intensive work was no burden at all. From the very first day, when those liquid eyes fixed on me, and those tiny arms reached up, I knew I would do anything for him.

And when I lifted him up, and pinched his cheeks (I couldn't help it, and of course, that's not my fault) he squealed with delight and threw his arm up over my shoulder. I knew then that I would do anything for him a thousand times over. Then, when he fell asleep with his head on my chest, breathing softly on my neck...

...Oh my goodness, I thought, I am in love!

And I absolutely maintain that it is his fault, not mine.

Two Suggestions...

1) Read the book “Mountains Beyond Mountains”

2) Watch the PBS Video: Dr. Jim Yong Kim - Partners in Health (Bill Moyers interview) - http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/09112009/watch2.html

I think I could sit and chat with Dr. Kim for hours…

Chancelet August Update!

Look what just came in! I love the backdrop for this month… I am smiling… big smiles.

----------------------------------------------------------

August greetings from Haiti, Joe and Jill!

Here at the main house, one of the volunteers’ and children’s favorite activities is bathing in the tubs and pools on the balcony. This is an especially fun activity during the hot summer months, and most of your children love being in the water. In honor of this pastime, this month’s photo theme was “Bathtime Babies”!

Chancelet is a little darling with such a great personality. As he is getting older, his personality is coming out more and more, and he just has such a cute one.

• Weight: 16 lbs 10 oz
• Height: 27.5 inches (70 cm)
• Adoption status: Courts

I hope that August has been a time of blessing for you and your family! In many ways, August has been very calm for us here at GLA, and that is truly a blessing. This is especially true since Dixie has been in the United States for fundraising; we are always thankful when things go smoothly in her absence. Another blessing of “calm” is the lack of any hurricanes or tropical storms yet this year. We have received only the cooling rains, none of the destructive winds and flooding.

We have certainly been busy this past month, with many volunteers and a team coming to work at GLA. This has meant lots of love and attention for all of your children, both at the main and toddler houses. For most of the month, every child in the main house had a volunteer working with him or her every day. The older children at the toddler house participated in a vacation Bible school (VBS) with the visiting team. The extra activities were fun for them, especially as August is their “summer vacation” from school. The kids have enjoyed the extra play time, but now that the month is almost over, they are ready to get back to school in a few days!

There is a time for everything,

And a season for every activity under heaven.

~ Ecclesiastes 3:1

Bittersweet

It’s been a roller coaster of emotion this weekend.

The complete sky-scraping emotion of moving out of Parquet… to one feeling discouraged and a bit like I should just keep my mouth shut. I have so often been that person associated with the “green monster.”** The one who is genuinely so happy (and I truly mean that) to see other files move along, but then have my alter-ego rear its ugly head and wonder why on earth we are “stuck” in a stage… or had to endure infertility hardships.

The thing is… I want people to be honest. Because that gives me the freedom to be honest back… And the people going through this Haiti adoption process have all experienced both the good feelings and the bad feelings. This process has no logic associated with it – and that is why all of us (including GLA) are often times at a loss for explanations and words. There is no FIFO (first in, first out) method used here… it’s more like “the top of the pile” method… So… if I were at the bottom of the pile, I would be angry, frustrated and wondering what I should be doing differently.

But for some reason, it seems that our file ended up in a stack that someone probably looked at and said: “I need to make some room on my desk, so I will get these files moved out.”

BUT…

I also don’t want to discount miracles and God; his hand in this… But if I do acknowledge this, then how come friends haven’t had their files move? See… I can’t go here because I don’t understand it…

AND…

At the same time, I have been on my knees so thankful for movement. I pray each day for friends… I am not in this process alone – all of us are enduring this same pain and frustration. I don’t want to be selfish and let that green monster have any influence on me.

I miss my son. I love that kid so much. Until I met him, I hadn’t experienced being a “mom.” I got a small taste and I want it back. I think we have a lot to give to SC and I would rather spend that energy on him vs. on myself…

At any rate… I decided to make SC a new book for Christmas. I decided to blow up this photo in a 5x7. I am hoping he can have some moments of “recognition” when he finally comes home. The rabbit was given to him by my mom… and the picture is hanging in his room (which is completely empty at the moment – that’s a story for another day…)

** The "green monster" is a borrowed term from a friend's blog. :-) I don't take credit for the evil monster, though I do have my own! :-)

Into Courts: I am at a loss for words...

All day today I had been a bit "down" regarding the "no monthly picture update" yet, and also just trying to determine if our judge visit actually qualified for the new requirement.

Our Portland rep is on vacation as well, so I was feeling frustrated as I hadn't heard from the Seattle coverage.

So... I was absolutely shocked/stunned when the following email came in:

Dear Jill and Joe: Great News! Michigan
just talked with Dixie and you have been approved in
Parquet!

To be honest, I thought it was a "re-quote" that we we in Parquet. I thought to myself: "I know... Stephanie had shared this super news with us 5 weeks ago when we were in Haiti."

And then I re-read it... and then... I started crying, wondering if I had read that right? I tried to call Joe at work, my mom at work, my dad at home, my friend at yoga... It was like I was alone in the world! So I got down on my knees and prayed - thanked God because I knew this one wasn't supposed to happen like this...

Then I emailed some friends... and thought about my friends in IBESR and Parquet. It was a catch-22 on how to feel. I want everyone to MOVE forward... I want everyone to be a part of this "success" week. So many good things have transpired this week; I honestly had NOT ONE thought that we would be participants in good news. No expectation of that.

• I honestly am stunned.
• Down on my knees to God, knowing that this is HIS miracle
• I am thankful for adoption friends who are excited for me, but who can also be honest and share the pain of not moving through *yet*
• Thankful for those family member and friends who are praying specifically for this process and that we can bring SC home.

I had been spending way too long on a video/song compilation (in my sadness, thinking of Samuel)... but it has turned into one of joy. It's a video I will never forget: 9/4/2009

TURN THE SOUND UP. :-)

Plagiarizing with Pride (twice!)

Maybe it has been a long week. Maybe I am out of meaningful words. Maybe it’s that I realize I can’t say it any better than those who have written before me. Whatever the reason, I thought I would “borrow” these thoughts from a comrade because they resonate with me & are relevant (I will ask her for forgiveness later…)

I have thrown around the word “attachment” here and there on this blog. I will be explaining more as the months go on…and on..and on..

To many we have said, “When our child comes home, we won’t be out and about meeting everyone right away. We will need to develop a bond at home and keep him close to us.” Etc…. Etc…. Most people just nod and listen. Some ask questions, etc… Some don’t say much. One friend told me that some people might be “put off” by those comments and others will be OK.

I will continue to write about attachment here. But for now, I direct you to Laurie’s blog. This is her update. It gives some insight into the whole attachment issue… at least for me. As Laurie points out…the children have many volunteers in their lives…. And, things aren’t just “perfect” when they arrive home. The post is called “Real”

http://thewatsonunit.blogspot.com/2009/08/real.html

The Painting

We received the Haitian painting of Samuel Chancelet in the mail (this was a fundraiser for the orphanage - great idea!) So, here is a picture of the painting (we had just opened up the package!) as well as the actual photo it was based off of.

While in Haiti for our I-600 paperwork, Joe also found some smaller B&W paintings, so we had those shipped back at the same time. I just love Haitian artwork: stunning, beautiful.

God Knows What Is Yet To Come...

We had a really good church service today; one I needed. Our pastor spoke about discouragement (Psalm 42) and it was about those times when you need to provide your own strength (like oh, say …maybe working your way through the day-to-day Haiti adoption process?!) He said that sometimes you have to encourage yourself through life, and rather than being miserable or waiting for someone else to encourage you - you have to rely on your faith/beliefs and work your way through. God knows what is yet to come, we need to remember that.

1. Say to yourself: It okay to ask yourself how come you feel the way you do – working through those questions is a good thing. It is okay go through “seasons of dryness” where there are no answers. These are the times to put your hope in God and talk yourself through. We tend to want a reason for everything; to blame, to hold someone accountable… when sometimes there really are no reasons.
2. Sing to yourself: Singing shifts focus off of oneself. Psalms is the raw expression being poured out to God. Be alone, sing – it takes faith for most of us.
3. Preach to yourself: Get in the Bible. See what God has to say to you. Scripture sustains hope, gives perspective.

I needed to hear this, as I have been feeling to be in my own dry spell lately... Frustrated, sad and not always feeling like God is hearing me. But I realized today that He is. And the fact that I am talking with Him is good. He does hear... and I believe that.

We also had the awesome pleasure of having Warren Barfield sing to us (one of his tracks is in the Fireproof movie.) It was a really good message for us. Sometimes life isn’t so easy for couples working through infertility/the Haiti adoption process, etc… I am so thankful for Joe.

He said he originally wrote this to his wife (not for the movie)...

Love Is Not A Fight

Capturing Memories...

Today is one of those days...

Scrapbooking is therapeutic for me, and I love re-living the moments.

Almost Back to Reality...

Our road trip across the US, has been a wonderful distraction from thinking about Samuel Chancelet and getting down about the process. Don't get me wrong, we have thought about him OFTEN and pray every night for his safety and for the Haiti process to start moving... BUT, we have been able to get out and just enjoy new things and spending time together.

We had a GREAT trip and other than 1 blow-up at Mt. Rushmore, we got along great! :-)

But we miss SC... so very much. It was so nice to meet Kent and Cathleen in Ann Arbor and just have time to chat about adoption and share feelings/thoughts. We talked and talked, knowing we had just been through the same experience in Haiti...

I miss my son. I hate not being with him right now. I look at pictures of his little hands and feet and I just want him next to me. I want to hug and cuddle him... I want to treasure him.

Heading East...

Follow us as we make our way across the USA!

http://wilkinstravels.blogspot.com/

Missed

 

To Those Wondering Why This Process Is So Long

This should help shed some light on the Haiti adoption “process” issues:

http://achildsvoiceinternational.blogspot.com/2009/08/updates.html

No Explanatory Words Needed Here...

Might Take A Moment To Load (click on the picture.)

Feeling Good

I am feeling excited:

• for a friend who is leaving for Haiti on Monday! I am giggling inside for them, as they head to Haiti for the I-600 paperwork. Nothing will ever replace the memory that is about to be made in meeting their son. Joe and I are "praying them through" this trip!
• to have my husband back at home TONIGHT! No more lonely nights, wallowing in self-pity… I get my best friend back! J
• because I had forgotten all about Samuel Chancelet’s Haitian portrait! I saw it while in Haiti and it’s pretty special! I can’t wait for it to arrive here in the mail!

Thanks to everyone who has sent emails and/or posted comments of encouragement & well-wishes… Knowing you are out there means the world to me!

Hope Now...

Today's Thoughts

It has been a rough day at work (make that a rough week…) I am tired, exhausted and not feeling like the woman I am meant to be... Sometimes I feel like I am playing a part in a play; acting a part - because it’s clearly “not me” making those decisions or thriving in that nasty environment. I will never be able to reconcile wanting to be who I am (or desire to be) as a woman… and the role I am expected to play in my work-world.

Today it seems that some friends have it so much harder than I do, which put things back into perspective for me… This adoption process is testing me to the core (which would be plenty enough for anyone to deal with) but I also have some “not-so-easy” stuff going on at work. However, I realized that these things don’t compare with some issues other adoptive parents are being faced with this week. So, I need to step back from my own problems and “up-level” my frustrations.

Thoughts:

• I think people going through Haitian adoption have to be incredibility strong people (not sure if I consider myself in this category yet, but know that I will be there by the time this is all said & done; there is no other option if you want your child to come home.)
• I wonder why we are tested in this way; seems as though most of us have been through some significant life dramas/traumas already (did we need more?)
• Hanging on too tight. I am finding that I wish I could go to my life “pre-Samuel Chancelet” – to go back to that point in time when I didn’t know him, and didn’t know what I was missing. A friend pointed out to me that was impossible at this point… She is right.
• I have been trying to be alone with God and just talk… asking Him to either a) speed up the process for all of us, or b) give me strength and patience to get through the next steps. I just want Him to know I will do what He asks of me… I just need help one way or the other.
• The hardest part, I think... I can't control any of what happens from this point on. I have done all that I can...
• I am tired of complaining and thinking about this stuff… I have so much other stuff to deal with in life (who doesn’t…)
• I miss my son.

Enough for now.

I will leave you with an oldie, but goody… thanks to Cathleen for sending it to me, right when I needed it.

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will; That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him Forever in the next.

Amen.

July Update - Just Arrived!

This month it seemed appropriate to have a bug theme for your children’s photos. We certainly have our fair share of bugs in Haiti, and many of your children are fascinated by the bugs they see. The older kids, especially, enjoy capturing and/or observing whatever bugs they may find.

This is also a good reminder:

The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. ~Psalm 24:1

As you know, your boy is doing very well. Enjoy this month’s photos.

• Weight: 16 lbs
• Height: 27.5 inches (70 cm)
• Adoption status: Parquet

Mail!

The mail came today and look what showed up?! My "assortment" of wallets!

I have no idea why I ordered so many… but it’s better than not enough, right? J

Bits and Pieces

The roads, crazy driving, first meeting, balcony play, toddler house and Fort Jacques... Snippets of it all.

Enjoy... the music and footage.

Haiti Video Snippets!

Turn the sound up! :-)

I did some very "unprofessional" editing of 2 videos, so that you could share some of our memories with us:

1) Our first meeting with Samuel Chancelet
2) Video of Port au Prince (when we first arrived)

Enjoy the amateur work! :-)

First Meeting Video



Port au Prince Video

GLA Adoptive Parents... Please Read

To all of our fellow GLA adoptive parents out there, please read Dixie’s latest adoption update: http://www.glahaiti.org/adoption_news

Let’s get moving on letters and pictures!

Reflection on Haiti

I think everyone should take a trip like this… You always hear these are “life changing experiences.” I have been to some rough places in Mexico & Brazil, but wasn’t as involved with the people as I was in Haiti (even in the short time I was there.) I am sure Joe will come back with so much more…

Some key learnings/thoughts from me:

• We are wasteful in the USA… I knew this, but it was just another reminder for me to not take things for granted.
• Mosquito’s don’t like me (I must have bad blood) – fine by me!
• I loved being around the people at GLA and the volunteers... being around other people who love God and have big, big hearts makes me a better person.
• I need to appreciate my hot showers whenever I take them…
• I didn’t get sick (knock on wood) though many others in the guest house did… I was taking chewable Pepto-Bismol 2 times a day, the whole time I was there, so maybe that helped? As one GLA parent stated: “not sure what bacteria can live in the pink stuff!” J
• I have made some good friends (other parents) through this whole process... that is an element I wasn't expecting when we started down this adoption path.
• Simplify: why do we need so much stuff? Why can’t we use items up until they break, before getting new things?
• I want to learn French and/or Creole… and I want SC to learn it too, so he can go back/give back to Haiti and know the language if he chooses.
• Go back to Haiti – volunteer in some capacity from here on out. I don’t have to move there to have an impact, I can help from where I am in Portland. I am always searching for that “life defining” choice… but I realize sometimes I can help more from the position I am in here. So that means give: financially, in prayer, volunteering, etc…
• I hate taking baths with wet wipes… Truth be told: I am not a “girly-girl,” I just wanted our “first” pictures to come out good and I felt greasy & ugly! :-)
• Prayer matters - and we are blessed to have family & friends surrounding us with prayer through this adoption. Thanks to each of you!
• I am now addicted to hand-sanitizer!
• I realized I didn’t care that Samuel had the sniffles, coughs and crud – I still kissed, touched and loved him! Does that make me a real mom?
• I have never experienced roads like those in the mountains of Haiti… there are no words to describe those trips!
• Haitian art is beautiful; I wanted to buy it all! Okay, maybe not the abstract naked pictures, but most everything else! J
• Fort Jacques is beautiful & quiet. We all need to figure out how to raise money to help enable Dixie to start building up there; the kids need to be raised there.
• Joe and I did well together as parents; we made a good team. So it was good to get a taste of that (some sort of reassurance there.) J
• I love my son… He is ours and we felt it that first moment we held him. He is a good kid and I can’t wait to watch him grow up.

Video Snippets!

The Toddler House (precious!)

Fun in the Swing!

Giggles with Dad!

Pictures of GLA/Haiti

Catching Up A Bit...

Here are a few additional pictures from my mega file of Samuel Chancelet photos... there are a lot of them from this trip! :-) Thought I would share a few more.

GLA is a good place for these kids in Haiti... The staff are so dedicated and they are truly in this for the right reasons. It was good to witness this in person, and we both feel really blessed to have had that opportunity. We were with some wonderful volunteers, which made it that much better as well.

But... I want this little guy home and I pray for each of us going through this process that Haiti starts to open up and move things along...

Joe will be doing a combination of volunteer activities: working on English with an older girl in the toddler house, working up at Fort Jaques and probably some painting. They definitely have plans for him! :-) I will keep you posted as I hear from him...

Love to all,

Jill

At the Airport

James just drove Joe and I to the airport, and it was wonderful as Joe was able to go part of the way into the terminal with me... We had some escorts who whisked us through the first checkpoint, so that was nice!

I am now waiting at the gate, feeling rather alone without "my family.". And it was hard as it is Joe's b-day. :-(

We said our good-byes to the family volunteers (Dan, Cindy, Todd and Margie.) Then Joyce was so nice as she came to the guest house at 7:45 this morning to get us so that we could have an hour to spend with SC before we had to leave. It was special time as it was just the 3 of us on the balcony (others were at Bible study.) We snuggled, played, video-taped and snapped pics... (I won't be able to get those posted until Joe returns, as he kept the camera.)

So, here I sit... What a wonderful few days here in Haiti... It's so hard to leave but I can feel your prayers lifting me up - thank you so much!

Exhausting, emotional, wonderful and overwhelming...

Prayer Matters! Out of IBESR

I am overwhelmed with joy... These past couple of days have been right up there at the top of the list for "best life moments." And they just got better!

We were sitting on the sofa with Samuel Chancelet, visiting with some volunteers... when Stephanie walked up behind us and looked at Joe and I and said: "I have some good news for you two." She said she had just received 2 files in today, and one of them was ours; she then said:

"YOU ARE OUT OF IBESR"

I about had a heart attack... I jumped up and hugged her! Wow... I was estimating Oct/Nov time frame (as I am trying to be a pessimist.) We were in exactly 3 months!!! So it's now on to Parquet!

Thank you for your prayers... thank you so much.

Trip To Kenscoff

Here are a few more from the trip up to Kenscoff this afternoon. I can now understand better why this process is slow and not a priority. The picture of me and Samuel is at the judges house. He showed up, but then had to leave for the police station, so we sat in a room in his house with the "other judge" who took some pictures, and had us sign a blank piece of paper, with no other details around it?! Hmm... No idea how all of these steps/actions actually connect from one to the next, but as long as Haiti knows what they are doing, then we will trust in that!

It did feel strange though - just driving a baby to a house in the mountains, walking into a room with a desk, some un-organized papers and a manual type-writer. Oh and a motorcycle with auto parts... :-)

Afternoon Internet

The internet is sketchy at best, so I haven't been able to use it to send pictures... I will give this a try now that is seems to be up and running.

We have done so much in the time we have been here - it's amazing to think tomorrow is Friday and I have to leave (my heart is breaking right now...) But I am trying to focus on the positive and enjoy my time with Samuel as much as possible today.

We had lunch after we returned from the judges house and have been hanging out with the little guy since... He is such a good baby and we have been on some tough journey's to test that!

I am posting some shots of some children for my friends out there! Cathleen, I am on a hunt for Anri!!! He hasn't been on the balcony with us yet...

Love to all for your prayers and well-wishes. We are so thankful for each of you!

Looking thru the Book!

Another Roadtrip

We are headed into Kenscoff to see a judge. This judge has decided he wants to see the family with their baby, confirming they want it. The law doesn't necessarily require this, so Dixie is frustrated. But thought we may as well visit him while we are here. Fine by us, as Samuel gets to come with.

Heidi, I found Trey Amos and snapped a pic, Jaime I found one of the twins... Will work on some more this afternoon! :-).

More later after this crazy trip...! James is a good driver, but wild! :-). Samuel Chancelet just closed his eyes, so I guess he isn't bothered!