5th grade conferences...success stories abound!

Any parent can relate...to hear a teacher express her love for your child...and to have her see the very strengths you see...it tickles us pink! Pierre's teacher shared that she has never seen a child work so hard, so willingly, and so gratefully. He brightens each persons' day who works with him, with his bright smile and genuine kindness and interest in others. We give all credit to his birthparents because Pierre arrived in South Dakota that way! He is volunteering to read, even in science...even when his skills are two grade levels below in reading. He asks for grade level work to bring home to try. He is willing to stay in from other activities to do his neatest work. Still, when he arrives home at the end of the day, he is energetic and happy. Where does that kind of spirit come from?! We are so thankful and so proud of him.


Ange-Laurette's teacher pointed out that he just does not see any difference between her and other students as he goes throughout his day. She follows directions, raises her hand to volunteer answers, completes assignments as asked, and joins in group activities with excitement. Although she does struggle with some comprehension and vocabulary still, the teachers don't notice until she asks for help...which we are working on. She just so much wants to fit in and be like everyone else. And she is doing a good job! Her confidence is growing, and we almost have her convinced of her beauty. :) Endless compliments on that hair have helped. Soon, we will have to post the amazing and touching story of my brother-in-law's trip to Port-au-Prince. It was the missing piece to Ange-Laurette's past!

For now, we just wanted to make sure we didn't hit the 2-month mark for "no posts." Life has been busy, but (even more so) "fulfilling and intentional" lately. We are again finding how to reprioritize each hour and live more carefully and purposefully as a family and as individuals. A huge feat in this fast-paced, media world!

Someone thought the same thing!

Rather than finding the music to add the song I was talking about in the previous entry, I found this video of a church mission trip to Haiti in 2010. They understood the "Greater Things." There are so many of you out there with hearts to serve. Let this inspire!

Greater Things

I was touched in church on Sunday by the praise song "God of This City." We sang the words as we watched the screen filled with photos from needy places from all over the world. I have been repeating the words in my head a hundred times since:

Greater things have yet to come. Greater things have still to be done here.

I don't want this adoption story to define us. I don't want this to be the end of our story. I don't want what started out to be a "life mission" to leave us too busy and preoccupied to see beyond ourselves. Taking "time out" for the past 18 months was ok and understandable. Our family needed to be careful with our time and energy to adjust as a new family.

But now, we need to turn back to where we started. We need to be a family who serves and sees beyond our own circumstances. We know the joy and peace that comes! As we kick off our new church school year with small group studies on Prayer, that will be our overarching prayer: that Bruce and I can be examples for our kids by having a renewed focus on WHY we were placed here...in this place and time...and with the specific people we come into contact with.

The adoption of Pierre and Ange-Laurette was simply ONE of his many callings for us. We are confident that it is not our only calling...or our last calling! It was a BIG one, yes. It stretched us (and continues to challenge us) like we never imagined. But it would be a shame to think that we could now "coast."


During that song in church last week, I could hear Pierre singing his heart out. He can now read most of the words, which is a treat for him. When we were praying and the pastor asked us to think of various things to bring before God, I also could hear Pierre. His loud whispers went on and on, as he laid his head on his hands on the chair in front of him. I can guess what he was praying...the same thing he prays each night: that there would be food on every table, that help would come to those in need, that everyone would know that God is there and watching out for them, and that we would always remember to read the Bible to know what God has to say. That boy's testimony will be priceless!

A great start to 5th grade for both

The $1 section at Target had dry erase boards in their Back-to-School section, so I picked up 3. Each of the kids were using theirs to practice spelling words before bed tonight. After tucking them in, I did the usual walk through the house to pick up the miscellaneous items they forgot. This is a photo of Ange-Laurette's dry erase board, as I found it.


I also received an email from her new 5th grade teacher today: "What a lovely girl -- so enjoyable to have in our classes. She is doing remarkable in school considering the fairly short assimilation period since she joined your family."

Yesterday, I ran into Pierre's teacher at the grocery store. This is the first year they are in different classrooms, which has been a good decision that will help their individuality. Mrs. Ellis also had only good things to say about Pierre's progress and effort in school. (We had warned her that she would LOVE him!) She explained: You are right. I do really enjoy having him in class. Oh, that smile!

The fact that all three younger kids can read and write pretty independently is a treat. We were playing "Junior Loaded Questions" last night (a great game where you try to guess who wrote which response). The question came up: "What is your greatest accomplishment?" I explained that it meant something you were proud of or a big success you had. Pierre wrote "Fast ForWord" (the reading program he did each day this summer). Ange-Laurette wrote "making it out of the earthquake." If I would have been totally honest, my response should have been that my greatest accomplishment was "trusting God enough to obey his call to adopt these precious human beings!!"

Good sports at State Softball

The kids are always easily entertained, even on hot weekends of softball out-of-town. We compromise on an amount each can spend on concessions, with them bringing their own allowance to spend for extras. Usually that just means more freezies to keep cool in the 100 degree heat. At the State Softball tournament in Huron, SD, we took a photo by the world's largest pheasant! Now, that is not something you'll see in just any adoption blog! HA!!


Anytime we travel somewhere new, we catch new glances and always more compliments on Ange-Laurette's hair. It is truly gorgeous and hard to resist touching. What used to bother her is actually helping with her self-esteem now. I see her beam each time a teenage girl asks about her hair and says, "I wish I could have my hair like that!" Some adoptive parents dislike the pointed questions from others. We have decided, with the kids in agreement, that it is always an open door to share what God has done. Even for less tactful strangers! We just find a way to share a snipit of our story in a way that might leave them curious or hopeful about God's role in their own life. No, we don't share details that would make the kids uncomfortable. We just twist the question to share what they LIKE to share. :)

So when the librarian frowns and rudely says, "Surely they don't have parents in Haiti still living!" (Seriously, people do say these things in front of the kids!) We answer with a smile, "Oh you wouldn't believe what a great story this is. Their birth parents prayed for a family like ours for them...and then he laid that on OUR hearts...and here we are!" We knew how conspicuous we would always be. God knew that also. To pass up opportunities to share this miracle? No way! :)

So, here's our crazy crew! Nate helped in the dugout in his "mascot" blue wig...obviously HE doesn't mind standing out. Ange-Laurette kept me company in the stands and ran trips to/from the food stands. Pierre usually played DS in the shade. We'll always have good memories of those summer days, watching Bailey endure the heat and stress while pitching inning after inning to win State for Zimmels/Lady Blue. Great days!

Simply HUGE!

I'm finding myself not as frustrated with the little I have accomplished this summer...because the progress of the kids the past two months has been astounding. June left us so scared about the road ahead with Ange-Laurette's "closed heart." We knew we were nearing those preteen years and wanted desperately to connect before then. What has happened since then brings a smile to Bruce and me everytime I get to retell a new story from the day.

There was a situation the other day where Ange-Laurette simply disregarded my suggestions at a social event and chose to be aloof and impolite instead. After me sharing my disappointment and reasons for my earlier requests, I noticed she was wiping her eyes and sniffling. We found a quiet place to talk. I asked if she was sad or mad. She answered genuinely, "I don't know." This had happened before, where she truly did not know why her eyes were watering and could not name the emotion. I gave her choices: Are you mad that I have too high of expectations? Are you sad that I was disappointed? Are you frustrated that it seems like you cannot please us? She thought for a long time and answered, "I think I am sad that you are not happy with me."


This may seem like a small thing to many parents, but HUGE for us here. I hugged her tight and did a happy dance! She smiled as I explained that this meant that her heart was really opening up some. She was beginning to see how her behaviors and attitude affected others...and more importantly, was CARING about those feelings of others.

Later yesterday in the car, Pierre said (pretty out of the blue), "When I have a wife someday, I want us to be just like you and Dad: working hard, kind, and doing fun stuff with my kids." Ange-Laurette piped in, "I want me and my (what do you call it...) husband to be like you and Dad, too." I smiled and said, "Really? Are you sure? Sometimes I am pretty strict? :) " She said, "But ya gotta be like that." Again...HUGE!

Finally, I was leaving for a hair appointment, and she called out, "Mom? Have fun at your appointment! And say hi to Carol for me." THIS was brand-new! What I had hoped she would grow to feel and learn by adolescence was happening in just one month. My cup runneth over!

Anthony Bourdain - No Reservations - Haiti 1:3

My friend (and new adoptive mom of Pierre's cousins) posted this you tube post on her blog. Wonderful summary of the life, food and people of Haiti! There are two other episodes you can watch once you get to this site. We look forward to watching them with the kids, to hear their take on what is shared. Just don't read the comments by naive posters, that are even more sad than many sites of Port-au-Prince.

Ah, that American food!

Yesterday I had made Pierre a bologna and cheese sandwich for his sacklunch at Bible school. Due to the heat, I picked them up early to eat their lunches at home. He was picking at his sandwich and looked queasy in his chair. Unless Pierre is getting one of his migraines, we never see him NOT dive in to his meals. I said, "What is the matter? Do you not like bologna and cheese?" He said, "Oh Mom. It is terrible. I'm sorry but I just hate it." Ange-Laurette does the same with any cold and mushy types of foods: applesauce, pudding, cantaloupe, canned pears. So we talked about which foods they really do and do not like here. Jokingly, I said, "I could make you some of that dish you were eating when we first met you? The corn mash one with black gravy on top?" They both gagged and laughed..."We all hated that! We liked the rice, but no one liked THAT stuff!" Ange-Laurette added, "I am a little too American for that, Mom!"

So, I have prepared their favorite Chicken Creole. Their special meal favorites in Haiti are still their favorites in a similar recipe here: any kind of grilled or baked chicken, spicy pastas, any rice blends, and cheesy potatoes ("graten"). If we could find someone to fish more often with Pierre, that might be his real love. He made his own fishing pole and line out camping with his grandparents recently. But the all time daily treat, each night at bedtime, is still ice cream! They love that their big sister has her first job at our local Zesto ice cream shop.

An article we found from 18 months ago ~

KDLT.com South Dakota News - Haiti Orphans
Last night we spent some time catching up on friends' blogs about adoptions. We found this news report from our kids' homecoming...yet another one we had never seen or been contacted about...with plenty of typos and half-info to boot :) THEN, we read about our adoption coordinator's last trip to Haiti. As she talked about the plight of families there, it was clear that the earthquake may as well have just occurred last week for some of them. Even worse, they are starting to bulldoze some of the tent cities, leaving many families with absolutely no where to go.

It was so good for us to be reminded of all of this. We need to never forget WHY our kids' birthmothers made the choices they did and why WE have been called to parent them. We also don't want our friends and families (and blog readers) to forget. The tireless workers like Diana, Ali and Jamie, and so many others need our continued prayers as they struggle to find safe, loving, nurturing families for the kids in Haiti. Yes, their goal is always to keep them with their families in Haiti. But when those families have no way to provide life's basic necessities to their children, and they beg for a new family for their children...then we pray for God to help cut the red tape and connect the people he has called to complete the circle.

His Grace is sufficient!

Early this summer, we became aware of (or finally admitted) the lack of emotion Ange-Laurette was experiencing, both in expressing her own emotions and recognizing those in others. For so long, we assumed it was simply her personality. After Bruce shared his concerns with me regarding her lack of interest in others and her dislike of answering others' questions, we sat down to talk with her.

In a heartbreaking conversation I will never forget, she was unable to name people she truly "loved" except possibly her birthmother. I said, "Yes, Suzette, your birthmother. Why do you love her?" She said, "because she loves ME?" I asked how she knew that. Ange-Laurete said, "Because she came to check on me after the earthquake." I asked what else made her know her birthmother loved her. She said, "She said so." I asked Ange to remember how her birthmom hugged her, how many times she kissed her, and how her eyes looked when she said goodbye. Ange-Laurette recalled that her birthmom squeezed so hard she could hardly breathe. She kissed her many times, and her eyes were full of tears. I said, "You are right. THAT is what love looks like. Do you see that?" She shrugged and looked only half-convinced.

Over the past month, we have talked about what love looks and feels like, as well as what other emotions such as disappointment/grief/anger look and feel like. Bruce and I were pretty upset. We had had been boasting about her resiliency and strength all this time. Yes, she does possess those. But, the truth was that we had a little girl who had completely closed off her emotions altogether to survive the past 6 years of life experiences. It is not that she didn't like us or appreciate us or love being here in our family. She just was not allowing herself to "feel" the wide range of emotions to the core.

I prayed that god would give me the opportunity and the words to break through. On a long car ride mid-June, just Ange-Laurette and myself, God gave me the words out of nowhere! Seriously, I was speaking and just smiling to myself thinking, "This is good!" :) I asked her to listen carefully and think about this. I said that when she was 4 and witnessed her dad's death, lost her home in a hurricane, spent months searching for a new home, watched her mother place her baby sister in an orphanage, and then decided to choose adoption for her as well....her mother was likely unable to take care of Ange-Laurette's grief and fears. Ange-Laurette, out of survival, had to close up her heart. I cupped my hands together to show her how her heart locked up all her emotions inside...like the plastic heart at Valentines that held candy inside. I explained that, by doing that, she kept herself from feeling sad, scared, disappointed, or anything that might hurt. At the same time, she could not feel others' love or even daily joys anymore. I explained that she was the only one who held the key to opening her heart again. I told her I would be here for her each day as she slowly opened it, like a flower in spring. The problem was that as she started to feel love and to love others again, she might also feel sadness or anger about things from the past too.

As I looked in the rearview mirror, I saw her cup her hands together just like mine. She watched me intently, like she rarely had before. I asked if she understood. She nodded but then plugged in her Mp3 player again. I was not sure how much she had heard. Later that night, as Bruce and I tucked her into bed, I asked her to tell Bruce what she remembered about our conversation in the car.

She demonstrated how her heart had gotten locked up and said that she was the only one with a key. She said, "When I saw my dad killed and no one could make me feel better, I closed my heart so I wouldn't feel anything. Now I need to open it up a little bit like a flower." I asked her what might happen then. She said, "I can start to feel that you love me, but I might get sad again, too." WOW! We could not believe it. She had listened and had heard it. We practiced a "tight" squeeze hug, and tucked her in...for a new day ahead.


Since that night, so many moments have shown her growing ability to feel. She is using feeling words. We are able to talk about how being held as an infant and being changed when wet etc teach kids early on to trust others. She knows that her parents did everything they could, but she also knows that it is impossible to meet your baby's most basic needs in Haiti. Now, we are focusing our efforts on bonding with her and building that trust, rather than assuming it will grow naturally. When she says, "I can't" or shows low self esteem, we can name it and help her with positive self statements: "I'm learning more everyday. I am amazing!"

At first we felt guilty for not recognizing this earlier. Then we felt angry for not being more educated on the very real possibility of these minor attachment issues. Next, we were overwhelmed at the mountain ahead of us. But, with that one REAL conversation in the car and many more in the weeks since, we are so encouraged! Getting it out in the open and admitting no one was to blame...it was huge!! She doesn't have to feel like we dislike her insensitive personality...we don't have to wonder what we are doing wrong. It is a very understandable and common result from not having basic needs met early on...and from experiencing multiple traumas in childhood.

Our compassion for her, and Pierre as well, has grown exponentially. For the first 18 months, we were in survival mode. Our energies were on the adjustment, the language, the rules, the schooling, and just the day-to-day activities. Now, we know to stop, to sit together, to talk about their past, and to dream of future days together as a family. We are ready to see all of this from a God's eye perspective again...like we were able to do in the beginning. Bruce turned to this passage this morning:

2 Cor. 12: 9-10 "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecution, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."


If the kids' adjustment had been totally smooth, we would not have found ourselves on our knees asking for God's strength. If we had not taken on this calling, we would not have so many stories of his "grace." Without the hardships and difficulties, our faith would be weak...because we would have no idea how perfect God is in keeping his Word!! So, I am "boasting of our weaknesses" and knowing his grace will be sufficient. Amen!

Summer fun!

A new, fun swimsuit is worth it for this "fish"!














An end-of-season soccer party that ended up being more football, swimming, and beanbag than soccer!



They found out that you don't really make a lot of money when you have 5 workers each shift of the lemonade stand!

Helpful tips on attachment issues ~

Although all of our friends and family see both kids as very well adjusted and endearing (as WE have also professed so many of the previous months), we have still had our difficulties at home with one of them. The issues are somewhat mild, but tough on the heart. As we struggle to work through attachment issues that are so common with children whose needs were not met in their early years, we found the helpful tips in the given website. Research shows that one of the most difficult issues with attachment disorders is that a family's support network does not see the same issues with the children. That, in itself, is part of the disorder. The child attaches more easily to others than the parents. Then, at home, they lie and manipulate and lack affection for their new parents. They have very low self-esteem and rely heavily on help from other adults, pretending to not know answers, etc.

So, in keeping with our vow to share openly with readers, we admit this struggle. We want to offer an honest reflection on this adoption experience. Soooo many more pros than cons...but hurdles around every corner, even 18 months after their arrival "home."

Read this article for some great tips on parenting your own child with attachment issues: http://www.attachmentdisordermaryland.com/parenting.htm

Encouragement as summer begins ~

Before I tackled the craziness of a new summer routine, I opened the Bible for some encouragement. As always, God spoke exactly what I needed to hear, through the words of Timothy:

1 Timothy 1:12 "I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service."

This passage reminded me two things. First...whenever people say to me, "How do you do it?!" or when they praise Bruce and me for what we've done through adoption, I need to take the opportunity to tell them that it has only been by God's strength. There is no other human explanation, because this has required EVERYthing Bruce and I were lacking: 1) patience, 2) the ability to put God in the driver's seat, and 3) total trust in God for direction.

Secondly, this passage reminded me that God called me to this mission because he "considered me faithful." He knew it would force me to rely even more on him. He also knew it would further his kingdom in so many behind-the-scenes ways. When I share this adoption story, I can literally see people's minds clicking and hearts stirring. It is as if their spirits were starting to whisper, "I want to do something big. What can I do? Where would I get that strength?" THAT is where the Holy Spirit begins to do its work.

So, at the beginning of what is sure to be a busy (and sometimes stressful) summer ~ I still thank God for his trust in me...for these 4 precious souls that he entrusted me with. I know he waits for me each day to turn to him for strength. May he tug at me each morning to seek peace of mind through reading the Bible. Only with his help will I be able to do him even a bit of justice on this Earth.

I concluded my short devotion for the day, reading two verses farther:

1 Timothy 1:14 "The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus."

Sooooo, I should be able to do this...right?! :)

Mother's Day surprise EARLY!

The kids are beaming in their beds right now. We had been reading a book I give moms of graduating seniors. It talks about all the "lasts" we forget to treasure as our little ones grow up: the last time they asked to be held, their last mid-day nap, their last soccer goal, etc. I was sharing with Pierre and Ange-Laurette how much I would have loved to see them crawl to me...or to hold them for hours as they ate as a newborn...or to see them learn to walk! I said that their own birthmothers did such a wonderful job with them, we can tell!

We talked about how to honor Pierre and Ange-Laurette's birthmothers again this Mother's Day. Last year, we had written notes to put in helium balloons. Then after praying praise to God for the whole adoption process and the gift these two women gave to our familiy, we released the balloons on Mother's Day. They really want to do that again this year.

We decided that, even though we didn't have any good way to communicate with their families in Haiti, we should try to call. Both kids have lost all of their Creole for now. They cannot remember any key phrases, and they for sure do not understand native speakers...at their speed and accent. Ange-Laurette has only had the one call last spring with her birthmother. The conversation was short, and Ange-Laurette has not wanted to call again since. Tonight, we didn't give her a choice...and we are SO glad!

I dialed the cell phone number I had for her birthmother. The minute she heard Ange-Laurette say her name, she squealed with delight. She kept repeating her name and asking if she was ok. They were only able to exchange the few basics that Bruce and I learned for our trip to Haiti: "How are you? I miss you. I love you. I am very fine." Then, I tried to thank her again and tell her how much we love Ange-Laurette...how beautiful she is. Her birthmother said that she had received the photobook we had delivered to Haiti. (Luckily that is easy enough to understand since "fotos" is "photos" :) Her voice was strong and full of joy. She had a short chuckle like Ange-Laurette has, and they did so at the same time when Ange-Laurette asked "pale angle?" (do you speak English?)...and her birthmother gave a definitive "no." After the phone call, Ange-Laurette danced throughout the house and ran to tell Pierre about it. They jumped up and down, repeating each word.

(talking with Pierre's birthmother our first visit - March 2009)

Pierre, too, was able to connect with an older brother who speaks a few things in English. His birthmother was there and talked with him briefly. She had received her photo book also and thanked us over and over. Pierre was not as frustrated this time, trying to communicate. He just said what he wanted to in English and persisted as if they understood. His eyes sparkled in a way that is hard to explain. But it was the PERFECT Mother's Day gift to me as well.

Just to know my kids know who they are. To see them feel so loved. To watch their whole bodies fill with pure joy. To see God's hand in it all....again, for this moment in time.



So many busy days I overlook the many little miracles it took for these two children to be safe and sound in their warm beds tonight. I underestimate their deep attachment to two other women a world away. I forget the importance of keeping them connected, if even for a 3 minute phonecall a few times a year. I am so grateful for the love they had for their children, and the privilege to provide them with the life they so desired for them! It's a HAPPY Mother's Day in Port-au-Prince...and here in South Dakota.

Ange-Laurette's new style!

Although Bailey and I were getting much better at braiding and beading Ange-Laurette's hair, she was excited to try something new. I had caught her several times with that disappointed look in the mirror. I had heard enough comments that she didn't like her hair or didn't think she was pretty. It is so disheartening when any mother hears her daughter say things like that...because we see them as simply so beautiful.

I'd been talking with my hairdresser and good friend about Chris Rock's documentary "Hair" that was highlighted on an Oprah episode. In it, he explains how we white gals have NO idea the amount of time, money, and effort that goes into caring for black hair. The importance of their hair to be styled nice/unique...and for others to NOT touch it...was not something I had understood. We agreed to have Ange-Laurette try extensions in her hair, so it could be styled just the way she wanted. Every girl dreams of long hair at one point in time, right?!

We chose the intricately braided strands that fall in zigzag waves, so they would hold up well and look more natural for a young girl. I was surprised at how quickly the process went. She would be able to shampoo and swim with them in, and the braids could be used more than once! After cornrowing her hair all to the back, extensions were sewn (latchhooked) in one at a time right through the cornrows. About 125 strands, folded in half...two hours...and wah lah!

A new normal ~

This entry is for all those new adoptive parents who wonder at times, like we did, if we would ever gain our bearings again! We just returned from Spring Break at a nearby waterpark (our version of Disney!), and we can say tell you, with confidence, that there will be a day!

So many evenings I have wanted to update our blog but did not have any new, exciting issue or achievement to report. THAT is progress! The kids just have this true sibling closeness. Yes, they bonded early on and have been amazing, but it is different and so much more natural now. They understand all each others' quirks, know where to take their punches :) , and yet defend each other to the end. They seem to appreciate their differences/uniqueness and are not as sensitive about "fairness" anymore. Bruce and I have found a way to spend individual time with each one. We are more intentional about our bedtime routines so we have time to really listen to them. Every single day lately, there is talk of Haiti or where they have been. The kids are more honest about the hardships and have the vocabulary to share details we had not heard before.

This weekend, our family has been asked to present at our local "Unity in Diversity" event. In preparing, we've been talking about the things we want others to learn from our experience. We also want the kids to be able to tell all about the country they know and love so much. They will teach games and songs, mixed with stories of real life in Port-au-Prince. We will explain how our eyes have been opened...and how tricky it has been to teach them to fit in this new culture while still respecting their Haitian culture.

We cannot express how proud we are of Pierre and Ange-Laurette. This has been a long road filled with hard work for them. Others see how "lucky" or "blessed" they are to be here...but we know that it has not been easy. There are many hurdles ahead still, but we are a true family...

and we will all be fine! YAY!!

The voice of an angel

We are trying to figure out how to download a video clip of Ange-Laurette singing a solo in church two weeks ago. It was a very touching moment, not just for us, but for so many others who listened. Since that morning, people have stopped her over and over to tell her how beautiful she sounded. They have also made a point to tell Bruce and I how it brought them to tears. To hear that angelic voice, with her Haitian accent, singing praises to the God who has watched over her and protected her. It was precious.

Ange-Laurette has grown a lifetime in just one year. She has had to slowly shed the layers that served as her protection for so many years. Her entire childhood was like nothing we can imagine. To trust and to feel and to love again must be so difficult for her. But she is doing all three. And we are very blessed to be her parents and to learn so much from her resiliency.

in Pierre's words...looking back ~

"When I think about last year and the earthquake, I still feel sad but I'm happy because I got to my new family and brothers and sister. I like my mom and dad and we have lots of food and shelter. We don't have to be worried if we never gonna have food and water.

I am so happy because none of my family in Haiti died. They are safe and I talked to them. They said they are ok. I am so grateful for God who took the word in his head and gave it to mom and dad so they can bring us here. Now we will always be safe. We are so happy to get to learn and go to school. We have a nice teacher and the kids are good to us at school. We get to exercise in PE. Our bodies work really good because we have doctors.


We still always need to remember this day and what happened to Haiti. I am excited to go visit Haiti someday when I was there. I am excited for my little brother to go to Haiti, so he can get a view of what happened. I feel sad for the people who are still there. I hope that next year or few years they can be happy and get lots of help and houses. Then the kids can be protected there."

A day we will NEVER forget

Before the kids left for school today, we spent some time talking about the earthquake that Pierre and Ange-Laurette lived through one year ago today. We wanted to make sure they had time to process that in case it came up at school. The rest of the day brought back so many pictures and feelings we didn't realize were still there. The fears, the shock, the worry, and the sadness. Although we had one of the happiest endings to come from the disaster, we will never forget the families of the 230,000 who lost their lives that day...or the millions who still don't know where their next meal will come from or if their children will ever have a roof over their heads. Our children's homeland will never be the same. We share their grief and somberness today, even as we all pray praises to God for their safety here. We don't understand God's ways...but we always trust Him. Today we are praying His comfort on a country who is still so desperate for Him.