Another Glitch in the adoption...

It has been a while since I blogged.  I guess we have been busy with summer happenings?  I don't know.  I keep telling those that ask about our summer that we have transitioned from being a family with little kids, whose summer creeps by slowly (and often times I would watch the clock and look for something to fill our moments)....to a family with bigger kids who have A LOT going on.  There was NEVER a feeling of boredom (unfortunately).  The kids have practices, friends, swim meets, baseball games, parties, sleep-overs, trips, vacations, agendas...for EVERY day.  I am working hard to bring us back to a sense of normal living around here, now that we are gearing up for our school year.  But it has been difficult to restructure, actually to structure AT ALL, our last few days of summer.

Jackson will start attending classes at our homeschool program, Hilger Higher Learning, this year.  We are excited to see how our program "feels" to the actual homeschool parents.  We have looked at it from a bird's eye view for 13 years now, so it will be fun to experience it first hand this year.

Other than Hilger classes, Jackson and Kenzie (and Brooks) will be at home with me doing traditional homeschool.  Jackson will be spreading his wings of independence in 3rd grade.  Kenzie will be working hard to solidify her reading skills and doing a mix of 1st and 2nd grade work.  And Brooks is already on his way to brilliance. =) The other day, as he was sitting on the couch reading a book, I asked him to hop in the car for us to leave.  He replied, "I can't mommy.  I am memrizin' my culus (colors).  Bue (blue).  Bwack (black).  Gween (green)."  My eyebrows raised.  Aaahhh!  At least ONE of my children will sit down with a book without being forced to!

So, on to adoption news.  Sigh.  We found out that Kervens' birthfather has to come in, yet again, and take part in a social history interview.  Because he is on the birth certificate, he will have to come to Port-au-Prince and do this interview.  Getting him to come in from a couple of hours away is quite a task.  The orphanage has not succeeded in bringing him in yet.  So, our paperwork has stalled out.  We were hoping our paperwork would enter IBESR in July.  And it cannot enter IBESR until this interview is done.  So, we wait.  And we pray.

We are hearing that some adoptions are getting through the Haiti side of things in about 13 months - barring any complications (like ours).  So, it is certainly not looking good for Kervens coming home this Christmas.  My goodness, so maybe we are hoping for NEXT Christmas?  UUGH!  Good thing I get to see him in October!

This is such a helpless feeling.

But I KNOW the truth.  My God is in control.

Fun With the Cousins!

The Skura family (Eddy's sister) came to visit from Wheaton this past week. We don't get to see them very often, but when we do, we make the most of our time. The kids play so well together, and the adults actually got to have some true conversations this time! It was so nice!  Here are some pictures of our time together...

Since we only get together once or twice a year, we do one big birthday party for everyone at the same time.

The girls got matching dresses from their MiMi.

Karin, Jackson, and Kenzie tried rock climbing at Coolidge Park. 

Jackson striking a pose coming off our red-neck slip and slide.  Bought a tarp from the hardware store and put a little soap on it to "slick it up".  Oh, but did I mention that it completely killed our grass?  Oops. 

Linea taking her turn at the slip and slide ramp.

Brooks gets the prize for the biggest "AIR"!

No, maybe Jackson got the biggest air.  

Kenzie on her beloved horse, Silhouette.

She is learning to trot and steer at the same time.  

Look at that posture! Her trainer, Lane, would be so proud.  

This girl is happiest on a horse.

Every time we get together with the cousins, I love doing a photo shoot for them.  Some of these turned out great!

Handsome little Daniel.

This little guy has so much personality!

Brooks and Daniel hugging.

Beautiful Linea.

Karin came out and got in on the photo shoot.  Lovely girl!

Too bad Jackson was at baseball practice.  But a great shot of the five.

Brooks taught himself how to do a front flip. Scared me to death!

What a great time we had!  Thanks for the memories, Skuras!  We love you all!

Hilger 2 Haiti

The Hilger students are back from Haiti now.  My friends Shelley and Lois were accompanied by 12 Hilger students, and they had an amazing experience at Maison.  Here are some pictures and a video from the trip.  It is nice to know that Kervens is soooo happy during our waiting period.  

If I Can't Be With Him...

My best friend, Shelley, took a group of our Hilger students to Maison, the orphanage where Kervens lives.  She has been there for 5 days, and I have gotten numerous pictures and videos from her time there. She is getting to love on him and hold him and rock him and play with him and make him laugh and...  If I can't be with him, I guess knowing my best friend is holding him is quite a comfort.  Her last email said, "I love the way K runs to me when I go to his room to get him.  I adore your son."

It is always fun with GG (Shelley).  

One of my students, Susanna, holding Kervens during his nap. 

Of course he got hooked up with some serious candy!

Another one of my students, Beth, holding the little man.

Thank you, Shelley, for making our son feel special during your stay at Maison!  I am forever grateful!