That's what friends are for!

The story goes like this....as many of you know we were planning on visiting Haiti with this trip. I was super excited not only to go to Haiti but to meet a couple of people that I just really think are great. Well obviously we didn't make it this trip and many of you know why and those of you who don't email me if you really want the story otherwise it's just a little heavy for this blog. Anyway, I asked April and Beth to please give Lou a big fat smooch on his chubby cheek for me and the fact of the matter is he's a little unsure of visitors and getting within 10 feet of him is pure luck. So I knew he might scream and freak out and well he did - but April and Beth delivered that big fat smooch and they got photo evidence. Thanks guys!!!!!

NOT the Mama!

How do you say "not a kiss day" in Creole?

Thank you Beth, so much for these great photos and all the other ones!
PS: No babies or toddlers were harmed in the delivery of this kiss. No babies or toddlers will be damaged for life due to the kiss.

He looks so cute in camo!!

In honor of it being opening day for hunting season here are a few photos of Kobe in camo - this is for you Daddio/Kobe Grandpa!!!!

Thank you for the great photos April!!

~THANK YOU!!~

Sometimes the words "thank you" don't adequately show the amount of appreciation I have. To all who participated in our box drive - thank you! After months of devastating hurricane's the food finally arrived at the Creche. It's amazing to see all that food and all those kids so excited and helping unload the boxes.

It's the little things.

I could be negative and tell you that today marks 8 months in the first step of the process, IBESR. I could tell you that I have thought about it since I woke up and that I have been fighting tears since my alarm clock went off. I could tell you those things but what is the point?

I am the type of person that feeds off of moods (some may call me moody) so since I'm the only one who can change my mood I am going to focus on some positives. It certainly doesn't take away the hurt I feel but it makes it easier to fight the tears.

Here are a few little angelic qualities about Lou:

1) When he smiles his top lip disappears.
2) He has mismatched eyebrows - his right one(the left when you look at a picture) is in permanent surprise mode. I love it!
3) His eyes are deep. You can tell a lot by a person's eyes and his are gorgeous.
4) His eyes (again) are the most beautiful almond shape they are perfect.
5) His face is so pretty and I don't care that he is a boy - he has a pretty face, gorgeous really, maybe even stunning.

With love from Haiti

April says:
"Kristi - I kissed Little Lou a minimum of 5 times today and nibbled on his neck. He looks s GREAT. He really likes Mike and was clinging on his legs in Darline's room tonight."

Beth says:
"Kobe is AWESOME!! He was giving me a shy smile, then he closed his eyes to pretend that I could not see HIM. LOL. SO cute. He's a super-chunk and seems to be very happy."

What a difference a year makes!!

One year ago today something happened that would change our lives forever! Something that we had been waiting for - for a very long time. Do you know what it is?

We were matched with sweet adorable little Kobe Loudince. We got that call and could hardly believe our ears. We saw that photo of him for the very first time and it was truly love at first sight. At that moment I didn't know I could ever love him more than I did right then. Then I met him and I loved him even more. Now when people ask if I have children there is no hesitation I say YES!! I keep loving this sweet little boy more and more every single day. I can't believe how much he has changed in the last year and I can't wait to see how much he changes in the coming years.

Here he is - then:

My handsome baby - this photo was taken at the transition house in Port au Prince sometime between Sept 23rd and October 15th - 2007. He was 8 months old.

Here he is - now:

My adorable, playful, happy, and so much more little boy. This was taken while playing with his daddy at the Creche on June 16, 2008.

September Update!

Our September update was delivered quite promptly into my email yesterday. Kobe is doing well, still friendly, still healthy, still in IBESR - the first step of many.

Now for a moment here I am going to do something I have not done on my blog I'm going to pour my heart out - WE are so sad to still be in IBESR, sad does not even begin to explain how our hearts feel that Kobe is not anywhere near coming home. It's hard - adoption is HARD - but it is also a huge blessing because we have a son. Even if he is not home yet and will not be home for awhile we have a son who is loved more than we could have imagined loving another human. He is our son - maybe not legally yet - but he's ours.

Please I am asking/begging do not ask how it's going. I am on the verge of a whole lot of tears and it just won't be pretty. Please when I do tell you we are still in IBESR do not launch into a "how can they do that to the kids?" I don't know I don't have the answers but it's part of the process and it's just best that we follow the rules and bring Kobe home when we can. I am not speaking directly to any one person it's just that the majority of people say this and it sticks the knife into our hearts deeper. We have a lot of questions that don't have answers, but for now we are going to keep going and keep asking our questions and soon we will have Kobe home for everyone to meet him. He is such a cool kid. I cannot wait to introduce him to everyone - and by everyone I mean strangers on the street - just kidding - it's not good to talk to strangers we all know that. But seriously you will all know when something happens believe me, I will be telling the whole entire world, even strangers. Take comfort in knowing that when Kobe comes home or is even signed out of IBESR - you will know.