Even his pouty face is cute!

Have you ever heard of a Restavec?

Restavec ---- From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A restavec (or restavek; from the French reste avec, "one who stays with") refers to a social system in Haiti in which parents unable to care for their children send them to relatives or strangers living in more urban areas where they receive food and housing (and sometimes an education) in exchange for "light" housework. In reality restavecs often live in grinding poverty, enslaved to their "hosts" and seldom receiving an education. The restavec system is considered a form of slavery.

My heart was breaking while I was reading this post on the Livesay's blog but then I got nearly to the end of it and I read this:

"[As an aside for adoptive parents. In general adoption is misunderstood. In this culture, if you take someone's child, it is so they can work for you. A lot of people will assume that is also why you are adopting. Jeronne recently told us that once everyone in LaDigue saw how kind we were to our Haitian children, they wanted to know if we would help with their children. We hope that our love and equal treatment of our kids will be evident when we're out and about in Port. Troy noticed a lady at a store observing his shopping with Hope. She later said to him, "You really love her, don't you!?!?!" She was surprised by it and pleased.]"

My heart sank and tears filled my eyes. During our last trip one of the aunties asked several times "do you love Loudince? I love Loudince." We told her over and over that we do love him. Every day I made sure to tell her and him that we love him. Before we left I asked another auntie to tell him that we love him and will be back. Actually I asked Nate to ask her to translate for us, I couldn't get it out without crying. But how do you explain that adoption to us, is a means to finding our family. We adore our baby and will love him forever, I hope he knows that.

Traveler Photo!

This is a good photo of all three of us on top of the creche. I like this photo a lot!

Playing!

Oh what fun!

Who loves ya baby?

Your mommy does, more than you could know!

Sometimes...

...a Granny's cuddles make it all better.

Blogged Baby

Cute?

I think so.

Photos

Updates for the families!!

Faline- So cute and grown so much! She's still very little but looking excellent! She'll be adorable in her dress and they plan on putting it on her for the Christmas party.

Richnightder and Jerome- I love your boys!! They are so sweet. Jerome is just Jerome so sweet and so funny. He and I were dancing last night and he was singing me a song. Richnightder keeps coming up to me and giving me his big smile.

Peterson- He wore little toy loops as earings today and was dancing around like a little ballerina! So cute.

Alder- Not at all interested in having his update photo taken - will try again later. ;-) He is feeding himself like a champ and sits at the toddler table now.

Asa Mack- Pretty quiet today but I have gotten a few smiles.

Darline- So cute today. She was giving me a lot of smiles and giggles at breakfast this morning.

Ronese- What a sweetheart she has grown so much! She looks really really healthy.

Ok I have to go eat. You don't want to miss a meal around here :-)

Oh Baby!!

Now this is more like it!!! Talk about a happy camper today!!

Here!

We are here. No internet last night so we are all mobbing the computer. Lou is even cuter this time, but he has a cold so he's kind of sleepy. Not much to tell so here are some updates really quick.

Darline- I played a little bit with her last night. She's so sweet. She comes over to the toddler room and helps with the littler kids.

Asa Mack- He's just him as sweet as ever I played a ton with him and Ko-Lou last night. He points to your photos and says mama!!

Peterson & Alder- SO CUTE! Peterson is quieter this time around. Alder is so funny and super cute. He's grown!

Oh it's not half as hot or humid as it was in June - it's very very nice weather especially for December. It doesn't seem like Christmas is 2 weeks away when I'm in shorts, a tank top, and flip flops! Hopefully I can post more tonight!

Freezing in Seattle!

We are freezing in Seattle.

Must.Have.Warm.Tropical.Weather.

That's all.

Peace Out!

We are out of here!! We will be at the airport at 5am tomorrow and if you know me then you know I need to go to bed NOW. I will post updates from Haiti every chance I get. If you have a kid at the creche be watching you never know what kind of message I may leave you here!

Goodnight!

Our little boy!

Our little baby is now a little boy! This little loverboy will be smiling for photos very soon!