Last full day in Haiti

Today, one week later has been a hard day for me...I would look at the clock and say, "Last week at this time I was...."  And come tomorrow, the next day and next week, I can't say that anymore.  More than an hour ago, last week, on this day, I took deep breaths, snapped one last picture and willed myself to set my little boy down in the nursery after telling him I loved him and would miss him, then turn and not look back.  I could not fall to pieces.  I will be back and he will come home soon.

We started the day at the guest house with French toast!  One of my favorites!  I put on my Twins shirt and brought some MN gear and a Twins overall set to play dress up all day :-)  People were laughing at me, but I wanted pictures of him in Haiti in MN gear so I did it!  And he was very cooperative :-)

After lots of morning play on the balcony we went out on a walk.  He is supposed to have a hat on and he did for most of the walk, but he threw it off as we neared the GLA gate :-)

He's like, "Grandma, what is mama doing?!?"

Love this face!!!

Yummy shoe, I can't get enough of looking at you!

Pretty cute tongue too, lol!

Sure is a little guy!  Holding his hand tightly since he liked to chase after the chickens!

Grandma and M

Haiti's Flag

Wish I could hold you right now!

After lunch there were just a few hours left.  I few precious hours to savor, before saying goodbye for now.  Originally I had wanted a later flight on Friday so I would have more time, but I think they way it happened was best.  I was already an emotional mess on the way home.  Had we had time together and then had to leave for the airport I would've been a total wreck.

The afternoon was spent looking at things in his bin.  Playing, swinging, snuggling, listening to music on my iPhone and lots of picture taking.  All of these things happened last week, today, just a couple of hours ago.  Tomorrow I will just be able to say, last week on this day I left Haiti and have yearned to go back ever since.

Grandma and M blowing bubbles

Hi cute little MN Gopher :-)

He thoroughly enjoyed when I would give him a drink and then pour water all over him :-)  I didn't capture the big smile but there were BIG smiles and lots of laughing!

Aw, LOVE!

Little Timberwolf!  

Time to say "See you soon!" I know I look ALL happy, but this was a hard moment.  Just minutes until I set you back into the nursery with no idea really of when I can bring you home.  Praying and hoping for each step of the way to happen in the Lord's timing and that you can be home as soon as possible!  Before you turn 3 would be AWESOME!!!!

Not sure how many times I've watched this but I'm sure I'll watch it MANY more times over the next months!!!  He was tired...no nap, but I do not tire of hearing him say, "Mama!"  Mama loves you!!!!!

Day 2 in Haiti

Today I woke up to go to court.  My mom got to go to GLA and be with M.  Another adventurous drive down to Port-au-Prince, with the first stop being the US Embassy.  Here I was called forward and interviewed through an intercom.  I had no idea it was going to be like this.  The woman asked me a question, I would answer....next we went to Haitian court.  This was supposed to take an hour and a half but we were in and out in about 20 minutes!  We then took some other stops which was great!  Got time in the van to pray over others' paperwork which we knew was coming in and out of these other stops!  We also got to see some of the buildings where our precious papers will go next.

We returned to GLA after lunch after a run-in with a Mack truck.  There were two run-ins with Mack trucks today...the events were quite exciting and we blame it on the Mamas of the Mack's being there (The other woman on the trip's son's name started with Mack as well....)

U.S. Embassy in Haiti

I just LOVED seeing the school kids on their way to and from school!

Haitian Court

BACK UP ON THE BALCONY!  Pouring water in his mouth as well as all over him :-)

Love playing with you!!!!!

When I went in the nursery to get him the nannies told him to pucker and then kiss mama :-)  You know I was thrilled and then he did it the rest of the trip!  I have the sweetest video of him saying mama over and over and then giving me a hug and kiss :-)

Swinging away!

Tonight we ate dinner at the main house and had devotions with all of the staff and volunteers.  Wishing I had taken pictures of our meals.  We had some very good dishes!  On the way back home (well home for this week!) Is when we encountered our second Mack truck....in the dark, coming towards us on a narrow road.....you had to be there to even get it, so I will not try to explain!  I wore earplugs to bed tonight.  I think it may have been the only night I got any sleep in Haiti!!!!  I can handle the noises of the city, but it was hard for me to sleep through the roosters all night long, lol!!!!!  But I figured I was in a comfy bed, laying down, so that's rest anyhow!!!!  

M had lunch and a good nap today, leaving us with a fun filled afternoon on the balcony.

As angels hold you tight, may you sleep in peace tonight

This is a song that is gonna need to be my anthem right now....I can't listen to it enough....I will get you hear no matter what the cost, no matter how long it takes, it truly does feel like a bullet through the soul....my love for you is so deep, from the Lord above!  I pray for you without ceasing!  I love you with all my heart and can't wait to see you again!

Amos Story Lyrics

Aaron Ivey

Another photograph to wrestle in my head
Another sleepless night on concrete featherbed
These thoughts of you like bullets to my soul
We’ve got to find a way to get you home

I’ll find a way to get you here
If it takes my fleeting breath
Another sunrise hits the ground
And it’s a dark lonely sight
Lightyears away I hope you know
There is somebody searching
For the way to get you here

I will get you here

Throw the clocks away and run out to the street
We’ll fly to distant clouds where it’s just you and me
A day will come when all of this is gone
You’ve got to find a way to believe

I’ll find a way to get you here
If it takes my fleeting breath
Another sunrise hits the ground
And it’s a dark lonely sight
Lightyears away I hope you know
There is somebody searching
For the way to get you here
I will get you here

Close your eyes and dream of a better day with me
As angels hold you tight, may you sleep in peace tonight

So dream, dream, dream my child
Hear the whisperings of hope

It’s a song that you can sing, as you sleep in peace tonight

http://youtu.be/J4eZybIXpm8

The Balcony & The rest of the first day

So, at GLA there are three levels (I think).  The first floor is where we came in and met.  Down there are the offices, the table for staff/volunteer/parent meals, and the kitchen.  Then next level are the nurseries. I would share pictures, but those include other people's children and so I will describe it instead.  There are 3 different areas of children.  First there is the NICU.  There were perhaps 8-10 babies in here.  Pretty amazing room, with nurses, warming beds and incubators.  The next room has about the same number of babies...maybe 8.  These are the non-walkers.  It is a small room with cribs and pan-n-plays. Off of this nursery, as well as off of the NICU there is a balcony that the babies can be brought out onto.

Then there is the larger nursery.  There are technically 3 different rooms.  First you walk into a small room with maybe 8 cribs.  I think this room has children that are mainly walkers, but maybe not quite so stable on their feet yet.  Inside the next door are two large rooms with LOTS of cribs and LOTS of kiddos ranging from age 1-3.  It is "dangerous" to enter this room unless you plan to pick up lots and lots of little ones :-)  I made the mistake (only it was on purpose) of squatting down and then I was plastered with love from every direction!  It is actually a room I would love to spend ALL day in!  There is a large closed in balcony off of this room that the children play on.  There are nannies that watch the children all day and night.  Hats off to these women!!!!  They have quite the job and I am grateful to them!!!

Finally you reach the top level of GLA.  This is a large balcony that is covered yet open.  The view is spectacular!  There are lots of toys, swings, places to sit and rock and plenty for little ones to do.  There were 6 or 7 volunteers here this week.  Each volunteer is assigned 7 children and they bring their children from the nursery to the balcony one at a time.  This is also where parents spend the morning and afternoons with their children.  Each child has a bin (if they have an adoptive family) and in this bin are items sent to the child. I spent time playing with M with things I sent him.  This is also something volunteers do with the kids to help them attach to the things and remember the mamas and papas so far away that are waiting for them!  So without further adieu, I will post some pictures of our first day up on the balcony :-)

Views from the Balcony!

I would NEVER tire of this view!

Grandma and M

We didn't sit too long reading...just sitting and taking rest happened just every once in a while, the rest of the time its GO, GO, GO with this guy!

As you can see!

Grandma getting a little cuddle time and M rehydrating :-)

He's trying to get one of the volunteer's flip flops, this kid loves trying on every pair of shoes in sight!

Giving Mama a hug!  Yeah, I loved it!

Trying on my shoes :-)

Getting a little leg workout and looking pretty cute!

More rehydrating and a little snuggle time for me :-)

Trying to blow bubbles but not quite figuring it out yet!

We were up on this balcony until noon each day, and then after lunch and nap (which he did not always take, and he can climb right out of his crib!) until 5 pm.  Today at one point in my school day, while looking out at the snow and cold I LONGED to be with him up on this balcony!

We also went out on a little walk today.

M looking back at GLA.  You can see the balcony we were on.

This is not the end of day one, because we ended the day at a most fabulous guest house, eating a most fabulous meal with a great family!  I will not post pictures of this either as it is their home, but it was a great place to stay!  The children from the older home at GLA have preschool here and there was an amazing balcony that we could use.  This I suppose I could post a picture of.  I sat on this balcony early morning and late at night thinking, praying, listening and just taking in all of Haiti that I could!

Meeting M

The initial meeting is a bit awkward.  I am sure he is not knowing what is going on!!!  He's away from his nursery, nannies, friends and toys.  Who is this lady?!?!  It did not take long for him to warm up to me though.  I sent this outfit down in December with a friend so they had him in it today :-)

He's looking at the people he knows for some reassurance.

We are looking at a page in the book with pictures of me.  Little connections are being made in his brain.  By the time we get upstairs he calls me Mama constantly :-)

His wand in his hand was a Christmas gift and he loves it!  There is glitter and snow in it, but really he likes to use it like a drum stick! :-)

Of all of the treats I brought for him, he only liked the apple sauce stuff in a pouch and gerber fruit snacks.  The rest he would spit out. And yes I have already changed him!  He was so cooperative.  Had to get pics in an array of MN gear this trip so I started right away!!!

LOVE at first sight!!!!!