A Platypus For Mia

Baz loves to make things for people. 

He made a platypus for Mia. 

Makes my heart happy.

Home From Haiti

We had such a blessed week in Haiti. I'll post more about Artists For Hope stuff and cute kids in the future, but wanted to share some pics of the girls and their experiences while everything is fresh in my mind.

The girls thought sleeping in the airport was a wonderful adventure. Kris and I have this experience down to somewhat of a science at this point so we were prepared for the arctic temperatures and rock hard floors. They fell asleep almost immediately, which we were very thankful for cuz we knew the next day would take a lot of their energy.

They loved riding in the back of the truck in the "cage' on the way to Cazale. Their eyes were big as they took in the sights, sounds, and smells of a new country. It was fun to watch.

We did a lot this week. In between activities and things that needed to be done, the girls loved playing with kids in the "tent" and in the Rescue Center.

One day we filled lots and lots of bags with pill to be given out to patients in the clinic in Cazale.

This photo is completely out of place, but here are the girls on the flight to Haiti. Super excited to finally see the country we love so much.

We had the honor of caring for sweet little Mitha after her lower leg amputation in October. Kris kept her happy with good pain meds and I tried to keep her from being the active, feisty little child she normally is so she wouldn't hurt herself shortly after major surgery. If you know Mitha, you know this isn't a simple thing to accomplish.

She is completely back to her normal self and the girls really enjoyed playing with her and watching how quickly she gets around with and without her prosthesis.

Licia and Enoch have the sweetest dog.

We took a long hike up to the new land one day. This was definitely a hit with the girls. They loved to see everything and had fun with Claudette and the other kids.

The puppet show was very fun. They did it once for the kids in the "tent" (which really isn't a tent anymore, but I can't seem to stop calling it that) and once in the Rescue Center. The kids seemed to enjoy it and it was fun for the girls to do something they love so much in Cazale.

The girls helped to file papers one morning for the clinic while I was working on some Artists For Hope stuff.

It's pretty much impossible to not fall in love with Darlens and Katryna was quickly sucked in my his cuteness. The kid is adorable and we were really happy to see how mobile he has become since our last visit.

This little cutie, Darline, captured my heart the second I saw her. She's probably about Sebastian's age, but weighs about 20 pounds. She is SO tiny. She had kwashiorkor and has lost her fluid weight so now she needs to gain weight with the medika mamba to hopefully return to full health. Kris helped to hold her while I was getting some pictures for the Rescue Center's sponsorship program. Too cute. :)

Licia's boys have a rooster and Sofia absolutely loved it. We had to convince her we aren't allowed to have roosters where we live in the city. She wishes this wasn't true.

We knew Sofia would love the babies and kids. This was about an hour after we arrived in Cazale. She was so excited to feed this tiny baby.

She became best buddies with a little girl names Sonie. Every time we went to the Rescue Center they were inseparable.

Every night we helped get the Medika Mamba ready for all the kids on the program for the next day.

We sponsor a teenager in Cazale to go to school every year. I've gotten to meet her several times, but this is the first time Katryna and Sofia met her. Naomi is very shy, but they all smiled at each other and I'm so happy to have a picture of the three of them.

I will post more pictures soon, but wanted to give a quick summary to those of you who have been anxiously waiting. :) We were once again overwhelmed with the needs in Haiti and the insane amount of work that RHFH puts into filling those needs. Absolutely amazing!

Bazzy Day

6 years ago TODAY I was staring at this empty crib in our hotel in Guatemala City, knowing that sometime that morning we would get a phone call in our hotel room and they would tell us that our son was downstairs waiting for us. I still tear up every single time I think of this moment.

We were told it would be around 9am, but because of some situations out of our control, it didn't happen until a little after 11am. It was truly the longest 2 hours of our lives. We had waited 8 months, but those 2 hours felt like eternity. I spent most of it pacing the balcony of our hotel, wondering if any of the cars pulling into the parking garage at the hotel contained my son and his sweet foster mom. I listened over and over to Steven Curtis Chapman's song Dive for some reason. It felt like we were diving into the most amazing thing ever. It just fit.

Finally the phone rang.

This is Ophelia. She was 73 years old when she cared for our son. She loved him so much and we loved her so much for it.

She was so proud of his little teeth that had come through while we were apart. So so sweet.
I had prayed for someone amazing to watch our son and God truly answered that prayer. We will forever be grateful for her and all the love she gave to him.

We said our goodbye's to Ophelia (so sad) and brought our son upstairs. Best. Moment. Ever.
Kris fed him a bottle.

Ophelia even brought the bear back for us that his sisters had made for him. Wow do I love this woman.

I took off all his clothes and checked out our sweet little boy who was finally OURS.

He was adorable and perfect in every way.

He loved playing (and LOVED his daddy) and we had an amazing couple days in Guatemala City as we finished all the necessary paperwork and appointments we needed to bring our son home.

I wish I could find our airport pictures, but for now, here we are in Miami ready to go through customs with our new little American Citizen.

Coming home was so much fun. So many people were excited to meet him and become his friends and family.

Katryna, Sofia, and Mia made signs for their baby brother while we were in Guatemala.

I was slightly crazy and HAD to keep our Christmas tree up until he came home to open his presents. :)

I'm so thankful to be Sebastian's Mom.

Happy Bazzy Day buddy! We love you SOOOOOOO much!

A Day Off From School...

....and a day at the zoo.

Building 429

We had the best time last night~ worshiping and singing our hearts out with some of our favorite bands at Winter Jam.

The kids were super excited to get to meet Building 429.



We are super excited to be singing this song for Praise Team on Sunday.

Sweet Mitha

There was a great update on one of our favorite kids at the Rescue Center today. Little Mitha got a prosthesis this week and can now walk! Check it out here. Love.

Goodbye Whitney

Hard to believe that Whitney is no longer here with us. She was so young and my heart hurts for her family. I have many memories of her music from when I was younger. Brings me back to skating parties and belting out her songs in the car. Great memories.

They were talking on Klove this morning about how it's rumored that Whitney was listening to gospel music in her hotel on the day she died. The last song she recorded was "Jesus Loves Me." Hoping and praying that her heart new Jesus and she is rejoicing in heaven right now.

Goodbye Whitney.

Too. Indecisive.

Seriously. I've been trying to decide where to blog from.

I think this will be it...but you just never know. ;)