Some Shira Pictures

Brison and Walker with their Webkinz.
Brison and Walker playing with chalk and water.

The Shiras at the beach last summer.

Not 1, not 2, but 3!!!

Yes, you read it right and here is their picture. We have agreed to adopt three sisters from Haiti. They are ages 6,3, and 2. Their names are Falancia, Jiovenda, and Sivencia (and yes we are keeping their names). We received the official referral last week and this week we intend to accept it. They won't be coming home until sometime early next year. So it is going to be a long wait, but plenty of time for me to paint some kind of girl color in their room. Also time for us to buy some sort of larger vehicle to fit five children into (oh yeah and us too)! And did I mention clothing as well, I'm only use to buying boys clothes.

So here is how this all took place. Back in early May I got an email from Bethany Christian Services, asking anyone adopting from Haiti to please consider these girls. When I saw these three beautiful faces, my heart melted (God working through me). I had secretly prayed for a sibling group, but I was thinking two sisters, God had other plans. Lesson to you all, pray specifically or this could happen to you! Anyway, I forwarded this email onto Brian at work and wrote, "How about 3?". Well he didn't call me back, till much later in the day. I figured he was ignoring me or trying to hide. After he finally called, he said he'd been in back to back meetings all day. Oh and not to send him pictures of the three cutest girls. I said, "Well I would do it, if he would", he said "Really", I said "yes" and then we were both saying, "I can't believe we are considering this".

I called our social worker that afternoon and told her we were interested in these three girls. She said we would have to be put on the list of interested parties and then they would let us know. Needless to say, there wasn't anyone else on the list, we were the list! So we did a lot of praying, thinking, and going over finances. The adoption was going to be a lot more, plus everything, plus college, plus everything.... We finally decided that whatever financial burdens we had, their lives would be much better if they stayed together and with us.

After getting the official offer, we found out more information about the girls and their specific circumstances. Their mother had no job and was living with her sister (the girls' aunt), who was supporting the entire family (including two older siblings of the girls). The aunt was no longer able to support them and the mother was forced to give them over to the orphanage and legally sign over her rights to the girls, knowing they will be adopted. The girls were malnurished when they came to God' Littlest Angels (GLA), but relatively healthy. Because of their malnutrition, they are small for their age, but are beginning to thrive at GLA. The older ones are very protective of their little sister. Falancia, the oldest, was a little overwhelmed when she came to GLA, but has transtioned well. Jiovenda sounds like Walker, is quiet at first, but then makes friends quickly. And Sivencia sounds like a typical two year old. They speak Hatian Kreyole, which is similiar to French, with African languages mixed in (which we are currently trying to learn some). There will be a learning curve after they come home, especially for the oldest, but hopefully they will catch up quick.

The boys are excited to have the girls come. We pray for them every night and can't wait to meet them and get to know them. I have tried to answer most possible questions, but if you have any, feel free to email me. I love talking about them! The biggest fear I have at the moment is hair. I can't even do little white girl's hair (trust me I have tried). I do have a connection, so hopefully I can get some tips from her and she can guide me along.

I have bought some dresses and some PJs for them. When I showed them to Brian, he commented on how happy I was to finally buy girl clothes. Yes, I am! I am guessing on sizes at the moment, but I figured at least one of them will get to wear it. They are small for their age, so it is a guessing game. We will get monthly updates and weights, so as time gets closer hopefully I will have a better idea.

Well that is about it for now. I will post more pictures as I get them and keep you updated on our progress. Hopefully by this time next year, we will have them! Please have them and us in your thoughts and prayers! This was God's plan, not ours!

Love,

Allison