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Kenley's Mommy,

I can't figure out how to find you to send you a message. Can you email me? mailto:me?Noahsmommy_daddy@yahoo.com

Thanks.
Love,
Renee

Brothers!!!

Mommy's attempt at Marky's Hair!! It's Uncle Eddie's Job when you get home!!
Apparently the Nannie didn't like the way Mommy did your hair!!
Happy Baby!!
We love you Soly!!
Hallelujah!!!!

CHEESE!!! How can you not fall in LOVE with this smile???

The boys with their Haitian Moms.

Soly swimmin'!
Daddy did my hair!!

Hi Friends!

Well, we are back from Haiti and trying to get back into the swing of things. Between Christmas musical rehearsals, soccer, baseball, volleyball and homework...we are keeping busy.

I will start by telling you a little about our trip. Well, we got into Haiti on the Aug. 13th. We ended up being at the airport until pretty late so we weren't sure if the boys would be waiting at the hotel or not. They weren't there...boo...but soon after they were brought to the hotel. Solomon was sitting on the driver/security guards lap in the front of the van. He looked so small...at first we weren't sure if it was him...IT WAS. I grabbed him and just started kissing him. Oh he is amazing!!!! Then the back door of the van opened and the other kids were inside....out came Markenley!! Would he remember us??? I think he did. Todd picked him up and Markenley smiled and started touching Todd's face. I was HAPPY that we were there.

It was wonderful spending time with the boys. Solomon is starting to walk...he is getting to be a big boy, and I don't like it. Markenley is potty trained!! Since they really have no toys in the orphanage sharing isn't something that is easy. Markenley really didn't know who Solomon was. One of my hearts desires for this trip was to promote bonding between these brothers! Solomon would take something from Markenley and Markenley wasn't mean about it, but would look at me and point and say "Mommy", as if saying get my car, fruit snack, whatever it was, back for me! I would get it back for Markenley and a few minutes later he would give it back to Soly all on his own. It was so sweet. Markenley wasn't as strong willed as when we were there before. He is no longer 2!

One of the reasons we went on this trip was to file our I-600...we did do that. That gave us the opportunity to see more of Haiti. It is amazing how much poverty there is..it is everywhere. There isn't much hope in the eyes of the people. Life is hard in Haiti. I know for me, everything seemed harder, more of a chore. The heat is hard. We were staying in a pretty nice hotel...running water, air conditioner, tv..all the luxuries. Who am i to complain?? My heart aches for this country. I love America...we are so blessed. I feel so much guilt for that too.

I recently read through a blog...search 'dying in haiti'....wow...check it out.



We got the blessing of meeting both of their birth Moms and Markenleys grandma. It was great, but hard. Markenley clearly loves his Haitian Mom. She seems to visit often. I cannot imagine taking him away from her. I know that they want the best for their kids and you cannot get that in Haiti. Education, medical care...that is all a luxury in Haiti. The simple things we don't think too much about.

Todd did a few building projects...tables and benches. I focused on the boys and taking pics and videos..

Well, what is in store for us next...well...the boys are officially Dunns! We are now in the next set of courts where they draw up the adoption decrees. Once that is done, they are officially ours and we can go live in Haiti with the boys!! Well, will we??

As things stand now, I am feeling a sense of urgency to get down there to be their Mommy. There are families who have their children home who have told of sexual and physical abuse in the orphanage. Reguardless if this is happening to my sons or not, how can I stand another day not knowing what is happening to my babies? Also, it seems as if someone needs to be sitting at the Minister of Interiors office every day saying "please look at my file...and SIGN it!".



The problem is that it could be 1-3 months...longer or shorter..who knows. I know that when we were there for 10 days (and todd was with me) i was missing my other kids and America so much. I know it will not be easy. We are still praying about this. Financially I don't know how we would make this happen, only God knows the plan...



I have had such a hard time since we got back..emotionally i am a wreck. I have this huge pain in my heart...it is phycial and emotional. I miss my boys.



When we were dropping the boys off at the orphanage before we left, we were saying goodbye to Markenley and someone was translating. We set him down and he walked a few steps, sat down, put his head down and started sobbing. This sad cry. Not the throwing a fit type of cry. It was heartbreaking. How could we leave him????????

UGGHHH, i can't take it anymore.



I love these boys with my whole heart. They cannot be more 'my kids' than my own birth children. I did far less work to get my bio kids home!



Anyway...love you all!

Hugs,

Renee