Here For Awhile...: July 2008

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Thursday, July 24, 2008

I have a little "thing" that tells me how many people are visiting my blog and where they live. People come from all over and I am curious as to who you are! SO, here's the deal.....if you are reading this you need to leave a comment and let me know who you are :) (Immediate family need not post as I know you are reading everyday....)

I know that not as many people read now that I am home but I must admit, I'm pretty curious to know who is still following along.
So PLEASE leave a comment!!! Even if you're left one before....leave another! :)

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Gotta Love Technology...

I got to talk to all of the girls in Haiti tonight for about 45 minutes (off and on depending on whether or not the internet in Haiti was cooperating). Katie Manassero (who is living in "my" apartment right now) gathered Kesline, Jenny, Aly, Nyomie, Ashley, Yvie, Nadia, Salinda, and Modline (night nanny) into the bathroom so we could all chat on Skype. Unfortunately Katie's video didn't work so they could see me but I couldn't see them. Even still, it was great to hear all of them!!!

Friday, July 18, 2008

Missing Yvie...

Yvie is incredibly sensitive and it takes awhile for her to let people in. It took a good month before she would willing come to me and then about another month after that for her to really attach herself to me.

Yvie loved going to church but as soon as we left the girls' house she would become really quiet and wouldn't leave my lap. In church she had to be sitting on me or else she would cry. I didn't mind the cuddling all that much but it did get pretty hot sitting close to a bunch of other people as well.

When Yvie finally opens up she is crazy! She is full of life, running, and yelling. She is hilarious! I had so much fun with her.

On Yvie's birthday we had a cake for her and a little party. As soon as we started singing Happy Birthday she burst into tears. (pictured above). Then, the next birthday we had she did it again when we started singing.

Picture days were hard at times because if she wasn't in the mood to smile then nothing made her smile for a picture. Then other times she was her silly self and I couldn't stop taking pictures.

Most evenings I went to McHoul's or Lynch's for dinner and when I got back the girls would be watching a movie before bed. When I walked in the door Yvie would always jump out of her chair and leap into my arms saying, "I lub ou, Jekika!"

Maren

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

From Cecile

Awhile back Cecile asked me if she could post about me on her blog and I said yes. When I checked her blog a few days later this is what I read. Cecile lives in France and is adopting Sanderson from GLA. This post definitely made my day!

Jessica will be the star of this new page !
I dedicate it to her, to her kindness and generosity.

This is one of my favourite pics, taken in november 2006 at GLA terrace.
Aren't they all lovely ?

Jessica has been volunteering for several months in God's Littlest Angels and then recently in Heartline Ministries. From august to november 2006, she had 8 kids to care of in GLA. Little Sanderson was one of them, you could see him right in the middle of this wonderful picture, in Jess' arms.

august 2006

september 2006

october 2006

Jean-Fritz, Berlancia and Sanderson in november 2006

same children, almost one year later !

Sanderson ready for a nap, september 2007

Jessica is also the best childhood photographer I've ever known. You can see more pics on her blogs : here and there !

At the moment, Jessica has returned back home to Michigan where, after a summer of babysitting, she will be going to school full-time to study Early Childhood Development.
And guess what, she plans to return back to Haïti as soon as she can !

Jessica, thank you so much for your care and love for Sanderson. I know you had hard moments with him (worry about health, heartrending parting in november 06), and also joyful and tender ones.
It is up to you for a big part if he is able to bound to his new family in the future.
We both can't wait to see you in Brittany !
Love ***

Goin' to the chapel...

Laura is getting married in 81 days (on my 22nd birthday!) Tonight was one of her bridal showers.

Indy

Since I went to camp right after going to Indiana I forgot to post the pictures. When I was visiting Mary K we took her boss' kids to the zoo.

I also got to visit R.J. and Charlie. I knew R.J. from my first trip to GLA. He's been home for a little over a year now.

It was a lot of fun to see him and meet their family. R.J and Charlie had me laughing the whole time I was there!

Mar and I rented a few movies and just hung out. We also made sure we watched the Bachelorette :)
While I was driving through Indiana I remembered that my roommate from freshman year at Cornerstone had moved to Indiana with her husband earlier in June so I called her and we met up on my way home. We made breakfast, played guitar hero (for a long time), and went out to lunch.