GOOD NEWS!!!

Last Friday - 1/11/2008 we finally got news that our file for Silas in Haiti had moved for the first time since June. We are officially out of the IBESR (Haitian Social Services). It was such a great feeling to get some positive news. It was also a great day because I finished and mailed a second dossier (mound of paperwork) for Louis. We thought we could use the same paperwork for both boys, but ended up needing to have separate dossiers.
SO - it looks like we are a little closer to bringing Silas home! I am praying he will be home by summer so he and Lily could have a couple months of fun together before she goes to school in the Fall!!! I know I cannot believe Lily turns 5 on February 26! How does that happen? She is so excited about her brothers.
The waiting continues....a couple years ago, in the Haitian adoption world, once your paperwork was out of the IBESR you traveled to get your child just a few weeks later. In Haiti - processes like these seem to change like the weather. Now people have been waiting 6-8 months after exiting the IBESR to travel. We are hopeful after hearing that a new lady is running the Minister of Interior process (our next step). After that office is done with the paperwork then we get the passport printed and travel Visa and go get our son. We are basically just starting over for Louis - praying he will be home in a year or so. We are confident in one thing - God led us to these 2 boys and He will provide the way home for them in His timing, His way.
The orphanage allowed a parent trip this month. We have chosen to not go this time. We are not sure if we will go on any more parent trips. I would like to spend several days with Louis when we go to pick up Silas - to know more about his personality and how to best be prepared for his homecoming. We were able to send a ziplock bag of goodies for both boys with the leaders of the parent trip. I sent Silas a little phone that says things in English/French/and Spanish, a picture album with all his new cousins, family, and friends' pictures, a toothbrush and toothpaste - he loves to brush his teeth:) Louis will probably get his bag today. We sent him a picture album, a HOG hat (of course), and a CD player with headphones. One of my friends with a 10 year old burned a CD with his favorite songs on it - thanks Sam. I also sent pencils and paper....I hope he will write back to me or maybe draw me a picture. I can't wait until Feb 7 - we will get updates from the staff on both boys with new pictures.
Well - I better sign off for now. I am going to make an effort to update this blog more often now - and hopefully there will be more good news to share soon:) We are so blessed to call you all friends. Thank you for all the love and support.
Joyfully,
lori