Tugwell Family Update

Hello All... Lisa here doing my best to update Lori's blog! She is having computer/internet connection problems so she sent me an email to post. I just talked with Lori about an hour ago and everything is going well. They are playing pool, swimming, playing foosball, playing uno, frisbee, etc. I think the emphasis is PLAYING and they are having so much fun just being together as a family! She said they have taken great pictures and she looks forward to posting them when they get back. For now the technical issues will keep her from posting more. The letter/update below was written on Monday night. I am sure you will hear from Lori and Noel very soon!

Louis playing Frisbee


Lily & Louis in the pool!


Sweet Silas!


This was written on day 2 of our family being together.

You know we had a little bit of a delay to the start of our trip. We arrived in Port au Prince around 11:30 Sunday. We conquered the usual throng of people wanting to carry our bags – at one time I counted 6 people with me each with a hand on one of my bags – even though I was the one pushing them on a cart. This is Haiti! I love those men – I just kept smiling and telling them I was not giving them money but Thank You anyway. We agreed to take a local cab who I argued down from $40 to $20 to drive us a few miles – I think he was the “boss” and will probably take some of the money back to those guys trying to carry our bags. We drove the short few miles through streets that I really can’t explain in words. We weaved in and out of pot holes so big a small car would have fallen into them. As we were bouncing around and Lily was excitedly chanting – “20 dollars – that’s it, 2 – 0(don’t know who she heard that from), I think Noel and I realized at the same time that we didn’t know the way to the Visa Lodge at all and the driver could have been taking us anywhere. After a few nervous glances and retrieving my cell phone while driving around garbage piles and down “streets” that looked like they led to no where – we spotted the hotel sign and breathed a collective sigh of relief.

We checked in and we unpacked most of what we brought for our stay. It was fun getting all Louis’ things out and putting his clothes on a shelf for him and getting out the football, Star Wars light sabor, Frisbee, ball, yo yo, ETC that friends and family sent for him. We decided to wait for the Orphanage director and the boys in the restaurant of the hotel. We ordered pizza in case they were hungry when they got here….they were.

The first sight of the boys was by Noel…I just heard him say “there they are.” It was super sweet watching Lily be so excited and recognizing Silas. I just remember her saying, “oh, he is so cute Mom!” I could tell Louis was excited to see me and recognized me right away. We hugged and then I introduced him to his Papa. I can’t really tell you in words the look on Noel’s face. He loves them so much. We ate pizza with the Orphanage director and one of Louis’ older friends (Stevenson age 14) who brought Louis to the director on a tap tap! Stevenson has a home in St. Louis – so we hope to see him and his sweet family some time when all the kids are home. Before they left I asked them to ask Louis’ in Kreyol if there is anything he wants us to know about staying with us. He just said he wanted us to know that he loves us. This boy is very special. I know he could have been told to say that or think that is what we want him to say, but when I look in his eyes I understand him and know that he means what he is saying.

I would not have thought Silas would recognize me, but if he didn’t you wouldn’t know it. He came right to me and did not want to go back to the O director or act one bit sad when she left. I have heard other Mom’s talk of this phenomenon. I have to say it is exactly how they have explained. It is like he knows where he is going and is very excited about it. After pizza – we came back to the room and looked around at some of the things we brought and then headed out to the pool. Louis loves to swim and it is so fun watching him be a big brother to Lily. Every time she would get a little tired he pulled her to the side. Too sweet.

I am realizing I don’t need to tell every detail and don’t have time for it….so here are some other highlights.
It is so fun watching Louis figure everything out. He is always looking to Noel or me for permission/approval to do something or get something out. He is very particular about his clothing. He is especially excited to change his shoes from crocs for the pool to tennis shoes when we are going to eat. He has already showered 3 times. He takes a long time in the bathroom – Noel and I just smile thinking about how much he must be appreciating a good shower. And he asks to brush his teeth often – and does that for over 5 minutes. He tries to take care of Silas for me - even trying to get Silas to bed last night. For this reason, I can see that it will be good to have Silas home and a routine established for him so when Louis comes home – he does not feel responsible for Silas – and can just be a kid!
Louis is so kind and perceptive. He has good manners and is a gentleman. He is quiet and gentle. I think a lot of the quietness has to do with not knowing English well. Our communication has gone well so far. I don’t think there has been anything we haven’t been able to figure out. His eyes give away a lot that he is thinking about.

Oh man is Silas a charmer. I think he can crinkle up his nose and grin with one shoulder up to get anything! He is funny funny funny! I am glad that I have gotten several glimpses of his desire to obey what I have told him. He is cuddling whenever I hold him and having fun putting things in bags and carrying them around. It is going to be so fun to have him home!

It is one of the greatest joys of my heart to see all 3 of my children together. God has been so good to us to bring us together and provide that feeling of connection and just GREAT LOVE for each other. Whenever I think about that, I just love to think about how He must feel about us.

Watching Noel and Louis play catch with all the balls we have here is also a highlight. The smiles couldn’t be any bigger.

Wouldn’t you know Lily is just taking everything in stride? The language of play is universal! She is having a blast. It is very sweet to watch her be a sister. She seems to be really enjoying the time and is feeling much better.

Just now, while watching NEMO as a family – I was completely overcome with emotion. I had the most wonderful time sitting on the bed holding Silas while he fell asleep – Noel was on one side with Lily – I was getting to rub Louis’ back while he watched a movie. He looked at me and smiled this sweet way – my heart is so full. I am a blessed Mommy to 3 fabulous children. I can’t wait for you to know them!

Thank you Jesus for this most incredible gift of being parents.
Thank you dear friends and family for standing with us in prayer and support during this journey to our sons.

We love you all!
See some of you Saturday and Sunday!

For all of us,
Lori