Take Me Out to the Ball Game

Mark had received two free tickets to our local minor league team. The weather was good this morning (we have had thunderstorms nearly every afternoon this month), so we decided to chance the early afternoon game and give Charis her first ballpark experience.

She was excited, thinking she was going to a soccer game (Dora the Explorer plays soccer, you know).

By the time I took this picture, the clouds had moved in, which cooled things off (blessedly!). Charis did well, not asking to go home until the 6th inning, which happened to be the best inning of the game. We stayed until the end, enjoying the $.50 hot dogs and $5 ice cream, and watching our team lose by 1 (they had been down by 6).

But overall, it was a fun day.

Charis' Week in Pictures

Charis making cupcakes. She put all the pre-measured ingredients in the bowl, stirred it (mostly) and put the batter in the pans. She really enjoys eating them!


Charis at her last dance class. I enrolled her in Dance the Little Gym Way, which is 30 minutes of tap and ballet, and 30 minutes of gymnastics.


Charis with her friend Rebekah.


Striking a pose. She was so cute this last session, but she says she wants to go back to gymnastics only. Maybe we'll try dance again later.


Charis with her sunflower on a windy Thursday. She planted th seeds weeks ago. It seems like it's taking a really long time for it to grow. It was only a few inches tall when it got the bud for its flower, then it shot up before the flower opened. I think it's the tall variety, but it may not make it before our weather turns. I don't think my watermelon is going to make it, either. We had no rain in July and rain almost daily in August. My basil has taken off (woohoo!).

Gassant Steps Down

M. Claudy Gassant, the rogue official in charge of Parquet, the next department we go to (whenever we get out of IBESR), has been fired/has resigned. (This is the guy who several months ago called a conference and told the attorneys that he rules and that's that.) I don't know how this is going to effect the process. Please pray it speeds it up!

Haiti's top prosecutor resigns following a week of drama

By JACQUELINE CHARLES

A weekslong feud between two of Haiti's top lawmen ended this week with the abrupt resignation of the country's top prosecutor.

Just days after declaring in a press conference that the only way he would leave his post as Port-au-Prince district attorney is if he were fired, Claudy Gassant handed in his resignation late Monday. He confirmed his resignation in an e-mail to The Miami Herald Tuesday, but declined to comment further.

The resignation was the final episode of a clash between Gassant -- the man tasked by Haitian President René Préval with rooting out corruption -- and Petionville Police Commissioner Frantz Georges.

The drama features a high-profile cast of characters including Préval, making a brief cameo as the referee forced to temper outsized egos. The scenes revolve around exclusive summer beach bashes and a congested Port-au-Prince street. And the plot includes a police chase, allegations of kidnapping and a disputed slap in a men's bathroom.

The supporting cast of characters include the owner of a security firm -- who is close friends with the police chief and who has given protection to everyone from international hip hop stars to foreign diplomats -- and a former journalist who now handles the media for the president.
The opening scene takes place on a July weekend at the Ayiti Men Konpa Festival when Gassant, a controversial figure, and a security guard get into an argument after Gassant is refused reentry to the music concert.

It ends with Gassant ordering a gun-check at the concert and jailing security firm owner Fayed Esper on charges of having an illegal weapon.

Days later, police issue a bulletin on a car involved in an alleged kidnapping. They are patrolling the streets of Delma district in Port-au-Prince when they see a SUV fitting the description of the vehicle.

Gassant and Assad Volcy, who handles media for Préval, are having a drink together at a popular hangout spot when Volcy reportedly receives a call about the police chase involving his vehicle. According to press reports, the vehicle is abandoned but not before the alleged suspects throw out a gun.

Gassant and Georges arrive at the scene and egos collide. When the police attempt to tow Volcy's car, Gassant intervenes. At some point, there is another standoff -- this one involving two of Gassant's prosecutors and Georges. Gassant later accuses Georges of kidnapping his prosecutors.

Gassant then takes to the radio to publicly defend Volcy and hints that police were just out for revenge for the arrest of Esper, the security firm owner arrested at the konpa festival.

On Aug. 2, the scene turns to a beach party featuring T-Vice, a popular konpa band, performing at the Club Indigo resort. Gassant and Georges are both in the bathroom.

Georges' version: He went to say hello to Gassant and as he was reaching his hand for a handshake, Gassant slapped him.

Gassant's version: Georges was taunting him. He told Georges he was ''being unreasonable,'' and refused to shake his hand. Georges then grabbed his arm to force the handshake. Gassant claims he only defended himself and did not slap him.

As the Haitian press revels in this new ''Affaire Gassant,'' the chief prosecutor issues an arrest warrant against Georges, accusing him of ''kidnapping'' his two prosecutors for two hours the week before. Just hours after, Georges' lawyer announces that he's filed a complaint against Gassant for hitting his client. Gassant is summoned to appear in a court in the city of St. Marc. He refuses, handing in his resignation letter, instead.

See You on the Other Side, Larry

I received a call this morning that a family friend is in the arms of Jesus.

Larry was only 65.

He was a husband, father, friend, a Christian, and veteran, and had been friends with my family as long as I can remember. Their daughter is a year older than I am, and their son is about my sister's age.

He was good friends with my dad. There was a group of four couples who my sister termed "The Crazy 8." The rest of the Crazy 8 gathered at my parents house today (since my dad is still recuperating from his surgery). My sister and I consider all these people adopted aunts and uncles.

Larry and his wife, Jan, had been on vacation in Washington. Jan came out of the bathroom to find Larry on the floor. Larry was taken by paramedic to the hospital, where the doctor told Jan that they lost him. Apparently the doctor said they could have saved him, except the brain damage would have been so severe that he'd be vegetative. The children flew up to Washington to help with arrangements and to drive home the car.

Larry's skin and organs were immediately donated.

It serves as a reminder that we don't know how long each of us has. Be intentional with how you live.

Please keep this family in your prayers. Please pray for God's peace and provision. Please

Have You Ever ...

My life is way too serious right now and I need an attitude adjustment.

A friend tagged me via e-mail, so now you're all tagged with another "getting to know you" questionnaire. Answer the questions with an X or an answer and either add it to your blog or send it to your friends (including me).

Gone on a blind date: X
Skipped school: X
Watched someone die: (I was there soon before and after, but not exactly at that moment)
Been to Canada: X
Been to Mexico: X
Been to Florida: X
Been on a plane: X
Been lost: X
Been on the opposite side of the country: X
Gone to Washington, DC: X
Swam in the ocean: X
Cried yourself to sleep: XXXXXXXXXX
Played cops and robbers: X
Recently colored with crayons: X
Sang Karaoke: (not Karaoke, but did do one of those "sing along and we'll tape you" things ... ack!)
Paid for a meal with coins only: X (fast food, not sit down)
Done something you told yourself you wouldn't: X
Made prank phone calls: X
Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose: X
Caught a snowflake on your tongue: X
Danced in the rain: X
Written a letter to Santa Claus: X
Been kissed under the mistletoe: X
Watched the sunrise with someone you care about: (not on purpose ... probably leaving early to drive somewhere)
Blown bubbles: X
Gone ice-skating: X
Been skinny dipping outdoors: X
Gone to the movies: X
1. Any nickname? Jo, JodieMalodie (my Granny's nickname for me)
2. Mother's name: Cathy
3. Favorite drink? Let's Do Tea's Treasures of the Inca or Peach Blossom Ginger freshly brewed iced tea
4. Any Tattoos? Not yet.
5. Body piercings? Just ears ... three in each, but let tops ones close up (wouldn't heal)
6. How much do you love your job? Lots -- best job in the world to be a mom
8. Favorite vacation? Australia
9. Ever been to Africa? Not yet -- hope to some day!!!
10. Ever eaten cookies for dinner? No; ice cream? yes.
11. Ever been on TV? Yes, I was an extra in a couple "made for Showtime" movies
12. Ever steal any traffic sign? No.
13. Ever been in a car accident? Yes.
14. Drive a 2-door or 4-door vehicle? 4-door
15. Favorite salad dressing? Balsamic Vinaigrette
16. Favorite pie ? Dutch Apple
17. Favorite number? 4
18. Favorite movie? I don't have a favorite.
19. Favorite holiday? Christmas
20. Favorite dessert? Dutch apple pie ala mode
21. Favorite food? Authentic Mexican
22. Favorite day of the week? Don’t have one (I'd say Saturday, but my husband works then, too)
23. Favorite brand of body wash? Don't have a favorite, right now I'm using SoftSoap Nutra-Oil; probably will switch back to Olay Extremely Dry in the winter
24. Favorite toothpaste? Colgate Total
25. Favorite smell? Lavender
26. What do you do to relax? I don’t know how to relax
27. How do you see yourself in 10 years? Being mom to at least three children: an 18 year old, a 14 year old and a 13 year old ... maybe more, we'll have to see what the LORD has in store
28. How many siblings do you have? 1, a sister who is 3 years younger
29. Furthest place you will send this message? It's on my blog, so who knows
30. Who will respond to this the fastest? Lisa

Wait with Patience

The Streams in the Desert devotionals don't correspond to the daily readings in my book (go figure). I was trying to find something else, but this is, oh, so appropriate, especially after five minutes ago reading that we are STILL in IBESR (10 months and counting).

Wait With Patience

"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him" (Ps. 37:7).

Have you prayed and prayed and waited and waited, and still there is no manifestation?
Are you tired of seeing nothing move? Are you just at the point of giving it all up? Perhaps you have not waited in the right way? This would take you out of the right place the place where He can meet you.

"With patience wait" (Rom. 8:25).
Patience takes away worry. He said He would come, and His promise is equal to His presence. Patience takes away your weeping. Why feel sad and despondent? He knows your need better than you do, and His purpose in waiting is to bring more glory out of it all. Patience takes away self-works. The work He desires is that you "believe" (John 6:29), and when you believe, you may then know that all is well. Patience takes away all want. Your desire for the thing you wish is perhaps stronger than your desire for the will of God to be fulfilled in its arrival.

Patience takes away all weakening. Instead of having the delaying time, a time of letting go, know that God is getting a larger supply ready and must get you ready too. Patience takes away all wobbling. "Make me stand upon my standing" (Daniel 8:18, margin). God's foundations are steady; and when His patience is within, we are steady while we wait. Patience gives worship. A praiseful patience sometimes "long-suffering with joyfulness" (Col. 1:11) is the best part of it all. "Let (all these phases of) patience have her perfect work" (James 1:4), while you wait, and you will find great enrichment. --C. H. P.

Hold steady when the fires burn,
When inner lessons come to learn,
And from this path there seems no turn
"Let patience have her perfect work."--L.S.P.

Another Day at the Zoo

I love our zoo. It's not that far away, it's in the mountains, and it has an awesome giraffe exhibit. Charis absolutely digs the carousel.



I have to get her a frequent-rider pass.



So we went again today, hoping that being on the mountain would cool things off a bit. I'm so glad the zoo staff had mist-blowing fans placed around. Totally necessary.

We usually hit the giraffes first, but today did the trek backward (I think there are more up-hill climbs doing it that way). But we saw things we usually miss -- including a beautiful garden designed to attract butterflies, hummingbirds and bees. I'm inspired.



Unfortunately, it's right outside the hippo paddock and there's a nice aroma wafting out of there ...



We also were the only ones in the Australian exhibit with the wallabies (Parmas -- the smallest -- and Bennett's -- one of the largest) and got to pet a Bennett's joey. It's very soft, like a rabbit. This one is about 9 months old.




We then went into the Budgie Buddies exhibit (we usually avoid flying birds, but decided to brave it today and I am SO GLAD we did). A budgie is a budgerigar (parakeet in the U.S.). They are indigenous to Australia and do not occur naturally in the world anywhere else.



I bought a feed stick for $1 and gave the bird-perched stick to Charis. She was too jumpy when the birds tried to land on the stick while she was holding it.

I can't wait to show all this to Yslande and Catiana ...

What is UNICEF doing?

My friend Lisa posted this on her site ... about the way UNICEF is getting involved in international adoptions. Thank you, Dawn.

Also, I don't have my monthly update yet (although Lisa does). I think they are afraid to tell me because they don't want to make me cry ...

Update: No update. We're STILL in IBESR. 10 months now. I want to cry. Please pray for the girls' release and for my heart.

Poses

I realized when I was going through pictures that I have nearly the same shot from August 2007 (left or top, depending on how the blog opens for you) and July 2008. It's a good comparison to how the girls have grown!

Fountain, Fun, Frosting and No Fillings

This has been a fun week. Here are some of the highlights:

Fountain

There is a fountain outside an area movie theater. Kids are allowed to play in the fountain, which is awesome. It's been SO HOT here this week. Not putting air conditioning in our house was the dumbest decision we made (the second was to not put in a full basement). So I thought Charis would love playing in the fountain. She loved running around the fountain -- even avoiding the area of the ground moistened by the spray. She refused to get wet.

Random musing: How often can a 4 year old ask "why?"

No Fillings

Charis had her first dental cleaning this morning. It actually was supposed to be yesterday, but I thought it was at a different time and we missed the appointment. But we went this morning, and after three "Happy Visits" (getting her used to the office, etc.), she allowed the hygienist to clean her teeth. Check out the cool sunglasses she got to wear. The office is great, but I couldn't believe how much they charged for cleaning her teeth -- no fluoride, no x-rays.

Random Musing: What is up with Exxon making the biggest profit in history this quarter?!?!

Fun

Playing house in the music room

After the dentist, I took Charis to a local amusement center. A smaller version of a massive facility on the other side of town opened recently a couple miles away. I had coupons for free admission, free kids meal, free ice cream, and $5 in tokens with purchase of $5 in food (my lunch).

"Little BiggTown" has a sandbox, bounce house, carousel, and town -- police/fire station, beauty boutique, music room, toy shop, grocery store and more. We easily spent three hours there (in the air conditioned goodness). Lunch was pretty good, too (you know how nasty those kids' places can be!). We'll be back, for sure!

Charis in the bounce house

Paging Dr. Charis

Random Musing: Whoopi Goldberg?!?! Xanadu?!?! Does anyone else think this is hilarious?

Frosting

I just finished my first course in cake decorating (four weeks). I am fairly pleased with how my cake turned out. Tonight I learned how to make roses. Once I got the base of it right, the rest of it came pretty easily.

Before, I never could figure out how people could make flowers out of frosting on a piece of wax paper and then lift them with "scissors." Well, you use really stiff frosting and it hardens after a while. Go figure. The instructor said she rarely has new students who can use all their own roses on their cakes (most have to use some of hers). All mine. I even was able to donate a few to other students. I was really surprised, because I was really struggling last week trying to catch up (I missed class 2 while in Haiti).

Then I came home and sliced it up for my family. I tried to get my husband to do the surgery, but he refused. It's hard to cut up something you just spent hours working on, but hey, I'm not going to let it sit there and rot.

In the next class, which starts next week, I will learn how to use royal icing, make a variety of flowers, and do basket-weave techniques.

As an aside ... I am SICK of the smell of buttercream. I have been practicing my roses throughout the week, in addition to decorating cakes. I am not a fan of frosting anyway, and after learning what exactly buttercream icing is made of, I am even less of a fan.

Anyone want cake?