Meet the Grandparents, the Sequel

My parents left today for their return drive to Southern California (they were here from Sunday afternoon until this morning). I'm sad to see them go. Their visit was much too short, and my dad has to get back for his job. But I'm really glad they made the effort to meet the girls.

Esther and Zoë warmed up to Grandma and Grandpa Green quickly, just as they had with Grandma and Grandpa Eyberg, which was fabulous to see. They've seen pictures and talked on the phone often, so I'm sure that helped.

Because the Charis and Esther are in school, we didn't do much other than eat out and shop (we have fun stores here that my folks don't have, like Hobby Lobby and Mardel). My parents also got us a badly needed chest freezer (a small one), so I can do more bulk buying and make-ahead meals. Hallelujah!

Unfortunately, my parents got a good taste of the daily struggle* I have, especially with one of the children. At least they now know how to better pray for us :)

* I haven't written much about what our daily life has been. I know it's not as bad as it could be, but it's not something I've chosen to share yet with many people.

They Survived!

For His Glory Outreach recently provided a partial list of survivors from the Jan. 12 earthquake. A birth parent meeting was held in March at the orphanage, at which backpacks of food, water and hygiene kits were provided to the parents by Project Grangou and other supporters.

This is the first official confirmation we've received about the girls' birth moms.


Esther's birth mom, Thelucia, is the petite lady holding the black and red backpack. Several weeks ago, Esther had told me her Haitian mom, father and sister Gisna (spelling left open to interpretation), had visited the O after the quake.


Francienne, Zoë's birth mom (or birthday mom, as Zoë recently called her) is the petite lady in the melon-colored shirt to the left. Earlier conversations with Zoë indicated she did not see her Haitian mom after the earthquake. But I took that with a grain of salt, knowing her sense of time, like Charis', isn't accurate.

We recently sent off updates and notes from the girls to each of their Haitian moms. The girls rarely talk about anything from Haiti unless prompted, and even then, information is sparse.

Esther did tell me the other day that she does remember a bit of her life before the orphanage, but not much. She had just turned 5 when she was inducted. Zoë was 2 1/2 when she arrived, so I know she probably has no memory of life B.O. (before orphanage).

We're rejoicing the girls' Haitian mothers are alive and have made it to the orphanage!

Resurrection Weekend

We were able to make a last-minute trip to New Mexico to spend Easter weekend with Mark's family. This was the first time Mark's family has seen Esther and Zoë. The girls did well with the new environment and people. We arrived Thursday night (after a 7-hour drive battling strong winds), and by Saturday morning, Zoë was comfortable with everyone (Grandma, Grandpa and Auntie Kim).

Friday was filled with fun and crafts.

Charis "dresses" her paper doll Grandma Eyberg made on her Cricut Expressions.

Zoë holds up her doll in the polka-dotted space suit.

Esther shows off her girl.

Then Saturday was a jam-packed day. We had all our Easter fun then since we would have to hit the road soon after church and lunch on Sunday.

Grandma Eyberg helps Zoë prepare her breakfast.

Charis cracks eggs for Esther's breakfast.

Then they colored Easter eggs.

Grandma Eyberg shows Zoë how to color her eggs.

Esther made a purple one.

Charis and her lemon-yellow egg.

Zoë stirs her egg.

A colorful array.

Esther stirs the butter and marshmallows to make rice cereal treats on Saturday afternoon.

Charis gets into her work!

Zoë helps Auntie Kim press rice cereal into bunny molds.

Charis decorates rice cereal bunny treats.

Esther decorates rice cereal bunny treats.

Charis, Zoë and Esther enjoy time in Grandma's hot tub after dinner.

Esther and Charis hunt for eggs Saturday evening.

Zoë finds an egg.

The girls pile together their eggs.

Daddy and Auntie Kim play catch with a bunny and Velcro pads.

The girls with Grandma and Grandpa Eyberg on Sunday morning before church.

The girls Easter morning.

Our family Easter 2010.

The girls did well at church (all kids were together for children's church). After lunch we got on the road for another 7-hour drive home (no winds this time).

Zoë cried the first 20-30 minutes after we left their grandparents' house, but eventually slept a few hours of the trip (unfortunately not coinciding when I wanted to nap).

The girls did pretty well on the road trips; although the end of the trip was getting a little stressful as we all were tired of being in the car (I have a 4-Runner, so the kids are tightly side-by-side in car seats/boosters) and it was beyond bedtime.

But overall, it was a success. I'm glad they handled that so well. And now we prepare for my parents to visit next week.

First Visit to the Zoo

Sunday was such a lovely day, so we introduced Esther and Zoë to our mountain zoo.


Posing with one of the life-size replicas of one of the zoo's many giraffes.


Esther loved the giraffes. She even tried to pet them, but since we didn't have crackers for them, they didn't give her the time of day.

This lioness was very curious about how the onlookers would taste. She tried to paw her way through the glass.

Charis loves the carousel!

Zoë wasn't too sure, but I think she mostly liked it.

Esther loved it, too!

The girls were able to pet a pancake tortoise, like the one that visited Charis' class a few weeks ago.

And then we visited the gorillas ...

Hair

I did tiny box braids on Esther's hair yesterday/today. It took me 6 hours (longest session yet). But I like the look of the tiny braids on her. We must teach Daddy, so he can help!

I don't like how the ends turned out, but her hair is so uneven. I hope it lasts a couple weeks.

I love this headband that we picked up recently.

I did Zoë's hair last week (March 19, I think) -- two-strand rope twists with beads. I think it took me about 2 1/2 hours. This was the first time I've done her hair (and she's been home 9 weeks!), but her hair is so stinking cute loose and natural. But she begged me to do her hair.

It's so hard for her to sit still, and lots of beads went flying during the process. She eventually fell asleep (before bedtime), probably because she was more still than normal!

God Uses Disasters

Please read these accounts of how God worked through the earthquake in Haiti.

These are from Pierre, a pastor and director at the orphanage where Esther Islande and Zoe Katiana lived for 5 and 2 1/2 years, respectively.

Echoing my friend Lisa, I'm so blessed that my children had such a Godly man leading the orphanage, and so blessed to worship my God who is bigger than all the evil and pain in this world!

To clarify a few things ... The women he talks about praying in the church are likely from the church where he is a pastor. Marie France is Pierre's wife, and they have a new baby (maybe 6 months old??) and I think two or three older daughters. Clenide oversees the nannies at the orphanage. Kiki and Franckis are Pierre's brothers -- Kiki is our adoption processor. Franckis manages the adminstrative things at the orphanage.

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Please read this, too.

Bowling

We attended a bowling birthday party for a neighbor today. It was the first time any of our girls had been. The gutter guards were up on the kids' lane; Charis and Zoe used the metal frame to get their balls rolling. Esther rolled hers on her own most of the time. We all had a great time.


Ben, the birthday boy.


Esther bowling.


Esther's ball almost made a strike.




Charis and Esther getting their balls.


Charis using the rack to help. Toward the end of the session she went without.

The 6-pound ball nearly dwarfs 30-pound Zoe.

Zoe gets ready for her shot.

Check out that attention!