Reflecting on 2011

I will have to say that looking back to 2011 has made me realize how blessed we are!  It was a very productive year to say the least.  Barry and I had been trying to sell our home off and on for about 2 1/2 years.  It was a beautiful home, but daunting to others since it was built in 1919.  We had alot of wonderful memories in that home but were ready to move into something a little newer.  We were able to sell this past year and buy a newer home on the other side of town.  We often reflect on why it took so long, but we have had that aha moment when we realized God's plan and why it was His timing and not ours.  We ended up with a home that I had fallen in love with when we first put our house on the market and never realized at the time it would work out to be ours those long 2 1/2 years later.
-Shortly before selling our house, we decided to pursue adoption.  We started the process in May, thinking we would adopt from Jamaica and now look where we are..... adopting from Haiti.  Who would have thought Haiti, yet even adopting at all.  Barry and I were obedient to what God was calling us to do and we couldn't be happier!  And after meeting our precious son, we are living everyday with much anticipation to have him home with us!
-Also, prior to selling our house and choosing to adopt, Barry's company became "for sale" and it was definitely overwhelming to know that he could potentially lose his job.  Wow, perfect timing!  But through prayer and faith that it would all work out, Cardone sold in November to a company in Dallas and Barry still has his job.  Thank you Lord!  We know that changes are to come, but for now things are looking positive.
-August 2011 marked the 1st year after Barry's best friend, Ryan's, passing.  We often say to each other that we hoped that the time would heal our sadness, but have to admit we still really miss him.  Barry has read many books on heaven and talks often about looking forward to seeing Ryan again soon!
-Barry's parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this past October and what an amazing story and legacy they have provided us with.  To see where God has lead them and to see the legacy they have created is amazing.  I will say I have wonderful in-laws!  All the family was able to make it back to Watertown to celebrate.
-One more thing I forgot to add, Barry and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary in May this year.  Not quite 50 but getting closer.  We took a trip to Puerto Rico for the first time.  Our resort was amazingly beautiful and  relaxing.  El Conquistador was located on a high cliff overlooking the ocean with breathtaking views.  We took a boat to our own private beach with a restaurant, so we stayed all day.  Awesome!  We reflected on all that has happened in that 10 years.  Wow we've been busy.  Now to look forward to the next 10 years and many more!  Alot can happen in that time :)
-Now looking forward to 2012............We are praying that our adoption process goes exceptionally fast and that Junior will be home with us before 2013.  I will be going back to Haiti to see him in April.  I am celebrating my 20th High School reunion this year (in Carlisle, PA) and am not sure where the time went????????? Barry and I are taking the kids on a Disney cruise.  We are looking forward to some time away and to spend some good quality family time together.  Oh, and quality time with our good friends from Kansas City.   We will be spending time with my family at Smith Mountain Lake this summer where my mom and dad live.  We really enjoy our time there every year.  Especially seeing how our families have changed.
-I am excited to see what 2012 will bring.  Will it be as adventurous as 2011???????

Another Step Closer

I thought I would share this blog post for all of my followers to stay updated on the progress of our adoption.  Barry and I received an update from CCAI today that said that President Martelly, the President of Haiti, signed off on 100 dispensations on Monday, December 26th.  Even dispensations of those who don't have dossiers yet in IBESR.  We are currently waiting for our dossier to reach IBESR and the only thing holding us back from getting there is Junior's birth certificate.  Please pray that our dossier was one of those signed by the President and also that Junior's birth certificate would come quickly.  We appreciate all of you and your prayers and support through this process!

Love at first site.

You know that moment when you look into your newborns face and the love you feel is indescribable? That was what I felt today when looking into John's (aka: Junior's) face. The moment our eyes connected that feeling so quickly returned. He is unbelievably amazing and more. When he saw Barry and I he immediately called us mama and papa and offered us a hug. He actually recognized us from our pictures we sent to him in October.
 - I will say that the journey to get to the orphanage was all but smooth, but our coordinator Patrick got us there in one piece. We were able to go to Lifeline with another family from Denver, Colorado, that are adopting Wenkie, a 5 y.o. He and Junior are like brothers and were excited to ride in the "machine" (creole for car). Barry and I were also able to meet our friend's kids that will be adopted into our church family, along with Junior.  Rob and Teresa's little girl, Roselie (Dashka) and Pastor Steve and Kathryn's little boy Luis (Ernelson).  They are all precious children and we are excited to have a never ending bond with 3 Haitian children from the same orphanage in our community.  God has truly blessed us with that opportunity. It was amazing to see the children in the orphanage and to recognize several from pictures of other adoptive families and files that Barry and I reviewed before deciding to adopt Junior.  I will say that pictures don't do these children justice.  They are all so beautiful.  Not only physically, but in their personalities.  I am praying that all of them will end up with loving families in the United States.  There are several that have families and several that are still waiting for paperwork in order to be assigned to a family.  -We were able to meet Mama Nicole, the founder of Lifeline orphanage.  She went to college in Kentucky and God called her home to Haiti along with her Pastor husband to start an orphanage.  I am glad that God did because she has been a tremendous influence in Junior's life and literally saved him from dying.  Junior was brought to the orphanage by police officer's whom found him on the steps of the police station at 5 days old. Mama Nicole took him in and was able to nourish him back to health.
 -We said our goodbyes at the orphanage and took Junior and Wenkie back to the hotel with us.  They were both very excited to be with us and when we arrived they seemed to know exactly why they were there.  We immediately went to dinner at the hotel and the kids ate like they have never eaten a meal before in their lives.  They ate every morsel of their rice and beans, some of Barry's french fries, my spaghetti, and all the bread on the table.  Their bellies almost burst!  Literally.

-I was concerned about Junior going to sleep the first night in a strange place, but he layed his precious little head on my shoulder and I sang Away in the Manger.  It didn't take him long and he fell asleep.  I was able to sleep next to him and throughout the night, he would reach over and feel for me to make sure I was still there. About 3:00 am, the rooster started to crow.  Junior woke up and whispered mama and reached for me.  I snuggled with him as he fell back to sleep.  There is nothing more precious than a sleeping child, especially, your own child.  I will never forget that first night with my son!

To God be the Glory

I wasn't sure how to title my first blog except with "To God be the Glory." There are no other words to describe this journey we have been called to embark on except by giving our Lord and Saviour the credit. I will save how we started this journey for another post later. But for now I wanted to preface our most exciting moment with this post. Tomorrow we meet our precious new son, Jean Benito Antoine Poppen (4 y.o.) We will meet him in his temporary home, Lifeline orphanage, and will then have the privilege to spend 4 wonderful days at our hotel with him. So with that said, pray for safe travels to Haiti and that our new found journey with our precious son will be one of many blessings. We love all of you and appreciate all the support and prayers thus far. Also, thank you so much for the overwhelming financial support we have received for our adoption and for providing for the financial need that will be helping to provide food for the precious children at Lifeline. I will do my best to keep all of you updated during our trip. I will leave you with this verse that spoke to me today: "When you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me.". -Matthew 25:40