Just Another Day in Haiti....

We had an ADVENTUROUS day as we had our Embassy appointment today in Port-Au-Prince. We got down the hill in plenty of time however there was a HUGE riot about 3/4 of a mile in front of the embassy so all roads were blocked. Every other car turned around and headed AWAY from the riot. We however headed INTO the riot and when we couldn't drive anymore, the Haitian director of our crechè walked down to check it out and make sure it was "safe" for us to walk through. He felt that it was so into the riot we walked. When they have big riots here they burn tires in order to block the roads and not let traffic through. So we headed into the black smoke and screaming crowds and literally walked through the thick of it. We were told to keep our heads down and just walk...so that's what we did. We didn't look at anyone but they were for sure upset that we Americans thought we could just walk through their protesting because they were yelling angrily at us ~ it was an adventure to say the least ;). 

Here we are still about a 1/2 of a mile from the chaos. 

We had a great embassy appointment which went fairly quickly. When we came out of our appointment we were glad to see all the black smoke gone and the people dissipating. But as we walked to our car & got closer to where the riot had been we all immediately couldn't see or breathe and everyone around us began running the opposite direction. The police were putting some type of gas to get the last of the protestors away and we walked right into it. We heard someone mention poisonous gas and we all ran back toward the embassy and waited for our driver there ~ when we got back safely in the car our driver said, "Welcome to Haiti!" And he and our crechè director just laughed ~ they let us know that we were the first family this has ever happened to ;). 

We are thankful to have that over with~ one more appointment to go and the rest of the time we will just be hanging out bonding :)

Bonding is going well over all ~ the first few days went really smooth. The last few have been more challenging ;). Kaylee and her newest brother have each had the wheels fall completely off more than a time or two ;). So we are learning how to manage each of their melt downs and helping them learn to share ;). Thankfully our baby girl is as easy as they come so by God's grace we are managing the times of chaos well!  

We are definitely making progress with bonding with the two of them ~ we got to see first hand how far we've come yesterday when we had to leave them at the crechè for our embassy appointment and they both LOST it (which was so hard and sad but at least we were able to promise them we'd come back). When we got back to the crechè today our boy was sleeping in the "movie room" and we walked in and as we started to get closer to pick him up, he heard our voices and literally jumped up reaching for us (still 1/2 asleep) with a HUGE smile :). We are thankful that they (well, mostly brother) is learning that we are his family and we will always come back for him :))). At first he would only go to Brodie as he remembered him, but he has definitely warmed up to me and loves to let me cuddle him :). We still are letting Brodie be the one to teach him and calm him when he needs it as he just seems to calm better with him. And baby sister just wants me to hold her and feed her all day :)  Kaylee has had to become quite independent this last week and is really doing pretty well considering all the change that's happening around her. Wish we could show you their adorable faces but hopefully soon! 

We are thankful that Jesus is more than enough and He who calls His people is FAITHFUL!!! We really can't wait to bring them home but we do know that it will likely be a while ~ we are trusting Jesus to continue knitting us all as a family even once we leave!