Hurricanes and Floods

New Orleans got lucky this year, thank goodness. Unfortunately, Haiti did not. It seems that the poor people of Haiti cannot get a break! Please pray for my children's homeland. Every time they rebuild, more water comes to knock them down. I pray that all of my children's birth parents are ok. I pray that they are safe and that they know their children are too. Again, and again, I am reminded that my trials are NOTHING. That I have been given a gifted life. That any health, monetary, family, or any other concerns that I face are so small compared to my brothers and sisters in other lands. How they remain faithful, positive and continue on every day is beyond my comprehension. I guess it is the spirit of Christ that is in all of us. I am just glad I have not been tested so.

When I look at the before and after pictures of my children I am reminded how much opportunity, food, and safety we have that allow us to grow and thrive. Their tiny, severely malnourished bodies and their severe developmental delays, quickly recover as they are given a chance. I wish all children and adults around the world could be given a chance. I wish more people could look within themselves and say, "What can I do to give others a chance?" The answers would all be different, some small, some grand, but all would make a big difference to someone.

For more on the tragedy raging right now in Haiti go to: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080908/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/haiti_floods

All the kids are in school!

Well, school has officially begun! Maya and Zachary are in 3rd grade, yikes (I am terrified for cursive)! Allison and Emmanuel are in Kindergarten. And Naomi and Clarissa are in another year of preschool. So for 2 days a week I have a two hour break. Grocery Store, here I come!! That is, until Teddy comes home ;).

All the kids are loving school so far. I really like the teachers we got. It is so adorable to see Emmanuel and Allison going to the big school and having homework. Toddlers, no more!

Everything started smoothly except Clarissa transportation. She was dropped off by the bus 1/2 hour early for preschool and picked up an hour late the first day. Mom was pissed!!!!!!!! Nothing brings out the beast in me like my kids not being treated right. But day 2, the bus situation was all worked out so I think we are going to be ok.

Here are some pictures of the first day. I will post Naomi and Clarissa's later once I have them downloaded. I also have some super cute new pictures of Teddy. If you are a family member, email me privately and I will send them to you.