Changing lives, one bead at a time

These are the amazing women who are creating the beads that make up the awesome jewelry that we are selling in the states.  

Beads of Promise.

Beads of Hope.

Beads for a brighter Future.

Beads that keep families together.

While this current batch is already spoken for, we will be getting another big load of beads in mid-September.  Please let me know if you are interesting in selling jewelry made from these amazing beads.  100% of the sale of these goes directly back to Second Mile Haiti.

100%.  Have I already said that?

Changing lives - one bead at a time.

What’s a mom to do?

As you can tell by the stunning lack of blog posts, there isn’t much to report.  We have reverted back to a snail’s pace.  These ‘final’ steps will most likely take us to the end of the year.  I’m just praying she’ll be home by Christmas.

So what’s a mom to do?  Sit and obsess about something I have no control over?  Or use that energy for something good?

I’ll take what’s behind door B.

I’ve accepted a job as the Vice President in charge of jewelry sales with Second Mile Haiti.  Oh I make myself laugh.  I’m actually a volunteer bracelet assembler and mail mule.  And I love it!!

The beads used on the bracelets are the most amazing things you’ve ever seen.  They take med boxes and cereal boxes and even juice boxes and make them into mini masterpieces.  I get the honor of assembling some of them into amazing bracelets.  Second Mile has been able to hire two Haitian moms full-time to work on making paper beads.  It’s only going to grow from there.

If you’d like to help moms and babies in Haiti, please consider selling bracelets for them.  The cost is only $10 per bracelet and 100% goes back to the organization.  Yes, 100% of the sales of every bracelet sold goes directly back to Second Mile Haiti.

100%

Invite all of your friends over for coffee.  Set up a table at church.  Shoot up a post on Facebook.  You’ll be amazed at how quickly they sell, and how quickly you’ll be asking for more.

As my dear friend Karyn at Delicate Fortress once told me, “Don’t buy more.  Just buy different.”  When searching for the perfect gift, look no further than Second Mile Haiti’s Beads of Promise.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * 

Stay tuned for more news.  I’ve committed to doing something really crazy, and I hope you’ll join me.  

From a snail's pace, to lightening speed

I looked in her dresser tonight, and this time I smiled.  I looked through the clothes, wondering what I'll pack when we pick her up.  I pictured her in an adorable pink sundress and hot pink Crocs.  I started to giggle, wondering which pair of pajamas would be her favorite.  As I sat on her bed, the anticipation and excitement started to swell within me.

It has taken so long.  The roller coaster of emotions.  The tension and crazy arguments and frustrations all because of the adoption process.  The extreme highs, and the very low lows.

The end of those emotions is coming.  A whole new series of emotions is starting.  They will be followed by a new dynamic in our house.  Henry will go from baby to big brother.  Sofia will still be her nurturing little mama self, but she'll realize that little sisters aren't perfect and can be as irritating as little brothers.  We'll have another little one to get to the doctor and dentist.  We'll have to figure out her favorite foods, and get settled in to a new routine.

Our world is going to change.  I'm so ready.

The dossier entered IBESR in July of last year.  11 months later it was finally out.  Two weeks later it was out of Parquet and court.  From a snail's pace, to lightening speed.

Her last name has changed.  She is legally ours.

There are more steps, of course.  This story isn't going to end that easily.  There's something called MOI.  Paperwork will be submitted for her passport.  We have to finish up the I-600 paperwork.  Finally, her visa will be issued.

Then...she comes home.

I dream of the day when she meets her brother and sister, her aunts and uncle and cousins, her grandparents, her church family, all of her new friends, all the people who have prayed for her.

I pray that these last steps happen quickly.  Her family is ready for her.

We're OUT!!

We just got word late last night that our file is out of IBESR.  PTL!!  While it's been a long year, there is finally movement.  At the earliest the little girl will be home in August.  While we understand all too well that things don't move as quickly as they could in Haiti, we're absolutely praying we'll be there in August.  Emotionally still planning for fall.  But praying for August.

God is good.

"For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord.  Plans to prosper you and not to harm you.  Plans to give you hope and a future."  
~ Jeremiah 29:11

Oh. My.

This blog post nails it.  Please hop over and read it.  Rage Against the Minivan

As one woman commented:  Your post was FREAKING PHENOMENAL!!!


Read it.  It is.

I had to stop

Hi little girl.  You've been on my mind a lot today.  It's really not different from any other day.

I asked COTP what size you're wearing, knowing that many of the items in your dresser won't fit anymore.  I knew that at some point I'd need to go through everything and take out the smaller sizes.  Thankfully everything is hand-me-downs and whatever doesn't fit will be shipped to Haiti for your friends to wear.

Today I decided to tackle your dresser.  There are such cute things in there waiting for you.  As I went through the first drawer, item by item, I was excited when I came across something that might still fit.  And I got a little sadder each time I had to take out something that's too small.

And then...I had to stop.  My heart started hurting too much.

It's hard to explain this to people.  The range of emotions, the tears at random moments, the fact that I'm living this whole other world in my head.  This world that tries to be in the here-and-now but never ever stops thinking about you.  Longing for you to be home.

Don't get me wrong, sweet girl.  Life is really good right now.  Your daddy is doing really well.  Your big brother and big sister are healthy and happy and loving school.  There's just...this hole.  In my heart.  In my world.

I know that you love the nannies and all of your friends there.  And I know that it's going to be a transition - from the heat and the brown faces and the Creole and the meals you're used to.

But my heart is ready.

I just want you home.

Let's build a house!

I'm a year older today.  If you read my post about kid's birthday parties you can probably guess that I could really care less that it's my birthday.  I don't need cake, cards presents, or even wishes.  True story.  I'm just not into my own birthday.

But I am on a mission today.  I'd like to get a house built.  In Haiti.  For an amazing organization.  It costs $2,500 to build a house - supplies and labor included.  Can you believe that?  What some people make on a single house payment in the US will build and entire house.

Let's build a house together.  Second Mile Haiti is an amazing organization that is in the process of building 12 homes.  Here's a blurb from their site:

We’re an organization focused on investing our time and attention on one (or twelve) struggling families at a time, at a point in their life which could be described as none other than crisis.  By building 6 small Haitian style homes (2 rooms with a shared wall), we will be able to offer 12 children a temporary safe place to recover. During the storm of severe malnutrition it is here that desperate mothers get a chance to regain their sea-legs on a sailboat known as care-giving in a sea called Haiti. Poverty, unemployment, hunger and disease threaten to tear families a part. We are offering them a chance to stick together, replacing death and disease with hope, healthcare training, and opportunities for economic advancement.

This organization is run by two women in their mid-20's.  I don't even want to think about all the irresponsible things I was doing at that age - like my Coach bag obsession or the importance I put on the wardrobe for my corporate job or how much I spent on just my hair.

*sigh*

Please consider making a donation today.  If we reach $2,500 I'll put the names of all the donors in a hat and Sofia will draw a name.  If your name is drawn you can name the house!!  Talk about leaving a legacy.

Just click here:  Second Mile Haiti

You'll be helping families stay together, and will be giving children all the birthdays they deserve.