In one year Daphnica has grown so much she has gained 26 pounds and gotten 9 inches taller.

Our Home Coming video. Thank you Cinemental Journeys https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yknXFGWfRA&feature=youtu.be

Two years ago we went to Haiti to live with Daphnica till the adoption was finished. She has grown so much. I still think back to how tiny she was. She was wearing size 24 month. I now understand why they say growing like a weed.

Camp Wander giveaway

Check out this great giveaway over at camp wander. Love the great info on there site. It will change your life. http://campwander.blogspot.com/2013/06/an-eo-life-giveaway-from-camp-wander.html?showComment=1372394014527#c7610730414173026943

The clean out......

I am cleaning out my clothes closet this week. I have so much I need to get rid of. One thing I learned from Haiti is I do not need all these clothes. I made it there for 6 months with 8 tops, 4 pair of pants, 1 skirt, 1 dress, 4 pair of shoes and two sets of PJ's. It was easy to pick what I wanted to wear.

the princess wanted a castle

Her first Valentines...

Blancmange

I made this for the Haitian holidays for Daphnica. We just tried this and Daphnica loved it. She wants it for breakfast and snack tomorrow. I thought it was very tasty. It has a light taste not real sweet. She told her dad he would not like it that he would think it tasted like medicine. That it was only good for her and me. (That way she can have more.) LOL We got the recipe from this website http://globaltableadventure.com/2011/06/19/recipe-blancmange-haitian-coconut-fruit-jello/

Happy 8 my beautiful Haitian princess

On Friday December 16th 2004 at 6am in the mountains of Haiti in the very poor town of Cbleon, Kenscoff our sweet Daphnica came into this world. I know when her mother held her for the first time she had to know there was something so very special about her. I can only imagine as her mother was dying she was thinking what would happen to her girl. I know she would be proud of the girl she is. Gods hand in upon her. I know the first time I held her it was one of the most special moment sin my life. She brings love and joy to everyone she meets. I am so very blessed to call her mine. How I wish I could keep her little forever to hold some of these days and moments still. The days seem to go by so fast. Happy 8 my beautiful Haitian princess. We are so blessed by you. She wanted a Seuss party and that is what she got. It was so much fun.

LOOKING BACK

A year ago today we stepped off a plane in Haiti to the unknow and a little girl weighing around 28 lbs at almost 7. Daphnica stopped eating because she missed us so much. Our agency said if we went we would have to stay till she can home. That her very life could depend on that. I will never forget how small she was. My heart could have broken into a thousand pieces. I never thought we would be living in Haiti for almost 7 months. I know my faith was put to the test and most days I failed several times. I cried, kicked, and even screamed some days. To say the least I acted like a baby. But looking back at a year that has past it seems like yesterday and at the same time like years ago. I looked back at photos from them I cried, laugh and at some just shock my head in disbelieve. Those were moments with Daphnica that I am so thankful that I did not miss. Her smile at eating, swinging in the swing her Papa made her, her first day of school, two teeth coming out, lights wrapped around her like she was a Christmas tree, finding her baby doll Jerry, chats on the roof top at night, her 7th birthday, making tablet together (Haitian candy), Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Valentines Day, Saint Patrick's Day, Easter, Mothers Day. Looking back I was so blessed to have gotten to be there for all these memories for that is what they are. Memories that I will hold dear to my heart. I will add some more photos.

I was asking Daphnica which Mexican restaurant we were going to. I did not understand what she was saying.This is what she said to me. Can't you understand girl whats wrong with your brain.

Prayers for Haiti

Everyone please say a little or great big prayer for all the familys that are adopting from Haiti. Some really need God to move for them and fast. It is a hard spot to be the parents waiting and also harder to be a child waiting for your forever family to come and get you. To love you forever, to make you feel safe and a part of something. Adoptions in Haiti are so unsure right now and something needs to happen and move fast. God please move for these kids. GOD please move for them. Please give them a hope a future and most of all a forever family. Thank you, Holly

This photo is from one of the times I had to say goodbuy to Daphnica. My heart hurts so bad when I think back to those moments. May the familys never have to say goodby again.

Our Haitian Princess

We have been home 3 months. Boy how time is moving so fast. I will try to give a longer update soon.

Tomorrows Lunch

Chicken spinach fete patty, orange slices, cheese hearts, crackers, butterfly cookie and water.

School time no way.......

Daphnica had her first day of school yesterday. She is loving it. The day before school was her hardest day. She had a few melt downs which are rare to none for her. Bedtime was the worst. But by morning all was well. This is a new season for all of us.

Daphnica starts school tomorrow. She has had three good cries today. At bed time she had a melt down. Not common for her. We can use your prayers. She will love school once she gets there. We can do this. I must be strong for her.

half of gallon of milk

Tonight my daughter went to bed thinking we were rich because we have a half of gallon of milk. We had been on vacation the past week. When we came home we did not have milk for cereal yesterday. When she saw we had none she said mom are poor we have no milk. After going to the store today she now thinks we are rich. The simple things we take for granted. Tomorrow for breakfast cornflakes and milk. A treat some kids never get.

Pearl of the Caribbean

Tomorrow it will be 1 year 10 months 2 weeks and 4 days from home study to home. You read that right. We are on our way home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Almost packed and ready for the party at the airport. For those coming Friday night 10:20pm Nashville. We moved to Haiti 6 months ago for the longest most stressful vacation in history. But we are bringing home the best souvenir ever. I mean ever. She has be worth it. My heart is so full of Joy we are bringing home the Pearl of the Caribbean. Our beautiful Haitian princess will sleep in her own bed tomorrow night. Yes in her own bed and me in mine. WOW this is real it really is here so many times I have dreamed and planned this day. I thought this day would never come. It is almost here!!!!! I am an emotional mess... Thank you GOD for everything you are the best papa. See you all soon...

Adoption update.......................

Went to the Embassy yesterday. It was strange the first time I have been with an appointment. We had our VISA interview. They had us wait while they printed it. We now have everything we need and are ready to come home. Daphnica put the last window on the house.

Goodbye's

Saying goodbye is the hardest part of leaving here. Daphnica said goodbye to all of friends and family. The hardest was saying goodbye to her cousin. They both had the biggest tears. But I could fell Surfrance's pain and hurt that she was being left behind. She would not even give me a hug. I do not blame her after all I am taking her best friend.

We got our new passport stamps from Haitian Immigrations today. So now we are no longer aliens here. We have our VISA appt in the morning. This is real we are coming home. I keep telling myself that a thousand times a day. We also found out that the VISA fees have changed. They have lowered the fee to $230.00