Wow, it's about time, right?  I've been meaning to post this for awhile, but kept hoping to have more "definite" information to put up.  No such luck.  So anyway, here is what has been going on so far with "my baby":

For those of you who don't know, I began the process of adopting a 3-year-old Haitian boy named Kervens while we were in Haiti near the end of July.  While in Haiti I was told that a single woman could adopt as long as she was 19 years older than the child.  I started the Haitian adoption paperwork, and put Kervens in the care of the lawyer, who is also the pastor of a local Haitian church.  He and his wife have two boys, and also care for several other children, including Lucson, Kerven's half brother (who is being adopted by Aaron).  Kervens stayed with me for the 4-5 days we were in Haiti, and though he was completely silent and still for the first day, he was talking loudly and running around by the time I left.  His language appears to be delayed (he babbles and only speaks a few recognizable Creole words), but other than that he seems to be doing fine.  He really enjoyed playing with my mp3 player, kicking around his soccer ball (and keeping it from his brother), and holding his rattle and water bottle.  By the end of my time there he was calling me both "mama" and "hey!", and knew that me, dad, and Aaron were people to go to for food and attention.

When I got back to the United States I did some research on Haitian adoption, and found that the rules were varied, random, constantly changing, and not really recorded anywhere.  Each agency website I went to listed different requirements for adoption.  After calling several agencies, I found that Haiti is undergoing a major change in their adoption process, and that many adoptions are on hold right now.  It seems that, due to Haiti's loose regulations (which were rarely followed, apparently), they have decided to become more "strict" and set down rules with no exceptions.  It used to be that a person could get an "exception" from the President...that will no longer be allowed.  I guess he was overwhelmed with people requesting "exceptions".  The age for single adults to adopt will be either 30 or 35...and with no more presidential "exceptions", I will not be able to adopt Kervens for at least another 6 1/2 years.  As joint adoptions are not allowed, my parents will not be able to adopt Kervens with me.  Sooooo.....right now, Kervens will stay in Haiti, in the care of the pastor and his wife.  I'm hoping that in a few months the law will be straightened out and things will start moving smoothly, and I will be able to figure out where to go from there.

That's all for now!  Please pray for Haiti's adoption process...that it would get settled soon, and that the new leadership would make more reasonable requirements for adoption so more children will be able to be adopted.

Once I saw this guy on a bridge about to jump. I said, "Don't do it!" -- He said, "Nobody loves me." -- I said, "God loves you. Do you believe in God?"

He said, "Yes."

I said, "Are you a Christian or a Jew?"

He said, "A Christian."

I said, "Me, too! Protestant or Catholic?"

He said, "Protestant."

I said, "Me, too! What denomination?"

He said, "Baptist."

I said, "Me, too! Northern Baptist or Southern Baptist?"

He said, "Northern Baptist." -- I said, "Northern Conservative Baptist or Northern Liberal Baptist?" -- He said, "Northern Conservative Baptist." -- I said, "Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region, or Northern Conservative Baptist Eastern Region?" -- He said, "Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region." -- I said, "Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1879, or Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1912?" -- He said, "Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1912."

I said, "Die, heretic!" And I pushed him over.

 - Emo Philips

Some fun reception (and beyond) photos from Andrew and Katherine's beautiful Memorial Day wedding.


Nice chair, Michael.  As if Andrew and Katherine didn't have enough to pay for already...  :)


Ben is having visions of wedding cake...


This is Paul.  I think that's pretty much all that needs to be said.


Bridge as...Zoolander?


April!


A cheerful groomsman.


Friends.


Friends?


"Hello...can I tempt you with some red, ripe strawberries?"


Apparently so.


Andrew smiles as he informs Katherine that they'll be selling her lovely dress to pay for the chair Michael broke.


She is somewhat distraught.


The guys just laugh.  Except for Michael, who is filled with remorse.


He makes himself feel better by snuggling with the guys on the couch. 


Paul thinks everything is quite jolly.


Too many cameras.


I'm not sure Alex wants those flowers to touch him.


Alex and his giant foot.


Word.


Alex's "news anchor" pose.


I think they're supposed to throw the popcorn, not eat it...


April again!



That's all for now, folks!

Since I have been lax in posting lately, I figured I'd make it up to everyone by posting two (yes, two) Monty Python sketches:  The Dead Parrot and the Miracle of Birth.  Aren't you lucky?  *Ping*

Bet people are robbing banks in the Philippines just so they can join the jail dance team.