Beginning of Summer

Hello all,
Well, it's officially "summer break".Both kids are done with school for the year and it's freaking me out that Helayna is going to be a freshman in the fall!!! Crazy, since I was just in high school myself...HOW does that happen, seriously????
Mia will be in 1st grade in the fall and acts like she's going into 5th at least!
Eric left for Haiti this morning to work on our new project there, Leve. The team will be taking pictures and video to put together to show what our program is about. They will also be looking at property to possibly rent/buy for the project. He is so excited to get back, do some work there and see all his friends that he's made over the few years he's been going.
Although it's a little hard for us (esp ME with 3 kids now!), we support him and love what he does there.
We made our vacation plans a week or so ago and have decided to go to Coronado Island in CA. Originally, we thought we'd do a cruise since we never have, but I started having second thoughts and since we normally don't take "real" vacations, I thought this one better be good. So, we looked into all inclusive places, but VERY expensive...and we ended up thinking California! We can drive, which is a HUGE plus, there is a TON to do and I've wanted to do SeaWorld for a while now.
So, it should be fun. We're staying for 5 nights. I can't wait! A little nervous about taking the baby....even thought about leaving him with someone at home...but I think we've decided to take him with. Since it IS a family vacation..So, we'll see!!!
Last Friday, I was driving home from a movie with friends and a white dog with leash hanging ran across a main road. I pulled to the center of the road, and called to her. She came right to me....To make a long story short, we now have another addition to our family!
We think she's about 2 yrs old, and a pit bull mix. So far, she's pretty healthy, just skinny. I really had no intention of keeping her, but she is seriously the sweetest thing ever. We took her to the vet yesterday and so far, all looks good. I really really really don't want another dog, so we'll see what happens...I've contacted a rescue just in case...and am still trying to find her owner. But so far, she's ours..
Well, I started this 2 days ago and just got back to it, so I'm going to post it now and try and write more maybe another day next week or so.
Happy Summer!
Mich

5 things.............

So, I'm going to steal an idea from a couple friends' blogs and let you know 5 fun facts about each member of my family. Well, they may not be "fun" but hopefully they will give you a little update on all of us and look inside our family.
So, here goes:

I will start from our youngest, Sebastian 1 yr old:
1. His favorite word is Dadadadada
2. He is ALWAYS jumping!!! Either in his crib, in the pack & play or on the ground
3. He rarely cries, only when he goes to bed or down for a nap or when he fell and bit through his tongue the other day (poor little guy)
4.He LOVES to pull Mia's hair (She, on the other hand, doesn't love it so much)
5. He came home to us from Haiti almost exactly 3 months ago and it seems like he's always been here....

Mia, 6
1. Is coloring/drawing/writing at least 75% of the time she is awake
2. Her favorite food is Ramen Noodles
3. She just hit the 30 lb mark on the scale and we all celebrated!
4. She asks me about 100 questions a day....
5. She loves to read and be read to

Helayna, 14
1. is so wonderful when it comes to helping with her little brother and sister
2. was homeschooled up until 7th grade, when we sent her to a charter school
3. Has a VERY VERY silly side that only family and close friends get to see
4. HATES to wake up early, but will wake up 2 hours before school because looking good is more important than sleep to her
5. wants to live in Haiti and be a nurse

Eric, 39 (haha)
1. Also wants to live in Haiti...but not be a nurse:)
2. Spends most of his time working on our new project in Haiti, "Leve Project"
3. Is an amazing father and husband and although I tell him this, I probably don't do it enough
4. his favorite past time is working out (as most of you probably know)
5. He loves to grocery shop (I know, right?)

Me (Michele), also 39 (I am trying to embrace it!)
1. might be able to be talked in to living in Haiti, if that is where God calls us
2. LOVES to read and tries to every night
3. found out today that I am terrified of heights when I tried to climb down a ladder
4. could live on chocolate, bread and water
5. wants to go on a helicopter ride sometime in the near future


And there you have it!
Hope you enjoyed learning a little about us....
xoxoxo
Michele

April 2010

Wow, it's been a long time since I posted last...and with good reason. Almost 3 months ago, our world was shaken up and changed forever when our little boy came home from Haiti after the horrible earthquake there. We had one days notice and had to fly to Florida to go get him and we've never looked back....
Of course, it took some adjusting for all of us....but we are SO happy and feel so fortunate and blessed to have him at home where he belongs.
I was so scared for him that first week after the quake. I didn't know where the kids at the orphange were sleeping, what they were eating or if they were safe. I went to bed, worried about him and woke up thinking about him too.
It was a crazy trip to Florida to get him. We left on a Tuesday, got to Florida, had to drive 3 hours to where he was and then drove 3 hours back to Orlando that same night.
We got home late on Wednesday and I don't think I've ever been so exhausted in my life. We arrived at the airport where about 50 of our friends and family, PLUS a news crew were waiting to greet us with signs and all! We were so overwhelmed with all the love and support and continued to be the first few weeks...people brought us meals, babysat for me, painted the baby's room, set up all his stuff that was donated to us, brought over diapers, wipes, toys, clothes, exersaucers, bathtubs, and everything a baby needs...I have never experienced such generosity!
Because we were on the news, Sebastian was basically a superstar at church that weekend! It was so funny and so heartwarming at the same time. To think how much this little boy has affected so many is amazing to me.
Anyhow, now we are a family of 5 and I can't really imagine our lives without him. He just fits in so perfectly...he's silly, sweet and pretty much always happy. I've been very blessed...We all have been.
Helayna has been a HUGE help, almost a second mom to him and he loves her to death! Mia is always wanting to help and is great at making him laugh! Eric loves finally having a son and I love seeing the joy on his face when they play.
There are moments when I wonder, "how did this child get here???" But then, I realize that, with God, anything is possible and we are perfect examples of that.
Sebastian is a true blessing from God and I hope that he always knows that.
I will try and update more...but my time is limited even more now....
xoxo
Michele

Sebastian is home with us, where he belongs!!!!! Here's his first week....

Sebastian and his Grandma

Sebastian and Mommy at the doctor....our first self-portrait

Playing.....

Sisters helping with Sebastian's bath

Our first shopping trip to Sams!

How NASCAR Came to the Rescue of Haiti Orphans

This is a story about how Sebastian's orphanage got out of Haiti:

How NASCAR Came to the Rescue of Haiti Orphans

Pics from Haiti

A true AZ Diamondbacks fan already!!!
Look at those lips!!!!
So cute!!

Pics of our baby boy:)

Dad and son
So happy....
Cuddling....
Helayna, reading the HUG book Mia sent for him
D Backs!
Reading together
So precious!!!!
I wonder who put the hat on him??? hmmm....
Sleepy head
Fell asleep in his sister's arms....
Look at that face!
teething, for sure!
Helayna, holding Sebastian in the new blankie she picked for him
Eric making Sebastian laugh
Does he look happy, or what?
love this one!!!!
Wheeee!!!! not too high, Daddy, or mommy will be mad!!!
Helayna and her brother, having fun!
Too adorable, I can't stand it!