A little choked up....

It is late and I'm not sure I can find words to describe this little picture. This is R. Like so many of his pictures - his life seems written in his expressions. Ironically, he doesn't care much for having his picture taken. Tonight, someone (I think it was Marisa) put this picture up as our screensaver on the computer.

It is late and I decided to make one last effort to find a little news about why our file has been stuck, with all of Foyer's files in IBESR. It has been another ridiculous Haiti drama we have been hearing reports about for the last 6 weeks. Anyway, as I turned on the monitor and up came this beautiful picture of R, I got all choked up. I hadn't seen this picture as big as my monitor before. In his eyes, I could barely make out a reflection of me with the camera. In his eyes, I see a little boy with hope and way too many worries. What a beautiful child, patiently waiting for that which his spirit knows is missing. A smart boy. A sensitive boy. A happy boy and a thoughtful boy. I've seen all of these things in this little boys pictures - yes, even the little boy who would rather not have his picture taken.

Every day.....I pray for him. I pray for Marie. I pray for Katiana. I pray they will really find their place as members of our family. I pray that all of us will find our new place. And I look forward to the pictures of the future. Of every one of us!

Catching Up.....

Well, it has been a while since I posted last.....and by the looks of it, I'm about the only one who reads these anyway ;). So, I post to keep a record first and if my friends and family stop in.....I hope they would post a comment back every now and then. So, January 23 seems like a long time ago. Since then, we had the good fortune of going on a cruise to the Caribbean. WOW! We were able to explore the bay at Cinnamon Bay on St. John's, we swam in an amazing gorge/waterfall on the beautiful little island of Dominca, we snorkeled and boogie boarded in Barbados (my back still hurts from the beating I took "trying" to boogie board) On St. Lucia we got car sick on the winding road to a most amazing waterfall and garden that made it worth it! And on the island of Antigua, we went on a catamaran to our snorkel destination and then to a beach where we collected sea glass and shells. It was fast and full of adventure leaving little time to relax..... I would do it again in a heartbeat....but who wouldn't welcome a little Caribbean sun in February? BIG THANKS to Mom and Dad for keeping things in order....and improving the order of things at the Hixon house while we were gone! We came home to find, in one week, Dad had my two youngest setting their own alarm clocks and getting up EARLY each day! However, even DAD would need more than a week to get Marisa and me to wake up earlier :) I'm convinced we both need an alarm clock that mimics Dad banging on the door while saying "Tash, GET UP!....at least that always launched me out of bed during my early morning seminary days!