Happy Halloween!

Tucker is just as anxious as I am to get Collin home...
But for entirely different reasons...

Happy Halloween!!

A Bug's Life...

This post is brought to you by Cortizone cream, the letter "I" (for itchy!!!), and the 44 mosquito's (yes, I counted) that made a meal out of me this past week. A shout out to the two pesky little buggers who bit me on my face, and a special thanks to the sneaky little guy who must have found me in the shower, because I can't imagine how else I could possibly have gotten a bite in that area of my anatomy. But I digress...

This is what we found we when checked into our first hotel room in Haiti.

Looks dead huh? Yeah, that's what I thought. That's why I took his picture. Then his antennae started moving. Then one of his legs started moving. Then I was on the other side of the room with my fingers in my ears so I wouldn't hear the crunching sound when Lori stepped on it. Now he is officially dead. I don't do cockroaches well. Luckily, this is the only one I saw this trip. :)

Turns out the semi-dead cockroach was a bad omen for our room. We found out about an hour later, after we'd unpacked everything, that our air conditioner was broken. It was over 100 degrees in Haiti last week. We NEEDED air conditioning. Luckily, the hotel had two additional adjoining rooms on the next floor. And luckier still, Brent and Lori were willing to move upstairs with us. Thanks guys, I don't know what we would have done without you!!

I'd hate to leave you with such a yucky picture in your mind, so here's another cute one of Collin.

Dang he's cute!!!

Star Light Star Bright...

Wanna know what I'm wishing for tonight? All you have to do is ask. Well there are a couple of obvious things that are always on my wish list, but tonight, I'm saving my biggest wish for... a little white piece of paper. Didn't see that one coming did you? :) This particular piece of paper (I have no idea what color it is) will be delivered by my friendly neighborhood postman or woman, I'm not sure, it's been a while since I've seen him, er her. This illusive piece of paper is from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, USCIS for short. The paper I'm waiting for is called an I-171H. Why is it so important? The I-171H form is apparently required to allow the United States Government to do their part of the adoption process while the Haitian Government does their part. Why would one governmental office ask for this piece of paper from the other when neither one of them cares about the other's position? Yeah, I have absolutely no idea. I'm just doing what I'm told.


The I-171H is mailed to me from USCIS once my fingerprints have been processed and I've been cleared to adopt a child. The problem? USCIS is just starting to process paperwork filed the 1st part of August. Because I had to wait for my home study to be completed before I could file, my paperwork didn't get filed until the end of August. The very last day of August to be precise. The bigger problem? I have to file the I-171H (I'm starting to hate the name of this form) in person at the embassy in Haiti. I'll be in Haiti at the end of the week. Whether or not the form will be with me, remains to be seen. There's a chance, albeit a very slim one, that it could still make it in time. And hey, isn't that what wishes are for?

Breathin' A Little Easier

A lot of you have been asking me if I have any more news on Collin. Thanks, for all the prayers and well wishes. I did finally receive another update on Collin tonight. No pictures, but good news. They (and by "they" I mean Harry, our translator, coordinator and friend) are now almost certain that he is having an allergic reaction to the medicine he has been receiving. They've stopped giving it to him (good thinking) and the swelling is starting to come down.

I'm glad to hear it, but I still won't believe it until I see him and hold him in my arms. 11 more days...

I Want My Mommy

I got September's update on Collin. I got one in August too, but I couldn't figure out to save the picture so I didn't post it. Lori had to do it for me this time.

Mommy's a little worried. Scratch that, mommy's a lot worried. Mommy can't help visions of some unknown tropical bug bite attacking her son running through her mind... I'll just let you know up front that this post is a tad irrational...:) Collin doesn't look good. Aside from the very sad, I like to call it "I want my mommy" look in his eyes, the swelling thing is freaking me out a little. We think it's possible that he's been given motrin. Some Haitian kids are allergic to it. It would account for the swelling, but I'd still feel better if I knew exactly what was going on...

This is the part I wasn't prepared for. I spent most of the day in tears. Remember that irrational thing I was talking about?? All I could think was how much I wanted to scoop him up off that couch and fix whatever is wrong. 15 more days...