After just shy of a year of waiting, our three new Haitian kids were escorted home to us on October 5, 2006. We'd visited them once in October of 2005, and again in April/May of 2006, and this really helped us not to go stir-crazy during the long wait. Haiti can be a trying program because of frequent changes in the process, but being able to visit is a wonderful perk that isn't an option in many international adoption programs. I don't think we could have survived the year without being able to spend time with our children! On the flip side, having to leave your children behind and go home after a wonderful week together is no walk in the park. But the memories, pictures and video we have of our babies as even younger babies are particularly priceless to us, and being able to see the growth in our older daughter is also incredible.

Getting them our children of Haiti proved to be an adventure with more ups and downs than the best suspense movie, but most of that drama has long been forgotten and replaced by the relative normalcy (ha!) of our daily lives. (Ooh. Except for the thousands extra it cost to get them here. That part’s been a little harder to forget!)

It can get a little confusing keeping track of everyone around here – even for me – so I now present you with a list of the primary characters in the play of life at our house. Take notes. There will be a test.

Joshua, 13 and our first birthchild. Loves movie making (particularly claymation), reading, math soccer and judo. Definitely a peacemaker.

Zoe, 11, and birthchild number two. Enjoys creativity – in any form – and is often, not surprisingly, the center of drama in our home. ;) Super writer, great dancer, loves a good laugh, and great helper to her parents.

Ethan, 8. We thought we’d be done with three children, but the Lord surprised us with twins. Ethan’s a full two minutes older (very important), a great pianist, loves sports, and is also a wonderful helper

Jonah, 8. He reminds us that in Asian cultures, he is the older twin because he had the maturity to let his brother be born first. ;) Amazing sense of humor, hard worker and great at sports.

Loundia “Lulu”, 8, and oldest adopted child. Joined us from Haiti in early October 2006 and has learned English at an astonishing rate. Incredible helper, loving spirit, and integrating herself amazingly well into our family.

Maizie, 4, first adopted child. Joined us from China in December 2002 at 8.5 months. Sweet and gentle, loving and kind, fond of asking questions about everything.

Sofie, 3, adopted from China at 21 months in March of 2005. Some attachment issues but nothing too demanding. Loves snuggling, doing her “schoolwork”, helping in the kitchen and playing with her siblings. Had a heart defect, now resolved.

Cora, 20 months, born with albinism and accompanying low vision. Joined our family in October 2006. Absolutely sweet and lovable and adorable. Working on walking and improving motor skills.

Jackson, 19 months and biological half-sibling of Loundia. Also came home in October 2006. Funny, slightly demanding (!), happy and sweet. Loves to play with his older siblings and loves to EAT!

Whew!