May 2008 Update

This is the most recent picture of the girls. They are growing so fast! Sonise is 14, Chalinda is 9, and Neissa is now 5.

Joyce & Molly sat with Sonise, Chalinda, and Neissa the first time they saw our photo albums. The girls had known that they had a new family for quite some time, but they felt it was best to hold off on the more concrete details until our dossier was there. Now that things are moving the girls have sucked up every detail of information about us that they can get. Chalinda had many questions as she went through the album. First off she wanted to memorize the names of all her new siblings, secondly the names of all the pets. She is quite excited about the animals at her new house. Chalinda was also very interested in knowing about what school will be like at her new home and if she would take the big yellow bus, as in the album photo, to school like her new siblings. Though Sonise and Neissa were much quieter while looking at their pictures all three girls were glowing and it was a big moment for them.

We had sent birthday packages down for Neissa and Chalinda. A week after seeing their photo ablums for the first time, our packages arrived for the girls. Chalinda and Neissa opened theirs with Joyce and Molly after Chalinda was done with school. They COULD NOT believe the quantity of balloons we sent. They blew up (with help) about 25 of them right then and immediately started passing them out to their friends. The smaller of each set of sandals was a good fit for the girls and they were quite happy with the idea of being able to hold onto the other pairs for when their feet got bigger.

This month Neissa celebrated her birthday at the orphanage's May birthday party. The kids had a fun time with balloon animals, music, and of course birthday cake! Neissa had fun playing with her friends and with the balloon animals.

As you know, Haiti shares the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic and is located the Caribbean. The Caribbean is famous for its tales of Pirate folklore. Scattered throughout the Caribbean there have been stories of shipwrecks, deserted islands… And buried treasure!!! SO the orphanage settled on the "We Found Your Treasure” theme!