Adjusting to Life as a Family of Five

Wisly is absolutely AMAZING!  Yes, we are only about a week and a half in, and there is usually a "honeymoon" period, but WOW, it is so clear that God is the one who brought the five us together.  We fit like a beautiful puzzle.  Praise His name!

Wisly is enjoying all the hugs, kisses and cuddles from the four of us.  Bedtime story reading and having family devotions crammed into our bed each night is especially sweet.  He and the girls are discovering that they really enjoy one another, particularly playing outside.  And their boisterous laughter is contagious!

Your continued prayers are appreciated, however, as our boy has a lengthy road of adjustment ahead.  He is experiencing a whole new life and we are learning to be parents/sisters to a new son/brother.  God is writing our story and we trust in Him!

Wisly's first bike...he was riding independently in about an hour!

Fun at the local playground

Playing legos

Welcome Home Shower at church.  Wisly was quite hesitant at first but after an hour of just hanging with his family, he happily joined a group of church kids playing "Spies". 

Our dear friend Carey made this delicious cake...Wisly loves him some BATMAN!

The church put on quite a spread!

Playing together out in our yard

Meeting our neighbor's dogs.  He likes them very well, from a distance.

First time with daddy trying to carry all three kids!

We are having Wisly work on Math and Reading online to evaluate where is he is academically.  We have been talking with administrators and will be easing him sllllllowly into public school.

Wisly is LOVING karate classes with his sisters and Sensei "Daddy".  He is a quick learner and very athletic.  It won't be long before he is giving Noelle a run for her money!

Emoji Pillows!

Emoji time!

Having fun first time with Wii Sports

TO BE CONTINUED... :-)

Bringing Wisly HOME!!!

Monday after lunch we drove 2 1/2 hours to the Nashville Airport.  It turned out to be a great smallish airport, easy and quick.  Got on our JetBlue flight (first time with them -- excellent airplanes and amazing crew!) and flew to Fort Lauderdale.  So much smaller, quicker and easier than Miami Airport.  Spent the night at the Hilton Express right close to the airport.  Another great place--friendly and helpful shuttle driver, nice staff, nice room, great hot breakfast.  Tuesday morning we were up early and on our next JetBlue flight to Port-Au-Prince.  We were so tired from the lack of sleep and intensity of the previous couple of weeks, but the excitement was really starting to build!

At the Ft. Lauderdale airport

On the ground in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti!

Literally only 15 monutes at the US Embassy to pick up Wisly's visa packet! 

We enjoyed meeting the young woman who conducted Wisly's visa appointment.

Driving through Petionville and headed to a local bakery to purchase a yummy cake for Wisly's farewell party.

We stopped for lunch and a bit of shopping at the Haiti Baptist Mission in Fermathe. 

Always love this view of the mountains!

At the crèche in Kenscoff.  At long last, our boy!

Sweet hugs

New clothes for the party

He and several of the boys "helped" us decorate the common room.

Balloons are always a big hit!

Wisly's good friends!  A bittersweet time...

Having a little visit with the crèche director and his wife. 

There is a lot of love between these two guys.  Wisly will really miss Noah.

Wednesday morning at the Port-Au-Prince Airport.

Tuesday, Wisly shed a few silent tears, but this day he was all smiles.

Wisly used my phone to take several photos of the airplane.  He was super psyched to get to fly. 

He said, "Mom, that airplane is BEAUTIFUL."

Enjoying the ride

First look at the USA!

After 30 minutes or so in the immigration office, we have our newest US citizen!

At the Nashville Airport!  Just a couple more hours drive and HOME!

God is so very good, loving and faithful.  Our hearts are full!

TO BE CONTINUED... {more pictures coming soon!}