tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13739402500981523452024-03-05T19:55:55.373-08:00Be the Change You Want to See in the World!Nick and Nikki Stolberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10490231576084538075noreply@blogger.comBlogger315125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373940250098152345.post-29494747964052323772012-06-10T18:36:00.002-07:002012-06-10T18:36:33.743-07:00A Dream Come True<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small; letter-spacing: 0px;">Written by Nick Stolberg:</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Papito running the Database on the iPad</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small; letter-spacing: 0px;">My life in Haiti is far from normal. Life here represents the abnormal. Problems that we face, challenges that we have, and the solutions are all fundamentally different than I would have ever thought possible. When I first came to Children of the Promise, I had two visions of things I could help with. The first was Solar Panels. I had a strong desire to see that project through completion. It represents an amazing long term investment, lessens our dependency on diesel, and saves us money. I am proud to say that the solar panels now operate every day, rain or shine. They are doing well and it was awesome to see it finished. After the Solar Panels came the next project.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small; letter-spacing: 0px;">Before you go on, you must know that I am a bit of what some might call a nerd. I place a high value in efficient systems that utilize our resources to the maximum. So while this post may not directly be about babies, it is about how we are improving our system to better care for our babies.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small; letter-spacing: 0px;">The problem was that COTP was experiencing information overload. There was so much information that was being collected each day on so many different children in many different programs, but none of it was centralized. Each person and program had their own way of collecting the data. When ever a new person took over a program, they would completely change the way of doing it. There was no consistency at all and that made it difficult to ever train people to do this for us or to know what the data meant. We were gathering so much useful information but we had no way of using it. If we ever wanted to go back and analyze the data it would have been such a time consuming task that no one would ever be able to do it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small; letter-spacing: 0px;">My solution was a Database. Back in High School I took a class on Microsoft Access. From then on I was enthralled with the potential for Databases. For various reasons and after months of discussions we decided to develop a database using File Maker Pro. File Maker Pro offers seamless integration across platforms, and can be used like an app on an Ipad and Iphone. We had this crazy vision of our Haitian Staff using Ipads to collect and enter the information on the go. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small; letter-spacing: 0px;">The journey started for me in September 2011. I downloaded a trial version of File Maker to start trying to figure it out. After a few unsuccessful and frustrating hours I began looking on craigslist for FM developers in Minnesota since I was headed there in a few days. We ended up finding one that was willing to teach us how to start. He only charged $50 per hour (which is a good deal) and was willing to meet with us for an 8 hour lesson. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small; letter-spacing: 0px;">Jamie and I sat in a coffee shop for nearly 10 hours while our head was crammed full of technical database development information. I then spent the next 3 days in Jamie’s basement building the foundation to what has now revolutionized Children of the Promise.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small; letter-spacing: 0px;">When I returned from the States I had this database on the laptop that was only a work in progress. I had poured probably close to 40 hours in 3 days into this thing. It was described as interesting and vibrantly colored; and we all wondered if we just wasted a bunch of time and money, or if it could really help. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nikki teaching Fifi and Roseline how to type.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4VPN4AkRgMhN_gTh912eIcuy_bsk9_s8roszm9B3UYfLUWvRm920tTvtwmTA0u2jBrUDIWwYxmYYzhf5bVMAGtd1Xc8z9a4Pkl-adbktGMSNodkuqXNKZmg0zLpQuEXrGbV1akbba9XU/s1600/IMG_2463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"></span></a><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small; letter-spacing: 0px;">To switch to something like this requires everyone to throw away the entire way they used to work and relearn a very new system. The timing worked out amazing as we were having some staffing changes at the time. Sheila had used databases while working in Hospitals before coming here and had lots of great ideas on how to wildly improve the medical screens to track our children’s health. The medical aspect of the database was our biggest priority. There was too much information for each child to efficiently organize it with any other tool. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small; letter-spacing: 0px;">The transition also included hiring Papito to do data entry. We had lots of information of previous children and current children in a vast array of spreadsheets, word documents, note books, and in our heads that we needed to get into the database before it would really be useful. Papito spent months entering name by name and date by date. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small; letter-spacing: 0px;">There have been so many benefits to this that it would take the entire day to tell you them all. Instead I want to share two of them.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Empowering our Haitian Employees:</b> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> A huge misconception that I had before moving to Haiti was that the best way for me to help Haiti was for me to send aid. While aid is needed, it is critical that it be distributed in a way that builds instead of destroying communities and individuals. What I try to do now is to empower Haitians with tools that allow them to work better and more efficiently. The initial time investment in the beginning is far greater than if I simply did it myself, but the long term results are greater than I can image. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small; letter-spacing: 0px;">Prior to the database, computers at COTP were for the international volunteers. That meant that all computer work, data entry, etc had to be done by international staff. The database is set up to be simple and built in a way that allows our Haitians Staff, who have no prior computer experience, to be able to use it. Many of our employees didn’t even know how to move a mouse a few months ago, but are now efficiently entering data into our database! We currently have seven of our Haitian staff who use it daily!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small; letter-spacing: 0px;">The database is helping us in countless way. For instance, each room takes different quantities of various types of formula depending on the children in that room and their nutritional needs. Handing out the supplies used to be a huge task as room assignments were always changing. Now this task is much easier, thanks to a report that Madam Ga runs on the computer in the Depot which shows her exactly how much of each formula to distribute to each room. This task used to have to be done by an international staff member, however we have now empowered one of our employees who has worked here for 12 years to do it. In addition, it’s much easier to control the quantity given out. If we want to change a child’s formula, we no longer have to tell a whole list of people, we simply change it in the database and then everyone can see it! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small; letter-spacing: 0px;">Madam Ga has worked for COTP for 12 years, she has at one point probably done every job here. Now she is using a computer to help COTP operate more efficiently. COTP is saving money by controlling our distribution of supplies in a much more effective and correct way. Madam Ga has a job, where she was taught and empowered to use a computer. She has an increased moral and sense of self accomplishment. This story is multiplied across many of our administrative staff at COTP that have taken on this Database.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Papito teaching Roseline something new on the Database</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGCNLoyOyWZNqkdgGF9aNvkMN1-B8O372t3KgQRxtWxfhfr6zzx8u-Il6Huk7yjuSxbYcYjb9sQZxkx5dhyJdFYUhlszukDnFBxqQcPyCIRY6zseXdKxD-35CwfcBvhC9OvGoXXgUk5qU/s1600/PB180027-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 13px/normal 'Lucida Grande'; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Centralizing our data:</b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> Well, obviously a database centralizes data, what we didn’t realize is how critical this was. With a few mouse clicks I can see a graph of any child in any of our programs weight gain. With a few clicks we can get a precise dosage of tylenol and log the distribution of it into the system. With a few clicks we can access more information for more of our children than any of us ever realized we needed. Our international staff, who tend to be swamped with never ending administrative duties, are doing less and less of the data entry and more and more of the reviewing and evaluating. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small; letter-spacing: 0px;">For each child we have over 230 fields of information that we can add to. Today we have 872 Records of Children that COTP has helped, we have entered in 3,270 Heights and Weights, 1032 Medical Notes, 539 Medications, 904 Vaccinations, 531 Lab results, and a whole lot more! All of this has happened in just the past six months! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small; letter-spacing: 0px;">It makes it so easy to know that in the first quarter of this year COTP has admitted 11 children, reunited 9 children, completed the adoption for 1 child, and 3 children have passed away. In addition, so far this quarter 19 kids have been admitted into the formula program, and 11 into the Medika Mamba program. In addition, 30 Moms in our Prenatal Program have given birth!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCxts_mMZ1fqq014aHTgnRgOtQ-ytVZM6dyMpMFB61qKXd5xSrZfvAdYQLsaRAz787-TMBnnLQSCocxRCFQ5qejhBdY_TJPsYh_6LhWEcb1vMaWes9XGrTf_bxLJzQFFAcHC7QezbBHl8/s1600/IMG_2464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"></span></a><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small; letter-spacing: 0px;">COTP has taken on some expenses in switching to this system. One of the keys to having all this information online is that we need to be able to access it quickly and from anywhere. Many generous people have donated money to allow for this. We are using a Mac Mini Server to host all of our files and our databases. We have 5 additional Mac Mini’s Set up as work stations, in addition we use 2 Ipads, and 2 MacBooks. We have installed over 3,000 feet of ethernet cable, two 16 port switches, one 4 port switch, one Airport Extreme, and five Airport Expresses (For those who want to get technical). We also have the ability to connect to the database remotely from the US, which allows our staff there to have up to date information on all of our children.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fifi and Roseline practicing using the computer!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small; letter-spacing: 0px;">In addition, we just made another significant step in the way that COTP operates which we would not have been able to do with out this system. As of the beginning of April, we are now doing our employee role call on the Ipad thanks to the database! This means that when it comes time to do payroll, instead of spending hours transferring data from one sheet to another and then entering it in the computer, we can now get this information at the click of a button. Not only is it much faster, but it is also much more accurate. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small; letter-spacing: 0px;">As COTP continues to grow, we have a bigger and bigger demand for more technology. Several of our Haitian staff members have already began to ask if we can teach them to use a computer as they know it’ll drastically improve the way they are able to operate at COTP. If you are upgrading a used piece of Apple technology, chances are we could use your old piece in Haiti. This includes Iphones, Ipads, Imacs, Monitors, Routers, Switches, Network Boxes, UPS supplies, Etc! If you would be interested in donating these items or any others to COTP, please contact me at <a href="mailto:cotpfielddirector@gmail.com"><span style="color: #1022a3; letter-spacing: 0px; text-decoration: underline;">cotpfielddirector@gmail.com</span></a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small; letter-spacing: 0px;">Thanks for taking the time to read my Nerdy blog post. We truly appreciate all of your support in making these big things happen!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small; letter-spacing: 0px;">Nick Stolberg</span></div>Nick and Nikki Stolberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10490231576084538075noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373940250098152345.post-33975480723991902422012-05-21T15:27:00.002-07:002012-05-21T15:27:59.856-07:00Providing HopeI've been watching a lot of Greys Anatomy lately, perhaps too much since my husbands making references to it and my two year old son runs around saying "Greys Anatomy"all day long, always with a giant smile on his face and a few extra syllables added in!!<br />
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Every few episodes a patient dies and the Doctors have to let the families know the news. They walk out to the lobby, spot the family, let out a sigh, and slowly walk over to where they are seated. You can tell that while they walk they are practicing what they are going to say in their head. They don't want to be the ones to tell the family. They get in front of them, look them in the eye, and let the family know that they did all they could, but their loved one didn't make it.<br />
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I hate these scenes because they strike much too close to home. Far too many times I have stepped out on my patio, glanced down to the waiting area by our gate, let out a long sigh, and slowly walked to where they are sitting, practicing what I'm going to say on the way. I've had to look too many Mothers, Fathers, Grandmas, Aunts, and other family members in the eye and tell them that we did all we could, but their child, their baby, their little one that they loved, held, and prayed for didn't make it. Luckliy for the doctors on Greys Anatomy, they don't have to do this in a foreign language, I have to do it in Creole which makes it that much harder.<br />
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I've witnessed all sorts of reactions to this news. I've had Moms who fall to the ground screaming at the top of their lungs, I've had Dads who sit in silence, and Aunts whom don't know what else to do but pray. I've had families that want to hold their child's body and refuse to leave them and then I've had families who choose not to see them at all in hopes if remembering them as the child they once were.<br />
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We had a little boy pass away recently. He hadn't been in our care long and spent most of that time in the hospital. I didn't know him well but I was beginning to form a great relationship with his parents and I really liked them. They were going to take him home and he was only in our care solely for medical help. They cried when they left him with us. I didn't want to tell them the news that their child died. I didn't know how they would handle it and I really had hoped that their son would have made it.<br />
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This little boys Father really touched me as I told him the news of his precious baby boy. He looked me in the eye and thanked me.<br />
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You see, this little boy was a twin. They were born at 2.5 lbs and were very fragile. When they were 9 days old their parents took them to a clinic to get help. The medical staff there told them that the boys were too far gone and that there was nothing they could do. They sent them home with out help, medicine, or advice. They sent them home and expected their parents to watch their babies die. And his twin, he did just that, he died the next day. But their parents were determined to get the care that their little guy needed and deserved. They were scared and didn't know what to do. They came to us.<br />
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He was in really rough shape and I knew instantly I would be admitting him. I also knew that he likely wouldn't make it. But we tried any way. Sheila lost 3 nights of sleep staying up with him to ensure that he was breathing and that his IV was working right. Both Nick and Sheila donated blood trying to save his life, but in the end he still didn't make it.<br />
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His Father told me this story that day and then he thanked me. He told me that when he took the twins to the clinic no one even tried to help them. But when they came to us, we gave them hope that their son would be ok. We loved their little boy and their family enough to try. We fought to save his life. We gave his family hope in a country that often feels hopeless.<br />
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Today I went on a home visit to one of our children's houses who has been reunited with his biological family. His house was by far the worse house I have ever been in since moving to Haiti. When asked where they go to the bathroom, his Mom looked me in the eye and told me that they don't have a toilet, so they go to the bathroom in a bag and throw it over their makeshift wall. They use what some might call the "Flying Toliet." This seems hopeless. Life seems hopeless here.<br />
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Life in Haiti is hard it's easy to loose hope. But amongst all the suffering, COTP is here and we provide hope. We love these children and their families enough to try. We loose sleep and donate blood to try and save lives. We go to peoples houses to try and know them and their situations better. In a place that is full of hopelessness, COTP provides hope to those who need it most, and in the end, thats all we can really dream of doing!Nick and Nikki Stolberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10490231576084538075noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373940250098152345.post-67874558388333107312012-04-28T13:48:00.001-07:002012-04-28T13:50:43.657-07:00Josiah: Then and Now<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmyC_X3BpUhAAeUBuDJ8guuWWeL8pDUzUHsXS1ieXpba5XAzmxeNqnjPu67qq815o6frkxHcI0QH_wepPN1AGsoV7Ux4Ppc25_K3A_dsp19mjbu6pqwVPkRxwkgkskET8rDXX3CHLgC1s/s1600/DSCN0141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmyC_X3BpUhAAeUBuDJ8guuWWeL8pDUzUHsXS1ieXpba5XAzmxeNqnjPu67qq815o6frkxHcI0QH_wepPN1AGsoV7Ux4Ppc25_K3A_dsp19mjbu6pqwVPkRxwkgkskET8rDXX3CHLgC1s/s320/DSCN0141.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very First Bath Jan 21, 2012<br />
Age 6 weeks<br />
Weight 2.5 lbs</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Josiah's Bath last week April 24, 2012 <br />
Age 4 months, 3 weeks<br />
Weight 11 lbs 14.4 oz<br />
(Eventz likes to make sure his little bro always has bath toys)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Nick and Nikki Stolberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10490231576084538075noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373940250098152345.post-76480351716597434762012-04-22T04:47:00.001-07:002012-04-22T04:47:59.471-07:00Haitis HardIt's been one month since I updated my blog and longer than that since I've put anything of importance on here.<br />
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I'll be honest, this past month has been the hardest month, not only since I've moved to Haiti, but probably of my life. I have been incredibly stressed and the thought of composing an uplifting and/or inspiring post only added to my levels of stress. Not only had I given up on my own blog, but I also haven't read any of the blogs I normally follow for weeks.<br />
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Volunteers and new missionaries often come down to Haiti and comment on how difficult this place is. I normally get annoyed when I hear these comments and think to myself that this is place isn't all that hard. Sure we work our buts off, sure we give up a lot of stuff to be here, and are faced with incredibly heartbreaking realities every day; but if this is where we are supposed to be, then it shouldn't be hard. This past month however I have had to eat my words. I have learned first hand how hard Haiti is to live in.<br />
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I can't put my finger on exactly what makes it difficult or whats been stressing me out so much. It's probably a list of all sorts of things. This past month I have been feeling the weight of all of it. I've struggled. I've been an awful grumpy person and in a bad mood more often then not.<br />
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But through all of this stress, theres on thing I keep thinking. Theres a common phrase in Haiti that I hear constantly. <br />
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"Bondye Konn," God Knows.<br />
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Whenever something bad happens, a simple Bondye Konn is usually suffice. When a child passes away, God knows. When someone is sick and or suffering, God Knows. When we aren't able to give employment to someone who desperately needs it, God Knows. When I have to turn away an old man with a growth the size of a soft ball on his jaw, God Knows. When I'm stressed out beyond belief, wishing my children had passports so we could hide on some deserted island with just the four of us, when Nick and I are about to kill each other, and when I feel like I'm about to go insane, God Knows.<br />
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Nick and I were able to take a family vacation last weekend with our boys, and it couldn't have come at a better time. We so badly needed it. We needed to get away and not think of COTP. To focus on our family and to rejuvenate ourselves. God Knew. He knew we needed a break and he provided that opportunity for us. It doesn't happen often, but it happened at the exact right time! God Knew!<br />
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More updates to come!<br />
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<br />Nick and Nikki Stolberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10490231576084538075noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373940250098152345.post-10145837209490140532012-03-21T14:12:00.000-07:002012-03-21T14:12:26.757-07:00Wedly's 3!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Last weekend Wedly, the little boy who has been living with Nick and I for the past 9 months, turned 3! We decided to have a bug themed (caterpillar actually) party for him! He invited up 3 of his friends and they celebrated by coloring their very own caterpillar and reading the very hungry caterpillar book. They also played some basketball, ate a caterpillar cake, and of course, had a very fun pool day! These boys are full of energy and a lot of fun! Here are some pictures from his birthday party!!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Josiah insisted on wearing his caterpillar shirt!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Listening to the story intently!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fred enjoyed the story!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And so did Josiah!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apparently Eventz thought it was funny!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wedly's caterpillar cake!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wedly's favorite part of pool day is being in charge of the hose!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheeto break!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheeto break #2!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Double fisting it!</td></tr>
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Wedly's adoption is nearing an end. Please continue to pray that all of his paperwork is finished quickly and he can go home to be with his family soon!</div>
<br />Nick and Nikki Stolberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10490231576084538075noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373940250098152345.post-1143594141957736232012-03-05T04:08:00.000-08:002012-03-05T04:08:07.320-08:00Remembering Marck<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zDwaA-7XUkc/T1SpCKEb8_I/AAAAAAAACVc/_08DgqeDqmI/s1600/IMG_1605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zDwaA-7XUkc/T1SpCKEb8_I/AAAAAAAACVc/_08DgqeDqmI/s320/IMG_1605.JPG" width="240" /></a>I still remember the first time I met Marck. We were in the pharmacy and Amy and I were talking to his Mom to decide whether or not he would be a good candidate for our Formula Program. For me, it was love at first sight. Marck had a giant afro and his hair was so soft. In Haiti, it's uncommon to see people with afros, normally their hair is braided and in tip top condition, but Marck was the exception to the rule. As I weighed his frail little bottle, I noticed that every bone in his body was visible. Laying on our scale, in nothing but a diaper, Marck was full of energy and grabbing at everything!<br />
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I remember later that day telling my friend Tori that we had a new formula program baby that she would absolutely love. A month later, Tori was able to meet him for the first time. She also feel in love at first sight. There was just something about that boy that pulled everyone in. Unfortunately, our appointment with Marck and his Mom went down hill fast. It quickly turned from a routine Formula program visit, to hours of Tori, Amy, Jenn, and I desperately trying to save his life. We worked hard and took turns suctioning him, holding the oxygen mask to his nose, and comforting his Mom. The four of us barely knew this precious little boy, but we were all nervous. One thing through this kept us all strong, Monia, his Mom. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WQKzX0RdWdc/T1SpXgYdEoI/AAAAAAAACVk/4oXd5VlyzrM/s1600/IMG_1847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WQKzX0RdWdc/T1SpXgYdEoI/AAAAAAAACVk/4oXd5VlyzrM/s320/IMG_1847.jpg" width="240" /></a>When Josiah was sick recently, I was a mess, however, Monia was a rock when her son needed her to be strong. She sat there for hours holding her little boy, singing to him, praying over him, and rocking him back and forth. Seeing her care for her baby and ask God to watch over him as well, was something new to all of us. We had all taken care of babies during their last few hours. We've even had babies die in our arms and have prepared a lot of bodies for burial. But none of us had ever experienced this fight when a parent was in the room. We didn't speak it out loud, but we all knew we would do everything we could to save this little boys life.<br />
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Marck made it through the night and he and his Mom ended up staying the next several months with us at COTP. This was not the only time we had to fight for Marcks life. On far too many occasions, his oxygen stats would drop down into the 50% and he would turn blue. We were always surprised when he pulled through as that is scary low. Each time his stats dropped, we'd hold our breaths, say a prayer, Monia would sing, and we'd wait while they'ed go back up ASAP.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HtieN_PRqhs/T1SpvZ_knzI/AAAAAAAACVs/fZZJaykDJ70/s1600/IMG_1857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HtieN_PRqhs/T1SpvZ_knzI/AAAAAAAACVs/fZZJaykDJ70/s320/IMG_1857.jpg" width="320" /></a>During his time at COTP, his Mom continued to be a rock. She stayed by his side constantly and since Tori and Amy taught her how, she ended up providing most of his medical care for him. We fell in love with not only these two, but their entire family. Monia was so amazing, that even after Marck left our care, we knew we couldn't let her go, so we hired her on to work as one of our nannies! She has done amazing ever since.<br />
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Because of Marcks severe heart problems, he has always struggled to grow and gets sick easier then other kids.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XrbInv2KDZo/T1Sp95xwmEI/AAAAAAAACV0/jAiglJR5y18/s1600/July+2011+Formals01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XrbInv2KDZo/T1Sp95xwmEI/AAAAAAAACV0/jAiglJR5y18/s320/July+2011+Formals01.jpg" width="213" /></a>He and his Mom came to visit us three Saturdays ago. Marck looked good and I was as excited as always to see him. On that Tuesday night I heard Marck was sick and had a fever. I sent one of our yard guys on Nicks moto to take him some infant tylenol, hoping it would help. On Wednesday I was told that Marck passed away.<br />
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I didn't believe it at first. I had to clarify several times. This was the last thing I wanted to hear. I knew his Mom would be having a difficult time with this. I went and told Nick, and at that point wasn't able to keep the tears away. We hoped on his moto and headed straight to Monias house.<br />
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As I got there, Amy was preparing him to be buried. I helped her put on an adorable little white suit. Marck has always had good style and loved to wear his best for church. His hair, the thing that made me fall in love with him in the first place was neatly braided. I stroked his head and said goodbye to him.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8jpNWMZOb_o/T1SqMi_bUqI/AAAAAAAACV8/pcpkBTZuei4/s1600/July+2011+Formals11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8jpNWMZOb_o/T1SqMi_bUqI/AAAAAAAACV8/pcpkBTZuei4/s320/July+2011+Formals11.jpg" width="320" /></a>About that time, Monia realized I was there. As soon as she saw me, she started weeping again. I walked inside to try and help comfort her. I didn't know what to say, so instead I just stood there and hugged her, her limp body leaning up against mine as she sobbed on my shoulder. This lady who had been a solid rock for the past year since learning about her sons diagnosis, was finally letting it all come to the surface. I rubbed her back and said nothing, what could I say?<br />
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Nick and I stayed at their house for a few hours. We learned that they had taken Marck to the hospital that morning, he had been put on oxygen, but still didn't make it. His friends and family gathered around and told stories of this little boy.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WAaOUAW3s5E/T1SqwQSpYbI/AAAAAAAACWM/HjbzM14sMoo/s1600/May+2011+Formals-Haitian+Flag+Day5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WAaOUAW3s5E/T1SqwQSpYbI/AAAAAAAACWM/HjbzM14sMoo/s320/May+2011+Formals-Haitian+Flag+Day5.jpg" width="213" /></a>Everytime one of our children passes away, I always say the same prayer, "Lord please help us be better people for knowing this child." I didn't have to say this prayer for Marck, I know fully well that I am a MUCH better person for the time I spent with him and his family. He changed my life. I prayed harder for Marck then I ever have for any other baby. I loved him. From his room at COTP, you could look out the windows and see our playground. Eventz and I would visit him daily, and I'd constantly tell both Marck and Monia that when he was older and healthier, he and Eventz were going to play on the playground together. I wanted them to be friends. I wanted him to make it!<br />
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But God has other plans for this little boy. He wanted to take him home early. Monia and Mackenson, his parents, had always hoped that he would be a pastor when he grew up. Even though this dream was never fulfilled, I still believe Marck lead people to Christ and helped strengthen others spiritual relationship. Its crazy that a 8 pound baby could impact so many people in such a profound way, but Marck was capable of just that!<br />
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Please pray for Monia and Mackenson as they are grieving the loss of their son. Please also pray for their newborn son, Mickenson, that was born a few weeks prior to Marck passing away. He is a healthy beautiful little boy!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tZ2MbA8OC4Y/T1SqxumqYVI/AAAAAAAACWU/hS-H11ejyXU/s1600/marc+and+dad+2+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tZ2MbA8OC4Y/T1SqxumqYVI/AAAAAAAACWU/hS-H11ejyXU/s320/marc+and+dad+2+.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7PjAf3E7Iso/T1SqcvyZcpI/AAAAAAAACWE/AlbwZFy6Ix0/s1600/July+2011+Formals15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7PjAf3E7Iso/T1SqcvyZcpI/AAAAAAAACWE/AlbwZFy6Ix0/s320/July+2011+Formals15.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>Nick and Nikki Stolberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10490231576084538075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373940250098152345.post-84311570421937066302012-02-28T17:15:00.000-08:002012-02-28T17:24:45.569-08:00Happy 2nd Birthday Eventz!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Eventz celebrated his 2nd birthday today! I can't believe how big my boy is getting already! Seems like we just celebrated his first birthday last week! Since Eventz is obsessed with Lions we of course had to have a lion themed party. And who better to invite to a lion party then a few of the boys from the Lyon room! I figure the best way to sum up his birthday is in pics! Enjoy!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coloring his lion Mask!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mommy!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blowing his party whistle Grandma brought for him!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boys sporting their masks!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Notice my son is the only one not wearing his mask!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby Brother Josiah!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teacher Mateja read the boys two lion stories!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Surprisingly, Eventz actually paid attention to the story!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And then afterwards looked through it again!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fred blowing two whistles at once!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mickenson enjoyed Eventz Thomas the Train!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgANmwZMJpUK4y6LnhnLDAy9e3FEAZM97Y1U2aPt7bsJCsMLaJf5FY_SxUQ_AJweZ_60RurgaMECCcdvz-AKwTtlC78qFl9DGJ2Hy7CRXxqqp6Zjz3wwCbpljA5XCgpPLU9F8jhSHWX0BY/s1600/IMG_6354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgANmwZMJpUK4y6LnhnLDAy9e3FEAZM97Y1U2aPt7bsJCsMLaJf5FY_SxUQ_AJweZ_60RurgaMECCcdvz-AKwTtlC78qFl9DGJ2Hy7CRXxqqp6Zjz3wwCbpljA5XCgpPLU9F8jhSHWX0BY/s320/IMG_6354.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fuzziness of this photo helps show how much the boys loved chasing balloons around the patio!</td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FDPjnUSfPdk/T01moD2rkEI/AAAAAAAACUs/Ls7Rse8ghBU/s1600/IMG_0137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FDPjnUSfPdk/T01moD2rkEI/AAAAAAAACUs/Ls7Rse8ghBU/s320/IMG_0137.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Eventz Lion Cake I made for him!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7hoBomQhUBs/T01nyifCDxI/AAAAAAAACU0/SPfiyyraetU/s1600/IMG_0141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7hoBomQhUBs/T01nyifCDxI/AAAAAAAACU0/SPfiyyraetU/s320/IMG_0141.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dm6Cx2gssns/T01oYXtpNXI/AAAAAAAACU8/sDZjRT7qHFE/s1600/IMG_0143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dm6Cx2gssns/T01oYXtpNXI/AAAAAAAACU8/sDZjRT7qHFE/s320/IMG_0143.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eventz seeing his cake I made him for the first time!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BwiLuHGQCDc/T01Rnn35aJI/AAAAAAAACO8/b1LxbraTO1U/s1600/IMG_6371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BwiLuHGQCDc/T01Rnn35aJI/AAAAAAAACO8/b1LxbraTO1U/s320/IMG_6371.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XRMJkqZa6vE/T01RuffRy9I/AAAAAAAACPE/rvHmJ6KZ6N4/s1600/IMG_6373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XRMJkqZa6vE/T01RuffRy9I/AAAAAAAACPE/rvHmJ6KZ6N4/s320/IMG_6373.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wedly eating his cake!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6Uy76Ga9L3o/T01R2dmoJeI/AAAAAAAACPM/q1sR4PqdIwQ/s1600/IMG_6375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6Uy76Ga9L3o/T01R2dmoJeI/AAAAAAAACPM/q1sR4PqdIwQ/s320/IMG_6375.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fred enjoyed the cake!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i4nKZdMcqgg/T01SGDIB8kI/AAAAAAAACPU/XZR7ui7YHDU/s1600/IMG_6377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i4nKZdMcqgg/T01SGDIB8kI/AAAAAAAACPU/XZR7ui7YHDU/s320/IMG_6377.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3iqbt4OUe38fqjLBHbO2z9Y8VDqz-fXF9epZzRFMbCALCHbQZ9Ufs7SzLc_DNloPUGMLlVYlbWUWTqD2UqWMWfk0nf0l3wyYzuOqhxFo8llYoXPQRB6FgQSyHpLI2n9-8xHKFOKEBZeo/s1600/IMG_6378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3iqbt4OUe38fqjLBHbO2z9Y8VDqz-fXF9epZzRFMbCALCHbQZ9Ufs7SzLc_DNloPUGMLlVYlbWUWTqD2UqWMWfk0nf0l3wyYzuOqhxFo8llYoXPQRB6FgQSyHpLI2n9-8xHKFOKEBZeo/s320/IMG_6378.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_RlOyEWHaZ8/T01StO_P6II/AAAAAAAACPk/eK-PLhvDTW0/s1600/IMG_6380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_RlOyEWHaZ8/T01StO_P6II/AAAAAAAACPk/eK-PLhvDTW0/s320/IMG_6380.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WS32j0Y8i6I/T01S1FKuBDI/AAAAAAAACPs/F4J5J8JEdNY/s1600/IMG_6386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WS32j0Y8i6I/T01S1FKuBDI/AAAAAAAACPs/F4J5J8JEdNY/s320/IMG_6386.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at that tongue!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cvfp7I-oTo4/T01TCcHjdDI/AAAAAAAACP0/Djn-ZqsE1H0/s1600/IMG_6391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cvfp7I-oTo4/T01TCcHjdDI/AAAAAAAACP0/Djn-ZqsE1H0/s320/IMG_6391.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yummy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-47hJ16oDIPA/T01Te1xoIVI/AAAAAAAACP8/an8gie3ctU8/s1600/IMG_6393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-47hJ16oDIPA/T01Te1xoIVI/AAAAAAAACP8/an8gie3ctU8/s320/IMG_6393.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr. Manno!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DraBQDqlT-w/T01UQ14C-9I/AAAAAAAACQE/5GBtZXSLO14/s1600/IMG_6397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DraBQDqlT-w/T01UQ14C-9I/AAAAAAAACQE/5GBtZXSLO14/s320/IMG_6397.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Josiah slept through a lot of the party!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nmKNTfnTn0M/T01UhcWnU4I/AAAAAAAACQM/qNQJHuET_NA/s1600/IMG_6403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nmKNTfnTn0M/T01UhcWnU4I/AAAAAAAACQM/qNQJHuET_NA/s320/IMG_6403.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our little family!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WoK8Hnm6lRI/T01U7OU1A3I/AAAAAAAACQU/joswRziHJgo/s1600/IMG_6409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WoK8Hnm6lRI/T01U7OU1A3I/AAAAAAAACQU/joswRziHJgo/s320/IMG_6409.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">King Eventz was the first in the pool!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Gg90Y4ehRo/T01VUxlJHcI/AAAAAAAACQc/UhewYkGE5qs/s1600/IMG_6422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Gg90Y4ehRo/T01VUxlJHcI/AAAAAAAACQc/UhewYkGE5qs/s320/IMG_6422.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wfCRxibqSfE/T01VxKuLmBI/AAAAAAAACQk/QIy9-GD8idE/s1600/IMG_6437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wfCRxibqSfE/T01VxKuLmBI/AAAAAAAACQk/QIy9-GD8idE/s320/IMG_6437.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He LOVES the water!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rQ22I4-z1vQ/T01WXC0Ur6I/AAAAAAAACQs/J7pCBJY7hM4/s1600/IMG_6439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rQ22I4-z1vQ/T01WXC0Ur6I/AAAAAAAACQs/J7pCBJY7hM4/s320/IMG_6439.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ARKqjGRBn48/T01XAC2zd-I/AAAAAAAACQ0/Y91-YUweVM4/s1600/IMG_6488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ARKqjGRBn48/T01XAC2zd-I/AAAAAAAACQ0/Y91-YUweVM4/s320/IMG_6488.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aeNsaaEHvAI/T01XMVjzNeI/AAAAAAAACQ8/ntyHgDpMcp8/s1600/IMG_6490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aeNsaaEHvAI/T01XMVjzNeI/AAAAAAAACQ8/ntyHgDpMcp8/s320/IMG_6490.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aTtXUDuq1f8/T01XcZF3ebI/AAAAAAAACRE/ShlUSrnKTTA/s1600/IMG_6500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aTtXUDuq1f8/T01XcZF3ebI/AAAAAAAACRE/ShlUSrnKTTA/s320/IMG_6500.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hdXwTnju4YQ/T01XoypEVzI/AAAAAAAACRM/P9ILTid5eOI/s1600/IMG_6503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hdXwTnju4YQ/T01XoypEVzI/AAAAAAAACRM/P9ILTid5eOI/s320/IMG_6503.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All five of these boys are ALL boy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RO8i-i8y1KY/T01YLD_MT_I/AAAAAAAACRU/RSquLRYG6eA/s1600/IMG_6504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RO8i-i8y1KY/T01YLD_MT_I/AAAAAAAACRU/RSquLRYG6eA/s320/IMG_6504.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
There were a LOT of collisions!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gByJ4Llc40E/T01YjdwjfAI/AAAAAAAACRc/2FvEtGRifkY/s1600/IMG_6505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gByJ4Llc40E/T01YjdwjfAI/AAAAAAAACRc/2FvEtGRifkY/s320/IMG_6505.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CbIUkCNuieI/T01Y5MtPyYI/AAAAAAAACRk/xTkxQGIMTkU/s1600/IMG_6507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CbIUkCNuieI/T01Y5MtPyYI/AAAAAAAACRk/xTkxQGIMTkU/s320/IMG_6507.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ouch! Surprisingly no one cried, even with all the collisions!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tr-IcCZ5VO8/T01ZY4pRpII/AAAAAAAACRs/vjQ4mOVCQ_s/s1600/IMG_6513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tr-IcCZ5VO8/T01ZY4pRpII/AAAAAAAACRs/vjQ4mOVCQ_s/s320/IMG_6513.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ucEz7AMVVtE/T01Zt3yj9yI/AAAAAAAACR0/W7qlpe4ZDaU/s1600/IMG_6515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ucEz7AMVVtE/T01Zt3yj9yI/AAAAAAAACR0/W7qlpe4ZDaU/s320/IMG_6515.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fKjsRsjvU1U/T01Z-KfnL0I/AAAAAAAACR8/e75K2-QUBn4/s1600/IMG_6532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fKjsRsjvU1U/T01Z-KfnL0I/AAAAAAAACR8/e75K2-QUBn4/s320/IMG_6532.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Brotherly" love!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y8EjtPHlP4A/T01asLGgTQI/AAAAAAAACSE/oky9dA2vY3Y/s1600/IMG_6533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y8EjtPHlP4A/T01asLGgTQI/AAAAAAAACSE/oky9dA2vY3Y/s320/IMG_6533.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love this one of Mickenson!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7YZNu5y2pcI/T01bJ2gWtjI/AAAAAAAACSM/zRKMMIaA-60/s1600/IMG_6557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7YZNu5y2pcI/T01bJ2gWtjI/AAAAAAAACSM/zRKMMIaA-60/s320/IMG_6557.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wipe out!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4MVjsTgpuoE/T01bdu7QymI/AAAAAAAACSU/O8696YLVTIc/s1600/IMG_6558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4MVjsTgpuoE/T01bdu7QymI/AAAAAAAACSU/O8696YLVTIc/s320/IMG_6558.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ajI2zKtFaA0/T01chFlo09I/AAAAAAAACSs/xa-DYp5wKWY/s1600/IMG_6575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ajI2zKtFaA0/T01chFlo09I/AAAAAAAACSs/xa-DYp5wKWY/s320/IMG_6575.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l3FDrnUf7nU/T01cqwPU8oI/AAAAAAAACS0/IIAlGFTOmbM/s1600/IMG_6603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l3FDrnUf7nU/T01cqwPU8oI/AAAAAAAACS0/IIAlGFTOmbM/s320/IMG_6603.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boys will be boys!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Afterwards Eventz was shivering and needed a good cuddle with Mommy!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What better gift for a Lion Lover than Lion King? We of course are watching it tonight!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mommy and Daddy got him Capris Sun in the DR! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was his first time drinking it and he LOVED it!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fun sunglasses from Grandma!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This looks an awful lot like his pics from last year!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nick promised Eventz he could have steak every year for his bday! We had to show our cook a picture on Google to show her what type of meat we wanted! This is Nick lighting the bbq with his torch!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eventz was too busy watching lion king to show you all how old he is!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I LOVE this little boy SO incredibly much!! Look at his adorable birthday Shirt!</td></tr>
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Happy Birthday to my Favorites two year old in the whole world! Mommy loves you SO much and I love spending every day with you! I am so proud of the boy you are growing into and love watching you grow and develop every day! I am excited to see how this next year goes and laugh at all the little things you do everyday which never cease to amaze me!</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">***Children of the Promise has given explicit permission for the posting of photos on this site. Photos taken of children in the care of Children of the Promise are not to be posted publicly without explicit permission given by Children of the Promise.</span></span></div>
</div>Nick and Nikki Stolberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10490231576084538075noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373940250098152345.post-35709200973038299442012-02-21T17:52:00.000-08:002012-02-21T17:52:44.897-08:00Vacationing in the Dominican RepublicLast week Nick and I took our first vacation together since moving to Haiti almost two years ago. We have had this trip planned many times, even had reservations once, but something always comes up that causes us to cancel. This time we decided nothing was going to get in the way as we were in desperate need of a break!<br />
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As Nick was booking our hotel, he asked if we wanted to pay an extra $28 in order to get our money back if we had to cancel. My exact quote was "I don't plan on canceling." As our trip got closer and closer I kept thinking that we should have paid the extra money to ensure we'd get our money back. Always pay for insurance in Haiti! Surely we wouldn't actually go on this trip, we never do. Something was going to go wrong.<br />
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Many things came up that made us think our trip would be canceled, but the trip kept getting closer and it was all set for us to go. Milouse, our personal nanny would be watching our 3 boys during the day, and Adam and Mateja had bravely (or naively, not sure which) offered to take on the night shifts with the 3 Stolberg Houligans!<br />
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I waited to pack our bags until late the night before, trying not to get my hopes up. As I was packing I was so happy I couldn't quit smiling. I may have even made up a little song and did a little dance about how excited I was, but only Josiah was in the room and he was asleep, so no one will ever really know if that happened or not!<br />
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We got up early the next morning, I about cried (ok maybe I did a LITTLE) as I kissed Eventz goodbye, and headed towards the boarder. This was the first time we have ever both left either of our kids over night, so it was a pretty big deal.<br />
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About 5 minutes from the boarder the vehicle in front of us stopped to talk to a guy parked on the side of the road. He leaned out and waved us back. We both knew exactly what this meant. Riots. There had been a lot of political drama that week, but we were hoping to have miss it all by leaving early. 5 minutes from the boarder, and we were discussing whether or not to turn back. I knew the trip was to good to be true.<br />
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To keep a long story short and not freak my Mom out a week before she comes down I'll just give the highlights of that part of the trip. We sat on the side of the road for almost 3 hours, did a lot of advancing to get better views, retreated a lot, took some back roads, picked up a stranger to have him show us the way, saw lots of burning tires, had some rocks and bottles thrown in our general direction, drove through a voodoo temple, learned our stranger was from Port and didn't know the roads any better then us, and finally, made it to the boarder and on with our trip! We were thankful for the 4 UN tanks, 2 jeeps, 2 trucks, and approximately 40 UN personnel for breaking up the first set of manifestations which opened up the side road for us to pass! The UN must have gotten the memo that this trip really needed to happen and came just to ensure it did!<br />
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The rest of our trip was uneventful as far as that type of stuff goes. Our trip was brief, we were only at the hotel for less than 40 hours, but it was much needed! We jammed a lot into that short trip. We laid by the pool, I had an awful message, rented a bike and drove around, ate a lot of food, got some much needed sleep, watched tv for the first time in a long time, played water volleyball, walked on the beach, watched the sun set, ate a lot more, etc!<br />
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We did a lot, and we also didn't do a lot. We didn't change any diapers, we didn't make any bottles, we didn't say "don't climb on the roof," or "Quit fighting." We didn't hear about deaths (except on the news but that doesn't count), we didn't make any life or death decisions (besides where to eat we didn't really make any decisions at all), we didn't work on schedules, we didn't check our emails, we didn't pay any one, we didn't have any meetings, we didn't lead any tours, and oh so much more! It was so great to have NO responsibilities for a few days, we so badly needed that!<br />
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Our hotel was incredibly beautiful. When we got there we decided we needed to make sure it was the right place before we got our bag out of the car. I kept saying, theres no way this is it, we didn't pay nearly enough for such a pretty place. But I was surprised when we were given a key and showed to our room! Off season prices are great! <br />
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That trip made me realize how badly I want my boys to have passports so that we can travel and take trips with them! It also made me realize how difficult it is to live in Haiti. After being here for a while, you forget about all the things that your going with out. One thing that really hit me during this trip is that Nick and I never have the opportunity to just walk around holding hands. We don't ever go anywhere together and living in community prevents simple things like that from happening. Having all of these things shoved in our face was a lot to handle! I wouldn't trade living here for anything, but sometimes I'm reminded how hard it is!<br />
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We were so thankful for our amazing trip, but we were also both very ready to be back with our boys! We kind of like our kids and weren't huge fans of leaving them! Thankfully none of them died and Adam and Mateja were still "mostly" sain when we got back!Nick and Nikki Stolberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10490231576084538075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373940250098152345.post-41597671649822979252012-02-06T18:16:00.000-08:002012-02-06T18:16:10.459-08:00ListeningOne of my main jobs here is to simply listen to people. Any time someone comes to the gate, Roseline and I are the first ones to go see them. We sit with these families, sometimes for over an hour, and simply just listen to their stories. They are almost always heart breaking. Stories of death, poverty, starvation, rape, abuse, and much more. I can't tell you how many times I've had someone look me in the eyes and say "My children and I are suffering."<br />
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This suffering is unlike anything I can ever relate to. It's not like when I haven't eaten for a couple hours and say "I'm Starving." They truly know what starvation looks like. The families I interact with everyday are truly suffering.<br />
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More often than not, all I can do is listen. I listen to all these stories, and send most of the people away with very little or no help. For every child we admit, I would say we turn away somewhere between 6-10 others. But still, I take the time to hear them out.<br />
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Today I met with two very different families, both with very difficult stories.<br />
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The first family was referred to us by other missionaries from about 3 hours away. They have a 2 month old baby who tested positive for HIV. The other missionaries have cared for the baby for the past 11 days and literally saved his life. They drove the family up here to see if there was anything we could do for their child. <br />
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As I talked to the family, both Mom and Dad refused to admit that their baby was positive. I asked if I could retest the child so that we would know for sure. They agreed. Our Haitian Pediatrician was here today, and so I asked him to administer the test and discuss the results with the family, because with the circumstances, I thought it would be accepted better from him then from me. This test also came back positive.<br />
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We spent a significant amount of time talking with these parents trying to ensure that they understood what this means. That they understood how important it was to get the baby medical attention as soon as possible. To ensure they understood that the baby could still grow up and live a healthy normal life. Several times both parents looked me straight in the eyes and informed me that their baby was NOT HIV positive. I told them we didn't have to take their baby in order to help them and that they could continue to raise him, but medical care was needed. They refused to listen, adamant that the baby was not positive.<br />
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We told them about clinics that offer free appointments and medication for HIV+ children. I wrote down their phone numbers and encouraged them to call them to set up an appointment. They took the paper but I don't know if they will ever call.<br />
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I can't imagine what was going through there heads today. Not only did they learn that their precious baby is sick, but also that one, or likely both, of them are as well. In Haiti, most people think that HIV is a death sentence. We tried to explain that there was treatment available for them and that they could receive it for free. They had to be terrified. I'm sure they have no one to talk to about this as the stigmas about HIV are so strong, and therefor will likely always keep it a secret. This secret, will likely cause them to loose their precious baby, and eventually each other.<br />
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They walked out of our pharmacy and out our gate, refusing to accept any help. Now I can only pray that they take that piece of paper out of their pocket and make a life saving phone call. Please pray for this family during this difficult time, and please pray specifically for Baby W. who doesn't have the ability to make this life changing decision for himself.<br />
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Immediately after this family, I met with another family, a Dad, his cousin, and his young son. Another family, another heart breaking story. The longer I talked with them, the more I realized how much this father loves his child. At one time he even began crying as we discussed what adoption meant and what would be in the best interest of his baby. This mans wife died a few months ago, leaving him responsible for caring for his 6 young children. He works cultivating land, but can't care for all the kids on his own.<br />
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He asked his sister in law to help him care for 4 of the 6 kids. She agreed, but a few months in, decided she couldn't be responsible for this many children, and gave the oldest away as a Restavak (child slave) to a family in Cap Haitien. The Aunt leaves the baby in the care of his 7 year old sister all day long while she works. If the 7 year old isn't available, she puts him in a chair and he sits there all by himself, for hours on end until she comes home.<br />
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Dad doesn't want adoption, he loves his baby, but he knows he can't care for him and fears that his Sister in Law will turn his other kids into Restavaks as well. Whats this father to do. Again, I can't even begin to imagine.<br />
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These are the stories I hear daily. I don't want this child to die of HIV because the parent fear of being outcasts from their friends and family. I want to find a way to help them. I don't want to put this child up for adoption, but know the child can't live with the aunt either. I want to find a way for the Dad to be able to successfully care for all of his children because he so clearly loves them. But I can't. I can't change the stigmas here. I can't keep every family together. This world is broken, so deeply broken that there will always be these stories.<br />
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I have to make decisions every day. I have to decide whether or not to allow this father to put his child up for adoption. If I do, he'll live the rest of his life missing his baby. His son will grow up in a new family, be loved, and well cared for, but always wonder why he couldn't stay with his family in Haiti. If I don't do adoption for this child, I take the chance that he'll be turned into a child slave.<br />
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Sometimes I can't do much at all. But I can listen. I can hear their stories. I can respect these families enough, love them enough, and bless them enough, to take an hour out of my day to sit there and talk to them. To truly learn their whole story. Sometimes listening doesn't feel like enough, but maybe, sometimes it's just what these families need. I have had 3 people cry in my office this week as they are telling me their struggles. All I can do is listen and pray for them.<br />
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Will you please pray for these families as well. Pray for these two families in particular. Pray for the multiple families I talked to last week, and pray for the multiple families I will talk to this week. Pray God will find a way to end their suffering. Pray God will give me the ability to know when I can and when I can't help. And especially, pray for the babies that come into our lives everyday.Nick and Nikki Stolberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10490231576084538075noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373940250098152345.post-48981622850930995232012-01-30T17:50:00.000-08:002012-01-30T17:50:01.019-08:00Living up to his Name!The newest member of our family, Josiah has been living up to his name and wants to remind us all that the Lord Saves. He has given us quite the fright a few times this last week.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Josiah recovering on our couch after his first "episode."</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Last Sunday night I woke up and had a feeling that I needed to check on Josiah, and when I did, I noticed he wasn't breathing well. He would take several deep breaths and then stop breathing all together. We woke up Erin, a NICU nurse that was here for a few days, as well as Sheila our nurse. They came upstairs and told us that he was forgetting to breath. She timed him for a minute and he stopped breathing 5 times. Some of these pauses would be for 10 seconds and he would need to be rubbed hard to reminded to breath. We started him on oxygen and he eventually became more stable.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />Monday evening Erin was holding Josiah and noticed that he quit breathing for 20 seconds. We immediately put him on oxygen again. His pauses were more often and for much longer than they had been that morning. She called Jan, our executive director and was encouraged to take Josiah to the hospital. I knew this was best, but wasn't excited as this would mean taking him off of oxygen for at least the 30 min drive. He was really bad in the car and quit breathing a lot. Erin even had to breath into his mouth a few times to snap him back out of it. At one point she asked how much longer and when we said 10 mins, she said good because he wouldn't make it longer than that. I was a mess and Nick was driving faster than we ever have in Haiti!</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a6hP8nvqQvE/TydEOAGQcUI/AAAAAAAACMo/abjZDrZ5sYw/s1600/DSCN0168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a6hP8nvqQvE/TydEOAGQcUI/AAAAAAAACMo/abjZDrZ5sYw/s320/DSCN0168.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"></span><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We arrived at the Hospital and he was put on oxygen right away. A large group of every type of visiting </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> doctors you can imagine were there waiting to consult with him when we arrived. They did an ECHO on him which came back clear. We even had a heart surgeon verify the ECHO and he agreed. Lab work was done right away. The original plan was to intibate him, but he responded really well to the oxygen and became stable, so they decided to stick with that. They spent several hours watching him and checking everything you can imagine. His lab work came back clear the next morning.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I ended up spending that night in the hospital with him and Nick spent the following Night there. Spending the night in the hospital isn't quite what I'm sure your imagining. The Peds Ward is one giant room full of all the kids and their guardians. All the cribs are right next to each other and it's jammed packed. There is no room for beds for the parents, so instead, each is offered a plastic chair to sleep in for days on end while they wait for their childs health to improve. I was blessed, my chair was new and not broken like many of the others. Half way through the night I couldn't handle it anymore as I had been up the whole night before with him. I had to get some sleep and that plastic chair wasn't doing it. I decided I didn't care what anyone else thought, I crawled in Josiah's crib and got about an hour and a half of sleep before I was woke up by another Mom who let me know that I wasn't holding my child right. We often get that kind of advice here, regardless of how we hold babies. Regardless to say, I was pretty dang exhausted the next day. In three days I slept for about 6 hours. I almost fainted at one point due to exhaustion, but Nick gave me that night off and I slept for 10.5 hours, so I was able to recover.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Anyways, back to Josiah.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Josiah in the Hospital. On oxygen, an IV in his scalp, and an NG tube in his nose!</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">His breathing was really labored Tuesday morning and he was retracting a lot, which means that his breaths were deep and would cave in so much you could see all his ribs. They were pretty concerned about the way he looked that morning. His coloring was off, his feet had edema (swelling), and his stomach was bloated. They decided to do a chest X-ray to see if it was pneumonia or something else. This also came back clear.<br /><br />Basically after all of this, they have decided that its just RSV, a virus, and theres nothing they can do except let it clear up on its own. He was able to come home late Wednesday night and he hasn't been on oxygen since. The car ride was a bit stressful for him and he quit breathing a few times, but has been very stable ever since. We have been giving Josiah 24 hour care since he came home and will have to continue that for a while as we can't trust that he'll continue breathing on his own. Nick and I are splitting night shifts in half and taking turns going downstairs to work. My Mom and step dad are coming next week to help with the older two and to take shifts with him as well! He is drinking well and now weighs 4# 7 oz!</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HPKmSDiZLbs/TydEh2GqUtI/AAAAAAAACM4/BSVElXyuy9Q/s1600/DSCN0172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HPKmSDiZLbs/TydEh2GqUtI/AAAAAAAACM4/BSVElXyuy9Q/s320/DSCN0172.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"></span><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Thank you so much for your prayers during all of this. It has been a long week, but we are so thankful for all the people God put in place these last few days to help care for our little boy. We couldn't be happier with the care he has been given by both the international as well as Haitian medical personnel! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We named him Josiah because we feel that the Lord saved his life when he was first born. He also saved his life the day we went back to the hospital. The kid just wants to live up to his name, but hopefully won't have to any more! Please continue praying for him as he is still incredibly fragile. And please pray for strength for Nick and I as we are already pretty tired from getting up with him and the incredibly busy week we have had! </span>Nick and Nikki Stolberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10490231576084538075noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373940250098152345.post-77808624481688143532012-01-21T11:43:00.000-08:002012-01-21T11:43:36.007-08:00Waiting on Siah!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EYyrFGB-T7g/TxsT_FHvKjI/AAAAAAAACMI/PuFagWHcvCk/s1600/IMG_6088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EYyrFGB-T7g/TxsT_FHvKjI/AAAAAAAACMI/PuFagWHcvCk/s320/IMG_6088.JPG" width="213" /></a>I spent 8 days from the time I was matched with Josiah until my baby came home. Those 8 days were incredibly difficult. When I thought about him, my stomach literally hurt. All I could think about was having him home so that I could love on him and fatten him up. I knew he was getting decent care in the hospital, but it wasn't the same. He wasn't getting loved by his Mommy and Daddy. I just kept thinking that every day he spent there, away from us, would make his bonding and attachment much more difficult.<br />
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Although I hated those 8 days, I'm so thankful I was able to experience them. Those 8 days helped me understand a small piece of what our adoptive families feel every day.<br />
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I know the adoptive Moms reading this right now are thinking I have no idea, I had to wait 8 days while many of them have already waited 18 months and still don't have their child home.<br />
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I would assume that in some ways, my waiting period was much harder, but in many ways it was much easier!<br />
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I am so thankful that I was able to go see my baby everyday. To give Josiah hugs and kisses. To ask the nurses how he was drinking and to get a daily update on his weight. Being able to see him during this time was a huge blessing. But every time I visited, I also had to leave, which broke my heart. It was so difficult to leave my LITTLE bundle of joy there. It was hard to know that I was only 15 minutes away from Josiah but wasn't allowed to take him home. I was so close, yet so far away!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U4t8UybFZ70/TxsUD_HuT8I/AAAAAAAACMY/8D3v38IiUsQ/s1600/IMG_6096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U4t8UybFZ70/TxsUD_HuT8I/AAAAAAAACMY/8D3v38IiUsQ/s320/IMG_6096.JPG" width="320" /></a>I knew the quality of care Josiah was getting, and therefore was able to sleep a little better at night. Had I never seen where he was living, as most of our adoptive parents have not, I would have been a wreck thinking of all the possible things that could have gone wrong. I would probably have assumed he was in the worst place imaginable and drove myself crazy worrying about him.<br />
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I was also blessed to be able to build a strong relationship with the nurses who were caring for him. It's possible that we might have bribed them with drinks at least once to try and get on their good side. I was able to thank them every day for caring for my little man while I couldn't, and I was also able to remind them every single day how much I loved him and that they therefore should too. I'm glad I was able to communicate with them and know their culture well enough to know how far I could and couldn't push the discharge conversation! We were able to joke with them and shared a few laughs, which we all enjoyed! They went from calling me the usual 'Lagossette' (the village we live in) to 'Nikki!'<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SpT0XlR1Cc0/TxsUBkhHIqI/AAAAAAAACMQ/p4xMmh0oNX0/s1600/IMG_6090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SpT0XlR1Cc0/TxsUBkhHIqI/AAAAAAAACMQ/p4xMmh0oNX0/s320/IMG_6090.JPG" width="213" /></a>I think of all our adoptive families who have no idea who is caring for their child. Who would love to be able to shower them with gifts to show their appreciation and who would give anything to remind them that their child is loved and a part of someones family. Our parents would give anything to know how their child ate and how they were doing every single day. For these things I am beyond blessed.<br />
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Now when I hear of adoptive parents worrying about things that seem ridiculous to me, I will have a little more understanding and compassion for what they are going through.<br />
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To our adoptive parents out there, know that although we would love to get your child home to you ASAP, they really are in a great place! We have some AMAZING women who care for them daily. We are doing the best we can to honor these women and help them feel appreciated, which directly affect the care they provide to your little one! We are trying the best we can to process their paperwork quickly. Know that your child is being showered in love and that our nannies pray for your babies and for you EVERY SINGLE DAY!Nick and Nikki Stolberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10490231576084538075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373940250098152345.post-45178207480525717422012-01-16T16:43:00.000-08:002012-01-16T16:43:26.486-08:00Josiah-The Lord Saves<br />
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Apparently there is a Haitian Proverb that says something along the lines of "when your child is old enough to bend over and look between their legs, it's time for the next child!" Well Eventz has been doing this for months now and every time I say "look Nick, Eventz is asking for a sibling again!" </div>
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Nick and I have been wanting to add to our family for a long time, but have been waiting for the right timing. We didn't want to just adopt any child but instead wanted to wait until we met a child that we instantly knew was ours. We also had a few things we were looking for, for example, we really wanted a newborn since Eventz was 9 months old when we got him. Now the time frame that we have been waiting for may be a little bit different for each of us, but for me, I have been keeping my eye out for nearly a year now! </div>
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Last Tuesday, Nick received a call that there was a 28 day old baby at the hospital that would be coming to our care and was for adoption. We learned the very basics of the child's story, which is very limited. We both knew almost instantly that this was our child. We had no idea if the baby was a boy or a girl, what the babies health status was, or anything, but we knew that he or she was ours! We were excited when we heard the report later that day that the baby was a healthy little 2.5 lb boy! </div>
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We talked and prayed about him for about a day and a half and then that Thursday we called our staff in the States to see if we could adopt him. They asked to think about it. We were worried what this would mean, but decided to go see him for the first time anyways! My heart melted instantly and it was definitely love at first sight. I couldn't quit kissing this tiny little body. I just wanted to take him home right then and there and shower him with love. But I couldn't because I wasn't even approved to adopt him yet. </div>
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On Friday afternoon we discussed it again with our staff and received the official approval to add this baby to our family! Both Nick and I were extremely excited for this news! We decided to name him Josiah, which means the Lord saves. We thought this was pretty good since the Lord definitely saved this little guy! Over the course of the next eight days, we went and visited him everyday. Our trips were never very long as we would always go during Eventz and Wedly's nap time, which means we had to hurry back before they woke up. Each time I left my baby there it was incredibly difficult. I so desperately wanted to stay with him, but theres no where in the NICU for parents, so my only option would have been to sleep outside on the hard wooden benches with the other new moms. Although I'm normally up for an adventure, this wasn't really something that was realistic. Plus I have two other kids at home that I have to care for in addition to all my other responsibilities here. </div>
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For 8 days we went and visited our baby boy. We held him each time, we kissed him, sang to him, and told him all about his big brother and how he had to get fattened up quick cause Eventz would want to wrestle with him! Even though he was 5 weeks old, he was still be low his birth weight and not gaining any. We requested that they change his formula to a higher calorie one. After a few days they did that. Then we asked that they change from feeding him every 3 hours to every 2 hours. Sometimes this happened, sometimes it didn't. After 8 days I couldn't take it any more. Josiah was perfectly healthy and the only reason he was in the hospital was because he was to tiny. He weighed 1.2 kg and they said he had to weigh 1.5 to come home, but he just wasn't gaining. There was nothing being done for him at the hospital that we couldn't do for him at home. We have cared for a lot of premies in our time here, a few of which were even smaller then him. We knew what we were doing and really wanted our baby home with us. </div>
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Finally on Saturday I decided it was time. I went to the hospital early in morning and waited all day to talk to the doctor. Thankfully we had gotten to know each other quite well these past few days. After discussing it (which was incredibly difficult because she's cuban and although she knows a little Creole, when she speaks, she often forgets what language she's supposed to be using and switches back and forth constantly) we both agreed it was probably in Josiah's best interest for him to come home! </div>
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So now I'm laying on my bed, baby boy on my chest, and writing all about him! We announced it to our family Saturday night after he came home. They were all able to Skype with him and see just how cute he is! Eventz wasn't sure what to think of his little brother at first, but is really starting to come around! He calls him either baby or Siah which we think is really cute. At first he just ignored him, but he is now giving him kisses often and constantly saying baby! He is obsessed with touching Josiah's toes and saying "toes" in the cutest little voice ever! Who couldn't be obsessed with those toes! I don't think he fully understands what having a brother means since we have so many kids that come and go from our house so often, but he'll get it. </div>
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Please contine to pray for Josiah. If he was in the States, he would still be in an incubator for quite a while. Thats not an option here. His tiny 2.5 lbs body is incredibly fragile right now and any little disease will be a huge deal for him. Please pray that he gains weight quickly and that he develops well and doesn't have any medical needs. Please pray for Eventz and Wedly as they are adjusting to having a little brother in the house. And please pray for Nick and I as we are going to be up every 2 hours with him for quite a while!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Josiah's "crib" aka changing table, at the hospital!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KRl86mz_4hg/TxS86KhqCJI/AAAAAAAACKw/5JqILmldGug/s1600/DSCN0123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KRl86mz_4hg/TxS86KhqCJI/AAAAAAAACKw/5JqILmldGug/s320/DSCN0123.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Tiny fingers!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TDQF2bqGQ58/TxS9FDKS91I/AAAAAAAACK4/VywkLZt0LGw/s1600/DSCN0127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TDQF2bqGQ58/TxS9FDKS91I/AAAAAAAACK4/VywkLZt0LGw/s320/DSCN0127.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Being weighed at the hospital to see if he could come home!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NXU-dN4XvHo/TxS9HpPz6NI/AAAAAAAACLA/dFD6jasRwQ0/s1600/DSCN0132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NXU-dN4XvHo/TxS9HpPz6NI/AAAAAAAACLA/dFD6jasRwQ0/s320/DSCN0132.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Josiah right after he got home, drinking from a bottle for the first time!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4nPeZyM6rqk/TxS9LU_lAWI/AAAAAAAACLI/NHnO0lGsmVc/s1600/DSCN0133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4nPeZyM6rqk/TxS9LU_lAWI/AAAAAAAACLI/NHnO0lGsmVc/s320/DSCN0133.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">First ever Family picture!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G322X8XhNEw/TxS9ODvzFnI/AAAAAAAACLQ/Ohcs_-_tkaM/s1600/DSCN0141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G322X8XhNEw/TxS9ODvzFnI/AAAAAAAACLQ/Ohcs_-_tkaM/s320/DSCN0141.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Josiah's first ever bath, he was NOT a fan!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9LlX01kxG3Y/TxS9VE0DSEI/AAAAAAAACLY/h4cLzFW0024/s1600/DSCN0143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9LlX01kxG3Y/TxS9VE0DSEI/AAAAAAAACLY/h4cLzFW0024/s320/DSCN0143.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Snuggle time!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UlsO6jNkvVE/TxS9Y4AeiUI/AAAAAAAACLg/nD-A2Lwn_4Q/s1600/DSCN0144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UlsO6jNkvVE/TxS9Y4AeiUI/AAAAAAAACLg/nD-A2Lwn_4Q/s320/DSCN0144.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Brotherly lovin!</td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-As6ZfFdZq7g/TxS9cchyy0I/AAAAAAAACLo/zQsI5FCOS8c/s1600/DSCN0146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-As6ZfFdZq7g/TxS9cchyy0I/AAAAAAAACLo/zQsI5FCOS8c/s320/DSCN0146.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-34uyFWSDSqM/TxS9e6fzoRI/AAAAAAAACLw/emG9nA9tAn4/s1600/DSCN0152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-34uyFWSDSqM/TxS9e6fzoRI/AAAAAAAACLw/emG9nA9tAn4/s320/DSCN0152.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Eventz giving his brother kisses!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FXmRL9Uat5s/TxTCvpTwriI/AAAAAAAACL4/gql81jvOO8E/s1600/IMG_5983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FXmRL9Uat5s/TxTCvpTwriI/AAAAAAAACL4/gql81jvOO8E/s320/IMG_5983.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Even premie clothes are huge on him!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W87VG-6dMLw/TxTCy-koJKI/AAAAAAAACMA/k3rGFhh0Phc/s1600/IMG_5993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W87VG-6dMLw/TxTCy-koJKI/AAAAAAAACMA/k3rGFhh0Phc/s320/IMG_5993.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">I'm loving the camo shorts!</td></tr>
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<br /></div>Nick and Nikki Stolberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10490231576084538075noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373940250098152345.post-61155046662181583202012-01-14T04:04:00.000-08:002012-01-14T04:04:29.425-08:00DevelopmentWith the second anniversary of the Earth Quake earlier this week, every news article, blog, etc is talking about the lack of development that is happening in Haiti. Nick and I get asked all the time, where is the Billions of dollars that was donated after the Earth Quake going.
Not that we are experts on the Haitian Government AT ALL, but we have definitely seen some major development here in Northern Haiti!
Several of our main roads have turned from awful dirt roads, to quality paved ones. They weren't just done half assed, but were built really well and should hopefully last a long time! The Dominican Government also fully funded building a beautiful, giant University on the outskirts of Cap Haitien. They should be opening it soon, and in my opinion, it should definitely help bring much needed jobs and business to our area as there currently is none! The UN recently put a ton of solar panel street lights up all over the city, I believe 54 in total!
And then there is the development that Nick and I have a love hate relationship with! Our airport is being completely redone at the moment. The runway has always been really long, but in the middle, there is about a foot difference in heights between the two. Once it's finished, Jets, AKA American Airlines will be able to fly there rather than just small planes. This should allow us to be able to fly directly to Cap for a lot cheaper than we pay now and not have to go through Port. This is the part we love.
But the part we hate is that all the rock from this project is being hauled out of a query about 2 miles from us. This means that all day long we hear dump trucks going by right outside our window. We live in the middle of no where, but for the past year, we have had a lot of traffic noise. They often start at 3 am and go until 11 at night. The drivers are paid by the load and therefore they haul butt clinking and clanging on our very bumpy roads. And for some reason, it's almost always necessary to honk as they are going by our compound at 3 in the morning!
I digress, back to development!
My point is that there is change occurring. There is infrastructure being built. I'm sure it's different for us here in Northern Haiti because we don't have to drive around the piles of rubble that still block half of streets two years later. We don't see half collapsed houses and wonder where the family is that used to live there. We don't drive past tent city after tent city with people suffering. We don't see the collapsed palace every day. For us, any progress seems amazing. I'm sure our perspective would be different if we lived on the other side of the country, but for us, we couldn't be happier with the way things are going (except those dang dump trucks)!
Progress is slow, but it's happening!Nick and Nikki Stolberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10490231576084538075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373940250098152345.post-20051380862503764562012-01-10T03:17:00.001-08:002012-01-10T03:17:14.176-08:00First World Problems<br />
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You would think that after living in Haiti for the past 19 months we would be used to living a simple life. Used to sacrificing and going with out many things that were once considered critical items in our life. And although we have gotten used to many things, there are still a few things I haven't learned to go with out.</div>
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We were blessed when we we installed our solar panels to also be able to install a solar hot water heater as well! Over the past several months it has worked amazing and has allowed us to have virtually endless hot water for free! That is, it worked great until this week!! You see, one key element to a Solar hot water heater is the solar element. When theres no sun out for a few days (or a week in this case) theres no way to heat up the water.</div>
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Lets just say I've been a little extra stinky this week, and the few times I have decided I couldn't stand it any longer and needed to shower, I froze. The last thing I have wanted on the coldest days of the year is to take a freezing cold shower!</div>
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The fact that this is a problem for me, shows just how spoiled I am.</div>
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None of our other missionary friends ever have hot water and have to take cold showers everyday. Here I am complaining about a week of cold showers, when I really have it made. Not one of our nearly 100 employees or a single person from our community even has running water, let alone hot water. They all have to go to the local well and hand pump their water to carry home for cooking, cleaning and showering.</div>
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Boy am I a baby!</div>
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Theres a great youtube clip that makes Nick and I laugh every time we hear it. It's called first world problems. It's cheesy, but really makes you think. Each day we are faced with so many problems, and then once we stop and think about it, we realize that these problems are really blessings! Check out the video and leave a comment to let me know what you think!</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/D2p5svFJ9cQ" width="560"></iframe></div>Nick and Nikki Stolberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10490231576084538075noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373940250098152345.post-27748347888585706862011-12-30T18:46:00.000-08:002011-12-30T18:46:43.512-08:00Baby WilkenlyRecently I had a father come to COTP with his malnourished 9 month old son. He sat in our pharmacy for about 2 hours as I talked to him, learning about his story, hearing his heartbreak, and deciding if we were able to help him care for his baby boy.<br />
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Wilkenly's Mom had died when he was only a month old leaving his father, who has no other family to help, alone to care for such a fragile little baby. Dad asked me if I would admit the baby. This is always a hard decision to make and one I don't take lightly. If there is any way I can keep a family together I will do what it takes to ensure that we help make that happen. Wilkenly clearly met the protocols to start Medika Mamba (MM) as he was severely malnourished. Even though he was tiny, I knew his father had cared for him for the past eight months on his own, so I was hoping that if we just gave him some assistance, helped his child become healthier, that Dad would realize he was able to care for this child and we wouldn't have to separate them.<br />
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I decided we would admit him in to the MM program. Even after I explained this program, Dad asked again if I would keep the baby. For some reason I couldn't do it. I wanted this family to stay together. However the more I talked to them, the more I began to wonder if it was the right decision. I left the pharmacy and talked through the situation with two other people to see if I was making the right call.<br />
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We decided that we should admit him to the MM program and then when he came back in a week for more MM, I could reevaluate the situation. If the child got better, even just slightly, maybe it would give the Dad a chance to see that he was capable for caring for his beautiful son. If he got worse, then I could easily admit him at that time. Even though he was tiny, it wasn't an immediate life or death decision. I often have families come back once or twice before I admit a child to ensure that I have all the facts staright and that I'm making the right decision. It allows the family time to truly think about their options rather than to make a rash decision out of fear.<br />
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I sent Wilkenly away that day with a little bit of MM and gave him an appointment to come back in one week. I do this all the time and normally have no problem with it, however this time it was different. I walked in Nicks office later that day and told him I didn't know if I'd made the right decision. I kept telling myself over and over "he'll be back in a week. If he's not improving, if Dad still wants him admitted, you can do it then. He'll be fine for a week." But I couldn't get him off my mind. I kept thinking about him, worrying about him, and praying he'd come back for his check up. I desperately awaited Thursday.<br />
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Thursday came, but Wilkenly did not. I watched the gate all morning, no Wilkenly. Finally by noon I couldn't handle it anymore. I gave his phone number to Rosaline and asked her to call and verify that he was coming. She got ahold of the Dad who told her he didn't have the money (less than $1 US) to come out that day. We ensured him we would pay for it and that we just really wanted to see them both. His response was that he didn't have time to bathe his son that day and that he thought he could come out the next day. I told Rosaline that I was afraid if he didn't come out Wilkenly would die. She agreed.<br />
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Friday came and went. No Wilkenly. We called Dad. No response. Another week came and went, still no Wilkenly. We called several times but never reached anyone. Finally Rosaline got ahold of the neighbor that had come out with them that day. She gave Rosaline their address and she went to their house to check on the baby. Neither Dad or Wilkenly were there. Rosaline left a message with the neighbor saying that we would admit the baby and that we really wanted to help them out. No response.<br />
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Another two weeks went by. Rosaline and I agreed that we had done all we could and now just had to wait for the Dad to accept our help.<br />
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Yesterday the neighbor came by with another child. I asked her how Wilkenly was doing and she let me know that he had passed away.<br />
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My heart sunk. Instantly the "What If's" went through my head. What if I had admitted him that day. Would he still be alive? What if I would have simply told the Dad we would continue to discuss it the following week rather than only thinking that in my head? What if I had done more?<br />
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I know I can't help every child in Haiti, but what about this one, this little guy that I held in my arms for a few minutes? This little one that I made and fed a bottle to? This little one that I packed a small bag of food for and sent out the gate? What about Wilkenly?<br />
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Most of the time when we choose not to admit children, they leave and I never hear from them again. I don't know what the rest of their story looks like. I don't know if they flourish in their families care, if they become sick, if they die, or if they go off to live with another family member. I never hear. Sometimes I think it's best that we don't hear. This job is incredibly difficult and if we were to hear of kids we turn away getting sick, it's inevitable to wonder if it was some how our fault.<br />
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I fully know Wilkenly's death is not my fault and I don't blame myself for a second for it. Maybe we didn't give him the help his father had originally asked for, but we did offer him help that has been proven thousands of times to literally save lives of children just like him.<br />
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At the same time, I also don't blame his father. I can't even pretend to imagine what it must be like to live in his shoes. To have your wife pass away (likely from something preventable) and leave you to care for your one month old baby by yourself. To not have your parents or siblings there to help you with the baby because they all died in the earth quake, from malaria, and other minuscule things. I have no idea what it would be like to not have a job and literally have no way to feed your son. I can't imagine for a second what it would be like to watch your only son, your only living family member, slowly die of starvation and to be able to do NOTHING for him. He reached out, he asked for help and wasn't given what he had hoped for. He was tired, worn out from a life time of suffering, perhaps facing depression and post tramatic stress disorder. He had no one to turn to, no one to encourage him that he could do it, to tell him he was a good father, a good person. I don't blame him for a second.<br />
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The systematic problems that Haiti faces are so deep and complex that I still can't even process them after 19 months of living here. Why are so many Moms dying during child birth? Why are so many babies dying before they reach 5 years of age? How come there are literally no jobs available any where in Northern Haiti? Why are there no decent health care options? Why aren't more people doing something about all of this. Where do I fit in, how do I help, how do I make the most effective changes in this world I live in? There are so many questions that I just don't have answers to.<br />
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I want to save lives. I want to do everything I can to keep families together. I want to go visit our children who have been reunited and hear something other than, "No they haven't eaten today." I want to help change this broken world that we live in. I don't want these children that come into my path to suffer. I don't want them to go a day without eating. I don't want them to die.<br />
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More and more I'm learning that I can't do this on my own. It's not up to me to save Wilkenly's life or any other baby for that matter. I'm here to be God's hands and feet. I'm here to help serve his people, his children. Yes some of these children are going to suffer. They're going to be malnourished and often go days with out eating. And some are even going to die. I don't understand it. I hate it. But it's God's plan. Theres a reason why Wilkenly died. Theres a reason why Luc passed away. Theres a reason why Marie died in my arms. Theres a reason why I buried Olivenson, Annella, Sabyna, Jossette, Deborah, and many many more. I have no idea what these reasons are. I have no idea what we are all supposed to be learning from this, but I have faith that there is a reason. I have faith that they are all safely nestled in God's arms and that some day I will see each and every one of my babies again.<br />
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I don't know what the future looks like for Haiti. I don't know what the future looks like for any of the babies in our care or various programs. And I especially don't know what the future looks like for me. But I continue on each day knowing that the future isn't up to me and that there is someone much greater in charge of it all. This life doesn't make sense, but it's not up to me to figure out. My responsibility is to love on the children and families that pass through our gates. To make them feel heard, loved, and cared for. Sometimes I'll be able to offer help, but often I won't.<br />
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Please continue to pray for all of our Staff members as we take on the incredibly difficult job of caring for these 61 beautiful children.Nick and Nikki Stolberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10490231576084538075noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373940250098152345.post-14748784048556470212011-12-22T03:47:00.000-08:002011-12-22T03:47:54.781-08:00Prayers for Gup.Theres another Missionary that lives on the other side of Haiti that I try to stay in contact with from time to time. She is in a similar situation to Nick and I, where she's caring for the child that she hopes to adopt, however doesn't meet the Haitian Requirements, and therefore is a few years away from making her child legally hers.<br />
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We know several people in Haiti who are doing the same thing as us. Most call us crazy, but we all know that we wouldn't have it any other way. Its a huge risk to do this. It's a huge sacrifice. Our lives are somewhat on hold for years, never knowing what could happen or when it'll be over. Most of us choose not to talk about all the potential things that could go wrong. We choose not to talk about the adoption process. Instead, we wait on God and pray daily that it will all work out the way WE want it to.<br />
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However right now <a href="http://becausehecalled.blogspot.com/2011/12/i-just-call-you-mine.html">Rhyan</a> could use your prayers. She has been caring for Gup for over a year now. He has been her baby, her first son, her life. But right now, she's not sure that she will be the one who gets to watch him grow up. His biological mother has asked to take him back.<br />
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Of course, this is amazingly wonderful and amazingly awful all at the same time! I am a huge advocate for reuniting kids to parents IF it's in the childs best interest. Sometimes it's obvious one way or the other. Some times it's harder to tell. All I know is that this is going to be incredibly difficult for Rhyan, Gup, and Gups biological Mother. Please pray that God's will is done and that Gup grows up to be an amazing young man who is showered in love by two Mamas!<br />
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Please pray that Nick and I will never have to go through this with Eventz and pray for all of our friends who are also trying to adopt while living in Haiti. Please pray for Rhyan during this incredibly difficult time in her life. And finally, please pray for all of the biological families of these kids who have had to make the most difficult decision I can ever imagine in order to do what they feel is in the best interest of their child.Nick and Nikki Stolberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10490231576084538075noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373940250098152345.post-26314252192096581912011-12-20T18:03:00.000-08:002011-12-20T18:03:39.728-08:00Ground Breaking!For the past 18 months Nick and I have lived on the Compound at COTP. There have been times where this has been a huge blessing and times where this has been a night mare! Living here has been a way to really learn the ins and outs of our mission. Its helped us get to know the kids, staff, and volunteers much better as well.<div>
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But, as you can imagine, living at work can only last for so long before it begins to burn you out! For instance, tonight, we had two different sets of 4 nannies come up to our house needing help with minimal things during our family time. It's not uncommon for me to get interrupted multiple times a week while brushing my teeth as there is always someone on my balcony screaming my name! And you can only imagine how well nap time goes with all these interruptions. Family time can be almost impossible here more often than not.</div>
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We are excited to announce that the construction has finally began on our Direct House (which we will live in) in the back property. Although it will still be on the COTP compound, it'll be in the far back corner which will allow us some space and privacy. For the first time since moving to Haiti, we will be able to go home from work! We can't even begin to express how excited we are for this! Having space to get away from everything, to focus on our family, and to relax, will greatly help keep us from getting burnt out and allow us to do our jobs much better! This house is going to be a huge blessing to us and our family!</div>
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Every night the four of us walk out to the back property to check on the progress! It has come so far already and with every new development, we get more and more excited! It still has a LONG way to go, but even just looking out back and seeing that something is there, brings a glimmer of hope to us! We are beyond excited for this change. We are so excited to finally have a yard that our kids can play in!</div>
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COTP will be building a series of houses on our property to house our babies, but there will be more information on that later. For now, check out some pics of the progress we have made! It may not seem like much to you, but we think it's pretty dang amazing!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jbDuSpl-NZ0/TvE4FY_J7LI/AAAAAAAACIE/bTCBWpAftqk/s1600/IMG_2766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jbDuSpl-NZ0/TvE4FY_J7LI/AAAAAAAACIE/bTCBWpAftqk/s320/IMG_2766.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nick drawing up the house plans with the guys!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The site of our future home!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What I'll see out my bedroom window!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had to build this road to get to the back property. We even had to build a bridge to get over one of the trenches!</td></tr>
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The crew digging out the foundation of the house!</div>
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Laying the Portals for the perimeter wall!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our future home!<br /><br /></td></tr>
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We will be looking for groups to come down and help with various stages of construction for not only the Directors House, but all the other houses as well. Or if you are unable to make a trip down, but would like to be involved, we would always appreciate your financial support. For more information please contact us at cotpfielddirector@gmail.com or Jamie Groen at cotpdirector@gmail.com.</div>Nick and Nikki Stolberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10490231576084538075noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373940250098152345.post-46474639255937683542011-12-08T04:16:00.001-08:002011-12-10T08:01:05.836-08:00MUD!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Mud in the Puddle!</div>
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Mud on the Shoe.<br />
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Mud on the Socks.</div>
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Mud on You!<br />
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Mud on your hands.</div>
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Mud on your toes!<br />
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Mud on your Checks<br />
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Mud on your nose!</div>
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Mud, Mud, Everywhere!<br />
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Mud on your elbows.<br />
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Mud in your hair.<br />
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Mud on your chin!<br />
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Mud on your ear!<br />
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Mud over there!<br />
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Mud over here.<br />
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Mud in the puddle.</div>
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Mud in the air.</div>
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Mud, Mud, everywhere!</div>
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<br />Nick and Nikki Stolberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10490231576084538075noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373940250098152345.post-60014431813793105312011-12-03T07:13:00.001-08:002011-12-08T03:59:11.462-08:00Decking Our Halls!!Living in Haiti, its very difficult to get into the Christmas mood. There could be a lot of reasons for this. The fact that we dont go to store after store that is blaring Christmas music, with windows full of Christmas decorations, and all sorts of Christmas displays throughout may be part if it. Or the fact that as we are driving around our radio doesn't have Christmas music on every channel (actually we dont even have English channels!) and that we aren't passing house after house covered in lights and decorations, might be another reason why. A lack of friends, family, and holiday events might be another. But one of the biggest reasons is because here in Haiti we don't have the Chistmas weather. Don't get me wrong, I love the 80 degree days and being able to wear shorts in December, but it doesn't set the Christmas mind set.<br />
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As I think of all these things that are missing, all the things that make my Christmas Christmas, and realize how I'm totally missing it all.
It wasnt snowing out when Jesus was born, it was probably just as warm as it is here. There wasn't chrstmas music and decorations every where. He was born in a barn, without any thing nice at all. There wasn't anything making that day special except for Jesus Himself.
Boy do I have a lot to learn.<br />
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I'm not saying that Jesus is against lights, decorations, and Christmas music, as long as we don't leave him out and instead use this time to come together with friends and family to celebrate his birth. This year were trying to balance both of these. How do we allow our kids to enjoy some of the things we grew up with, allow them to get excited about Christmas, but also teach him the true reason we are celebrating?<br />
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Thankfully for us, living in Haiti makes it difficult to have the Hallmark Christmas many of us dream of. We arent overwhelmed with temptations to forget why we are celebrating like we would be if we lived in the States.
We are doing our best to give our son the best of both worlds. Therefore we have been busy "Decking Our Halls" but we've also done our best to remember Jesus.<br />
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Even from a young age, Nick has been obsessed with Christmas lights, so we knew this had to be apart of our family traditions. We ordered 12 strands online to decorate our house and my Mom brought in 2 strands as well! Thankfully they are all LED lights, and all of them together only use the same amount of power as one fan. In other words, we had to find a way to justify using them! We can tell already that Eventz is going to have the same obsession as his daddy does! He is in love with the lights and enjoyed helping decorate!
We wanted to go big, to have our whole house shiny and glimmering, but we were missing a few key pieces. We didn't have a tree topper, and of course theres no where in Northern Haiti to buy one, so I had to make one from scratch. We also needed a little more glitter, so the boys and I had to make some snow flakes to hang up around the house.<br />
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Growing up I always had an advent calendar to help us count down to Christmas. Again, being in Haiti, I have no way of getting 25 small gifts for each of the boys to open. I instead had to come up with something else for them.
Thankfully matches ar easy to come by, so I took 25 match boxes, dumped out the matches, and decorated the box in Christmas paper, and labeled each one 1-25. Inside of each box is a little note, and every morning the boys get to take turns opening that days box. On the note is an activity we will do as a family. Some of them include, watching a Christmas movie and eating popcorn, going on an adventure walk, making Christmas cookies, going on a tractor ride with Daddy, Having a picnic, eating Breakfast for dinner, etc. Even though the boys are much to young to understand what's going on, it's a way for us to spend quality time as a family this Christmas season. Lets be honest, I think I'm enjoying these times way more than the kids!<br />
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Also, to ensure we aren't leaving Jesus out of this holiday, each night while the boys are playing, Nick and I read a devotion out loud that goes through the new testament and leads to the birth of Christ. We don't make the boys sit through it, because that would be impossible, but feel that even if they hear it in the background as they are driving their trucks around, it'll still benefit them in some way! Living in Haiti makes having family traditions much more interesting. There not impossible, but they take some creative planning. I'm so very thankful to have the Internet that helps me come up with some great ideas to help entertain our crew during this time of year!
Here are a few pics of our family decking the halls!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then you make sure they all work!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wedly of course LOVED all the hats!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Building the Tree!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my Favorites!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mommy, where do you want this Garland?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making Christmas Cookies with Grandma!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging the Tree Topper Mommy Made!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look Daddy!</td></tr>
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<br />Nick and Nikki Stolberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10490231576084538075noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373940250098152345.post-52264895952049454352011-12-03T04:39:00.001-08:002011-12-03T07:12:54.251-08:00Adopting an HIV+ childEarlier this week was World AIDS Day. As always, I seem to miss it every year and have to post about it afterwards.
I always struggle to know what to say. <br />
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Here at COTP we have four HIV+ positive children. All four were given this disease at birth. There are so many stigmas out there which lead us to believe that those who have HIV or AIDS did something wrong, that they are dirty people who sleep around or do drugs.
This myth is not the truth. Our kids did nothing wrong, and likely their mothers did nothing wrong either. Most of them contracted this through their spouses. But yet they are still faced with this disease every day.<br />
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Our kids are incredibly lucky to be receiving ARVs which will help them maintain their health. Twice a day they take a whole cocktail of medicines. Many people around the world don't have the opportunity to receive these meds. Our kids our blessed.<br />
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All four of our HIV+ kids are up for adoption. Two have been matched with adoptive families, two have not. One of these kids was here last year when I posted on World AIDS day asking everyone to consider adopting one or more of our beautiful HIV+ children. Today he is still waiting. Waiting for someone to love him. Someone to make him feel special. He's an incredibly handsome smart young man. He's all boy and loves to play. Pool day is one of his favorites. He loves to go to school and laughs the entire time he play on the play ground. He loves to learn. He loves to smile. He loves kisses and hugs. And he desires to be loved.<br />
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Please, please don't make this little boy wait another year without knowing there's someone out there who loves him.
If you or someone you know is thinking about adoption, I ask that you pray about and consider adopting one of our HIV+ positive children. For more information please contact Robin, our adoption coordinator at cotpadoption@gmail.com<br />
<br />Nick and Nikki Stolberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10490231576084538075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373940250098152345.post-34428190555098086082011-11-24T18:27:00.001-08:002011-11-26T04:45:32.805-08:00You know you've been in Haiti too long when...A wise man, aka my neighbor and fellow missionary, once told me a good joke.<br />
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"When a person comes to Haiti short term, they'll find a bug in their food and throw their meal away. After you've been here a year or so, you scoop the bug out and go on with your meal as if it's no big deal at all. However, once you've been here a significant amount of time, you take that bug out of you meal, grab it by the neck, and tell it to spit your food back out!"<br />
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Well I'm somewhere between the second and third one! Prior to moving to Haiti, if a bug even landed on my food briefly, I'd hand it to Nick and find something else to eat. Oh how my life has changed!<br />
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Someone recently sent us down a box mix to make cinnamon rolls, and you can only imagine what a treat this is for us! We had a few sitting on the table wrapped in foil and I went to move them to the fridge when I noticed the top was covered in ants.<br />
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Oh NO!<br />
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I quickly ripped the foil off only to find that a handful had already made it inside. The old me would have thrown the whole bundle in the garbage, but not any more. Those are precious treats now. <br />
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I carefully plucked each ant I found off and threw them on the floor, and while doing so made the comment to Nick that "It's not like they don't carry any bad diseases or anything!" Nick got quite a kick out of this and told me I've been here to long! I guess so!<br />
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<br />Nick and Nikki Stolberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10490231576084538075noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373940250098152345.post-80159930457505543192011-11-24T17:52:00.001-08:002011-11-24T18:20:41.547-08:00Thankful!Since moving to Haiti I have become acutely more aware of all the blessings I have. As I logged on to Facebook today, I saw post after post of people listing what they were thankful for. Most said friends and families, a few said their health and the health of their loved ones.<br />
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What I didn't see was that people are thankful for the hospital and medicines that allow them to be healthy. Or the car they drive to get to the doctors when they are sick. The shoes they wear on their feet so they don't have to walk barefoot to get medical care. Nobody was thankful for the cupboard of over the counter meds they have in their home that they can take every time they don't feel good.<br />
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I take these things for granted just as much as the rest of us. I have never appreciated enough how much of a blessing it is to always have a bottle of tylenol in my house, car, backpack, and purse incase a headache ever comes on. I've never really had to suffer through it. Not only do I go to the doctors when I'm sick, but I also go for preventative care as well!<br />
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These things are just part of my life. They are normal. Why would I be thankful for something that everyone has, something that wouldn't make sense not to have. That is until you meet someone who doesn't have it. Until you meet lots of someones who don't have it. Until you meet lots of someones who don't even understand what it is when you try to describe it.<br />
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So this year, I'm going to do it a little different. Yes I'm thankful for my friends and family. I'm thankful for my health and the health of my loved ones. But, I have SO MANY more blessings than that. Today I'm going to share some of those with you.<br />
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-I'm blessed to have shoes<br />
-I'm blessed to have quality clothes<br />
-I'm blessed to have tooth paste, tooth brush, soap, and other hygiene products<br />
-I'm blessed to have a bottle of tylenol and a bottle of vitamins in my house<br />
-I'm blessed to have a bed to sleep on<br />
-I'm blessed to have blankets to keep me warm<br />
-I'm blessed to have electricity<br />
-I'm blessed to have the most amazing son and husband in the world<br />
-I'm blessed to have a fan to cool me off on warm nights<br />
-I'm blessed to have more food on my shelfs than I could eat in a month<br />
-I'm blessed to have amazing technology at my finger tips<br />
-I'm blessed to have clean running water. <br />
-I'm blessed to not have to walk miles carrying a five gallon bucket of water to cook, clean, and drink with. <br />
-I'm blessed that my son doesn't have to carry water as his daily chore.<br />
-I'm blessed to have a vehicle to drive so I don't have to walk every where<br />
-I'm blessed to have a University education<br />
-I'm blessed to have the freedom of religion<br />
-I'm blessed to have a house that doesn't leak every time it rains<br />
-I'm blessed to have a door that locks when so many others don't<br />
-I'm blessed to have recreation<br />
-I'm blessed to have access to quality health care that doesn't require me to walk several miles and sit in line for hours or days to receive.<br />
-I'm blessed to have a house full of toys for my son to play with<br />
-I'm blessed to have the ability to read and write my name<br />
-I'm blessed to have money saved aside for the "rainy day"<br />
-I'm blessed to have the opportunity to live and work in Haiti doing Gods work daily<br />
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I'm Blessed, I'm Blessed, I'm Blessed. This list could go on forever. Anyone who's reading this is more blessed than they know. We have so much to be thankful for. I don't know about you, but I personally am not nearly appreciative enough of these blessings. Even living in Haiti and working everyday with people who literally have nothing, I still always want more and more. I still don't get it. I'll never get it. <br />
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Today, being a day of Thanksgiving, it's easy to be reminded of all the blessings we have. Tomorrow will be much harder; but what would our life look like if we remembered these things daily?Nick and Nikki Stolberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10490231576084538075noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373940250098152345.post-42963304823045972492011-11-22T17:12:00.001-08:002011-11-23T05:08:13.846-08:00Educating our FamiliesOver the past year, I have always wanted to add an education component to our formula program. I have been running this program since shortly after moving to Haiti, and although I very much enjoy running it, I fully realize that the program has more potential than what I can offer it with my limited Creole and lack of cultural experience. I knew that the best way to ensure that this program was making a lasting difference, beyond just the time the families spend in our program, was to hire someone to teach information that the participants could use not only for this child, but for any child they raise.<br />
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Thanks to a grant from Haiti Serve, today we had our first Formula Program Class! I was very nervous and excited to see how this would go. We hired Mary Lourde, the lady that teaches our prenatal classes to do it. I have honestly never sat in on these classes and had no idea how she would do.<br />
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I am excited to announce that she is AMAZING and defiantly the best fit for the job. She did so well today with all the guardians of our kids. She choose to talk about serum, which I thought was a great first topic since we recently had one baby pass away from Cholera and four others admitted to the hospital for diarrhea and vomiting. She discussed how to make it from scratch, when you give it, and for how long. At one point she even demonstrated how much water you would need by filling up two empty coke bottles with water and presenting them to the class.<br />
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I expected her to stand at the front of the class and just lecture the whole time. This was not her approach at all. She made sure everyone was involved in the discussion. Instead of just saying "this is how you make serum" she asked the class who knew how to make it. She then challenged them and asked where they received this information, if they actually do it just as they were told, etc. Mary Lourde spent time making sure that each participant spoke up at least once during class. She made great eye contact and just did amazing over all! <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qXr0vjWT0m0/TszvbX5NYXI/AAAAAAAACCc/8WbK_bIIDNA/s1600/IMG_2202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qXr0vjWT0m0/TszvbX5NYXI/AAAAAAAACCc/8WbK_bIIDNA/s320/IMG_2202.JPG" width="320" /></a>I was also nervous about what our parents/guardians would think of these classes. I didn't know if they would be accepting of the program or if they would be upset that there was now a hoop to go through to receive their formula. I should have known the value that Haitian put on education and realized that they of course would love to go to our little "school" to help them learn how to better provide for their babies. They were all very attentive and excited to be there. Many even thanked me for the opportunity to go!<br />
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There has been 3 families in our program for several months now that all live very close to each other. I have never once seen these families interact. However, today they all waited for each other after class and walked home as a group. By requiring them all to come at the same time and sit together, they are able to have fellowship and will hopefully build lasting relationships with each other. They will be able to lean on each other in time of need and have someone to talk to that understands what they are going through.<br />
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The only thing that didn't happen today that I expected to was prayer and singing with the our families. Mary Lourde does this with the Prenatal ladies but did not do it today. My assumption is that she choose to skip it since we started out with everyone signing contracts, but she agreed to do it next time! I am also excited because this will take this program from being just a humanitarian program to a mission program!<br />
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For so long I have felt like this program is just a band aid; helping a few people with the problem thats here and now. I have never felt like it makes a lasting difference in their or their children's lives (minus the benefits from the nutrition). Now however, I feel like we are teaching skills that these Moms, Grandmas, Aunts, Fathers, Uncles, Neighbors, and Cousins can take with them and spread to their community. Now if any of their kids get sick or any of their neighbors children, they will be able to offer appropriate advice on how to make serum and when it's necessary to give it to them. They will not only benefit from these classes, but their entire family and community could as well!<br />
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I have dreamed, talked about, and begged for these classes for a year now, and today I couldn't help but smile as I sat in the back of the class and listened to the discussions our families were having with each other and Mary Lourde. It's finally happening. So much has changed, and it was all from a one hour class. I can't imagine what is going to unfold over the next several weeks as these families continue to met, learn, and grow together. All I can say is I am looking forward to meeting with them all again in 2 more weeks to discuss whatever topic Mary Lourde decides to discuss then!<br />
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I love that COTP continues to do all we can to keep families in our community together! With out this program, many of these babies would have been admitted to our care, become extremely malnourished, or potentially could have even died. It's great to know we are able to provide assistance to these 13 beautiful children which hopefully will help them flourish in their parents home!<br />
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Please pray for Mary Lourde as she is teaching and leading these families, pray they are able to use the information she is providing them, that they create lasting friendships with each other, and most importantly, that their babies grow and thrive in their care!<br />
<br />Nick and Nikki Stolberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10490231576084538075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373940250098152345.post-59140664099623116312011-11-14T17:08:00.001-08:002011-11-14T17:38:28.866-08:00Thanks for the Diapers!<a href="http://common-visions.blogspot.com/2011/08/cotp-diaper-drive.html">COTP Diaper Drive</a><br />
<a href="http://common-visions.blogspot.com/2011/08/diaper-drive-update.html">Diaper Drive Update</a><br />
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A few months ago we Nick and I asked you all to help us with our need for diapers. We are excited to announce that the diaper drive was a success and we now have 17 people shipping down a box each month! This has greatly helped our diaper needs! It's great to have quality diapers coming in regularly to use on our amazing kiddos!<br />
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For those of you that ship us a box each month, Thank you so much! You have no idea how much we appreciate it!<br />
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If anyone's still interested in sending us diapers, or other supplies, off of amazon each month, please contact Nick and I at cotpfielddirector@gmail.com. Now that we are up to 62 kids we could always use a few more!<br />
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Thanks so much for your continued support!<br />
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Nikki and COTP staff!Nick and Nikki Stolberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10490231576084538075noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373940250098152345.post-84759407782882437422011-11-12T10:45:00.001-08:002011-11-13T04:55:54.631-08:00Happy Family Day<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--q9aH2rtMAQ/Tr-75ad_yuI/AAAAAAAACBk/B-QXV6SeQIs/s1600/IMG_0643-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--q9aH2rtMAQ/Tr-75ad_yuI/AAAAAAAACBk/B-QXV6SeQIs/s320/IMG_0643-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eventz in Daddy's back pack on a Moto Ride!</td></tr>
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Today Nick, Eventz, and I are celebrating. One year ago, the three of us became a family! I remember coming back to Haiti after announcing we were adopting, and being so eager to see my beautiful little baby boy! I sat in the stuffy, small airport in Port au Prince, watching every minute slowly tick away on my watch, wanting time to speed by so I could give Eventz hugs and kisses.<br />
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After what seemed like an eternity, I finally walked into my new apartment, asked the nanny that was watching him that day where he was, and quickly walked into my room to see an incredibly tiny little guy sound asleep in his play pen. I just stood on the side and stared at him for the longest time. I wanted to pick him up, tell him the exciting news; that I was his new Mommy; and give him a hug and a kiss, but decided that could wait and instead I just enjoyed the moment!<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6q04wK77agc/Tr-76OAvt2I/AAAAAAAACBs/b-_i4woPBn8/s1600/IMG_0649-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6q04wK77agc/Tr-76OAvt2I/AAAAAAAACBs/b-_i4woPBn8/s320/IMG_0649-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eventz demanded I play in this position and <br />refused to let me get up!</td></tr>
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Last night I read through some of my old blog posts about Eventz, and it killed me to see how big he has already gotten. My once tiny baby is now a running, exploring, adventurous toddler who loves to learn! In many of these posts, I talked about how I was trying to get Eventz to say Mama. He refused for the longest time and would only say Dada. Now however, Mommy is one of his favorite words and he says it all the time, always with a smile on his face!<br />
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Yesterday was all about Eventz. We let him lead us on an "Adventure Walk." He just wandered where ever he wanted, and we followed close behind. He lead us to the shop, played with stuff there for a while, and then ended up going over to the neighbors where he ran around for about an hour! <br />
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Nick and I are only just now beginning to learn how difficult this adoption is going to be. I had always thought we would let him live with us for a year and then at least start the 2 year process to make him legally ours. I expected us to be able to go to someone's office, tell them our story, and either be approved or denied to start the adoption. However, there is no way to know whether or not we will be approved until we actually submit all of our paperwork; which is several thousands of dollars; and since we don't met the Haitian requirements, theres a good chance that would be denied. At this point it looks like we are going to wait the four years until we met the requirements before we even try. This means 6 years before he'll be able to leave the country.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7wI-SE9U4g4/Tr-9AGyfkVI/AAAAAAAACCI/BCNKqz6bfv0/s1600/IMG_2087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7wI-SE9U4g4/Tr-9AGyfkVI/AAAAAAAACCI/BCNKqz6bfv0/s320/IMG_2087.JPG" width="213" /></a>We are still hoping and praying that the Haitian laws change, but know they likely wont!<br />
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Regardless, we are so blessed to be spending this time WITH our son! Nick and I just can't believe how well he fits into our lives! He has a combination of both of our personalities, and if it wasn't for the physical appearance, you would never know he wasn't biologically ours!<br />
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Eventz now knows what a lion, kitty, puppy, goat, sheep, and cow say! His favorite toys are his plastic lions, which he carries ALL over the place and 'roars', and his toy quad, which he pushes around and says 'zroom' to! One of my favorite things Eventz does is go to the edge of the balcony, stand on his tippy toes so he can barely see over and yell "Ni, Ni" (Nick, Nick)! Apparently he has seen me do this a few times, and now when he wants Daddy, he simply calls for Ni to come up and play with him! Eventz is completely bonded to Nick and I and loves to give us hugs and kisses! He knows that we are Mommy and Daddy and he knows he's well loved!<br />
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However, God never ceases to remind me what sacrifice had to be taken in order for him to be ours. On our Family Day, Eventz Dad came to visit and began talking to me about Eventz baby sister, who is one month old. I was reminded that Nick and I aren't the only ones that love Eventz, that there are two other people out there that love him even more than we both do. That they love him so much, they made the incredibly difficult decision not to parent. Everyday we love him more and more and are so incredibly thankful that he lives with us and is ours to care for.Nick and Nikki Stolberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10490231576084538075noreply@blogger.com2