HE won!

I had no idea that Jason would win that competition when I wrote that letter nominating him!  What an honor and adventure for my husband!  He got the ride of a lifetime in the cockpit of a Thunderbird jet!  He rode for an hour breaking the speed of light, pulling 9G's, looping, flipping, and darting in and out of clouds!  I could not havebeen more proud of my husband.  He is my hero, my lover, and my best friend.
http://www.eglin.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123195619#.TtJ6nqHQPJM.email

http://www.eglin.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123199060#.TtJ60E11pmk.email

The letter that I wrote nominating Jason as my Hometown Hero, and a chance to ride with the Thunderbirds! DATED FEB. 22, 2010

 I would like to nominate my husband Jason Evans for the "Hometown
Hero".  Jason is a true Pensacola native as he was born and raised here in
Pensacola, Florida.  Earlier this month he was given the opportunity to fly
into Port de Paix, Haiti with the intent of transporting 41 orphans and 17
adults to the U.S. Embassy. Two days and three countries after he flew out
of Pensacola, Florida he arrived in Port de Paix, Haiti on a supply plane.
This was a truly heroic act because not only did he go in the face of danger
due to the earthquakes and aftershocks, but he also escorted these children
(who qualified for Humanitarian Parole) through the mountains of Haiti into
Port au Prince. They traveled under the cover of night in an old school bus
and managed to arrive safely at the U.S. Embassy. The terrain was an
adversary on it's own standing because it was great for mud-riding or hiking
but not at all for traveling. Jason describes the bus ride as "the worst
roller coaster ride times twenty".  The driver of the bus did not stop for 6
hours and they went from 10mph to 55mph constantly.  He also faced the
dangers of kidnapping and robbery with courage and grit.  A bus load of
Americans and children with a mandate for travel to the United States was
money in the eyes of a desperate people.  We later found out that the
adoption paperwork that they carried with them was worth more to some than
the lives of these children.  In fact, when it came time for these children
and adults to fly out into America at the U.S. Embassy they were given armed
guards for protection simply because of the valuable paperwork that they
were carrying.  Apparently the safety of the passengers was the reason for
the dramatic acceleration of the bus because there were several courageous
(or stupid) men who managed to jump on the back of the bus.  Thank God that
their intentions were never made known but I am sure that they soon forgot
all of that as they realized that they were holding on for their lives!
Upon arrival to the U.S. Embassy Jason became very ill.  He took that trial
with as much grace as was possible as he waited for word that he was cleared
for travel back to the United States.  He is my hero and the hero of our two
adopted children that he brought home with him.  I believe that he
exemplifies the courage, love, endurance, wisdom, and grace that any hero
should.  Please allow him to be honored with the ride of a lifetime, trust
me he would LOVE it! Thank you.

The letter announcing the arrival of our two kiddo's DATED FEB.15, 2010

Hello Everybody!!

 

I have been sooooo looking forward to writing this letter!  I am very happy to announce that Bella and Elijah are home!  This past month has been an absolute whirlwind.  A little over one month ago Jason and I were devastated with the news of the earthquake that shook Haiti.  We had no idea then that out of such tragedy God would give us the miracle of our children coming home.  We were sick over the realization that all of our efforts and all of the waiting was sitting underneath the rubble of what once was the building holding our paperwork.  I felt absolutely helpless.  The only hope that I had was the promise that these children were chosen by God for us, and that was enough.  I began the arduous task of contacting Senators, Congressmen, Governors, even the White House trying to figure out what I could do to get help to my family in Haiti.

    Within weeks of the earthquake the United States implemented Humanitarian Parole for children who were in the process of adoption before the earthquake.  That would give my children permission to come to the USA without the need of Visa's or even a completed adoption!  WHAT A MIRACLE!  With the revelation of this amazing news I quickly began contacting everybody who was anybody in an effort to extract my children from Haiti.  I soon realized that although there was a mandate to allow my children entry into the United States it was not going to come easily.  Our stateside coordinator Natalie and a handful of parents were able to secure a chartered plane into Port de Paix, Haiti.  They went in with the intent to prepare the hundreds of pages of adoption paperwork that Cindy and Keith (the mission directors) had made copies of.  Thank God that they had the forethought to make copies!  It took that team over a week to get everything in order to present to the officials at the US Embassy. 

    Then came the call for a team of five strong daddies to come in and help bring the children through the mountains of Haiti to Port au Prince where the US Embassy still stands.  I received an email from a dear friend offering Jason the opportunity to go all expenses paid!  Of course Jason jumped at the opportunity and he flew out the very next day along with 4 other fathers and one brave woman.  I tear up even now thinking about my heroic husband.  He truly is a hero.  Two days and three countries later that team arrived in Port de Paix on a supply plane.     

Our children were very surprised to see their daddy.  Jason tells me that he took Elijah's face in his hands and looked him straight in the eyes and said "Son, this time I will not leave without you."  Beautiful. 

    Keith secured a bus that arrived at the mission around 3:00 in the morning.  They loaded 41 children and 17 adults onto that 'ole bus and began the journey through the mountains of Haiti.  Jason tells me that there really aren't any words to describe the hellish ride that they had.  He says that it was like the worst roller-coaster ride times twenty!  They did not stop because a bus full of children and Americans was money in the eyes of a desperate people.  The driver went from 10 mph to 55 mph over terrain that was great for mud riding or hiking... not driving. Jason says that he heard five pieces of metal fall off that bus during their travels.  Apparently the safety of the passengers was the reason for the dramatic acceleration of the bus because there were several courageous (or stupid) men who managed to jump on the back of the bus.  Who knows what their intentions were but I am sure that they soon forgot all of that as they realized that they were holding on for their lives!  The bus made the 120 mile journey through the mountains in about 6 hours.  Our Haiti family made it to the U.S. Embassy Saturday morning.  

     In the meantime I had traveled from Pensacola to Tampa with my two youngest boys and waited to hear word from Jason that they were flying into Miami. I wanted to be closer to the airport that they would be flying into so that it would not take me too long to pick them up.  I ended up waiting longer then I had anticipated, but I was able to spend time with my daddy and sisters.  Noah fell in love with his "Papa" and frequently asks me when we can go see him again. 

    While waiting in the U.S. Embassy Jason became very ill, he describes it as his "day of rest" tongue in cheek.  Finally, the Prime Minister signed the travel documents allowing the group that my children and husband were in to come out of Haiti.  With every triumph there has been some sort of test following... even to the very end.  They were able to secure a military plane out, but that plane ended up having major mechanical problems and they had to wait one more day before the final flight out was secured. 

     I FINALLY got word that they were flying out on Tuesday.  I was incredibly anxious to get my hands on my children and hold my husband.  I drove to Miami and awaited the morning like a child trying to sleep the night before Christmas.  I arrived at His House (the safe home for the children coming out of Haiti) 30 minutes before I was supposed to and I waited, and waited.  I have learned a great deal of patience through this, not always happily... thanks mom for praying.  Finally Jason came in the waiting room, he was literally 10lbs lighter... but I have to say that he never looked so good to me. 

    A woman came in reading off a roster.  She asked us to raise our hands if we heard the name of our child.  She read BellaVisa and I shot my hand up and hollered "She's mine!"  There were about 9 children on that list.  The woman smiled at me and said "We are getting pictures of your children and getting ready to bring them out to you.  You will sign some paperwork and then you will be released to go."  My eyes filled with tears, after all of this time, after all of the hardships it was going to be that easy.  My body began to tremble as I waited to see my children.  I could not sit still. I was a little nervous that the people working there was going to think that I was some sort of freak because I kept looking in every direction in anticipation of them coming in.. I had no idea which direction that they would be coming from.  Then I saw them round the corner.  They looked just as nervous and anxious as me.  I drop to my knee and yelled "Elijah, Bella!"  They saw me and walked quickly to me with their arms outstretched, big smiles on their sweet little faces!  We hugged and hugged, I wept the happiest tears!  Elijah stroked my hair and told me that he loved me, kissing my face.  It was an amazing moment.  When Noah saw Elijah he ran to him and said"I love you brother". Elijah pulled him into his lap and said "I love you too Noah."  With in about 30 minutes I was signing the paperwork and we were walking out of that building with all of our children!  That was the most liberating feeling. 

    We are adjusting well... I like to say that we are learning to "gel".  We are a normal family dealing with all of the normal things that families do.  I love my children, all of them.  I am looking forward to experiencing all of their first time experiences.  We were able to take them shopping for clothes and that was so sweet watching Bella skip from dress rack to dress rack squealing "Mama LOOK!"  We signed Elijah up for soccer and Jason is going to be his coach!  Noah loves having his brother and sister to play with.  The simple things make me smile, like Bella dancing in the warm shower and Elijah consistently saying thank you and giving me a hug after every meal.  I praise God for His GREAT FAITHFULNESS!  Thank you for all of your prayers and support.  I have included some pictures from the first moments seeing them in America.  Please continue to pray as we gel.  We love you. 

Thank God 2010 is over...

2010 ushered in one of the most life altering seasons that I have experienced yet, and it has stayed true to the course. The nation of Haiti suffered the earthquake at the very beginning of the year. We had no idea if our children were safe, or alive. Within 24 hours I found out that they were safe. The journey really began here, I didn't know it then but the earthquake would be the catalyst that would bring our children home to us. Finally, our government implemented Humanitarian Parole for our children this allowed us to bring them home and complete our adoption here stateside. A dream come true!

We have decided that we are going to try and go to Haiti over Christmas to be with our other two children.  I am missing them so much.  I look at photos of them and I can only stare.  I wonder how much longer it will be that we have to wait.  I am going to need to get Micah's passport going.  I won't leave the kids behind again.  Noah asks about his brother and sister.  He says that we have to "save our monies and dowwers so that we can go in a helwicopper" to see them.

snuggles

I awoke to my three year old son climbing into the bed with me.  I am not sure what time it was but I know that it was still dark outside.  I felt the soft, cotton like texture of his hair against my face as he slid in next to me for snuggles.  This time however, he was determined to be the one dishing the snuggles out.  I let the inward wishing that all of this goodness could be happening at least an hour later go.  I relaxed in the moment understanding that a boy is a boy is a boy... and has energy to spare.  He rolled over facing me now.  I could not see his face but I knew that he was near.. I could feel his hot breath fanning my face with each new exhale.  My little guy, inwardly I smiled.  I remembered how it felt when he was just a baby.  Noah has always been a snuggler.  My thoughts interrupted once again with Noah's next move.  He leaned up onto my chest, leaned foward and planted a kiss right on my lips and said "I wuv you mom".  My heart gushed with pride and affection.  "I love you too son".  Then he gingerly leaned over once again and said "your beautiful".  AHHHHHhhhhhh... I love this life... I love my son.

Still waiting...

I am expecting some news about our adoptions soon.  I love reading all of the updates from other parents in the process of adopting from Haiti.  I just read one which brought tears to my eyes as I experienced that family FINALLY bringing their little guy home.  I can only imagine how wonderful that was!  I think about it often... wonder how the kids will feel when they realize that they are finally coming home to be with us forever.  I wonder how they will feel when they realize that flying on that plane!  I wonder what they will think as they eat their first cheese burger in America!  I wonder how they will feel the first time that they snuggle into their beds in their own home.  I wonder how they will feel when they get to eat at the table with the whole family TOGETHER!  Father, You know how badly I miss them... You know the timing... Make us ready.