Insta Soccer

 On Thursday this week we had our end of the year soccer awards night.  Each player got a trophy and the coach took time to share about each player.  This is Issy's second season playing on this team and we love her coach.  He is so patient and has taught the girls real sportsmanship and how to play soccer as a team not just to win.

Here are a few things coach Rob shared about Isabelle.

She is cute as a button, one of my favorite players.  This year she played with so much fire and always played her position well.  Every time I looked over she was right where she needed to be and it paid off many times. She is a joy to coach and a joy to watch as she has evolved into a great player and team mate.


Here is Isabelle with her buddy Adri and their beautiful new trophies.

Today we had our last game of the season.  It was raining and we were kind of hoping the game would be cancelled, but it wasn't.  The rain and the wind were crazy and it was cold.  

Isabelle knocked our socks off today.  In the first half she scored her second goal of the season.   The girls on the other team were pushing and shoving. Issy got shoved once and fell to the ground, she stood up shook it off and not soon after she made her second goal of the game.  Freddie and I were stunned and the parents and coaches went crazy.  I think Issy was a little embarrassed at all the cheering.  We won our last game 2-0!    When we got in the car, I was so proud of Issy.  She said, "Mom did you see the way my team helped me set up those goals."  I got a little teary, so proud of our girl and our awesome team this year.  

Go Hotshots! 

 One wet girl! 

Bunk Beds

 This blog post is a little late... Over the summer we moved the girls into the same room.  It was a very smooth transition and they love sharing a room.  They switch off who sleeps on the top bunk because they both love it so much.  Let's hope they always enjoy being room mates. 

Haiti Again!

I had the privilege of going to Haiti again a few weeks ago.  It was a short trip with a mission to photograph all the Child Hope kids for their yearly fundraiser. We wanted to make every second count on our short trip. As soon as the plane landed we hit the ground running.  

We made it in time to catch the feeding program on Friday afternoon.  The feeding program is put on three times a week by Child Hope and provides a warm meal and clean water to about 150 kids in the neighborhood near the orphanage. There are a lot of kids that attend the feeding program that we each have grown to love on previous trips.  

I couldn't wait to see my favorite little boys and was glad we had just a quick minute to squeeze them on the way to the feeding program.  My two favorite boys remembered me and greeted me with the sweetest hugs and smiles.  

Keso and Yevnel

Love this sweet face!

This precious boy fed his baby sister every last bite of her meal and part of his before ever taking a bite.  For most kids in the feeding program this is their only warm meal and fresh water for days.

Rose and her buddy Ti Junior. 

My sweet friend Rose and I on the top of the guest house enjoying the view and our morning quiet times.

 On Sunday we went to church with all the boys and girls and then had an amazing feast at the Manessero's house.

We had a great time catching up with Ruth after lunch, she is the nanny at the little girls house.  

We adore Ruth! 

  

Then it was off to Quisqueya Church to spend some time with the littles. The ground of Quisqueya is the only area around with grass for the kids to play on.

Oh how I love sweet little Estaline! 

  

The newest girl at the orphanage is  3 year old Echline.  She is every bit as adorable as she looks in these photos.  She LOVED the camera and stole all of our hearts. 

Estaline and Echline are BFF's

My sweet Yvenel.

 Rose hanging out with one of our favorite street boys Jeff.  This boy has a heart of gold!  His story brings me to tears every time I share it. 

On Monday and Tuesday morning we woke up early and ran over to the school to see the flag ceremony and give the kids hugs and well wishes to start their school day. 

 Monday we went to help Cindy (The little boy's nanny)  she recently started a preschool.   We had SO much fun.  Preschool was the highlight of the trip for me. Playing, singing, snacks, chalk, bubbles... who wouldn't have fun?

 Estaline was pretty mad she couldn't have her snack right away and Wadnaika was tickling me while tracing my foot....

 Rose and I asked Jeanette, one of the cooks at the guest house if she would teach us how to make our favorite Haitian meal.  What a treat it was to learn from her.

We brought jerseys to the boys from the soccer league Issy plays on.  The boys looked so cute and they loved them!  Soccer is a big deal to these boys.

There was another team visiting Child Hope while we were there.  They were a great group and we all bonded each night on the roof of the guest house watching the thunderstorms and sharing our highs and lows of each day.  

WOD

While I was in Haiti a couple weeks ago Freddie and the girls had a little fun posting a series of photos on Facebook called WOD = With Out DeAnna.  Here are the photos and the captions.  

Day 1

The girls woke up and got themselves ready for school, I didn't have the heart to tell them it was Saturday so I dropped them off. What to do for 8 hours now?

Fell asleep for a while, still have a couple hours before I pick up the girls.

Girls wanted to stay up and watch a Halloween kids movie, and I'm tired. The girls are into dolls right now, so they can watch Chucky while I go to bed. 

 Day 2

 SIMPLE INSTRUCTIONS 1. light fuse 2. THEN RUN!!!

Day 3

Sent the girls out early to get dinner, but they couldn't find the Turkeys. Whats wrong with kids these days?

 Day 4

They revolted! They ran out the door with a sign and started yelling 'wait til mom finds out!'