Winnie's Forever Family

THIS is what it's all about! THIS is why we are here.

This is Winnie with her new mommy and daddy and big brother. This family is getting the gift of a super sweet baby girl. Winnie is the most pleasant, calm, and happy little girl. She loves to dance, or rock. When the aunties start singing, Winnie starts swaying. She is also a little mover! When she wants to get from Point A to Point B, she just goes....right over anything that may be in her path.

Nine months ago I went to pick up this tiny baby who had been found wrapped in a plastic bag and left alone on the ground. Today, Winnie's mom and dad come to pick up a healthy, happy little girl who has been wrapped in love and gathered up into arms of hope.

Little Winnie is a special little girl with a very bright future. She is now a part of a family who loves her and can offer her so very much. She will definitely be a daddy's little girl!

I pray, little Winnie, that you will grow to know that you are your Heavenly Father's cherished little girl, too. We will miss you, sweet baby girl!

Oh, what I will miss!

My baby girls are gonna GROW! These little things will be scooting around all over the place when I get home in a few months. I tried to soak up as much love as I could before I left, but I am afraid those little squeezes won't be enough to last until I get back.

Sweet little Deli is three weeks old now.

Winnie & Annabelle are now four months old! Time flies.

David was a little jealous of the baby holding time. Sweet boy wanted in the picture, too. 

I can't wait to see how big these little ones are when I return. Until then, I'll just keep staring at these pictures of the sweet little girls and remembering how squishy and squeezable they are. 

Sad Goodbyes and Beautiful Babies

Susan said goodbye to the babies today. It was a sad day.

Susan has been here for almost four months, my right hand. I cannot even say how much I will miss her! She has been such a great help, and I am not sure I would have survived these past few crazy months without her.

Susan's goodbye to Annabelle was tough. Annabelle has been hers from day one. Susan has been a wonderful mama to Annabelle, sleeping with her, caring for her, knowing her schedule, her needs, her cries and her coos.

They are both blessed to have had this time together.

And Annabelle's little sister Winnie is just as precious! They are now two and five weeks old. And they are beautiful.

10. Winnie snuggles.
11. Watching Annabelle look at Susan with knowing eyes.

The Lord gives and takes away...AGAIN!! - Blessed be His name!

Yes, once again.

I got a call from the Children's Department this morning saying that a woman was looking for her lost child. She had been trying to track down the baby boy since the father went off with him, supposedly taking him to the clinic. She had been told to go back home and bring proof (picture, birth certificate, etc) of the baby. She had returned with a picture, so I was called to come identify. Indeed, it was our Solomon, whose real name is Caleb.

Due to legalities, they are not able to immediately reunite, but will hopefully be able to tomorrow. When I returned to the baby house and called him by name, he answered, "Hmmm?" and looked up with a big grin. Then as he sat in my lap and looked up, he smiled so brightly and kept saying, "Caleb. Caleb." As if to say, "You finally got it!!" One of the aunties asked him, "Who is Caleb?" to which he happily replied, "Mimi!" (me) It will be such a joy to reunite Caleb with his mother. And it was a blessing to provide him with a safe haven during this time.

And on this same day, just moments after returning home from the Children's Department where we met Caleb's mother, we got a call from the police station with a few days old baby girl.

We went to pick up little Winnie, who had been found outside the fence of a hostel, wrapped in a plastic bag. She is now safe and sound at Haven of Hope. She is approximately 3-4 days old. A beautiful, sweet little baby girl. Once again, we are blessed to have precious little Winnie in our home.