Paperwork, paperwork, and more paperwork

These days I am keeping Very busy with lots of paperwork. It seems to just keep coming right now. There is home study paperwork, dossier paperwork, school paperwork (can you believe my baby boy will be in 4K!!), doctor appointment paperwork...it seems to be never ending. At least I am not finding time to be bored :)
On the adoption front things are moving along. We have our official referral for Naika signed and are waiting on Scott's physical to be done next week so we can finish up our home study. It looks like we will travel to Haiti in October to meet our little princess and take care of some (more) paperwork while we are in Haiti. Then the real wait begins. It will take time to bring her home, but it will be SO worth the wait.
And now for what you have all been waiting for....a little peek at our princess:)

When I Grow Up

Today Delson was giving me LOTS of facts on the way home about presidents. Since it is presidents day his class was talking about George Washington and Abe Lincoln. He knows how Washington liked horses and reading and Lincoln likes math and was shot (that was a long story!). When he got all done giving me the facts he informed me that he was going to be president someday and live in the white house. I had to regretfully inform him that it would not be possible for him to be president of the United States because he was not born in the US. He then began to list all his friends who were born in the US asking if they would be able to be president. I informed him that they would be able to since they were born here. He asked if Micah could be president and I said "No, Micah was born in Ethiopia.". The boys have decided that it is NOT fair that they can not be president and asked how to change that law. I told them it would not be an easy thing to have changed, but that they were welcome to write the president and tell them their concerns. They asked if I would help them write a FULL page letter to the president tomorrow and bring it to the post office. I promised I would! Hurt to tell Delson he could NOT be something he has a desire to be, but felt so PROUD to hear the boys make a plan to try to follow the dream!!! Melissa

Simple Math

5+1=6
We are SUPER excited to announce that we are adding to our family!! We are currently in process of adopting an adorable little blessing from Haiti! Our application was approved yesterday by CCAI (where our little bundle is a waiting child) and as soon as we sign her referral we will fill you in on ALL the details. In the meantime, please keep our family in your prayers as we take another roller coaster ride on the adoption train!!! Be Blessed- Melissa

Haiti

As most of you know, Scott and I traveled with a few others from church to Haiti right after Christmas. We met up with a group of 20 other people from around the country via Adventures In Missions (AIM). I can tell you that we had an AMAZING time in Haiti and are Forever changed by what we experienced. I will share my journal entries and photos after we give our presentation at church on the 14th :). I can share with you that we plan to return in June, hopefully with another group from church so PLEASE pray for that upcoming journey! Melissa

Quick Catch Up

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE TROEDEL TRIBE
I had been waiting to post until I had time to put pictures on too, but if I do that you may just be waiting FOREVER! Here is a little of what has been going on:
On December 9th we celebrated Micah's 3 year Famiversary! I can not believe that it has been 3 years since my baby boy was placed in my arms FOREVER! He is growing into an amazing little man and is SO smart, too smart for his own good sometimes :).
Delson is doing GREAT in school. I am so happy that we moved him to a smaller, private school. It was the BEST decision we ever made, the difference is like day and night. He was in a Christmas program for school this week and was a wise man. He did great and was the kid singing SUPER loud without really knowing all the words :)
Sitota just finished with her first semester of ballet. She is taking it at a local church and has really liked it. She continues to LOVE reading and also drawing. She is busy practicing for a musical she is going to be in at the end of January:)
Scott and I have been busy preparing for our mission trip to Haiti, we will leave the day after Christmas and will return on New Years Eve. I can not wait to see what God has in store for us and who he has already chosen to cross our path.
I pray everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!! - Melissa

A bit of Christmas Thanks

Today we decorated the house for Christmas and the kids were SO excited to help. The moment that really stands out for me is when the kids placed their special ornaments on the tree that represent their birth families. As they placed their ornament on the tree each child took the time to say a little prayer for their families.
Micah has an angel that he chose to represent his birth mom and said that he was thankful she had him and prayed that she is safe. Though we do not know her name, she did such a loving thing when she gave him over to the police as a newborn as she could not care for him but did wanted him safe.
Delson has an ornament that was handmade in Haiti and asked God to keep his Haitian mommy, Verigne safe(his Haitian daddy, Pierre,is no longer here on earth).
Sitota has a cross that she chose to remember her family. She thanked God for her Ethiopian mommy and daddy, Worke and Wolde, whom are no longer with us on earth and prayed that God keep Tariku and her other brothers and sisters in Ethiopia safe. , and the precious young lady who was loving enough to bring her newborn baby boy to the police so she knew he would be safe. I am so Thankful for all they gave up so we can have our family.
We are so thankful to all of those listed here for the blessings they have given us.

Perfect Match

Had a funny (and interesting) conversation with Micah the other day after we had read a book about adoption. The book referred to how God had found us both and matched us. Here is how our talk at lunch a few days later went:

Micah: Mom, I don't think God is really good at matching.
Me: What are you talking about honey?
Micah: Remember how we read a book and you said God matched us.
Me: Yes
Micah: Well put out your arm (I do so and he puts his arm next to mine). See your arm is white, right?
Me: Yes
Micah: And my arm is brown, right?
Me: Yes
Micah: So I don't think God is very good at matching.
Me: We may not match in the color of our skin, but God did match our hearts and I am so happy you are my son.
Micah: And I am Happy you are my mom (followed by a big hug and kiss!)

Gotta LOVE that kid!!