Our Story Begins...

     Somewhere in the back of my mind I always knew that we would adopt.  We didn't focus on this in our life, nor did we discuss it at length, but when the thought is continually placed in your mind, you begin to take notice.     
     Kenn has always known that he was adopted and that it was a successful experience in his life.  He had a loving and caring family growing up and several years ago we searched for, and located his birth family (another amazing and loving family) which only added to his amazing life story. 
     Over the Christmas holidays, Kenn began a contract working with Craig and Mark Kielberger.  Their Me to We organization made it a practice to send their employees to visit the countries they assist to see their aid in action.  Kenn and I joked that I would not be able to participate in one of these trips as I would return with little people in my back pack.  I could not see myself visiting a country and seeing so many people in need and not being able to help them achieve a better life.  Sadly, this trip for our family was not meant to be, however it placed a bigger thought in my mind - how to help those in the world who are unable to help themselves.   

      As parents, we have always tried to instil in our children a few key values - family, on-going learning, and giving back.  We have shown them that family is forever and that learning is a life long activity, whether it is in school or through daily life experiences.  Additionally, we have taught and modelled for them to help others not only through financial donations but through giving of your time and service.  We have volunteered with various organizations, helped with environmental activities and raised service dogs for children with Autism.  So, when we were faced with the idea of adopting a child from a poverty stricken country, we felt that this was another opportunity we could help others.
       We did struggle with the notion of being able to successfully raise a child with a different cultural and ethnic background, yet again however life stepped in and showed us many relationships which were flourishing and offered us the confidence that we could do so effectively.  Further, we decided to adopt a sibling group (two brothers, two sisters or one boy and one girl) which we felt would make the transition to a new country and family easier and allow them to remain together. 
      So...why Haiti? Well, we know we wanted to be able to help those in greatest need and the initial areas which we researched were Kenya, Haiti and India.  Sadly however the requirements each country had set in place were often out of reach.  Kenya required one of the parents to live in the country for 6 months before the adoption could be completed and India was placing a preference for people of Indian descent or overseas Indian citizens.  Our next option was Haiti - the poorest country in the western hemisphere and we fit all of their requirements (age, married status, and two less lengthy trips to Haiti to facilitate the adoption).  Finally, once we saw the little faces of the children awaiting adoption, we were sold.  We made the decision and haven't second guessed it since. 
      We have begun to assemble the many, many pieces of our dossier and have completed our Home Study and PRIDE training.  We are currently awaiting our final family photos so that we can assemble all of the pieces which we were to complete and send them off to TDH.  Our Home Study should be in the hands of the Ministry of Child and Youth Services by July 1st where we hope to be deemed an 'adoption ready family' who is seeking the adoption of 2 sibling children ages 2-12 of any gender (possibly twins).  Hopefully this approval will be received in the next 4 to 6 weeks and then we send our dossier to Haiti to be matched with our children.
      Fingers crossed that we work quickly through the system and have our new children on their way home soon.