tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7164754171149256822024-03-13T22:27:09.516-07:00Adopt Rwanda"Father to the fatherless, defender of widows, this is God, whose dwelling is holy. God places THE LONELY IN FAMILIES; he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy." Psalm 68:5&6Vincentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01655693770465648782noreply@blogger.comBlogger106125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-716475417114925682.post-54933518946354685742011-12-08T19:12:00.000-08:002011-12-08T19:15:06.231-08:00Two Years<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ARjq9n2KVf8/TuF8yJxfbpI/AAAAAAAAAMs/x2WRXCbK_TU/s1600/metcha%2Bday.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ARjq9n2KVf8/TuF8yJxfbpI/AAAAAAAAAMs/x2WRXCbK_TU/s200/metcha%2Bday.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683961405777079954" /></a>Two years ago today was...<div>unforgettable</div><div>overwhelming</div><div>extraordinary</div><div>divine</div><div><br /></div><div>indescribable</div><div><br /></div><div>LOVE</div><div><br /></div><div>Happy Espy Day.</div>Vincentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01655693770465648782noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-716475417114925682.post-53718105431620939232010-07-29T23:04:00.000-07:002010-07-29T23:14:43.837-07:00A new post, and prob the last<div>Not sure that anyone is following this blog anymore, but just in case I thought I would post an update.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>So much has happened since my last post. We had a long winter with Espy being sick several times but then summer came and things turned around fairly well.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I have been consumed with trying to write my dissertation before we move, yes move, to Iowa.</div><div>I took a position at a college in Iowa and we are in the process of relocating. Moving truck comes a week from today and then we will be adjusting to life in southern Iowa. Looking forward to making some new friends and starting a new position there.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Espy is doing great. Growing well. She does have some health issues that will likely persist for some time, if not lifetime, (according to the Drs.) but with proper care she will thrive. She is learning new words all the time. It is so fun to hear her say dadda, delton, and oli... I think they love to hear it as much as I do!</div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ABrrAQPPCog/TFJtZP555OI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/pXVj133BY34/s1600/family+pictures+067.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 134px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499578375506355426" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ABrrAQPPCog/TFJtZP555OI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/pXVj133BY34/s200/family+pictures+067.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div>This will probably be my last post indefinetly (until I effectively convince Buster to adopt again anyway!) I am not very good at Blogging and need to spend as much time watching my kiddos grow as I can squeeze in. I do frequent facebook though, so if you are there feel free to befriend me :)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Vincentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01655693770465648782noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-716475417114925682.post-2367201006130949832010-03-14T13:31:00.000-07:002010-03-14T13:44:27.056-07:00new pictures!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ABrrAQPPCog/S51I91KZmLI/AAAAAAAAALo/J0CnV_jbMys/s1600-h/winter+10+pic+175.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ABrrAQPPCog/S51I91KZmLI/AAAAAAAAALo/J0CnV_jbMys/s200/winter+10+pic+175.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448591351268087986" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ABrrAQPPCog/S51I9eBLdSI/AAAAAAAAALg/t_a8hjK0kIA/s1600-h/winter+10+pic+168.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ABrrAQPPCog/S51I9eBLdSI/AAAAAAAAALg/t_a8hjK0kIA/s200/winter+10+pic+168.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448591345055397154" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ABrrAQPPCog/S51I82-tDGI/AAAAAAAAALY/Qsjh2EYy9wc/s1600-h/DSCN1536.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ABrrAQPPCog/S51I82-tDGI/AAAAAAAAALY/Qsjh2EYy9wc/s200/DSCN1536.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448591334576032866" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ABrrAQPPCog/S51I8nrX1uI/AAAAAAAAALQ/LXpj3ULwblc/s1600-h/winter+10+pic+203.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ABrrAQPPCog/S51I8nrX1uI/AAAAAAAAALQ/LXpj3ULwblc/s200/winter+10+pic+203.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448591330468419298" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ABrrAQPPCog/S51I8UazhgI/AAAAAAAAALI/-gq7PT0zHzI/s1600-h/winter+10+pic+224.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ABrrAQPPCog/S51I8UazhgI/AAAAAAAAALI/-gq7PT0zHzI/s200/winter+10+pic+224.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448591325298656770" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />So these are all pretty recent photos. We had Espy dedicated at our church last week and then had a pool party, celebrating her dedication and her birthday (which we missed while she was in Rwanda without us... so technically it was her year and a half birthday). She looked so cute and was so funny when it came to eating her cake! What an amazing gift we have been given with her. She is so amazing. <br /><br />I am terrible at posting on our blog. Just to darn busy. But I do facebook now and then so if you are not yet a facebook friend go ahead and add me :)<br /><br />I also updated our lifeofvincents blog and if I do ever blog again (which will be few and far between till I'm done with school) then I will probably use that blog.<br /><br />Lots of love from the vincents!Vincentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01655693770465648782noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-716475417114925682.post-55696679349215384872010-02-03T16:01:00.000-08:002010-03-18T10:35:46.224-07:00finally... an update<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ABrrAQPPCog/S2oOxGc_jqI/AAAAAAAAAKY/houmDfUptNY/s1600-h/pigtails+n+baby.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434172137084522146" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ABrrAQPPCog/S2oOxGc_jqI/AAAAAAAAAKY/houmDfUptNY/s320/pigtails+n+baby.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ABrrAQPPCog/S2oOwofmk_I/AAAAAAAAAKQ/MzSA8-U9_Wc/s1600-h/luv+baby.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434172129042404338" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ABrrAQPPCog/S2oOwofmk_I/AAAAAAAAAKQ/MzSA8-U9_Wc/s320/luv+baby.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ABrrAQPPCog/S2oOwXoZSsI/AAAAAAAAAKI/W6q87UkJBJg/s1600-h/overall+espy.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434172124515879618" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ABrrAQPPCog/S2oOwXoZSsI/AAAAAAAAAKI/W6q87UkJBJg/s320/overall+espy.jpg" /></a> </div><div>Life is CRAZY! I apologize fo the lack of updates. I am teaching 5 college classes and taking 2 so between that and making face time with my sweet Espy and awesome boys a priority, blogging is on the low end of my priority spectrum. Here are some new updates. Espy is doing awesome. She has been sick a couple of times with local "bugs" i.e. respitory infection and stomach flu. But has a great attitude, and loves people. She is definately attached. And she HATES to sleep. She screams often and loud when naptime rolls around. She is also a really light sleeper which we are making concessions for. The boys continue to roughhouse with her and she continues to giggle the whole time! Right now she is pulling all of our paper plates and tupperware out of the drawer and onto the floor.... testing her exploratory skills. She hasn't said any words except for an occassional daday and mamamamam. She likes my brothers lab Gibbs (might say bibbs once in awhile). She is good at pointing for things she wants, throws fits when she cannot feed herself (independent child!), and continues to have massive diapers... peee yewww!</div><div> </div><div>Grandma Peggy was out this week for a few days (good timing since she would have had to be home sick with her respitory thing!) Now she is spoiled and needs to be held all the time :) ha ha. </div><div> </div><div>She misses Grandma Betty! Hope to see her again soon. The above pictures show her hair getting long enough put in mini pigtails... She is hugging her new baby gifted by Buster's aunt Patty... it is sooo cute! She loves it and it already needs a bath from all the Espy hugs :)</div><div> </div><div>Hope everyone reading this is awesome.</div><div> </div><div>P.S. I might be changing our blog over to our family blog... <a href="mailto:LifeofVincents@blogspot.com">LifeofVincents.blogspot.com</a> so future updates may be there instead.</div><div> </div><div>Lator!<br /><br /></div><div></div></div>Vincentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01655693770465648782noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-716475417114925682.post-56969029473298660902010-01-13T15:12:00.000-08:002010-01-13T15:21:17.971-08:00Quick Update<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ABrrAQPPCog/S05UaR6k80I/AAAAAAAAAKA/dOHRu6dOzIk/s1600-h/espy+eating.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ABrrAQPPCog/S05UaR6k80I/AAAAAAAAAKA/dOHRu6dOzIk/s320/espy+eating.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426367411490452290" border="0" /></a>What a whirlwind this last month has been. We have gone through sooo much change. God continues to amaze us with our new family.<br /><br />The above snapshot is of our lil Espy feeding herself oatmeal. She is becoming so independent and LOVES to eat! You'll notice she has one spoon upside down. I love watching her figure things out :)<br /><br />She is healthy for the most part, gaining weight like crazy, smiling and laughing all the time and enjoying her big brothers. We cannot get enough of that smile (she also has 16 teeth so a very toothy smile! )<br /><br />Meanwhile our routine is in full swing. I am teaching college courses three days a week, Buster is busy selling cars at our car dealership and the boys are both in school. Espy has an awesome caregiver while I am at work those few hours and we are blessed by that too.<br /><br />So... life is good. <br /><br />Praying today for those in Haiti. Consider giving to a relief organization. We donated to World Hope today. They really need our prayers and our support.Vincentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01655693770465648782noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-716475417114925682.post-19752901580442054692009-12-28T11:21:00.000-08:002009-12-28T11:26:43.217-08:00Here's to 2010<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ABrrAQPPCog/SzkFhpJHg5I/AAAAAAAAAJ4/SkFYk0R5wKs/s1600-h/Christmas+time+09+011.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420369702055019410" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ABrrAQPPCog/SzkFhpJHg5I/AAAAAAAAAJ4/SkFYk0R5wKs/s320/Christmas+time+09+011.JPG" /></a><br /><div align="center">Wishing everyone a wonderful new year! <br /></div>Vincentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01655693770465648782noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-716475417114925682.post-84171765745705072592009-12-23T09:08:00.000-08:002009-12-23T09:35:10.591-08:00Its so good to be home!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ABrrAQPPCog/SzJUPBV6pAI/AAAAAAAAAJw/Q_EqlkiLG8s/s1600-h/Esperance+Vincent+12.09+343.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418485918715257858" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ABrrAQPPCog/SzJUPBV6pAI/AAAAAAAAAJw/Q_EqlkiLG8s/s320/Esperance+Vincent+12.09+343.JPG" /></a><br /><div><br /><br /><div>There really is no place lilke home. We got here late Friday night. Espy was really sick on the flight from Ethiopia (we changed 19 diapers between Addis and Spearfish... those poor flight attendants who had to deal with the soiled blankets etc!). The good news is that she slept in between nasty diapers and therefore got right on our time zone when we arrived. She has been sleeping pretty much through the night with a couple of short naps during the day. She is such a blessing... soooo happy!!! Our boys are having so much fun with her. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>We went to the doctor on Monday for a check up. The diaper messes have subsided, the stool samples collected were negative for giardia (Yeah!!! Thanks Dr. Rwanda for the meds before we left!)... and we ran another malaria check (still waiting for results). Our doc here says she is well.. not on the growth chart for weight but makes the bottom 5% for height :) Lil' pipsqueek! She's eating a lot so will likely catch up weight and height wise before we know it.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Some advise for adopting families:</div><br /><br /><div>1. Make an appointment to see a good doctor in Rwanda after you get your baby. They do some checks at the orphanage but it is always a good idea to get second opinions. Having her on meds for malaria, giardia, and fever for almost two weeks before we headed home helped alot... and got her on a fast track to recovery in the US. The doct appointment, tests, and meds were very reasonable (about $35 each).</div><br /><br /><div>2. Bring extra extra clothes for the plane ride home. We ran out after yucky diaper number 10 and got some weird looks from passengers for not having our baby clothed! :)</div><br /><br /><div>3. Make copies of papers you get from the embassy(s) if possible... you might need them later and they have a tendancy to keep everything. </div><br /><br /><div>4. Bring about $500 more than you planned... I didn't realize her visa from Addis would cost $400 and we needed an extra sum to rearrange flights to get home early.</div><br /><br /><div>5. Dont' settle... negotiate for driver/room etc. We found a really reasonable driver ($35 per day... sorry my POA has contact info so I can't provide it) and wish we would have told the hotel to put us in another room in Rwanda.</div><br /><br /><div>6. The mini safari was nice... but long... too long for a sick baby to endure. She made it but for her benefit we probably should have choosen an activity with less time in the car. Consider other options if your child is not well.</div><br /><br /><div>7. Little Puffs are awesome!!! Espy looves the little mini puff thingies you can buy in the baby section at Walmart. They were a lifesaver during long waits.</div><br /><br /><div>8. Take a baby carrier (baby hawk is my fav), if you have older kids consider an umbrella stroller... there is a lot of waiting and kids get heavy after awhile.</div><br /><br /><div>9. Be prepared for small kiddos. the pics from the orphanage can be deceiving. Espy is 15 months but fits into 6-9 mo clothes. I didn't bring hardly anything that fit.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Hmmm... well thats enough for now. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>Thank you all for your prayers, love, and support!!!! We are truly blessed beyond measure! </div><div> </div><div>Merry Christmas...</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div></div>Vincentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01655693770465648782noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-716475417114925682.post-51219102505952414852009-12-18T14:22:00.000-08:002009-12-18T14:24:27.535-08:00we're home...almostWe made it to Denver.... now to drive our exhausted selves 6 hrs home. more laterVincentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01655693770465648782noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-716475417114925682.post-47891534810319693922009-12-14T13:36:00.000-08:002009-12-14T13:39:52.491-08:00More from Ethiopia...The is probably the one and only update from Ethiopia. The internet at our guesthouse is not working at all and now I am paying $10 per hour to use the internet at the Hilton (which still has a subpar connection and this is the only night we will be coming here). <br /><br />I was sick today. Not sure what I have but slept all day while Buster took Espy to her medical appointment and the first embassy appointment. I am feeling a little better tonight... still pretty weak though. I think it was a good day of bonding with daddy and daughter... :)<br /><br />The pediatrician at the embassy said Espy seems to be recovering well. Her fevers are becoming less and her chest cold is improving. Slowly but surely. She had another round of blood drawn today. Results will be ready on Wed. We are praying that everything shows up clear so she is ok to travel.<br /><br />Tomorrow we will drive 2 hours to Adama to Look Development and do some things there. (That's the project that my friends from MT help run).<br /><br />Wed is our Embassy Interview and Friday they will issue Espy's American passport/visa to travel home. We are looking forward to being back in the states. Four more days to go!Vincentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01655693770465648782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-716475417114925682.post-72195066314230090702009-12-13T12:21:00.000-08:002009-12-13T12:44:16.022-08:00Update from Ethiopia<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ABrrAQPPCog/SyVNqPtpcpI/AAAAAAAAAJY/HiimaGVXQnM/s1600-h/DSCN1095%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ABrrAQPPCog/SyVNqPtpcpI/AAAAAAAAAJY/HiimaGVXQnM/s320/DSCN1095%5B1%5D.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414819515150725778" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ABrrAQPPCog/SyVNp5n5aFI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/4ACBpYU1ACs/s1600-h/DSCN1093%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ABrrAQPPCog/SyVNp5n5aFI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/4ACBpYU1ACs/s320/DSCN1093%5B1%5D.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414819509221025874" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ABrrAQPPCog/SyVNpVulf4I/AAAAAAAAAJI/XmpvcuQPPC4/s1600-h/DSCN1092%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ABrrAQPPCog/SyVNpVulf4I/AAAAAAAAAJI/XmpvcuQPPC4/s320/DSCN1092%5B1%5D.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414819499585404802" border="0" /></a>Alisha and Buster called home this afternoon to let us know that they made it to Ethiopia. The internet connection in Ethiopia is not good so we don't know how often we will hear from them.<br /><br />They will be going to the US Embassy tomorrow and will have Espy seen by the Embassy Physician as her fever is still coming and going. On a happy note, she is adjusting well to being with her new mommy & daddy - which is great!<br /><br />As of now they will be interviewed on Thursday and are supposed to get their travel visa on Friday - returning to the US on Saturday.<br /><br />Please pray for Kelton and Oliver, as they are missing their mom & dad. Pray for healing for Espy and that their return trip goes as planned.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ABrrAQPPCog/SyVR1F3KJrI/AAAAAAAAAJg/adQ4OaSxRNM/s1600-h/DSCN1062%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ABrrAQPPCog/SyVR1F3KJrI/AAAAAAAAAJg/adQ4OaSxRNM/s320/DSCN1062%5B1%5D.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414824099531335346" border="0" /></a>Espy walking - Buster says he taught her...<br /></div>Vincentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01655693770465648782noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-716475417114925682.post-12932379126267278762009-12-10T11:51:00.000-08:002009-12-10T12:06:53.668-08:00Prayer Request from RwandaAlisha, Buster and Espy had a crazy day today. They went on the safari this morning... said it was nice but way too much driving.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ABrrAQPPCog/SyFUo-j6jxI/AAAAAAAAAI4/BrfyekOt6Q8/s1600-h/DSCN1005%5B1%5D"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ABrrAQPPCog/SyFUo-j6jxI/AAAAAAAAAI4/BrfyekOt6Q8/s320/DSCN1005%5B1%5D" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413701290041184018" border="0" /></a><br />When they returned from the safari Espy was running a fever so they took her to the doctor. She tested positive for malaria and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">giardia</span> (parasites in her intestine). The doctor prescribed medication and told them to pray that she is not immune to it. If she is they will have to go to the hospital in Ethiopia and have her put on an IV. She also has an eye infection and high fever.<br /><br />Alisha is asking that you would pray that they would find creative ways to get Espy to take her medication as she has refused to take any of them (the malaria <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">meds</span> are in pill form). They also ask for prayer as she will need to undergo more tests in Ethiopia before they can get her travel visa to come home. As you can imagine these tests are not fun to watch. :(<br /><br />Alisha has also asked that you would pray for Kayla (who was going to be watching the boys) as she lost her father to a heart attack this morning.<br /><br />Please keep them in your prayers over the next several days, I have asked Alisha to keep us posted as much as she is able, but the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">internet</span> connection isn't the best in Rwanda.<br /><br />Updated by LynnVincentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01655693770465648782noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-716475417114925682.post-77674601986675013742009-12-09T13:33:00.000-08:002009-12-09T13:40:42.892-08:00More from Rwanda<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ABrrAQPPCog/SyAYOicaCeI/AAAAAAAAAIo/1AjRbOmXcSI/s1600-h/Espy+blog+5"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413353390142523874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ABrrAQPPCog/SyAYOicaCeI/AAAAAAAAAIo/1AjRbOmXcSI/s320/Espy+blog+5" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div align="center"> Another busy day! We got Espy's passport... with the cutest passport pictures I've ever seen! We also went back to the ministers office and showed off Espy. We then went to the orphanage and saw the two rooms that Espy has lived in her whole life. It was hard to see but I was amazed at how well run the place is an how much the nuns and caregivers sacrifice to take care of the children. While in the room Espy had just been, in someone suggested that we try to set her back in her crib... the attempt failed and she clung to me like glue. I think this is a good sign that she is ready to be with us :) There are a lot of beautiful babies being cared for at the orphanage. Beautiful babies that need families (hint hint to everyone I know who is still capable of raising a child... A LOT of you!!!) There is also an organization just getting off the ground that raises support for the orphanage (<a href="http://four4-more.blogspot.com/">http://four4-more.blogspot.com/</a><a href="http://www.4more.org/"></a>) started by a family who adopted earlier this year). </div><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413353381696206466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ABrrAQPPCog/SyAYOC-pdoI/AAAAAAAAAIg/b9NYY_uBhPI/s320/Espy+Blog+4" border="0" /><br /><br />Tomorrow we are taking a drive to the National Park here where they offer mini-safari tours. Should be fun. Pray for health for Espy. She has been sick with a chest cold for over a week and has a rotten smelling diaper. She seems happy and we are not too worried... just want her to be well for our long journey home. </div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ABrrAQPPCog/SyAYNsKjDvI/AAAAAAAAAIY/p-3lZVBIDtc/s1600-h/Espy+Blog+3"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413353375572102898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ABrrAQPPCog/SyAYNsKjDvI/AAAAAAAAAIY/p-3lZVBIDtc/s320/Espy+Blog+3" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Love to you all!<br /><div></div></div>Vincentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01655693770465648782noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-716475417114925682.post-14303412035902381712009-12-09T08:28:00.000-08:002009-12-09T09:06:27.345-08:00Update from Rwanda<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ABrrAQPPCog/Sx_WoNWDu0I/AAAAAAAAAIQ/5t4qnvwgMic/s1600-h/espy+051.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ABrrAQPPCog/Sx_WoNWDu0I/AAAAAAAAAIQ/5t4qnvwgMic/s320/espy+051.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413281263387917122" border="0" /></a>Buster & Espy napping while Alisha gets ready :)<br /><br />Things going well! Espy had a much needed bath today and now smells like baby shampoo :) We had a blowout diaper early am and she smells great now but the room still does not! ha ha. Espy and Buster fell asleep while I got ready. Too cute. Today we will get some more paperwork done, go back to the orphanage to see where Espy's crib was, and maybe take a tour of the genocide memorial.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ABrrAQPPCog/Sx_WHI0PM-I/AAAAAAAAAII/Kihvif2BwNo/s1600-h/DSCN0922.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ABrrAQPPCog/Sx_WHI0PM-I/AAAAAAAAAII/Kihvif2BwNo/s320/DSCN0922.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413280695236637666" border="0" /></a>Alisha, Espy and POA Bonita<br /></div><br /><br />Still pretty tired today... hopefully I can perk up with some good Rwandan coffee!Vincentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01655693770465648782noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-716475417114925682.post-27802056435206984092009-12-08T10:59:00.000-08:002009-12-08T11:30:42.696-08:00We made it<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ABrrAQPPCog/Sx6pHo8XHRI/AAAAAAAAAHI/q8m-IQgAiho/s1600-h/DSCN0920.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ABrrAQPPCog/Sx6pHo8XHRI/AAAAAAAAAHI/q8m-IQgAiho/s200/DSCN0920.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412949750860684562" /></a><br />Well it was a whirlwind the last severl days. We started in a car, driving to denver on Saturday. My dear friend Kristen gave us a ride on Sunday to the airport. Our flight was delayed due to snow but we made it and then got up at 5 to leave DC via Ethiopian airways... Got there and the flight was delayed over two hours. Got on an overcrowded cramped plan and endured the forever flight that included an extra stop. Thought we missed our connection to Rwanda but that plane was also delayed two hours. After a stop between Ethiopia and Rwanda we finally made it!!! As soon as we got here we headed straight for the ministers office praying they were still open to issue our travel letter so that we could go pick up Espy and not have to return her for the night. God was with us!!! The right two people hadn't left yet for the day and we signed for the document that allowed us to go pick up Espy and not have to take her back! <br />Then we stopped at the hotel to dump our immense amount of luggage and reload those items to be delivered to the orphanage. (Two suitcases of shoes, formula, and children's medicine)... Buster and I both freshened up a bit and dashed to the car to get to the orphanage before they closed visiting hours.<br /><br />We made it... waited in a tiny room for ten minutes and then saw the most beautiful nun carrying the most beautiful Rwandan baby straight for us!<br /><br />Everyone was amazed at how well she took to us... I think God has been working in our spirits since before we knew it :) She was tired though and fell asleep after only an half hour in my arms. As I type this she is still sleeping soundly in our bed at the hotel. Buster is crashed as well and I should be... I'm super tired, but my spirit is dancing at the miracles of God!<br /><br />Please pray for Espy... even though things seemed well today this is such a tramatic change in her world. Everyone and everything she has known for the last 14 months changed in an instant and will never be the same. I cannot imagine the emotions and feelings that will consume her in the next days weeks and months as she processes all of this... Even though she won't be able to communicate with us I am certain there will be feelings of loss, confusion, fear, etc. etc. Pray that our Lord will give her peace that only he can and that Buster and I will have the wisdom we need to parent this gift in a way that honors her past and gently leads her through her future.<br /><br />Blessings all. Thanks for your prayers thus far! Sooo sorry... I tried and tried to get a picture to upload but it wouldn't cooperate. Hopefully tomorrow will work better.Vincentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01655693770465648782noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-716475417114925682.post-28348420458193210312009-12-06T19:49:00.000-08:002009-12-06T19:52:59.394-08:00In DC... next stop EthiopiaWe are in DC tonight for an overnight layover. Tomorrow morning we board Ethiopian Airlines at 9 am for our 9:30 flight to Rome (fuel stop) then Addis (2 hour layover) then Kigali!!!! Next post will probably be from the hotel in Kigali after we meet Espy.<br /><br /><br />Please pray for our travels in the next 32 hours.<br /><br />Our God is an aweseome God!Vincentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01655693770465648782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-716475417114925682.post-63352128080568785302009-12-03T07:08:00.000-08:002009-12-03T08:12:08.601-08:00She's being adopted by so manyAs we get closer to the day we will hold Espy in our arms I realize more and more that this adoption is not just about us and our family. Last night we had our small group meeting and were blessed AGAIN by our wonderful church family... we also received a special blessing from our parents which was unexpected and awesome!<br /><br />So many people have given so sacrificially to make this adoption happen... we are amazed and in awe at how God has used this adoption to expand His Kingdom and show others how much He loves. We are so thankful for our family, both our biological family and our family that is united by our love of Christ. We are so lucky to not just be adopting this little girl as a Vincent but as a part of our much wider extended family of Christ. Thank you all for your love and support.<br /><br />Soon you will all get to hold sweet Esperance Eliana Vincent... (Hope)(God's Gift to Us) Vincent. :)Vincentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01655693770465648782noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-716475417114925682.post-29093632263515203132009-12-02T09:09:00.000-08:002009-12-02T09:11:26.512-08:005 days to goWe will be holding our daughter in 5 days. <br /><br />Lots going on around here. Packing, laundry, cleaning, kids' schedules, and I have to finish working on stuff for the courses I teach before take off. We want to do something special with the kids before we leave too so am trying to figure that out as well.<br /><br />Days are passing quickly, but in a good way!Vincentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01655693770465648782noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-716475417114925682.post-50548347303392584462009-11-29T09:06:00.000-08:002009-11-29T09:47:28.079-08:00One Week Till Take OffWe start our travel journey next Sunday... but our flight to Africa from DC is scheduled for Monday (we fly out of Denver first, then have a layover). So... in 7 days and 23.5 hours we will be on an airplane on our way to Africa to meet Espy for the first time. The anticipation is definately building.<br /><br />I think I might have some challenges concentrating on teaching my classes and other have-to-get-done work... sorry students! :)<br /><br />The boys are looking forward to having Grandma Betty here for nearly a whole week starting Saturday. We are super thankful that she could get some days rearranged at her office to be here. Thanks Betty! <br /><br />Ok... back to shopping lists and study notes! :)Vincentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01655693770465648782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-716475417114925682.post-64190041239581274362009-11-25T06:44:00.000-08:002009-11-25T06:49:15.834-08:00We give thanks for Espy and those of you who helped make this possible<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ABrrAQPPCog/Sw1C4jAO21I/AAAAAAAAAG4/kgqjXYtQo5I/s1600/Eliana+Esperance.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ABrrAQPPCog/Sw1C4jAO21I/AAAAAAAAAG4/kgqjXYtQo5I/s200/Eliana+Esperance.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408052266778155858" /></a><br /><br /><br />Here is our beautiful baby girl.<br /><br />We will be united in just over a week! How thrilling.<br /><br />A special thank you to our small group and those amazing friends who, out-of-the-blue this week, provided support for us to help make a dent in all of these adopting fees and airline ticket expenses. We could NOT have done this without your generosity. God will surely bless you. You will have eternal rewards and always a very special place in our adoption story! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. You are truly representing the Love of Christ.Vincentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01655693770465648782noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-716475417114925682.post-56283142155566675192009-11-23T09:42:00.000-08:002009-11-23T09:47:12.335-08:00Espy is Ours!!!We passed court today! Hip Hip Hooray! This means that Nzayisenga Esperance is now officially a Vincent! Esperance Eliana Vincent, or Espy for short!<br /><br />We are rejoicing and thanking God for this today!<br /><br />We are officially departing the US on December 7th and will be united with our daughter on the 8th at around 2 in the afternoon. Home again on December 19th just in time for the holidays! What a gift our family has been given this year! AMAZING!Vincentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01655693770465648782noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-716475417114925682.post-32068538783773887402009-11-19T11:23:00.000-08:002009-11-19T11:26:39.982-08:00court and travelOur Court Date is Monday! Yeah! Please pray that there are no hiccups! We are making tenative travel plans for sometime between the 4th and 7th. Will confirm those dates after Monday. Two weeks to go and we will hold sweet baby in our arms.<br /><br />P.S. We think she has been at the orphanage since she was 1 day old... Nuns call her Espy. Super cute.. we are thinking of keeping that name since she is so used to it. Maybe Eliana Esperance, Espy for short... or Esperance Eliana, Espy for short... still thinking about it. :)<br /><br />Lots to do lots to do. Gotta finish all my homework and grading for the classes I teach before we leave, plus travel and arrangements for kids while we are gone. Aghhh... any help would be most appreciated! :)Vincentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01655693770465648782noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-716475417114925682.post-11922371340706184642009-11-16T10:12:00.001-08:002009-11-16T10:13:28.506-08:00waiting on wordWaiting on word of our court date this week. Once we have it we can proceed with booking travel.<br /><br />c'mon court date!!!<br /><br />:)<br /><br />Missing my baby girl and we haven't even met yet!Vincentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01655693770465648782noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-716475417114925682.post-41966072035098946382009-11-13T08:59:00.001-08:002009-11-13T09:12:35.355-08:00Eliana Esperance VincentWe did receive the official email this morning. So happy to have it! The color photo is much better than the black and white copy we had received third party.<br /><br />Unfortunately I cannot post pictures on a public forum due to privacy issues until she is official ours... after we pass court.<br /><br />We are sooo excited though. So many emotions going on. I got back from a long road trip to Colorado and had a million things to catch up on, but of course all I wanted to do was look at my baby's picture!<br /><br />We are waiting for a couple of documents from the orphanage that we need for court and our attorney in Rwanda is working on getting a court date as soon as he can. Still praying for one in November... please join us in this prayer! After court documents will go to the Ministry of Justice in order to issue her a passport (this takes up to two weeks). During that time another set of documents will go to the Ministry of Gender and Family who will issue us a travel letter stating that we are her legal parents and are able to travel with her. Once those documents are done we will travel to Rwanda... So... we are looking at maybe three weeks after we pass court.<br /><br />After Rwanda we fly to Ethiopia where she will get a medical check up and we will be interviewed in order to get her visa to come home.<br /><br />So... if things come together with court and document processing we could be in Africa mid December... I'm checking on flights just to see how outrageous they are over the holidays. Yikes! :)Vincentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01655693770465648782noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-716475417114925682.post-56297508137114467572009-11-11T09:21:00.001-08:002009-11-11T09:27:50.230-08:00New baby for the V familyWe received information about our baby this morning. Soooo excited to get all the details. We have just a picture and a simple letter from the government... with few details, but she looks like she is almost a year old. We expect more information as soon as the ministry's office gets a chance. (They are busy this week with a major event and will get families information to move forward as soon as they can). Hopefully we can get enough details to secure a court date before December when courts close in Rwanda.<br /><br />Needless to say we are estatic and exhausted. It has been a lot of sleepless nights waiting for this precious information. We are in love already... can't wait to meet her in person! She is soooo beautiful. Buster says she has is nose... ha!<br /><br />Thank you so much B for the extra leg work to get us this information today! We appreciate you!<br /><br />I will post more information as I can. <br /><br />Thanks everyone for your prayers... let them continue so that we can pass court before December!!! With God's grace we can do it!Vincentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01655693770465648782noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-716475417114925682.post-49069868112500080402009-11-10T07:32:00.000-08:002009-11-10T07:33:09.758-08:00still waitingnothing here... <br /><br />Happy for all the families that got their referrals this week.<br /><br />We did not.<br /><br />Don't know why.<br /><br />Pretty devestated today.Vincentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01655693770465648782noreply@blogger.com2