First Week of School

by Jimmy

Our first week of school has started. Being that we live in Haiti, we do not necessarily observe Labor Day. Seeing as the kids are so excited to start school, they would be sorely disappointed if their first day of school were postponed.

So here they are...

Our students starting School Year 2012.

With their teachers.

Starting class time.

Notice the socks and bare feet. We were blessed with new tile just in time for school to start. It rained the night before, so we all had to take off our shoes so that we would not track mud everywhere. They all did very well.

It is such a joy and privilege to teach these kids. The difference that we are able be a part of is stark. Going from 30 students per class period in the public school system, to 4 to 6 at a time here, makes us very grateful. Even throwing in a hot, fussy baby, still does not close the gap. 

Abbi has been a little needy over the first couple days of school. I personally had it in mind that she would just sleep and play on the rugs or in her crib, and we could teach as normal. With it being so hot and humid, her naps are limited, and she wants one of us to be right there. I think we will get into a routine, but it may take a little doing. We just have to figure things out. 

This is our second time through this curriculum, so we hit the ground running. The younger ones have their older siblings to help them, and we now know what we need to do from the beginning. Staying on top of things will be so much easier from the get go. I am very excited about this new year.

Back to Haiti

by Jimmy
We are back in Haiti! Our internet is back and we are just waiting on EDH our city power. We weathered the storm, Isaac pretty well. Here on the property we just had a few large branches come down, and part of a neighbor’s roof come over the wall. Nothing too major. I probably freaked Troy out a little when I texted him that a branch fell on the truck.

Looks pretty bad, but it had hung up and was barely sitting on the truck. I drove out from under it, and we pulled it down.

Returning to Haiti, we did not really know what to expect. We were kind of expecting the worst - flooded house, bugs, mold, dead batteries... SOMETHING. There really could be anything. We arrived last Tuesday to a clean house, EDH, and ice in the freezer. Very, very nice. Thank you Jr. for taking care of all that. We slept quite soundly and have since. It is so nice to be home and not have to worry about packing and unpacking.

We did have a very good summer, just too much traveling. We loved seeing family and friends. God blesses us too much.

I immediately started working on the garden. Unfortunately, the tomatoes I had left as seedlings had grown and died. I had such luck with tomatoes in the states. Not so much here. All that survived was basil, which grows like a weed, and one good onion. Well, here goes Take 3 on the garden. I have high hopes after the compost I was able to make through the summer was added.

We have two new baby goats, for a total of eight now, and after I finish the second coop, their pen will be next. 16 Leghorn chickens are ready to start laying (fingers crossed) soon, so I am almost back to my farming self. I even went out scything this morning, and it worked better than I could have hoped.

The school has new tile on the floor, and lesson plans, well today have not gone so well, but up to today, very well. We are excited to start this next school year.

Abbi update: Adjusting well to the change. Both flights she started crying just as the plane left the terminal, and we thought "Oh, no." But she soon settled down and flew like a champ. Hopefully she will get into some kind of sleeping/eating schedule. Something she has yet to know.

Here she is eating bananas, sitting up like a big girl at the dinner table. 

She has yet to find a food she does not like.

First Sunday back, looking so pretty in one of her many outfits.

This was just wrong I know, but she was fussy.

She loves crinkly plastic, and she doesn't know what rock candy is yet.

Ready for bed with dad. I cannot believe how big she is. Love it.

Of Fathers and Daughters

There's not much more important in the life of a child, daughter or son, than their father. And sadly in this day and age, there is often nothing much more absent either. Thankfully my father was not. As an adult child I now have 2 wonderful Dads to celebrate on Father's Day. 

First, my own Daddy, Harry Blackmon, who has for my whole life believed in me more than anyone else. I have often felt somewhat invincible, like I really could do anything in the world, and I know this confidence came from my Dad's confidence in me. At church this Sunday, our pastor mentioned 3 things that make a good Father. Being present, being loving, and being generous. My Dad has always been all 3 of these. Thanks Dad for reflecting our heavenly Father in these ways - I am blessed. I now get the double blessing of my children experiencing all of these from you as grandpa.

Secondly, my husband, Jimmy Burton, who is now the Father of our Daughter. We just celebrated our 1 year anniversary, and every day I am more and more thankful to be married to this man. What a blessing to get to share life with him. He has loved me so well since day 1 and now lavishes that same love on our daughter. I know she will one day be thankful for the same things about you, Jimmy, that I am thankful for about my Dad.

I love you both - Happy Fathers' Day!

 The girls and Daddy at the Rangers game.

 Abigail and her Daddy.

 Abigail and her Grandpa.

Back to America... with a baby.

by Jimmy

 Our incredible, sweet, chill, traveler.

Our baby surprised the Haitian immigration officer as he checked our passports. He was surprised to see a white Haitian, and pleased as well I think. You just do not see that too often. Birthplace: Haiti, in a US passport. Even when we are out in Port-Au-Prince, she attracts quite a crowd. People lean over for a better look at our "ti blan, bebe."

Abbi, travels incredibly well. We keep hearing over and over how unusual and surprising that is. Everyone asks how she is, and she is chill. She was chill from minute one. We are very blessed and very thankful for her chillness. (Daddy especially, when he gets a taste of what could be, when mom leaves with Nana to get diapers, and she decides she is hungry and will not be pacified.) She is becoming a little more vocal, but overall she is the absolute joy of her father.

Even this morning when she fusses more than usual, I was asking her where her smiles were, and she immediately spits out the pacifier and gives her only big grin of the day. Her great big smile lights up her face, and her daddy's world. My how a little one changes everything.

We have traveled quite a bit since being back. We have been back a week and a half, visited both sets of grandparents of course, and gone to Alabama and back to visit the great-grand parents. She must think that "Texas" means a long trip!

Some reflections on returning to America... The roads are as nice as I remember. Everything is so clean and neat, and spread out. There have definitely been Haiti habits flash through your mind here. Pausing before you put your toothbrush under the faucet, knowing how to pull out in front of someone in a traffic jam and not feel at all bad about it, walking down the sidewalk seeing an animal, and thinking that if I wanted to throw a rock at it, like I throw rocks at roosters, I couldn't even find a rock.

America... the land of unending and cheap sugar, free refills, really fast food, really nice places to stop and rest on long trips, unlocked cars, fast reliable internet, expensive phones and phone service, libraries, and beauty all around.

I am really looking forward to this next school year, where we will be going back to Haiti. Our school year went so well, and I really want to become a better teacher. I have been reading quite a bit and will have extended time here to read. There is so much I want to try. I am a thinker and a piddler, and thank goodness I have an incredibly capable wife, to help steer some of those distractions to profitable use.

 First taste of chocolate Frosty - one of dad's favorites.

 Gorgeous! Great smile. Love her.

Time with GG in Alabama. 

Hanging with Dad.

Posing with mom.

Last Week Fun

Today was officially our last day of the school year. What a great year it has been! We enjoyed "Spirit Week" all week as a fun way to close out the year. Although I missed most of the week due to illness, my husband did an excellent job finishing things up for the year and having a good time of it (while taking care of me and Abigail). So thankful for all the blessings this year has brought our way. Looking forward to summer in Texas with family and preparing to come back and do it again in the fall!

Superhero Day

Royalty Day

Presenting their science project

Western Day

Easter Happenings

During the "Passion Week" we tried to find activities to do at school each day to help teach about Christ's Death and Resurrection. These included hiding and finding different items that are referenced in the scripture and help tell the Easter story, dying Easter eggs and talking about new life in Christ, drawing pictures of the Easter story, and making "Resurrection Rolls" (an edible example of the empty tomb).
Our family was privileged to enjoy a sunrise Easter service with our church at a beautiful point overlooking Port-Au-Prince as well as a tasty lunch and time of fellowship at the McHoul's house Easter afternoon. Abigail got her first ever Easter basket from "Grandma" Beth. Daddy was excited about helping her out with it. :o) We enjoyed our first Easter together as a family as well as our first Easter in Haiti - it was a sweet reminder that life and light have conquered death and darkness. Jesus has overcome!

After School Study/Homework Group

What else would you do right after you got out of school?

It's tough having students like these.