I feel like complaining, BUT...

I am not going to.

Instead, I am going to inform you about more recent events, state our plan for going forward, and then tell you why I am grateful that I am where I am.

During the past week there have been at least 2 other robberies or robbery attempts in Jacmel involving gunfire. We are still waiting on some of the security improvements to our house to be finished (although others are done!!! -- yay for a higher wall and razor wire!)



With no improvement in the security situation and the continued need for debriefing on this situation, today Nick and I made a really hard call. This year we are not going to be all together for Christmas. I am going to stay here with the American contingent. He will stay in Haiti with the Haitian contingent. We just can't imagine leaving either set of children "behind" on Christmas, and with the realities being what they are... we just made the call.

I will be traveling down to visit Nick and the kids for a week in mid-December (and bring down Christmas gifts!)...

OH!!! BTW-- not much notice this year but if you want to donate to the Christmas gifts for kids/staff-- check out this link!!! We really need things purchased in the next week and shipped to arrive by about the 10th or 11th of December. I know that doesn't give much time for purchasing. Sorry. It seems I live behind the 8 ball these days.

Nia has started therapy. Nico gets assessed tomorrow. Josiah is a hot mess, but that is not in any way related to the robbery... he always has been. (I am reading "The Strong-Willed Child" again!)

While I feel disappointed that we won't be together for Christmas and that things continue to be so uncertain in Haiti, I am choosing the path of thankfulness.

I am so thankful that everyone in my family has been physically spared. I am so thankful that our American passports allow us ease of travel during unrest. I am thankful that my kids (for the most part) roll with it. I am thankful that our dog, Piman, is recovering after a nasty run-in with tunneling screwworm maggots. I am thankful that Nick was willing to pull said maggots out of Piman's flesh. I am thankful that Wildarne and Sanndy were number 1 & 2 in their class this semester. I am thankful that Schneider had a first birthday party surrounded by 8 of his brothers and sisters. I am thankful that Nick is ROCKING THE HOUSE in Haiti taking care of the remaining NINE kids (one of whom is a baby!)

Check out this food he prepared for the family for Thanksgiving this past week--

I am thankful to be spending good time with my mom and dad. I am thankful that my kids will get to sing in a Christmas Eve Service (IN ENGLISH!). I am thankful that I get to see my big sister every day for the next month + and that my kids get to play with their cousins. I am thankful that we get to go to a Christmas parade next weekend. I am thankful that I look forward to going to church each week. I am thankful that I get to talk to Nick every day since Skype is free. I could go on and on and on. I have really just touched the tiniest tip of the iceberg because my life really is pretty good.

There are parts of me that still feel like complaining, but it's hard to complain when I recognize all that I have and have been given.

So I am choosing the path of thankfulness this holiday season. Hold me to it, tande?