Still Waiting...

We are still waiting to get out of IBESR. We've been in IBESR for almost 10 months. At this point, the wait is just getting maddening. I decided to not travel to Haiti next month afterall, for a few reasons. For one, Mike's dad was so sick I didn't want to be in Haiti and have the timing be all wrong (if he had passed away while I was out of the country.) Unfortunately, Poppy passed away in June and even though I still had time to make the arrangements for the trip, I decided I will take the kids back to NY to visit Granny in July. She will love having the company and our boys LOVE it there. It will just be the 3 of us as Mike is running a little low on vacation days at this point.

The cost of the Haiti trip was also real obstacle and knowing we are no farther along in the process than we were on my last trip in November, I just couldn't imagine leaving Avery again. It was sooo hard to leave last time and I was so optimistic then about the movement of our paperwork, I can only imagine how hard it would be to leave her knowing what I know now....that she won't be with us for at least ANOTHER year. ANOTHER year...I can't even think about that.


That being said, I am sad that I am not going to get to visit and hold her and take tons of photos. I am hoping there will be another trip possibly this fall, and maybe we'll be out of IBESR?? and I'll feel better about going. To be honest, the adoption is moving so slowly (is it even moving?) that sometimes it feels like it ultimately won't happen. I am afraid to travel and get even more attached to her...just in case. As my seven year old says, "Doesn't Haiti have a president? Why can't they just deal with the papers and sign them?" I wish it were just that simple!


Preston asked if Avery can sleep with him when she gets here. He says he'll take a nap with her, and asked if he can take her for a walk all by himself to the park and back (that won't happen!) He asked if he can ask Santa for Cinderella Barbie for her if she's not here yet. So sweet. I can tell they are going to adore her.


Anyway, as we continue to wait it has been fun to keep up with other families who have finally arrived home with their little ones...proof it does REALLY happen! Here's a photo off Katie's blog, and I was soo excited to see Avery in the background (left)! Even though you can barely even tell who it is...it made my day to see her! Crazy I know...but that's how desperate I am for any glimpse of her! That's Avery's friends Gracyn and Marie. Aren't they adorable?

Happy Father's Day, Daddy!

Mike has spent most the weekend playing lacrosse at the NC State Games here in Charlotte. We all ventured to the game last night but they lost 6-5. Here's an action shot from the game last night...good defense, Daddy! This is a strange day since we couldn't call Poppy to wish him a Happy Father's Day... but we are at peace knowing he is not having to spend today suffering and in pain.

Later, we're off to pick out an ice cream cake for our BBQ later this afternoon! Happy Father's Day Daddy, Papa, Uncle Aron and all the to all the other dad's! Enjoy the day with your families!

June photo

Well, we've waited since April for a new update photo of Avery. We received this one, on the same day Poppy passed away. She has a tear running down her face, and I guess she was sad that day just like we were. Since Avery never got to meet Poppy, we placed a flower on his casket at the cemetery for her.

We are still in IBESR, along with a lot of other families. I read on another family's blog that when we do actually get out of IBESR, it takes AT LEAST a year to complete the rest of the process. So, even if we get out today, Avery would most likely not be home until late next summer. That is just unbelievable to me. Unbelievable, but unfortunately quite accurate.

So we are trying to keep our chins up and enjoy summer. It's off to a rocky start, but we are looking forward to some family fun over the next few months. The boys and I will probably head back to Granny's in upstate NY for a week to keep her company, then we are heading to the beach early August. We'll also take a weekend trip to visit my best friend, Lauren, in the NC mountains. Caden has his first swim meet of the summer this week and diabetes camp at the end of the week! So let the fun begin!

Our Beloved "Poppy"

June 10, 2009 John P. Bonoffski, 67, of Liverpool, passed away peacefully Wednesday morning at home after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was self employed (owner of J.B. Signco & Son) for over 25 years. He was a life member of the Liverpool Fire Dept. and a member of both Harley Owners Group and Homeland Charities. John was a communicant of St. Joseph the Worker Church. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, the former Janet Osbelt; daughter, Mary Beth Clark, Paducah, KY; sons, John (Marcy) Liverpool, Michael (Tracy) Huntersville, NC; mother, Edna Bonoffski, Syracuse; sister, Barbara Guancial, East Amherst, NY, sisters-in-law, Patricia Revere, Syracuse and Sister Kathleen Osbelt OFM, Syracuse; his four precious grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Ryan, Caden and Preston; several nieces, nephews, cousins. A funeral service will be held, 8:15 a.m. Monday June 15, 2009 from the Maurer Funeral Home and 9 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Joseph the Worker Church, 1001 Tulip St., Liverpool. Burial will be in Assumption Cemetery. Calling hours will be held, 2 to 5 p.m., Sunday, June 14, 2009 at the funeral home, 300 Second St., Liverpool. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to "JDRF / Charlotte Chapter - Caden Bonoffski", 9140 Arrowpoint Boulevard, Suite 380, Charlotte, NC 28273, (credit will be given to Caden in memory of "Poppy"). Contributions may also be made to Francis House. The family would like to thank the entire staff of Crouse Hospital (4th floor south) as well as his long time friend, Dr. Henry Chionuma. Maurer Funeral Home, Inc. www.maurerfuneralhome.com

Poppy's Quilt

Back after a long blog break...still no news about moving forward on the adoption. I am starting to lose hope it will EVER happen. I don't even like talking about it anymore....so I won't (at least for today!)

Mike's dad, who we all call Poppy, is very sick with cancer. We were so impressed that he made it to his son's wedding (Mike's brother) even though he felt terrible. Poppy loves Harley Davidson cycles and has owned a Harley for about 20 years. He collected Harley Davidson T-shirts from all over the country and gave his collection to us last time we visited him. As an early Father's Day present, we had most all his shirts made into a quilt, to show off all the various places he has either visited or a family/friend has visited. He absolutely loved the quilt and we know he is at home in his chair right now enjoying it!

Here are a few photos from the wedding and then the zoo excursion we took on the way home. Look closely and you'll even see a photo of Great Grandma Edna (97 years old) enjoying a jello shot! :) And no that's not a big cup of beer in front of her...it was gingerale!

Hope to blog more this month after a bit of a drought last month. Just not as fun to blog when I am so disappointed that we along with numerous other families are STILL stuck in IBESR. There has been some movement lately, but not enough in my opinion!