I kept playing near him, playing with the other kids, until he warmed up to me. Then I was the one invoking the smile. That felt amazing. Something just sparked in my heart. I had heard [Steven's] and his brother's story, so I knew he had two older brothers, ages 5 and 7, at the time. I went looking for them, because I had been playing with and helping with the infants and toddlers. The older kids were in a separate area.

I met Carlos first, and was struck by his sweetness. Then Giovanni came around to play as well, and my heart was taken by him, too. The smiles on these boys are precious. That night and the next two days, I could not get those kids out of my head. I prayed a lot, seeking God's direction in this. Two days later, I saw them again (it felt so hard to wait that long!), and we went on an outing. Watching them, playing with them and taking care of them: that just sealed it for me.

As soon as we were back on American soil, I called my husband and said, "We are moving to Nicaragua and adopting three boys." He said, "OK." 

ml: Were there concerns regarding international adoption vs. domestic adoption?

TH: The only concern we had was financial. We were already in the domestic adoption process working with a ministry called "Antioch Adoptions," who rely on donations in order to provide no-fee adoptions. We had always wanted to adopt internationally, but were discouraged by how costly it is. Once we met the boys, we knew we would do anything to unite us as a family. It has been nothing short of a miracle what God has done through our friends and family -- and even strangers who simply heard our story and were moved to help out, to help us raise the needed funds. And He -- and they -- have done it twice, since we are now on our second temporary stay in Nicaragua, trying to complete this adoption. The first [stay] was five months long, and we were unable to bring the boys home then because the government shut down the office that does adoptions.

ml: You ended up moving to "Nica," as you affectionately call it, from Washington State -- which is a huge life decision and culture shock, we're sure. How was this decision made?

TH: A part of the adoption process here in Nicaragua is what is called the "foster" or "adaptation" period. Once someone is approved to adopt a certain child or children by the consejo (a group of 12 professionals who meet regularly to go over prospective adoptive-parent portfolios and make decisions regarding them), the next step is to move to Nicaragua to take legal custody of the child and complete the adaptation period. The Ministry of Family conducts home visits during this time to see if the family is adapting well to each other. That is what we are doing right now. When we moved here last May, we were coming to present our completed documents and be near the boys -- who were struggling being apart from us. We were counseled to come down a bit early so that we could help the boys feel more secure and stable.

Things were going along as planned, and we were due to go before the next consejo at the end of August when the government shut down the offices. We stuck it out until the end of September, when the funds ran out and it was clear that nothing was going to be moving forward anytime soon. With heavy hearts, we moved back to Washington. It was the hardest thing we have ever done.

ml: How long will you be there, given the next steps in the adoption process?

TH: We have been here since February 9th. We took custody of the boys on February 10th, but our official foster period did not start until March 15th. Our third and last home visit was April 5th. After that, a report and recommendation given by the Ministry of Family will be reviewed by the consejo (who meet regularly but not on a consistent schedule, due to the professional obligations of its members -- so we won't know when the next consejo will meet). If/when they approve our adaptation period, our lawyer will then begin working on the adoption finalization.

This is the legal court process. That can take anywhere from four to eight weeks. We will have a court date at the end of that, and then need to complete some immigration requirements. Because of the numerous steps that need to be completed and the degree of variation possible in each step, we don't know exactly when we will be home. Right now, we are looking at bringing the boys home anywhere between early May and early June. Could be sooner, could be later ... you just never know with this process. 

ml: You ended up adopting three boys, not just one. Tell us about how your life has changed raising these little guys!

TH: Ian and I knew we were open to adopting a sibling group; we both seemed to prefer it, actually. When I met Steven and knew he had two brothers, we didn't even falter a moment. Every time we have told someone that we are adopting three, they look at us like we are insane -- and many have actually said we are.

We never felt that way until we began parenting them! They are definitely a handful, and any one of them deserves our complete attention and love. It has been a challenge making time for all three of them. Not treating them as a whole, but as three individuals. Not to mention the sheer energy and noise they create! We are often exhausted and frustrated, feeling like we want to give them so much more than we can. Spreading attention, love, ears and arms three ways feels like we are spreading it pretty thin.

Giovanni is the oldest (he's now 9). He is the "little parent." He has taken care of his brothers in the past, and he is the most responsible, organized and self-controlled of the three. He has a tender heart towards his brothers and protects them fiercely. He is intelligent, artistic and athletic. He is always taking in information and figuring things out about the world and the relationships around him. He has a joy that often bubbles over.

Carlos is 7. He is very energetic. He is our dreamer and inventor. His mind is always figuring out how to use this thing or that thing to create an entirely new thing. He is extremely affectionate -- verbally and physically. We gets lots of snuggles and "I love yous" from him.

Steven is 3. He is very silly and adores his older brothers. He is very bonded to me, and needs to either be with me or know where I am at all times. He is inquisitive and loves learning about the world around him. He is extremely hands-on in his learning and wants to touch, feel and explore everything. He loves trucks like any little boy.

ml: How are you and your husband adjusting to living in a foreign country? Also, how are the boys adjusting to being exposed to American culture?

TH: The first time we moved here, we thought we would adjust well because we had visited Nicaragua many times. There is a significant culture shock when you visit Nicaragua, but we thought we had gotten used to it. It was actually pretty difficult for both of us. Things are done a lot differently here. To pay a bill can be an all-day task. There is no postal service or addresses. You cannot find everything you need in one, or even ten, stores.

There are two seasons: wet and dry. It is either hot and humid or hot and dry. (We've lived here during both seasons; it is hot and dry right now.) Driving is a free-for-all; stop signs and stop lights are mere suggestions. Water and electricity go out regularly, without warning or schedule. Needless to say, we were both pretty homesick.

This time around we know what to expect and how to live here, so we are doing better. It has helped a great deal to feel more comfortable with that while we are attempting to parent for the first time! The boys love American culture -- what they have heard of it, at least. They cannot wait to move to Washington. We know that once they are there, they will realize how different it is, how out of place they feel, how uncomfortable. We are trying to explore their country with them while we are here, to familiarize ourselves with their culture so that we can provide that part of their comfort and identity in our home. We will definitely be back to visit when they are older.