When I last told you about Jean (Zhaun), (think of Jean-Claude Van Damme) our student friend from Haiti, we were going to pick up his wife and 3 children at the St. Louis airport. They received their Visa’s and were allowed to come join him in the U.S. I’ve never seen anyone so excited as he was. He’s been apart from his family for this last school year and has been missing them terribly. His kids are 4 1/2, 3 1/2 and 2 years old.
Well, things were all set to get them on Wednesday evening, with their plane arriving at 10:00 p.m. in St. Louis. We had been given 3 car seats for the kids, we had the van all cleaned out, gassed up, we had snacks for the kids on the ride home, so off we went. It was smooth sailing and we chatted with Jean, trying to learn more about his wife, kids and the culture of Haiti.
A little more than half way there, Jean got a phone call and it was his wife. Somehow, American Airlines had caused his wife to miss her connection in Miami to St. Louis. They were putting her and the 3 kids up in a Miami hotel for the night and they would catch the flight the St. Louis the next day, and arrive at noon. As excited as Jean was when we started, he tried to not be disappointed, but you could see it on his face. He was more concerned that we had wasted our evening! I’ve never felt so bad for anyone and just couldn’t help but hurt for him… There was nothing for us to do but turn around and come back home…and for him…to a family-less apartment. We had worked so hard making it nice for when they arrived.
(If you click on any picture, it will enlarge.)
The twin bed is for his son…someone gave us a cheetah print twin sheet set and I made it up with a cream blanket. I also bought each of the kids an animal to set on their bed. Jean likes his kid’s beds…
While Jean was getting ready to go to the airport, my hubby decided to “pose” in one of Jean’s chairs when I took the picture of their living room. He told me he was trying to look distinguished!
This is their kitchen table… with a peacock table cloth I found at a yard sale…
Well, Thursday morning I had told my mom I would come over and spend time with her and then Thursday evening I was supposed to go with Kristoffer to a place up past St. Louis to pick up my new dresser and hutch set for my sewing room. I couldn’t go with Jean and my hubby this time because there was no guarantee that the flight of Jean’s family would be on time. I couldn’t take the chance of being late getting home and riding with Kristoffer to get the cabinets. The lady had been holding them for me for 9 days already. So I’d have to miss the “pick-up” of Jean’s family and miss getting to meet his wife. I was the disappointed one this time! Really disappointed!
The plane made it to St. Louis at noon on Thursday and my hubby got to meet his family and he enjoyed it very much! But as soon as the kids got in the car seats (they had never been in car seats before), they zonked out… his wife too… from St. Louis all the way home… 2 hours! The guys even stopped at McDonald’s and thought maybe they’d wake up, but they didn’t!
When they got to their new apartment, my hubby told me he thought Jean’s wife was very pleased with their new home. She went to the kitchen first thing…we found out she loves to cook! My hubby told me when the girls went in their room, they were up on the bed in their little Sunday dresses playing with their kitty and poodle…
So, here’s the rest of the story… I was supposed to meet with her today and go look for some curtains for their room and the kids room, but when I called, she was sleeping again and Jean said maybe we could do it tomorrow… I think she must have a bad case of jet-lag! I’ll meet them soon…and I can’t wait!
So, I got to play with my new dresser and hutch today… taking things out of tubs and container and putting them in drawers… it’s really fun!
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
Jean’s apartment looks very nice–I hope he and his family will feel comfortable and at home there! That was quite an adventure they had, though! Glad they are finally “home”!!
Congrats on getting the new dresser and hutch! I love them! They’ll be fabulous for storing all your doll and sewing goodies!
I see your current auction is doing very well, with multiple bids! That’s wonderful.
Hi Charlotte,
We were concerned that maybe this apartment wasn’t as nice as what they had in Haiti, but Jean said it was much nicer and he knew his wife would love it… and apparently she does…
I’m so excited about getting my sewing room in order! The pieces are perfect for putting sewing things in! I mean perfect!!!
Yes, Lian’s little blue school dress seems to be liked! I’m thrilled… now I can pay off my furniture… :o)
Blessings, Jeanne
What an adventure for everyone involved, Jeanne! While it would have been nice to have everything worked out perfectly, this is real life, and you just can’t expect that to happen every time! However, I know that Jean and his family are very thankful for all you have done for them. Everything looks so welcoming and neat!
George DOES look distinguished sitting there reading! Very nice furniture in the living room too!
Have fun fixing up your new cabinets, and show us when you get finished.
HI Linda,
Jean knew what his wife would like and while I haven’t met her just yet, I’m sure she does… it will be fun getting to know a new friend… they’ll be here for at least a year and a half.
I’ll have to tell George you said that!
Oh, I definitely will show you how I got it all organized when I’m done… It’s fun finding a place for everything… I mean a “drawer” for everything… no more stacking…YAY!
Thanks Linda,
Blessings, Jeanne
Real life happens, doesn’t it? But, it appears that all has worked out and everyone is getting some needed rest. What a wonderful feeling it must be to have accomplished so much. Thanks for sharing more of your life with us.
Blessings.
HI Becky,
Yes, real life does happen and we can either choose to go along with it and make things work out or get all frustrated and angry. I chose the first!
I’m glad you didn’t mind another “non-sewing” post…
Thanks Becky,
Have a wonderful Saturday!
Blessings, Jeanne
“Best laid plans’….. but – we always seem to ‘survive’, huh? You’re a wonderful friend to this family! Bless you!
Thank you Mary,
I can’t wait to meet Jean’s wife… I hope today we can connect and go shopping! They are a wonderful family to help out… and very grateful…
Thanks so much,
Blessings, Jeanne
My feeling is that Jean’s wife is overwhelmed with the flights and moving to a new place. I’m sure she will come around soon. Kids always seem to go with the flow as they say. Would be interesting to see what their previous home was like. And are Jean and his wife’s parents still there? Leaving family can also be traumatic.
So glad you have been able to play with your new lovely storage pieces. Looks like they will be work out beautifully.
HI Joy,
She might be overwhelmed or just so exhausted from being with the 3 little kids for so long by herself, she’s forgotten was “sleep” was!
In Haiti, they lived with her mom and sister and grandparents… all in the same house. They were sad to see them leave.
I tried to connect with them today…she wanted to go curtain shopping, but there was no answer so I’m at home “playing” and loving it!
Thanks Joy,
Blessings, Jeanne
Congratulions on the new storage pieces
Can’t wait to see them….your sewing room will be so spiffy!
I’m trying to imagine what this new life is going to be like for this family. New everything…country,language, rules, food and people. I’m glad they have you to help them!
Take care!
HI Kathie,
I will certainly be showing you my new sewing room…it’s going to be wonderful.
The kids will pick up English pretty quickly but Jean’s wife is pretty easy to talk to…if I go slow!
Thanks Kathie,
Blessings, Jeanne
Oh, my goodness! Having so much help with the children and now being alone will be quite a challenge. So many changes for the family, culturally and socially. It will take a while to recover from that trip. I’m so glad you and George set up the apartment so wonderfully. What a welcome.
Have fun with your wonderful storage pieces. I’m sure you’ll have a place for everything now and everything in its place by tomorrow. It will be a beautiful room now.
Hi Susette,
They all seem to be adjusting pretty quickly in their new place. I’ll see them again the morning at church and it will be fun for them to see more people!
I AM having fun with my new furniture… this is REALLY fun! I’ll be showing you soon!
Blessings, Jeanne
I’m so glad to hear they made it there ok. Hopefully, you will get to meet them soon. 🙂
HI Christine,
I DID get to meet Jean’s wife and kids today and we had a wonderful time shopping and visiting with each other. She’ll get the hang of English pretty quickly I think as she’s had one course in it so she’s not totally unaware of what we are saying… the kids don’t know any though… but they’ll learn quick I bet!
Thanks so much,
Blessings, Jeanne
I’m so glad to hear that Jean’s family has arrived safely at last and that they have you and your church family to rely on for support as they adjust to a new way of life. I travelled a fair amount alone with my two children when they were growing up. It was a challenge, to say the least. Our longest trip was to Australia to visit family on the Gold Coast there (26 hours in the air on three separate flights). The children slept on the planes and were good to go upon arrival, but I was a zombie! Children are very resilient! Jean’s wife is very strong and courageous, but I’m quite certain she needs some time to rest and recuperate. I’m also sure the family needs some time to reconnect as well. Their reunion, while joyful, must be very overwhelming, too. Blessings to them as they embark on this adventure!
It sounds like you are having a lot of fun filling up your new storage pieces, Jeanne. Is Rebecca helping you, or is it strictly a one-woman job? I’m sure it will be like a dream come true to finally have things organized the way you want them and will make designing and creating your doll designs even more of a pleasure. When your sewing room is all set, I think you and your “girls” should have a party to celebrate! Wishing you joy in the process, Jeanne!
HI Anne,
I was able to meet Jean’s wife and kids today and it was a wonderful visit with them. I even shared lunch with them! Haitian cuisine!
I was kidding my hubby and told him I think my new organized room will help me sew faster and make more money… he smiled and said he hoped so! :o)
Thanks Anne,
Blessings, Jeanne