Today Marks Week 2

Today makes two weeks since we left the states. However in adoption time line its been 11 days. Lucia our program rep here in Colombia stopped by today to check on us and said that we are in a good court, court 22. Here is what we were told “But please don't read that to mean that you'll be home before the designated time. Bogota adoptions take 3 1/2 to 4 weeks and because your case fell into a good court, you are right on track for that time frame.” I know our families are so very anxious for us to come home, but just like we planned, we are planning to be here till about May 10th. Hoping for a few days sooner, but ultimately it could be until May 10thish. Eric is still planning to fly out on April 30th, next Wednesday.




We stayed up late last night watching a movie, in English and Jessica and Joaquin enjoyed watching it too. So because we got in be late, we slept in a bit. The morning was nice, we just took it easy until we went out for lunch to Crepes and Waffles. They are finally catching onto the fact that we have to wait for a check before we can leave. But it was tough when they ordered and it didn’t come out as expected. Jessica wanted a hamburger, so I said hamburgesa and it came out tasting like spaghetti. Joaquin asked for pollo, chicken, and it came out like chicken and dumplings. Both were very tasty, but because it wasn’t what they were expecting, they wouldn’t eat it. Finally when it was time for us to order ice cream they realized they weren’t getting any until they ate some of their lunch. It went okay, it will just take a while for us to figure out their likes and dislikes with food and for them to realize they eat what they are served. Emi and Nate are not picky eaters and will eat what you give them for the most part. I realize I am spoiled that way, but Eric and I both feel you make the best of what you have, even if it’s not what you expect. It will be easier when we are in the states and can actually read the menu.

We had our family English/Spanish lesson today with Carmen the program director. Joaquin was pretty much totally uninterested. Jessica will work with us some but I don’t know how much is sticking. We have set up English tutoring for them twice a week until we leave, just one on one with the tutor. Hopefully that will help a bit. Joaquin can’t write his name yet, so we will be working hard over the summer. They are just so excited about all the change that it’s been difficult. We also learned some much needed Spanish phrases to help us along in every day life while we are here with them. Like “share” and “use a quiet voice.” I think the most important thing we learned was about what orphanage life is like from where they come from. One of the owners volunteers at a local orphanage and we were able to get some insight. See the kids scream even when they are just talking, they run wild like they own the place and talk back to adults all the time. Obviously these behaviors will not go over well in the US or in our home. But we have not addressed these too much because we had other battles to fight. We just have tried to control these behaviors as best we could with out getting in too deep. So get this. Apparently at La Maria the kids basically take care of themselves except for some instruction to eat, bathe and sleep. The kids yell all the time because it’s the only way to be heard and to keep hold of what they are playing with. They could watch TV as much as they want, basically, which explains Jessica’s fascination with the TV and soap operas. It also explains why they don’t stay seated while eating and think they are the boss and don’t have to listen and can talk back to adults. So as you can see, we have our work cut out for us. Aye Aye Aye! However, they are both extremely intelligent and once in the US we hope they begin to catch on quickly. The plane ride should prove to be very interesting. They don’t like to be confined for long, so a 5 hour plane ride, with airline food, well…actually I don’t want to think about it right now. smile

We also had a native explain to them that daddy would be coming home next Wednesday because he had to go to work. They had a few questions which was good to have Carmen there to interpret. She is fluent is Spanish and English. We were able to tell them we would talk to daddy on the computer every day and that Tia Jeanie would be coming to help us and fly home with us. They understood. We will be reminding them from time to time before he leaves. Joaquin asked if we could stay here forever so daddy didn’t have to work. To his 5 yr old mind we are not working now and doing fine. Carmen explained that daddy has to work and will go back to work so we can all go home to the US.

We paid for our second week her at Zuetana. $1650 a week for 6 and a trip to the zoo and a bowling isn’t too bad right???? Wow. It cost me $12 to do 1 load of laundry, wash and dry. You get one load free a week and I had to do 2 this week. Also we have told them days in advance that we would not be eating lunch yesterday and today here, but they charged us for it anyway. At the other Zuetana they can give 24 hrs notice and then not be charged for a meal that they do not attend. We did complain and they said they would look into it for us. If this continues to be the case we won’t be eating out any more. It’s just nice to get out once in a while, but we’ll see.

Joaquin said he loved us on his own, with out us saying it first last night. I thought that was pretty great. Jessica has been drawing pictures of her house in the US. The staff here have said they can see a difference in Jessica and Joaquin since we first go them, but follow it by saying we still have our hands full. I agree, but wouldn’t change it for the world. You will get to see just what we are talking about when we get home, but we will work hard till then, then you all (family) get to pitch in and help us. It really will take a village to raise these two…smile.

Joaquin always looks at these cross figures when we are out and so finally yesterday Eric bought him one. He had to have the one with La Maria on it. So last night he when we were watching a movie on the compter Joaquin had to put his figurine on the computer. We were making jokes that Jesus had the best seat in the house.



A cultural note. We were told that Colombian people are willing to adopt sometimes but request only the lighter skinned children. We have noticed that most business folks here, folks in restaurants and in stores are all more light skinned too. The darker skinned folks we have seen as street vendors, in town in the not as nice places etc. Very interesting. Also people don’t take their kids out to restaurants like we do. Our kids were the only children in Archie’s. In Crepes and Waffles we saw one older child about 12, but no other children at all. It’s just different than what we are used to. Yes, I know it’s during the week, but it’s just been odd to not see kids out and about too much.

It was another rainy day, so I didn’t get many pics. We have no plans for tmw, maybe just hit the supermarket and Nate and Emi have some school work. If it’s not raining maybe we will go to the park again. But I have to say it feels good to know we are ½ way home, plus or minus a day or two.

Again, we love you all and covet your prayers. We are doing well.

How would you like this job? I guess you would stay in shape...


This is a garbage truck.


I guess the pro to being a garbage man here is that you get to garbage pick for anything you can use or eat. We have seen this guy and girl collecting garbage around our B&B several times and then they sort through each bag by hand. When they need a break they just take a nap right on the grass by their truck. Guess they’re not to worried about people stealing their garbage.