Day 1 with Tia Jeanie

Aunt Jeanie is here the kids are in love with her! She was here by 10 last night. I wasn’t expecting her until about 10:30 or so we were really excited to see her earlier than we thought. Jessica and Joaquin were already asleep and Emi and I were waiting in the lobby. Jeanie and I had talked about how Emi and Nate would be ready for a piece of home by now. I thought Nate would tackle her with a hug he would be so excited, but actually when she walked through the gate it was me who snuck the first hug from home. Emi and Nate got a little wound up and showed Tia Jeanie around the place.

We hit the sack and caught so me zzzzzs. So this morning Jessica woke up first and it took about 1 minute for her to snuggle up to Tia Jeanie with hugs and kisses, she has been by Jeanie’s side ever since. Joaquin woke up not long after and he too warmed right up to Tia Jeanie. They were so cute this morning. I wasn’t sure if they would be shy at first or just plain excited. You would have thought they had known Tia Jeanie forever. But, to the family, beware, Jeanie already has them brainwashed, they call her their favorite.

Anyone at home feeling a little jealous?


I heard it start raining about 4 am and was hoping it would stop by the time we got up. It did slow up and even stop a bit after breakfast so we called Peggy and Sofia to see if they wanted to go to the market. We got the strollers together and off we went. Just about the time we got to the market it started raining again. We got an ice cream, I know, big surprise, and stood under some shelter until it slowed up again.

So we took back off and again it started to rain. We didn’t bring enough umbrellas so Jeanie and I got soaked, really soaked. Peggy, Emi and Sofia tried to stay some dry by standing under a small tent. Jeanie and I stuck it out, it was the only chance Jeanie would have go to the market. The kids were such great sports, because we were very wet and cold. We decided to get a taxi to go back, because I don’t think we would have made it otherwise, the rain just wouldn’t quit. Peggy, Sofia, Emi and Nate went in one, back to Peggy’s Zuetana. Jeanie, Jessica, Joaquin and myself found another taxi and went to our place. We changed clothes, dried our hair, and then went over to get Emi and Nate from Peggy. Peggy then treated us to pizza from Dominos. Thank you Peggy, you are so sweet!!

By the time we got back, around 3, I would say Aunt Jeanie had been given at least about 20 hugs and kisses, so look out family, I told you they were affectionate. They obviously feel the love and are thriving on it. Wait till they get with the rest of you…oh boy! Joaquin showed his funny self to Jeanie today, and Jessica was just as sweet as could be. Jeanie said she felt like she was well prepared in knowing what to expect in who they were, so I feel good that you all will also be well prepared when you meet them. They are doing great and have been just as good as can be.

Aunt Jeanie brought some more videos, so Emi and Nate spent some quiet time with a movie in English up in the loft while Jeanie and I caught up on email and Jessica and Joaquin watches Spirit and Kids Spanish music videos, from Tia Jeanie. Also a lady Jeanie works with sent the kids each a gift. All of them were so excited. Joaquin had to carry his truck with him today and Jessica put on her necklace to match her outfit.



The weather here is high fifties to the upper sixties. Jessica and Joaquin always think they need a jacket but the rest of us are okay in short sleeves. Native Colombians walk around on cloudy days in heavy coats, scarves, hats and gloves. They think babies need to be completely bundled up and will tell you your baby is cold if they aren’t totally covered. We just wear short sleeves and take a jacket on cloudy days.

Tonight we were putting the kids to sleep and Jeanie was just ending a webcam call with Matt and Maddie. Joaquin was turning on and off the lights. So when Jeanie got off of the computer, Jessica was trying to tell us something that neither of us understood. When we don’t understand, Jessica breaks into Charades. So we told her we didn’t understand and she went right into Charades. It took us a minute but then Jeanie and I looked at each other and said at the same time, “Oh Tia Jeanie needs the light on to talk on the webcam!” And Jessica got a big smile and said “Si, Si”, like she knew what we were saying in English. Another good laugh.

Oh and Jessica is fascinated with Jeanie’s long hair. And we got to see the dogs on the webcam tonight. I can’t wait to get my hands on them, they were happy to be home. Eric said the dogs kept going to the kids rooms looking for them.

We are all exhausted tonight, I think it’s the gloomy weather the last few days, so off to sleep we go. I think Jeanie is exhausted more from laughing at the kids than from the traveling. It was a good day, and very nice to have Tia Jeanie with us. Tia Jeanie makes us laugh as much as the kids, so it was nice to have a fresh perspective and a reminder to us to enjoy the little things.