Tricky Tricky Halloween

Tricky Tricky Halloween!

 

View Full Album

That’s the saying here in Medellin.  It goes something like tricky tricky Halloween give me candy or your nose will grow.

This morning our translator picked us up in a little mini bus so we would not need 2 taxis.  We went to centro…downtown Medellin.  There were tons of people there today…especially with Halloween.  Kids dress up and go to the stores for candy…all day long…they were out trick or treating already at 10 am.  the front desk gave us free tickets to a museum so we went there first.  It was an art gallery…so we had to walk through pretty quickly…Diego was not a fan.  they had one cool area of a famous artist…Fernando Botero. There are a few of his cartoonish works in the photo album.

After the museum, we walked around the centro for a bit.  We watched a few clowns and one man who was painted as a bronze statue…you really could not tell he was real until he moved.Gloria, our translator took us to the metro…we rode on that overlooking the city to a Gondola car ride up part of the mountain in a poor section of town.  It was built for the area so they can have access to the metro.  All of the kids loved the ride up the Gondola…it was definitely a boy thing…because Mike, Dayne and Diego were loving it!!

One the way home, we stopped at an Exito store…which is like a walmart.  If we think the dells is crazy…this place tops it all.  It was packed with people, carts…everywhere.

When we got home, we painted faces.  Yerly wanted to be a mariposa…butterfly.  She was so proud once we finished…she kept admiring herself in the mirror asking to touch up her lipstick every 5minutes.  Diego had another melt down…we figured out the thing to make him stop.  Mike took his legs…I took his arms and we swung him on the bed…  immediate happiness…  We are going to have to do more reading on this adaptation process and crying…

Once Diego cheered up, he transformed into a tiger.  The front desk talked us into taking the kids to the mall for Halloween.  Mike and I decided to take Diego and Yerly alone and the other kids wanted to stay in the hotel.  We took a taxi to the mall….the traffic to get to the mall was HORRENDOUS…everyone in Medellin, was on their way to THIS mall.  We got there and explained what we were doing and it was the same mall we went to on the first day…but they both stiffened and started to cry.  We had to tell them many times…there were all families here and we were a family and all of the families come to the stores for candy.  We went to a few stores…they liked the candy, but still were not convinced.  We walked around trying to ooh and aah at the costumes.  They were ok towards the end…but definitely not excited like they are in the hotel room…so we went home.  One the ride home…still traffic..bumper to bumper waiting to go to the mall…incredible. 

Once we got home they wanted to swim but it was a little cold…so we asked if they wanted to go in the shower with warm water and their swimsuits…Diego and Dayne first then Yerly and Ella.  You would have thought they won the lottery.   They were soooo excited to play in the shower.

We made some pasta in our room for dinner.  Diego and Yerly made their yucky faces…which we secretly love.  They sway their head back and forth while pursing their lips and crunching their noses….it is the cutest thing you ever saw…but we try not to smile. They liked the cheese, oranges and strawberries…but they did not want to try the pasta.

Yerly fell asleep on the bed tonight and Diego is off to his boys room( with Mike and Dayne) smiling and giving kisses.  We are blessed!!

Friday...October 3Oth

One thing I forgot to post last night....Yerly and Diego loved reading a book we brought in spanish and after we read another book in english...Yerly walked into the bedroom...came out saying hello, yellow...then she would go back into the room and come out again speaking english...she came out and this time we said...Te Amo...I love you..and she repeated ..I LOPE YOU..over and over and over. During the last couple of days they have not asked questions...but you can tell they have them. So we have been telling them in spanish that they are part of our family and they are going to live with us forever. We made up a little simple song for them that just says...every day we are together always. Yerly loves to sing it in unison with me and when we get to the end...she tries to sing it quick before I can finish.

Another thing... the very first day home Diego kept saying Cheen-cheen...and we had now idea...but he was trying to tell us he needed to pee. We have since figured out cheen cheen and po-po and they eagerly wait for us to take them.

Today we started with breakfast again...I loaded Yerly's plate with 3 huge serving spoons of eggs and they were devoured again. Diego sat next to me this morning...showing me how nicely he could put his napkin in his lap and feeding me every other bite. Towards the end of the meal..Yerly started to put her head down...there is definitely a competition for attention from us all.

After breakfast we went with Gloria to the courthouse. Olivia, Gretta, Ella and Dayne stayed in the hotel. Olivia has not been feeling well..so it was nice she could sleep. IN the car, we told them we were only going for a short meeting. We brought their animal back packs and some toys. Once we got up to the service window by all of the people...they started to melt again. Diego especially started to get very nervous and within minutes started crying..then sobbing.The ladies gave him a ball and a piece of candy...but nothing was helping until Mike put on the lion puppet and started talking..then we got out cars and then little workbooks...eventually he settled down. He liked the workbook but complained about his hand hurting after a few minutes. Yerly on the other hand...did every page A-M. The difference between girls and boys. We had to sign a few papers and wait for our lawyer and that was it. She is just getting ready to present the adoption to the courts. We meet next TH for our first court date and interview.

Once we got back to the hotel our translator came into the lobby with us. Our translator Gloria seems to know everyone. Soon she introduced us to the director of the hotel. When the director saw Diego and Yerly she wanted to buy them something from the hotel bakery. they picked out a treat and we sat down to eat. Yerly loved her sugar cake..Diego chose a strawberry like flan. He was not a fan and starting spitting it out while the director was looking another direction...I quietly motioned for him not to do that in her presence and he immediately sucked it all back in his mouth and put a smile on his face before she turned back. .. hilarious.

After the bakery, we went back to the room to change for the long awaited POOL...piscina!!!or as they say...pee-chee-na. They seemed to like the wading pool and finally decided to try the big pool today. Yerly tried it first and then right away wanted to try to touch the bottom of the pool with her feet...so we practiced just going under first and then she tried it and when she came up she yelled...SI SI SI SI SI SI....yes yes yes she touched it. And then we touched the bottom probably another 35 times at least. Diego ventured out but was not as sure...but he is a fish in the wading pool. Diego swims with complete confidence if he hands can touch the ground.

We met another adoptive family. Kathy, from Boston and her daughter Sidalia who is 3. She was very helpful with tips and ideas for getting around Medellin since she has been her 3 weeks already.

Tonight we went to the hotel restaurant and found something they like to eat. Yerly loved her hamburger and french fries and Diego loved his hot dogs and rice and eggs. When we got back to the room we watched some of the video we have taken so far.. It was neat to see their faces light up when they saw themselves on the tv. Diego laughed and laughed everytime he saw himself! Yerly snuggled with papi on the bed smiling!!

Day One

WE got out littlelove bugs dressed in their new clothes this morning. Yerly wanted to wear her crown all day.

We went for breakfast this morning in the hotel. They serve an AMAZING contintental breakfast that is included with the room. It has everything you could want for breakfast including an omlette chef.
The host saw our family sit down and he said in broken english. " I see you have new family members today. Congratulations, you are beautiful family" I wanted to jump out and hug him...but I restrained..:)

Casa de Mari told us Yerly was a slow eater...well not the case this morning. We took them through the line finding out what they liked. I had Dayne and Yerly. They both wanted eggs. I gave Dayne 2 huge spoonfuls and Yerly one...she wanted the second spoon too. But I gave it to her...thinking that a lot of eggs for that little body. She ate ALL of those eggs in record time. She shoveled them in. Diego stood at the table eating...his chair didn't seem tall enough for him...so he stood. He ate very well.

After breakfast, we did a quick skpye to Nana and Grandpa back home to tell them all
was well. Gloria and another driver came to pick us up at 9:30 and we went to the zoo.

As soon as we saw the cars waiting for us...Yerly tensed up. I went to get into Glorias car and she did not want to go. I am sure she thought we were going back with this lady to CAsa de Maria. I told her again...that we were going to the zoo. She got in but not too excited. We got to the zoo and in we went. We were all excited to see the animals, but Diego and Yerly were not soo excited. There were alot of school kids dressed in uniforms. Every time we turned a corner, Yerly would jump. I picked her up and carried her through the entire zoo. Diego too seemed very anxious...not like Yerly but anxious all the same. He wanted Mike to hold him the entire time. After about 30 minutes, I could see her melting. Her face dropped. The tears started but no crying. I am not sure what she was thinking...maybe that we were going to leave her with the other children or that casa de maria would be there... I told her that she was staying with me always, that we were only looking at the animals and we would go back to the hotel. She was still not reassured. Diego clung to Mike but never cried. He would look at the animals...but we could tell it was not right.
We finally left the zoo after about one hour. We waited for our driver and returned to the hotel. She could not get out of the car fast enough. As soon as we were in the hotel..he face changed...she smiled and ran down the hall to our room. We had our Yerly back.

We put on our swimsuits immediately and they ran again down the hall to the elevators.

Seeing them enjoy the pool was the highlight!!! They both jumped into the kiddie pool totally excited...screaming and laughing. Diego can actually put his head under and swim forward like a little fish...which shocked us. Yerly liked to plunge her face into the water. We swam for a few hours.

We ordered spaghetti..thinking they would like that..not so much. Diego and Dayne continue to wrestle and play. Diego loves the balloons. Yerly loves her 100piece princess puzzle. She did it 7 times tonight. She asked again for her princess dress and crown. She is our little princess.

We had a little glance at the zoo of the scary new things ahead. What a tender time for our little love bugs.

Fiesta

The first thing the kids wanted to do was to wear their swimsuits that we showed them on skype. We put on their suits and sat down to color big Dora and Diego coloring pages. They had so much fun just coloring and stopping to stare at us all. We pulled out some toys and they just melted into our family. Dayne and Diego went into the bedroom and started wrestling and jumping on the bed. He is a strong little bugger. We had been telling DAyne he needs to be gentle with the little guy...but seeing Diego go after Dayne..I was a little afraid for Dayne. Diego has NO FEAR. They jumped and played and were total boys. Yerly sat with the girls and we painted her finger nails and told her we were hungry and needed to eat her belly...a nana tradition. She loved that and kept asking for more...more! Yerlywanted to wear her princess dress and crown all night. Diego kept changing his "DIEGO" underwear and running around in his skivvies. We all wrestled on the bed...watched Disney while wearing Mamas sunglasses and ate chocolate in bed.

They ate 2 yogurts each and 2 jellos. We ordered pizza and found out that Diego doesn't like pizza. Yerly ate hers but Diego chose grapes, an apple and bread.

That night we had 3 hotel rooms...thankfully they are at adoption rate which is relatively cheap. The staff did not want to give us 2 rooms...so Olivia and Gretta have a room, Mike,Dayne and Diego have a room and then Yerly, Ella and myself are in the suite. We gave lots of kisses goodnight and the boys went to their room and olivia and gretta to theirs.

Ella and Yerly and I got into our king size bed. She grabbed her new blankie we brought for her, got her new puppy...covered herself up and laid down with a smile... We turned out the lights but left the tv on. Yerly grabbed my neck and snuggled. SHE WOULD NOT LET GO. For 45 minutes she clung to me...face to face...kissing me over and over and over..staring into my eyes. It was so surreal. Until she went to sleep.

Mike tells me Diego was a little wild in the other room. Dayne and Diego slept in a bed, Mike in another. They turned out the lights, but Diego kept turning on the radio and poking Dayne. He did end up falling asleep and when I went to peekat him in the morning he was upside down in bed...fast asleep. We had to wake him up for breakfast. Yerly woke up while I was in the sitting room...she called to Ella...Mami mami..donde esta mami...I came running in and she had a huge smile and hug waiting.

a new family

Our translator, Gloria, picked us up at 10:30 and drove our whole family to Casa de Maria y El Nino. She was not expecting the whole family to come...so we packed into the little compact car sitting on laps...all 6 of us. We arrived to the little orphanage we saw on the internet and walked up the stairs where they took our babies pictures. There were many many people working. Some in office clothes, come in uniforms and others dressed like nurses.

We went into the office and met a few of the workers...the psychologist,director and Albanano(Alba Lucia) who we have been communicating with and skyping the children. She has been a blessing to us...sharing all of their thoughts and feelings! The Psychologist introduced himself and knew all of our names since he has been working with Diego and Yerly. He told us they are very excited. Yerly has been especially sensitive the last few days. She has a hard time eating or sleeping. Then we met with the director. A worker in a uniform came in with a platter with cold juice and coffee to serve us.

Raquel, took us into a little room filled with 8x10 pictures of children who had been adopted and in their new homes...with snowmen, their new familes..etc.. Raquel then shared all the most recent doctor exams from the previous day. She read through all of their testings and then their psychological reports..which were the funnest. She said Diego has been a little naughty lately...and saying that he does not need to listen anymore because he is going to a new family. Yerly has been referring to herself as Yerly Rothwell and reciting all of our ages. She went through all of the papers and then FINALLY after about an hour an a half she told us it was TIME!!

We could hear our little babies in the room next door. They were talking and playing and getting all ready.

We heard a door open as we sat in our little room on the couches waiting...looking into the hall...and then we saw 2 LITTLE..very LITTLE people walking with a little mouse stuffed animal and a little zebra. They were heading to the rom across the hall and the ladies told them...no, no that room and they turned and looked....OH PRECIOUS!!!
Mike and I got on our knees and Yerly ran into His arms and Diego into mine. They hugged and hugged and just stared at us. Diego clung to my leg and just sunk into me..Yerly attached herself to Mike. We sat on the floor and introduced them to Olvia, Gretta, Ella and Dayne. We got out our picture books they had and showed them again. We also sent some toys for them to play with but they had not been opened... they were waiting for us. They immediately wanted to open the toys and we looked at the toys and gave them their new stuffed animals..a lion for Diego and a puppy for Yerly. We just sat and talked and stared at each other fora long time. The ladies came back into the room, we took a few pictures and we were off. They asked us what we wanted to do next and where we wanted to go...Of course...HOME with our babies!!

As we walked out of the office..Mike picked up Diego and I held Yerly. All of the workers said goodbye and gave them kisses...as we walked to the parking lot...ALL of the kids were behind a gate yelling CIAO! (chow) and yelling their names. We waved goodbye to all of their friends. Yerly showed me her best friend ...a little african colombian skin girl names Estephani.

We got into Gloria's car and into a taxi and off we went. First to the bank and grocery store to get some food for our hotel. We went to a mall that had both the store and bank. We waited in a little gazebo playing and talking while Mike and Gloria figured out how to get some money since our debit card was not working at the hotel atm machine. We went to the grocery store. Diego sat in a little cart with a car...or course to drive. Yerly pushed a miniature cart in the store...she thought that was really neat. She put her little puppy and mouse stuffed animals in the cart. We walked through the store and asked them what they liked. They chose yogurt and premade jellos, iced tea, chocolate marshmallow mickey mouse suckers,coco krispies. Not too well rounded but what they liked.

We made our way back to the hotel to the room with the balloons and fiesta waiting for them. They LOVED the balloons. We had to do a quick room change...since we did not have a kitchenette...so we made the quick move and settled in for our fiesta.

THE BIG DAY

We made it to Medellin last night after a full day of travel. Tristin's parents drove us to Chicago for our flight to Miami then transfer to Medellin. On the flight to Miami, we flew with friends from church Brian and Debbie Moyer, their daughter Larissa and grandson Dane...what a surprise!
We arrived in Medellin about 8:00. It had just drizzled a little. The air was cool tonight, but not cold. The smell of latin american cooking seeped through our van as we drove around the mountain to our hotel. The kids commented on the smell of the air too....different from Mexico, with its own unique scent. Our driver Jorge, told us all about Medellin on our drive to the hotel.

This morning the sun rose super early! There are people playing tennis in the courts below. We overlook a ginormous swimming pool. There are volleyball courts and a little playground we are all excited to bring Diego and Yerly to. We are up early getting ourselves ready....hanging the banner in the room and blowing up balloons!
We go to meetour little love bugs at 11 am!!! It doesn't seem real! The kids are midnight last night.

The sun just came over the mountain! We are ready to bring some babies home!!!

Diego and Yerly Sing us a song...Fri Oct 23

One excited Yerly Tatiana and a huge hug from Diego!!!!

TUESDAY IT IS!!!

Mike and I went to Chicago to get our Visas on Wednesday and came home to an email saying that we can book our flights!!! The Embassy in Colombia finally got our paperwork!

SOOO...we are flying out of Chicago on Tuesday. Unfortunately, the gov't reps aren't available on the weekend for us to meet Diego and Yerly...so we are waiting to travel so we can arrive during the week. We arrive in Medellin on Tuesday and presentation day will be on Wednesday, October 28th...another special day for us...the anniversary of mike and my first date 22 years ago. All of the kids will fly down with us for the week. We will stay together as a family for the entire first week. What a blessing that will be. Our 4 children will fly home on Wed. November 4th. They will have a travel escort from Colombia to the states where my parents will meet them in Miami and fly with them to Chicago. Mike and I will stay with Diego and Yerly in Colombia for another 2+ weeks to finish court dates and finalize the adoption. It looks like we actually may be able to be home as a family for Thanksgiving. God is good!

We skyped our "amores" (loves) again yesterday.
They are so excited to come with us.
They are excited to ride on a plane and play.
Diego hugs and hugs us. He drew us several pictures while we talked. He sang us a sweet song. Yerly was very excited to talk and sing a song for her Papi...that he did not hear the other day. She had to go change clothes and came back a little miffed that she had to leave. She sat in the chair and didn't want to talk then...but when we asked her..Are you our princesa? Are you our daughter? Are you are beautiful daughter? She looked up and smiled and said SI.
I was talking to AlbaNano yesterday, she is in charge of our loves at Casa De Maria. She said..."Mami, you would not believe the hearts of your children. It beats very fast these days. Their demeanor have changed significantly. They walk with laughter in their step and without anxiety!!" What a blessing from God. We are so thankful that HE is there walking beside them when we cannot. HIS hand is powerful!

VISA appt.

We have our appt. to get our VISAS tomorrow in Chicago. Yeah! Now we are just waiting for the ok from the Colombian govt to make our flight arrangements. Praying that this comes to someones attention and is approved so that we can leave this weekend. Olivia is off of school next week and has sophmore testing which would be easier to make up than actual class work. It would be a great week to travel. Praying for God's favor!

princesa y caballerito

I just instant messaged Casa De Maria this morn....the orphanage to tell them we are going to call at 3:30 today. The director whom they call Albanano ( a term of endearment)responded right away....she said...
Your princesa( princess) went to school very early this morning and your caballerito(little man/literally cowboy)is feeling much better today.
This morning Yerly Tatiana went to Albanano and said...when can I go to the office again?I want to see my "papas".(parents)
We are in love.
So thankful that God has prepared their hearts!!!

we love SYKPE

Today we were told we were able to skype our babies in Colombia.
I planned on skyping tomorrow in the afternoon when everyone was home.
But today...I got on and set up the account.
While setting up the account Casa de Maria saw that I was registering and instant messaged me...saying how happy theyr were we were on and that she was going to get our children....WHAT??!!

I turned on the video and saw an empty chair in an office and then....
in came a woman with a smiling little girl running and waving her hand saying HOLA MAMI!! Mike called home at that same time and the kids told him I was talking to Diego and Yerly on Skype. He drove home as fast as he could!

Yerly was sooooo excited. She was smiling and waving!! They went to get Diego,but he was not feeling well with a cough...so he was a little more quiet. But he did ask to see his Papi. As we talked,they got out the photo albums we sent and showed us all of the pictures we sent. They were showing us OUR house and how excited they were. Gretta, Ella and DAyne came over and talked to them and each time they would find the picture of who they were talking to and show us! Then they asked for Olivia...but sadly she was at school. Rico, the dog even got some skype time. We are going to SKYPE again tomorrow when we are all home.

It was absolutely precious. Hola Mami and Hola Papi never sounded soo sweet. The excitement on their faces was indescribable. We talked about what they liked and they talked about going to their house. They kept giving us hugs and kisses. God is SOOO Good. We were so afraid of their reaction. He truly lives up to His promises!!!

God's Promises to the orphan

God promises to defend you. psalm 82:3
God promises to rescue you. psalm 82:4
God promises to deliver you. psalm 82:4
God promises to come to you. john 14:8
God promises to hear you. isaiah 37:17 exodus 22:22-23
God promises to not leave you. jeremiah 49:11 psalm 27:10
God promises to lift you up. psalm 113:7
God promises to lead you out. john 10:3
God promises to be your Father. psalm 65:8
God promises to give you a home. psalm 68:6
God promises to not forget you. isaiah 49:15
God promises to execute mercy toward you. hosea14:3,isaiah63:9romans9:15
God promises to execute true justice to you. psalm 140:12
God promises to give you food and clothing. dueteronomy 10:18 and 14:29
God promises to help you. psalm1 0:14
God promises to maintain your cause. psalm 82:3

Closer... and closer and closer

We are getting so close. The i800 in Chicago has been approved and was sent to Colombia! YAY!!!! We received the last of our updated documents needed for travel. The VISA application was received in Chicago on Friday at 11:56am. This week we wait for VISA approval and the Colombian ok from our i800....we schedule our flights and hopefully we are off in 12 days!(looking to leave sat the 24th)

Meanwhile back on the homefront, Dayne has been busy folding Diego's clothes and putting them away in their room and Ella is getting the baby dolls and toys ready for Yerly. All of the kids have been plugging away with Rosetta Stone and spanish class..brushing up for this new adventure.

Visas Applications Sent!!!

We sent in our visa application today.
It was pile of paper work and notarized docs.
We are praying it is all in order!
It will take about 5-7 days to get approval and the visas.
At the same time we are waiting for i800 approval from the US govt.
They notified us that it is in process...it should be approved and sent to Colombia within the next week and a half.
We are also waiting for our fingerprints to be rechecked and that was mailed from the FBI office today.

SOOOO what does this all mean? We are seriously praying to leave the weekend of October 23rd/24th.:):) :) So exciting!

Tuesday night we loaded up some mattresses and dressers from my parents house.
Last night,Andrew came over and helped Mike muscle all the furniture around.
We have all beds assembled and are in the process of reorganizing the chaos.

meanwhile....Diego and Yerly are waiting. They have known about their new family for almost a week now. It will be soooo good to tuck them into their new beds in their new home.

Praying for Two Hearts

Our photo books arrived in Colombia on Wednesday.
We made a book each for Diego and Yerly.
We hot glued wooden letters to spell their names on the front of each.
Inside there are pictures of
Mike and I
Each of the kids
Our House
Our family room
The bedrooms
The swingset and tire swing
Rico the dog
Goodness and Mercy the cats
Each one of us wrote a little letter and drew a picture for each of them inside too with stickers.

We were able to send a small present along.

We are praying for their little hearts when they see their new family and home.
Praying that they are half as excited as we are to welcome them home.
We love them sooo much already.