Well, this is Troy, so let me say in advance there are no pictures. My wife is the graphc designer/marketing expert....me? not so much. If you need someone to build you a house or pave your driveway...well, I can't do that either. I can however let you know if you live in a FEMA floodplain. Do with that what you will.
Today was long (MASSIVE UNDERSTATEMENT), but we are getting into a bit of a routine. Andrea has established a great timeout plan, so when the boys do something blatently disobedient, they get put in a chair on the balcony for five minutes. With the awesome view of the City that our balcony has, I think timeout is rather nice, but it seems to work well so far. I think the current standings are Daniel-1, Carlos Samuel - 1, and Luis Angel -0, feel free to gamble along.
I spent some time in a shopping center with our translator Mauricio and got bibs, water wings, goggles, coloring books, beach towels, pull-ups, .a ball, alot of other stuff...and lastly a 2.5 liter bottle of Coke for mama that is hidden under the sink. I hope our kids don't check this blog.
The daily schedule shakes down like this: Breakfast is around 8:30, lunch @ 1, nap (more-or-less) at 3, then dinner at 7, baths, and finally pajama time, then bed around 8:30. This has seemed to be close to their current routine, although I think they used to take baths in the morning.
Much thanks to Mark, Dave, and Co, @ Providence Presbyterian for sound advice, brotherly love, and for letting me freak out to them, and to Shelia Derr for a great and calming Facebook chat tonight.
Tomorrow we have a meeting @ 9am with the social worker from the ICBF (government agency) at our room to see how things are going and to check the boys accomodations. Our next meeting after that is next Wednesday basically to see how well we are bonding to the kids. More on that later.
Okay, I'm going to finish a few Facebook scrabble games (I take all challengers,,,) then sleep.
Thanks to everyone who read our words; it honestly means more to us than you know.
Much Love,
Troy and Andrea
Our Sons - Muy Guapo!
Samuel, 7 years old
Daniel, 5 years old
Luis, 5 years old
Other Adoption Journeys
Important Dates
- August 7, 2008: HOMECOMING!!! The boys are now officially U.S. citizens!
- August 4, 2008: Embassy visit to apply for the boys' visas. This was a lot of waiting, but pretty much straightforward.
- July 31, 2008: Fly to Bogotá. Meet with the embassy doctor.
- July 24, 2008: Sentencia! We are officially a family in the eyes of the Colombian government. The boys now have the last name Eisenberger-Woods!
- July 16, 2008: Integration Meeting at ICBF. This was a blur of meeting with a ton of questions that were answered. Now the legal process begins and we do nothing but enjoy the boys while we await Sentencia.
- July 11, 2008: Meeting with the psychologist from ICBF. She came by the hotel to check in and see if we have any initial questions that we need answers to (of course we do!) She also wanted to see how the boys were doing in their new environment.
- July 9, 2008: Presentation Day. What a beautiful, exhausting day it has been.
- July 8, 2008: Fly to Pereira. Get settled in to our hotel and pray for a good night's sleep.
- July 5, 2008: Travel to Bogota. Spend a couple of days sightseeing and then off to Pereira.
- June 20, 2008: Plane tickets purchased, but we couldn't get the exact dates we wanted, so we are traveling on July 5 instead.
- June 19, 2008: We got our official travel dates! July 7 we fly to Bogota, July 8 we fly to Pereira, and July 9 we meet our sons!
- June 11, 2008: The English version of the paperwork arrived in our inboxes! It is amazing to read about our hijos!
- June 9, 2008: The Spanish paperwork arrived on our doorstep at 8:11 AM. We are making our way through it. The translated version is due to arrive some time later this week.
- May 14, 2008: Sarah called to let us know that ICBF has 3 boys for us and that they will have more information for us in the next few days!
- March 8, 2008: Sarah, our caseworker, asked us to update some of our paperwork because they think we will be getting our referral within a month from Pereira.
- November 26, 2007: ICBF has sent our dossier to the city of Pereira to look for a match for us.
- November 15, 2007: Colombia has approved us to adopt 3 children under the age of 6!!!
- September 24, 2007: Approval received!!! It is dated August 16, so we have been on the list for about 5 weeks.
- May 11, 2007: Dossier translation complete and submitted to ICBF for approval
- April 23, 2007: Dossier shipped to Colombia
- Apri 18, 2007: Dossier sent to Commonwealth Adoptions International
About Us
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- Hola de Bogotá
- Last Post From Pereira
- T.V. Show Ratings
- This Is How The Boys Are Dealing With The Stress
- Uggghhhh!!!
- Still Trapped
- . . . - - - . . .
- Low-Key Weekend
- We're Still Celebrating!
- Introducing Samuel, Daniel and Luis Eisenberger
- Hallelujah!
- Parque del Café (Day #15 if you're counting...and ...
- 2 weeks with the kids...
- A Day In Paradise...Not Really
- Ahhhh...Sweet Freedom
- Home Sweet (Away From) Home
- E-I-E-I-Oh My This Place Is Nice...Day 10 update a...
- Quick Health Update...
- Getting To Know...
- Lions and Tigers and Bears...
- We're still here....(day 7 pre-update)
- Little Victories
- They Say He Is The Calm One...
- Three Days In...Feels More Like Thirty
- What Our Days Are Really Like...
- Day #2 Update
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- Pereira (or bust!)
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15 comments:
Troy - hang in there. What seems tough in the beginning will become easier as the children adapt to their new family. Stay strong and remember we are all here for you. We all believe in you and know that you have what it takes to be a wonderful papa to these children. Love Mom Earlene
do i live in a FEMA floodplain?
Hey guys! We are keeping up with the latest and keeping you in our prayers. Your boys are beautiful and we can't wait to meet them. I remember bringing Will home from the hospital and thinking, "Why did I want to be a parent?" So (just in case you're feeling overwhelmed), these are the kind of thoughts that mean you've made it into real parenthood. The good news is, you are not doing this alone, although it may feel that way in Colombia. There are a ton of people here praying for you and supporting you. We are here for you. Love, The Hassenfritz
Clearly you guys have an amazing support system even being over 2,000 miles away from home. I can't say that we all really "know" what you're going through, but we're certainly here to help in any way.
Can't wait to welcome the boys!
Que Dios los Bendiga!
You know...they say that when they are no longer on their best behavior and are really testing you is when they have relaxed and are comfortable with you. Routine is the best thing for them. Sounds like you have a good one started.
Good luck to you! And have fun!! Getting to spend all of that quality time with them is probably the best part of the Colombia program. I know people think its so long but life takes over when you get home and you never get as much together quality time as you will these next few week. Be sure to make the most of it!!
has been great to keep track of you...cried while reading the post of Wednesday! Baxter's fine...praying for you several times a day...hope you're sleeping as much as you can!
love, Pam and family
Thinking about you and praying for you! Your boys are so darn cute and I bet you will have so much fun with them! Expect adjustment time, enjoy the moments you have in Colombia, and know that it will be a whole new ballgame when you return to the US!
Love!
i just wanted to let you know that matt and i have been reading your blog everyday since you left. you and your adorable little boys are in our thoughts and prayers!
It seems like you guys are getting some great advice from other folks who already posted! Troy, it was great to talk with you last night...and to you both, we do look forward to connecting when you guys are in the area!
As for the boys, I prayed over and over for you guys today...it sounds like you guys are off to a great start with the boys...developing a schedule, setting down expectations, and following through with those...it will get easier...the beginning is hard and very trying. Continue to take time to care for and support each other in the midst of this as well.
We look forward to hearing how today went. Much love and many blessings!
I will begin to pray for you...I hadn't realized you guys were traveling! I fwd'd your blog addy to the Derrs. I also adopted a grp of 3! Congratulations! Your sons are beautiful! I will be excited to watch your journey... Will be praying for a quick return home!
If I live 100 yrds from a FEMA floodplain, but am not in it, should I get flood insurance anyway?
I know you guys must be tired. Praying for you.
We love you guys.
~Claire, James and Julia
We have enjoyed reading your blogs every day! Your videos truly capture their energy- which is quite entertaining. Hang in there- the lips are only blue for a few hours- try having them just eat the orange =). We can't wait to meet the family of 5 very soon. Take care and best of luck. Love you all!
~Ashley and Micah.
Hey guys! We can't wait to meet your new family! Keep up the good work. We really enjoy seeing all the updates on your blog! Chris & Heidi.
I work with "Don" at Wellspan. Congratulations! What a "lifetime" adventure you all will have!!!
Beth
Ok! We need more blog. We need to know what is going on. You had enough time to rest. Oh, and speaking about rest, that is something you did BEFORE you had children. You do adjust to it somehow. Remember they are just normal kids having a good time. I still think that they will slow down (a little) when they get in their permanent environment.
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