Monday, August 04, 2008

27 Days Down, 3 Days To Go

Our visit to the embassy was this morning! Aside from having to wait for a couple of hours in an overcrowded space with three small children, this step was fairly easy. Since the paperwork is my area of expertise, Troy had the challenge of entertaining the boys. We took coloring books and crayons which helped, but the twins are a little OCD and like to stack things that do not stack (like round crayons) which led to crying spells and stares from onlookers. What the onlookers don't know is that when the OCD crying spells begin, there isn't much comforting we can provide nor is there much we can do to stop the stacking. Here is your rock and your hard place: 1) let the boys continue to stack stuff that cannot be stacked and let them cry out of frustration or 2) take away the stuff that cannot be stacked and let them scream hysterically because you have taken their toys - it is a toss up really. Tomorrow, Troy will return to the embassy at 3:30 PM to pick up the visas and that is the last step in the Colombian process. Hooray! All we will have to do is wait for the the flight home!

Yesterday, after breakfast, we decided to seek out a flea market that Ines had told Troy about. On Sundays they close Avenida 15 to cars and open it solely to pedestrian traffic, so we decided to go for a walk. It was fantastic. There were walkers, runners, cyclists galore. The flea market ended up being much farther than we could hoof it, so we took to a side street and hailed a cab to take us the rest of the way. The market itself was pretty amazing. It was not your average American flea market junk. This was quality hand-made goods by artisans from towns all over the country-side. We ended up buying a few things that we knew we could pack, including a new bag for Mama that will go with my "everyday" shoes. Then it began to rain so we hailed a cab to bring us back. It felt great to be out and about and free! Plus, the boys love being in a taxi, and once we are home they won't get to do that anymore. We spent the rest of the day just hanging around Hotel Halifax.

Oh, and I must mention here that last night was bath night. It was slightly better. Daniel did cry the entire time, but neither he nor I screamed hysterically and at the end he even gave me a big kiss. Sweet boy!

In sad news, and news of the "can our trip get any weirder", we found out this afternoon that our adoption agency is closing. This will not have any bearing on getting us home and settled in the U.S., but Troy and I do have many questions as to how this effects the next steps in our process. The adoption doesn't end when we get home, we have to file reports on the boys every few months for something like the next two years. Also, this announcement effects the jobs of people that I have personally come to know and love through this process. Please pray for them, particularly our caseworker Sarah Huaman and the Colombian Program Director Raul Velez Velez, during this difficult time.

4 comments:

Dad said...

Troy and Andi and the BOYS!

We are surely praying for you to have safe travels this week. Also, your dad sees the surgeon for his report on Tuesday and to get out the 28 staples.
We know you could possibly write a book on adoption by now. Things will settle down once you are home and into a routine.

Blessings for safe travel and we will surely be anxious to meet our new grandsons!

We love you and miss you, Sue and Dad

Red said...

I was so excited to see your subject. Glad you got to get out and about, that the embassy visit went well (despite the stacking stuff - too funny) and get your purse. =0)

Dad said...

I can hardly wait to see them! What a joy it will be. I got some good news today. They got it all and it was not in my lymph nodes. Dr. Duncan did another excellent job. So now I recover from the surgery, which is not too bad, and just take it easy. I just praise God for all of the good things that have been happening both to me and you and your new family. It’s such a blessing!

adam said...

I am so happy you guys got your referral before CAI closed its doors. How sad for so many families!