This will be my last post from Colombia! In many ways, this two year journey is coming to an end. We have survived the roller-coaster called adoption and have learned so much about our Lord throughout the duration of the ride. We have been taught patience and to have faith even when situations seem bleak. We have felt utterly out of control, and have learned that throughout all of life, we truly have very little control. Though this seems scary, it really isn't. Would we rather be in control, or have our sovereign, omniscient, all-power God in control?
We are elated about coming home and showing off our new son! He is awesome, folks! However, coming home will be a new beginning for all of us. We will have to discover our new normal as a family of five in America. The girls will continue going to Frazer Preschool, and for now Samuel will stay home with me. We have tons of doctors appointments to take him to in the coming weeks. He is still learning the rules and boundaries of our family, and how to be a "big boy," and we will practice some schooling at home to get him caught up with others his age.
We so wish we knew what he was picturing America to be like. If he was shown pictures of New York City or Miami, he is going to have a big awakening when he sees Pike Road, Alabama. He has always lived in an apartment, so we are curious what he thinks about a spacious house surrounded by grass. We certainly hope he enjoys life in Alabama, where traffic isn't horrific, fields of horses and cows are always close, and everybody is granted plenty of personal space. We can't wait to take him to Shakespeare to feed the turtles and ducks, to First Baptist where the great folks in the world are, to Pump it Up to use tons of that four year old boy energy, to parks that are not cushioned with cement, and countless other "firsts." The big news is we have a first for all three of our kids in a few months! We are going to Disney World in December! It'll be how we officially celebrate his adoption into our family as well as his fifth birthday. AND my best friend Lizzie and her family will be there at the same time at the resort right next to ours.
We tried to stay busy today in order to make our last day go quickly. A sweet lady that partners with Lifeline named Ana invited us to go to a petting zoo. About ten minutes before we left, Brent got really busy at work and decided it would be best for me to go with just the kids. Not only that, whatever his sickness is has become much worse. My funny dad warned him not to look too sick so that people in Hazmat attire don't show up and treat him like he has Ebola. Ana and her two little boys, Pablo (2 years old) and Francisco (1 month) picked us up. Therefore, we two adults were in the front seat, and all five children were in the back seat. Man I can't wait for car seats and booster seats! We went to a petting zoo first, which the kids loved. Then, the kids played on a small playground for a long time. They were covered in dirt, but had a grand time. Lilly Grace kept calling Pablo, "Pablo Escobar." I was mortified and kept apologizing to Ana. Brent and I had no idea she had heard us talking about him when we were in Medellin.
The 7 of us then headed to a bigger park area. I don't even know how to explain it; it was way more than a park, but not quite an amusement park. Ana needed to feed the baby, so I headed in with four kids under five. Somehow I managed to purchase tickets for all of us, and juggled four kids. The park really was geared at older kids, so I was continually lifting kids and helping them "play." By the time we needed to leave, I was just as exhausted as the kids. We had a lovely time with Ana and her boys. She was so sweet, and the kids loved playing with cutie patootie Pablo!
We got back to the apartment around 2:00 and the kids were starving out of their minds, but were actually acting really good! They were great the entire time we were gone. Brent had gone out and purchased lunch for us, and ran to the pharmacy to get more of Samuel's heart medicine, some medicine for his tummy, and Dramamine to help us sleep through the flight. All of that was roughly $14. Incredible isn't it?
Though it was a super late nap for the kids, the timing worked out perfectly since they will be up late tonight. They are still asleep right now (5:20 pm), but we are getting ready to wake them up, take showers, get ready, pack, and go! It's been great Colombia, but there's about to be a party in the USA!
(I am still not able to post photos on here with our internet, but rest assured that in the next few days, there will be a huge influx of photos on my Facebook page from our two months here.)
Friday, October 10, 2014
Thursday, October 9, 2014
Our Last Full Day in Colombia
Today was our last full day in Colombia, sort of. Technically, our plane doesn't take off until 12:30 am Saturday morning, but we will be at the airport by 8:30pm tomorrow evening, so today seems more so like our last full day here.
The day was really cold and drizzly, meaning everybody except me slept in. It was nice having some peace and quiet while everybody was snoozing. Lilly Grace was the first to wake up, and so we were able to spent some time together reading several books. It was precious because we haven't had much time for just the two of us since we arrived to Colombia.
Brent was feeling a little better today, but still has room for a lot of improvement. He continues to have some body aches, head and belly pain, and tummy troubles, but he says he isn't miserable like the past couple of days. It seems he is heading in the right direction, and has a little over 24 hours to recover enough to feel well on the plane. Thank you so much for praying for him, and for all the texts and messages checking on him.
The kids all seemed like they needed some special time today. Brent had oodles and boocoodles of work today, so while the kids each had their one-on-one Mommy time, we did out best, unsuccessfully, to not bother him. I am sure he will be delighted to be in an office and be able to work without four family members running around being loud.
Alex had the first turn. I painted her finger nails and toenails the colors of her choice. She is a girly-girl and truly loves this. She giggles every time the polish brush touches her toe nails. We then read three books and chatted while her nails dried.
Samuel's turn was next. The rain had mostly stopped, and we bundled up as best we could and went to the small soccer field by our apartment. We had a great time playing futbol for several minutes. Let's hope nobody was watching, because I got out-gamed by a four year old. It was a lot of fun! We then came in and sat on his bed and read some books.
Lilly Grace was last. I also gave her a pedicure and manicure using the colors of her choice, then we read a few books together. It is such a joy chatting with her! When she is with her siblings, she is quick to take charge and be bossy, but she truly has such a beautiful heart. It's a true blessing to get to see the soft, sweet side of her. This morning when it was just the two of us, she chose several Bible stories to read. Her love of Jesus at such a young age is precious, and she has such a remarkably wise understanding of salvation to be barely four years old.
By then it was lunch time, and we all had sandwiches and fruit - which has basically become our regular here in Bogota. Brent said he would prepare breakfast in the morning, which meant that was the last meal that I had to prepare in Colombia! Woohoo! Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love to cook - but I like doing it in my kitchen with my appliances and cookware that I know are clean and working. The kids went down for nap while Brent worked diligently and I rested and perused Pinterest while salivating over non-sandwiches and non-Colombian food.
Brent had a lot going on today, so we left for the evening way later than we had planned in order for him to take care of business. We went to an area of town known as Zona Rosa. It is upscale, and seems to be where the people with money hang out. The people dressed much nicer than others we have seen in the different areas of town. The mall was quite ritzy and only had fine dining restaurants. We walked down the street and only found bars, and finally settled on a chain Italian restaurant. The kids were famished, and hungry kids are not happy kids. For that matter, hungry adults are not happy adults. We all needed some grub in our bellies!
Dinner arrived, and Brent reached across the table to cut one of the kid's meals. He evidently forgot about the candle in the middle of the table. All of a sudden, he was flapping his arms because his arm was on fire! There was nothing to put it out with, and it seemed like he was on fire for an eternity! He got the flames out, while his shirt smoldered for a bit longer. Unfortunately, it was his favorite shirt. Additionally, his skin below the shirt is burned. (Linda, don't worry - we will put silver on it Saturday ;) ) There is a silver lining to the situation. He has worn a Columbia jacket almost every time we have left the apartment, and wasn't tonight. That material is highly flamable, and his entire arm probably would have been engulfed in flames and it would have melted on his skin. I am so thankful the situation wasn't worse than it was, but it is so sad that after feeling so sick for a while, he burned his arm!
After dinner we immediately went home. We put the kids down, and we are currently sitting in our apartment freezing. It has been in the 50s all day, and with no insulation or heat, and a few broken windows, it isn't much warmer inside. We layer the kids up really well for bed here, and cover them in a handful of blankets. Tomorrow night we are sleeping first in an airport, then on planes. Though this won't be too comfortable, hopefully it will at least be warmer!
We can't wait to board that plane tomorrow night. Hopefully we won't be too excited to sleep, but we have some medicinal help available if that is the case. Tomorrow morning we are going to a petting zoo and park with a precious gal that partners with Lifeline, then we will get ready, nap, and pack for our return home!
The day was really cold and drizzly, meaning everybody except me slept in. It was nice having some peace and quiet while everybody was snoozing. Lilly Grace was the first to wake up, and so we were able to spent some time together reading several books. It was precious because we haven't had much time for just the two of us since we arrived to Colombia.
Brent was feeling a little better today, but still has room for a lot of improvement. He continues to have some body aches, head and belly pain, and tummy troubles, but he says he isn't miserable like the past couple of days. It seems he is heading in the right direction, and has a little over 24 hours to recover enough to feel well on the plane. Thank you so much for praying for him, and for all the texts and messages checking on him.
The kids all seemed like they needed some special time today. Brent had oodles and boocoodles of work today, so while the kids each had their one-on-one Mommy time, we did out best, unsuccessfully, to not bother him. I am sure he will be delighted to be in an office and be able to work without four family members running around being loud.
Alex had the first turn. I painted her finger nails and toenails the colors of her choice. She is a girly-girl and truly loves this. She giggles every time the polish brush touches her toe nails. We then read three books and chatted while her nails dried.
Samuel's turn was next. The rain had mostly stopped, and we bundled up as best we could and went to the small soccer field by our apartment. We had a great time playing futbol for several minutes. Let's hope nobody was watching, because I got out-gamed by a four year old. It was a lot of fun! We then came in and sat on his bed and read some books.
Lilly Grace was last. I also gave her a pedicure and manicure using the colors of her choice, then we read a few books together. It is such a joy chatting with her! When she is with her siblings, she is quick to take charge and be bossy, but she truly has such a beautiful heart. It's a true blessing to get to see the soft, sweet side of her. This morning when it was just the two of us, she chose several Bible stories to read. Her love of Jesus at such a young age is precious, and she has such a remarkably wise understanding of salvation to be barely four years old.
By then it was lunch time, and we all had sandwiches and fruit - which has basically become our regular here in Bogota. Brent said he would prepare breakfast in the morning, which meant that was the last meal that I had to prepare in Colombia! Woohoo! Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love to cook - but I like doing it in my kitchen with my appliances and cookware that I know are clean and working. The kids went down for nap while Brent worked diligently and I rested and perused Pinterest while salivating over non-sandwiches and non-Colombian food.
Brent had a lot going on today, so we left for the evening way later than we had planned in order for him to take care of business. We went to an area of town known as Zona Rosa. It is upscale, and seems to be where the people with money hang out. The people dressed much nicer than others we have seen in the different areas of town. The mall was quite ritzy and only had fine dining restaurants. We walked down the street and only found bars, and finally settled on a chain Italian restaurant. The kids were famished, and hungry kids are not happy kids. For that matter, hungry adults are not happy adults. We all needed some grub in our bellies!
Dinner arrived, and Brent reached across the table to cut one of the kid's meals. He evidently forgot about the candle in the middle of the table. All of a sudden, he was flapping his arms because his arm was on fire! There was nothing to put it out with, and it seemed like he was on fire for an eternity! He got the flames out, while his shirt smoldered for a bit longer. Unfortunately, it was his favorite shirt. Additionally, his skin below the shirt is burned. (Linda, don't worry - we will put silver on it Saturday ;) ) There is a silver lining to the situation. He has worn a Columbia jacket almost every time we have left the apartment, and wasn't tonight. That material is highly flamable, and his entire arm probably would have been engulfed in flames and it would have melted on his skin. I am so thankful the situation wasn't worse than it was, but it is so sad that after feeling so sick for a while, he burned his arm!
After dinner we immediately went home. We put the kids down, and we are currently sitting in our apartment freezing. It has been in the 50s all day, and with no insulation or heat, and a few broken windows, it isn't much warmer inside. We layer the kids up really well for bed here, and cover them in a handful of blankets. Tomorrow night we are sleeping first in an airport, then on planes. Though this won't be too comfortable, hopefully it will at least be warmer!
We can't wait to board that plane tomorrow night. Hopefully we won't be too excited to sleep, but we have some medicinal help available if that is the case. Tomorrow morning we are going to a petting zoo and park with a precious gal that partners with Lifeline, then we will get ready, nap, and pack for our return home!
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Go Big AND Go Home!
To be perfectly honest, our time here in Bogota has gone without a hitch. Every single appointment at every agency has been easy, and every person we have dealt with has been incredibly kind. We have yet to encounter any disgruntled people in Colombia. They never make fun of our Spanish, and are always inquisitive of our family. Countless have thanked us for helping a child from their country.
All of that to say, something had to go awry. Today held out last item on our to-do list: obtain Samuel's Visa from the US Embassy. We originally had an appointment at 11:30, but found out last night it was changed to 1:00 - smack dab when the kids start turning in for naps. That made for three days in a row that Samuel wouldn't get his full nap in, which was making him really sleepy and grouchy.
We originally planned for the entire family to go to the Embassy, because it isn't a common occurance to be able to visit a US Embassy. Sadly, whatever is ailing Brent did not pass through the night. He woke up several times during the night running a fever, and when the fever broke he would have intense chills and shivering. His stomach has been hurting him really badly, and he has a great deal of gastrointestinal upset. We have tried Motrin, Zofran, and Pepto, and he has had very little relief. Therefore, we decided I would take Samuel and Lilly Grace to the Embassy, and Alex would stay back with Brent.
Before our Embassy appointment, the kids and I went to the grocery store a couple of blocks away. This may not seem like a big deal, but keep in mind I know barely any Spanish, rarely leave the apartment without Brent or our translator, and grocery shopping with three young kids in any location isn't exactly a cake-walk. However, we survived! Nobody was run over as we crossed several streets, and we purchased toilet paper and food for lunch. Maybe some of you ran a marathon, or lifted ten thousand pounds over your head, or cured some heinous illness, but I took three children down several blocks grocery shopping and returned in the rain unscathed. We got back, cooked, ate, and cleaned up to get ready for Marieta to pick the three of us up for the Embassy.
The Embassy is a far cry from what I expected. I assumed we would be ushered inside, and the building would have comfortable seats and an RSA building-like atmosphere. Wrong! Everything we did was handled outside. There was a medium sized crowd of Colombians awaiting Visas to travel to America, but we were sent to a ticket-booth like window ahead of the crowd. I turned in gobs of paperwork and Samuel's passport and was told to sit and wait for it to be processed. Samuel and Lilly Grace were not on their a-game. They couldn't keep their hands to themselves and kept whining and tattling. Maybe I have less patience than most mothers, but whining absolutely drives me ballistic.
Fortunately, we didn't have to wait for long. The young guy that handled our case was actually headed to Birmingham in a couple of weeks where all of his family lives. Small world. I was fingerprinted, and we went over some more information. He also had a small interview about our stay in Colombia. Then he told me it would be roughly two hours for the visa to be ready. Yikes! Two hours outside in a drizzly rain with two kids who needed naps did not sound like fun. Marieta recommended the kids running around in a little field on the Embassy grounds. It was muddy, but I didn't even care. The kids needed to run and play. They picked tons of dandelions, until they realized their hands were covered in bugs. After some mega freaking out, we relocated to a concrete area.
The kids ran and played, and all was going well until Samuel pitched fit after fit because Lilly Grace was winning all of the races. (He proudly informed Brent a few days ago that when he runs by himself he always wins. Haha!) I told him it didn't matter who won, just to have fun, but the fits persisted. He actually is pretty fast, but Lilly Grace has legs several inches longer and therefore is somewhat faster. I had him sit down on a bench beside me for five minutes without whining, and when he got back up to run and play was in great spirits. The kids took turns running, so they both won every sprint.
I looked down at my phone for a couple minutes to let Brent know we had a long wait ahead, then I heard a loud thud and saw Samuel sprawled on the cement. Evidently he tripped and caught himself with his face. I don't mean he put his hands down and then his face, he actually landed on his face. He bit hit tongue, knocked a couple of teeth, bruised his forehead, scratched the bridge of his nose, and busted his nose. His mouth was full of blood and dirt, and there was blood gushing from his nose. The child looked awful. It was so sad! We rushed to the bathroom, and he was crying minimally until he saw the blood in the mirror. He was then crying hysterically for a while, but calmed down way faster than most kids. When he gets hurt badly, he doesn't cry and carry on for long. The bleeding eventually stopped. No teeth were broken or loose. His battle wounds include a bruised forehead and nose, and swollen, scratched up nose. The good news is immediately after the accident, our name was called WAY before the two hour mark. We had only waited for about 45 minutes!
We now have Samuel's passport and visa, and every single thing is finished! We have no more tasks to do except to fly home. Brent really needs to get better so he can enjoy the end of our stay in Bogota and not be miserable when we fly. Keep praying for this precious man! Tomorrow is our last full day in Colombia! Woohoo! See you soon America!
All of that to say, something had to go awry. Today held out last item on our to-do list: obtain Samuel's Visa from the US Embassy. We originally had an appointment at 11:30, but found out last night it was changed to 1:00 - smack dab when the kids start turning in for naps. That made for three days in a row that Samuel wouldn't get his full nap in, which was making him really sleepy and grouchy.
We originally planned for the entire family to go to the Embassy, because it isn't a common occurance to be able to visit a US Embassy. Sadly, whatever is ailing Brent did not pass through the night. He woke up several times during the night running a fever, and when the fever broke he would have intense chills and shivering. His stomach has been hurting him really badly, and he has a great deal of gastrointestinal upset. We have tried Motrin, Zofran, and Pepto, and he has had very little relief. Therefore, we decided I would take Samuel and Lilly Grace to the Embassy, and Alex would stay back with Brent.
Before our Embassy appointment, the kids and I went to the grocery store a couple of blocks away. This may not seem like a big deal, but keep in mind I know barely any Spanish, rarely leave the apartment without Brent or our translator, and grocery shopping with three young kids in any location isn't exactly a cake-walk. However, we survived! Nobody was run over as we crossed several streets, and we purchased toilet paper and food for lunch. Maybe some of you ran a marathon, or lifted ten thousand pounds over your head, or cured some heinous illness, but I took three children down several blocks grocery shopping and returned in the rain unscathed. We got back, cooked, ate, and cleaned up to get ready for Marieta to pick the three of us up for the Embassy.
The Embassy is a far cry from what I expected. I assumed we would be ushered inside, and the building would have comfortable seats and an RSA building-like atmosphere. Wrong! Everything we did was handled outside. There was a medium sized crowd of Colombians awaiting Visas to travel to America, but we were sent to a ticket-booth like window ahead of the crowd. I turned in gobs of paperwork and Samuel's passport and was told to sit and wait for it to be processed. Samuel and Lilly Grace were not on their a-game. They couldn't keep their hands to themselves and kept whining and tattling. Maybe I have less patience than most mothers, but whining absolutely drives me ballistic.
Fortunately, we didn't have to wait for long. The young guy that handled our case was actually headed to Birmingham in a couple of weeks where all of his family lives. Small world. I was fingerprinted, and we went over some more information. He also had a small interview about our stay in Colombia. Then he told me it would be roughly two hours for the visa to be ready. Yikes! Two hours outside in a drizzly rain with two kids who needed naps did not sound like fun. Marieta recommended the kids running around in a little field on the Embassy grounds. It was muddy, but I didn't even care. The kids needed to run and play. They picked tons of dandelions, until they realized their hands were covered in bugs. After some mega freaking out, we relocated to a concrete area.
The kids ran and played, and all was going well until Samuel pitched fit after fit because Lilly Grace was winning all of the races. (He proudly informed Brent a few days ago that when he runs by himself he always wins. Haha!) I told him it didn't matter who won, just to have fun, but the fits persisted. He actually is pretty fast, but Lilly Grace has legs several inches longer and therefore is somewhat faster. I had him sit down on a bench beside me for five minutes without whining, and when he got back up to run and play was in great spirits. The kids took turns running, so they both won every sprint.
I looked down at my phone for a couple minutes to let Brent know we had a long wait ahead, then I heard a loud thud and saw Samuel sprawled on the cement. Evidently he tripped and caught himself with his face. I don't mean he put his hands down and then his face, he actually landed on his face. He bit hit tongue, knocked a couple of teeth, bruised his forehead, scratched the bridge of his nose, and busted his nose. His mouth was full of blood and dirt, and there was blood gushing from his nose. The child looked awful. It was so sad! We rushed to the bathroom, and he was crying minimally until he saw the blood in the mirror. He was then crying hysterically for a while, but calmed down way faster than most kids. When he gets hurt badly, he doesn't cry and carry on for long. The bleeding eventually stopped. No teeth were broken or loose. His battle wounds include a bruised forehead and nose, and swollen, scratched up nose. The good news is immediately after the accident, our name was called WAY before the two hour mark. We had only waited for about 45 minutes!
We now have Samuel's passport and visa, and every single thing is finished! We have no more tasks to do except to fly home. Brent really needs to get better so he can enjoy the end of our stay in Bogota and not be miserable when we fly. Keep praying for this precious man! Tomorrow is our last full day in Colombia! Woohoo! See you soon America!
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Another Day Down, An Amazing Husband, and a Perfect Savior
Yesterday, the kids were cranky and whiny, so this morning after breakfast and getting ready, Brent and I decided they all needed some alone time. They weren't being punished, we were just preventing possible incidents from occurring. Each kid got to pick two toys and a book and were placed in separate rooms throughout the apartment. They played so wonderfully. It was fun overhearing how differently they play. Lilly Grace played like everything was a princess, Samuel was loud and all of his animals were fighting, and Alex was in her own little two year old land until she threw all of her toys out of the door.
The older two then played together while they watched part of a Muppet movie, and Alex and I had some one-on-one time. Eventually, everybody started getting antsy and the sun was sort of peeping out of the chilly skies, so the kids and I headed outside to the park. It is remarkable how fresh air, running, and climbing completely fix anything going on with children.
After a lunch of sandwiches, fruit, and crackers, the kids turned in for early naps since I had to get Samuel up for his medical appointment. His appointment was at 4, but the doctor's office requested we get there at 3:30. Traffic can be horrific, so we had to leave by 2:30 to be safe. Traffic ended up being light per Bogota standards, and we were checked into the office before 3. They didn't call us back until 4:20, which is a long wait for a 4 year old boy. I brought toys and snacks, and he really did very well while we waited.
The pediatrician was wonderful. He was bilingual, so the translator did not accompany Samuel and me to his office. It was not a very thorough physical, simply what the US Embassy required. However, he answered any questions that I had, was patient, and one of the kindest physicians I have encountered. Not only was he a pediatrician, he also was a neonatoligist, and had tons of photos in his office of tiny babies, twins, and triplets. It was precious.
He listened closely to Samuel's heart, and said he didn't hear a murmur at all. This is remarkable considering the extent of Sam's cardiac condition and his surgeries. After he asked me my occupation and found out I was an ER nurse, he asked me if I would like to listen as well. He was very impressed with how well our little boy is doing. Samuel has gained a pound since we have come to Colombia and grown 2 centimeters! He is quite healthy.
We went over Samuel's vaccination history, and he only lacked one vaccine. He was given a Hepatitis A vaccine, and though he didn't like it, he didn't cry one bit. We saw several older children coming out of the vaccination room crying and carrying on, but not our trooper! I was so proud.
The doctor told me that the paperwork that had to be taken to the US Embassy would be ready in roughly an hour, which was nice because that meant we wouldn't have to return early in the morning. Marieta, Samuel, and I strolled around the area, walked around another Colonial Spanish neighborhood, and wound up at a park. Samuel had a grand time playing and swinging, and is working on the concept of pumping his legs while he swings. I gave him a snack, then we walked to a nearby mall for him to go to the bathroom.
While he snacked, I called Brent. He sounded horrible, and either caught a stomach bug or was the recipient of horrendous altitude sickness. I can attest that it is incredibly difficult feeling poorly when you have to take care of children, and Lilly Grace and Alex were stuck in the apartment with him. Going out to dinner was definitely out of the question, which is a problem because we have no dinner food at the apartment.
We both racked out brains, while Marieta, Samuel, and I walked back to the doctor's office to collect the paperwork for the embassy. We came back to the apartment and made sure we had everything needed for the appointment to obtain Samuel's visa tomorrow. I then checked on Brent, and he truly looked pitiful. He can handle tummy issues really well, so when he is in bed complaining of belly pain and other symptoms, I know it is for-real! His eyes were glassy and overall just heartbreaking! That meant it was time for my to step up my game. I have been extremely anxious about venturing out by myself, and have been fine this week with our translator, but I had to go alone tonight to bring dinner home. Alex came with me so that Brent could have some peace and quiet, and we walked to a Dominos Pizza around the corner. I ordered in Spanish!!! Alex and I brought it home; it was incredible!
Brent was able to get some pizza down, then went back to rest in bed. As each kid was bathed and put in pajamas, they would hop in bed with Brent. They got to watch the rest of their movie instead of a book tonight, then went to bed. Brent is exhausted from not feeling well, and I am tired from a 4 hour doctor ordeal, but thankful it all went smoothly.
As we are coming to the end of our stay in Colombia, I have been thinking about the past 7 1/2 weeks. I don't even know the words to describe it all, but it is surreal to think it is almost over. Brent and I are thankful for all of the encouragement and prayer, and I do not say this lightly. We could not have survived without our friends and family. Our parents being here for a total of two weeks provided a great deal of sanity, as did the opportunities we had to FaceTime family and friends.
There are several worship songs we have listened to and sung frequently here, and one of them is "Oceans" by Hillsong United. It starts, "You call me out upon the water/ the great unknown, where feet may fail/ and there I find You in the mystery/ In ocean's deep, my faith will stand." The Lord called us way out of our comfort zone. 8 weeks away from work, family, America, home, etc! It truly was a mystery all along, except that we knew we were called to do this. He protected us from drowning in the water, and when it seemed like all was falling apart, He would provide some miraculous good news. The bridge of the song begins, "Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders." Every time I hear this I choke up. I don't think Hillsong literally meant borders of countries when they wrote this, but that is what this part means to us. This entire adoption journey has been about trust, even when it has been rocky we had to trust the Lord. Of course we were not perfect in our trust, but we had so many wonderful encouraging people reminding us every time we were discouraged to trust in the Lord! Here is a link to the song with lyrics for those of you who aren't familiar. I recommend taking the time to listen. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dy9nwe9_xzw
I also want to brag on my wonderful, loving, patient husband. I can honestly say that we haven't gotten sick of each other, despite being together nearly nonstop. He has been such a solid rock for our family not only in Colombia, but since our family began. I am prone to motion sickness, and he has sat in the back of almost every taxi with three rambunctious children, so I could sit in the front with the window down. On the days at the beginning of our stay when I felt poorly, he would take all of the kids out so I could rest in quiet. He has helped cook and clean dishes. He swept and mopped countless times. He has handled the logistics of everything we have done, from hailing taxis, finding places to stay, and handling the finances of every aspect of the adoption. He also has handled his work from thousands of miles away. He hasn't complained about a single thing, even when I griped that I was so ready to come home. He has been incredibly patient with our children. On days that he was in the bedroom working while I was homeschooling and tending the children, he would march out of his room and demand the children obey and respect Mommy. Despite all the craziness and busyness, he has made me feel loved beyond belief. He has brought home sweet treats, sent roses, given me breaks, and purchased some memorable gifts for me while we have been here. Above all, he continually points our family toward Christ. He would lead our home-church every Sunday, and ensures we remember to pray, and tries to bring Christ into the equation any chance he gets. We could not have survived this long road without Brent, and I hope he knows how awesome the kiddos think he is, and how much I will always love and respect him.
Let's hope and pray Brent feels better tomorrow so he can enjoy the last few days in Bogota. We head to the Embassy at 10:15 for our appointment at 11:30. This should be our final step, except for heading home. Three more sleeps here, one in an airplane, and then HOME!
The older two then played together while they watched part of a Muppet movie, and Alex and I had some one-on-one time. Eventually, everybody started getting antsy and the sun was sort of peeping out of the chilly skies, so the kids and I headed outside to the park. It is remarkable how fresh air, running, and climbing completely fix anything going on with children.
After a lunch of sandwiches, fruit, and crackers, the kids turned in for early naps since I had to get Samuel up for his medical appointment. His appointment was at 4, but the doctor's office requested we get there at 3:30. Traffic can be horrific, so we had to leave by 2:30 to be safe. Traffic ended up being light per Bogota standards, and we were checked into the office before 3. They didn't call us back until 4:20, which is a long wait for a 4 year old boy. I brought toys and snacks, and he really did very well while we waited.
The pediatrician was wonderful. He was bilingual, so the translator did not accompany Samuel and me to his office. It was not a very thorough physical, simply what the US Embassy required. However, he answered any questions that I had, was patient, and one of the kindest physicians I have encountered. Not only was he a pediatrician, he also was a neonatoligist, and had tons of photos in his office of tiny babies, twins, and triplets. It was precious.
He listened closely to Samuel's heart, and said he didn't hear a murmur at all. This is remarkable considering the extent of Sam's cardiac condition and his surgeries. After he asked me my occupation and found out I was an ER nurse, he asked me if I would like to listen as well. He was very impressed with how well our little boy is doing. Samuel has gained a pound since we have come to Colombia and grown 2 centimeters! He is quite healthy.
We went over Samuel's vaccination history, and he only lacked one vaccine. He was given a Hepatitis A vaccine, and though he didn't like it, he didn't cry one bit. We saw several older children coming out of the vaccination room crying and carrying on, but not our trooper! I was so proud.
The doctor told me that the paperwork that had to be taken to the US Embassy would be ready in roughly an hour, which was nice because that meant we wouldn't have to return early in the morning. Marieta, Samuel, and I strolled around the area, walked around another Colonial Spanish neighborhood, and wound up at a park. Samuel had a grand time playing and swinging, and is working on the concept of pumping his legs while he swings. I gave him a snack, then we walked to a nearby mall for him to go to the bathroom.
While he snacked, I called Brent. He sounded horrible, and either caught a stomach bug or was the recipient of horrendous altitude sickness. I can attest that it is incredibly difficult feeling poorly when you have to take care of children, and Lilly Grace and Alex were stuck in the apartment with him. Going out to dinner was definitely out of the question, which is a problem because we have no dinner food at the apartment.
We both racked out brains, while Marieta, Samuel, and I walked back to the doctor's office to collect the paperwork for the embassy. We came back to the apartment and made sure we had everything needed for the appointment to obtain Samuel's visa tomorrow. I then checked on Brent, and he truly looked pitiful. He can handle tummy issues really well, so when he is in bed complaining of belly pain and other symptoms, I know it is for-real! His eyes were glassy and overall just heartbreaking! That meant it was time for my to step up my game. I have been extremely anxious about venturing out by myself, and have been fine this week with our translator, but I had to go alone tonight to bring dinner home. Alex came with me so that Brent could have some peace and quiet, and we walked to a Dominos Pizza around the corner. I ordered in Spanish!!! Alex and I brought it home; it was incredible!
Brent was able to get some pizza down, then went back to rest in bed. As each kid was bathed and put in pajamas, they would hop in bed with Brent. They got to watch the rest of their movie instead of a book tonight, then went to bed. Brent is exhausted from not feeling well, and I am tired from a 4 hour doctor ordeal, but thankful it all went smoothly.
As we are coming to the end of our stay in Colombia, I have been thinking about the past 7 1/2 weeks. I don't even know the words to describe it all, but it is surreal to think it is almost over. Brent and I are thankful for all of the encouragement and prayer, and I do not say this lightly. We could not have survived without our friends and family. Our parents being here for a total of two weeks provided a great deal of sanity, as did the opportunities we had to FaceTime family and friends.
There are several worship songs we have listened to and sung frequently here, and one of them is "Oceans" by Hillsong United. It starts, "You call me out upon the water/ the great unknown, where feet may fail/ and there I find You in the mystery/ In ocean's deep, my faith will stand." The Lord called us way out of our comfort zone. 8 weeks away from work, family, America, home, etc! It truly was a mystery all along, except that we knew we were called to do this. He protected us from drowning in the water, and when it seemed like all was falling apart, He would provide some miraculous good news. The bridge of the song begins, "Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders." Every time I hear this I choke up. I don't think Hillsong literally meant borders of countries when they wrote this, but that is what this part means to us. This entire adoption journey has been about trust, even when it has been rocky we had to trust the Lord. Of course we were not perfect in our trust, but we had so many wonderful encouraging people reminding us every time we were discouraged to trust in the Lord! Here is a link to the song with lyrics for those of you who aren't familiar. I recommend taking the time to listen. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dy9nwe9_xzw
I also want to brag on my wonderful, loving, patient husband. I can honestly say that we haven't gotten sick of each other, despite being together nearly nonstop. He has been such a solid rock for our family not only in Colombia, but since our family began. I am prone to motion sickness, and he has sat in the back of almost every taxi with three rambunctious children, so I could sit in the front with the window down. On the days at the beginning of our stay when I felt poorly, he would take all of the kids out so I could rest in quiet. He has helped cook and clean dishes. He swept and mopped countless times. He has handled the logistics of everything we have done, from hailing taxis, finding places to stay, and handling the finances of every aspect of the adoption. He also has handled his work from thousands of miles away. He hasn't complained about a single thing, even when I griped that I was so ready to come home. He has been incredibly patient with our children. On days that he was in the bedroom working while I was homeschooling and tending the children, he would march out of his room and demand the children obey and respect Mommy. Despite all the craziness and busyness, he has made me feel loved beyond belief. He has brought home sweet treats, sent roses, given me breaks, and purchased some memorable gifts for me while we have been here. Above all, he continually points our family toward Christ. He would lead our home-church every Sunday, and ensures we remember to pray, and tries to bring Christ into the equation any chance he gets. We could not have survived this long road without Brent, and I hope he knows how awesome the kiddos think he is, and how much I will always love and respect him.
Let's hope and pray Brent feels better tomorrow so he can enjoy the last few days in Bogota. We head to the Embassy at 10:15 for our appointment at 11:30. This should be our final step, except for heading home. Three more sleeps here, one in an airplane, and then HOME!
Monday, October 6, 2014
Emeralds and Appointments
Brent started out the day with conference calls, while the kids and I got ready, played, and changed over laundry. Generally when I say that, I mean putting laundry from the washer into the dryer. Here, we have no dryer and hang everything to dry. It wouldn't be a big deal except it isn't warm enough to dry clothes quickly at all. We hang them to dry, and then lay them out of the kitchen table to finish drying. Our luxurious American amenities sure are nice: dryer, dish washer, working appliances, garbage disposal, AC and heaters! There should only be one more load of laundry done here, the rest can be saved for home.
The five of us took a taxi to the emerald district. The jewelers are only open Monday through Friday from about 10-3, because they only like to use natural light to look at the emeralds. There are men throughout the square doing business by comparing emeralds held in folded paper looking through a loop. The sign of a deal is a mere hand shake. Most of these men deal in raw emeralds that have not yet been cut or shined. We went inside and dealt with a recommended shop that supposedly didn't try to con you into buying fake emeralds, and gave a great price. We were able to purchase some jewelry for about 40-50% of the cost in America.
Needless to say, dozens of emerald jewelers all lined up is not appealing to youngsters. They were mesmerized by the elevator and became the official elevator greeting committee, which kept them entertained for a good while. Then, their patience was up, and they began driving each other ballistic. After such a marvelous weekend, it was about time for them to act out. It was lovely seeing all the gorgeous emeralds, which are mine and Brent's birth stone after all, but we were ready to go after all of the shopping was done.
We headed to a local hole-in-the-wall sandwich shop for lunch. It reminded us of the cafes in Italy that are on most street corners. The kids had ham and cheese, and Brent and I had a chicken-filled pastry. We all had drinks with our meals, and altogether it was $5. Not bad at all!
As soon as we got back to the apartment, our driver/translator arrived to take Samuel and me on the several errands that we had to run. First, we went to the passport office in order to pick up his passport. The office was packed with hundreds of people, but we were in and out within 5 minutes. Then we headed to the clinic to have his TB test evaluated. This also hardly took any time, and the results were negative.
As we were leaving, the office staff at the clinic asked for the photos of Samuel that had been previously taken. 3 days ago, the dimensions of "official photos " in Colombia changed, so we had to have these redone at a local photography store. Fortunately, there was one halfway in between the doctor's office and the parking lot. It didn't take much time, and was one less thing to have to do tomorrow.
Because everything was working out well with timing, Marieta went ahead and took us to the ICBF office because a letter we needed was completed, signed, and stamped. While there, I filled out a quick survey about our agency in Alabama, and about how I feel the ICBF handled things. My only complaint was that we were never given a written list of Samuel's medications including dosage, amount taken, and time of day taken. Considering his medications are heart medications, only receiving a verbal order from a social worker who had nothing to do with his medical information, I was nervous that he wasn't receiving the correct dosage.
We had all of these appointments and agency meetings completed in under three hours, which isn't bad considering Bogota traffic. We just got back, and we put Samuel down for a short nap just as the girls were waking up from theirs. Brent took the girls to get snacks and some bottled water, while Samuel and I are at the apartment resting.
Tomorrow afternoon, Samuel has his medical appointment, and the following day we should be able to get his Visa from the American Embassy once the doctor officially clears him. It is all coming together nicely, and the steps here in Bogota are really simple and straight forward. We are thankful we don't have much downtime here, and the days are truly flying by. That means that in no-time, we will be packing and boarding an airplane!
The five of us took a taxi to the emerald district. The jewelers are only open Monday through Friday from about 10-3, because they only like to use natural light to look at the emeralds. There are men throughout the square doing business by comparing emeralds held in folded paper looking through a loop. The sign of a deal is a mere hand shake. Most of these men deal in raw emeralds that have not yet been cut or shined. We went inside and dealt with a recommended shop that supposedly didn't try to con you into buying fake emeralds, and gave a great price. We were able to purchase some jewelry for about 40-50% of the cost in America.
Needless to say, dozens of emerald jewelers all lined up is not appealing to youngsters. They were mesmerized by the elevator and became the official elevator greeting committee, which kept them entertained for a good while. Then, their patience was up, and they began driving each other ballistic. After such a marvelous weekend, it was about time for them to act out. It was lovely seeing all the gorgeous emeralds, which are mine and Brent's birth stone after all, but we were ready to go after all of the shopping was done.
We headed to a local hole-in-the-wall sandwich shop for lunch. It reminded us of the cafes in Italy that are on most street corners. The kids had ham and cheese, and Brent and I had a chicken-filled pastry. We all had drinks with our meals, and altogether it was $5. Not bad at all!
As soon as we got back to the apartment, our driver/translator arrived to take Samuel and me on the several errands that we had to run. First, we went to the passport office in order to pick up his passport. The office was packed with hundreds of people, but we were in and out within 5 minutes. Then we headed to the clinic to have his TB test evaluated. This also hardly took any time, and the results were negative.
As we were leaving, the office staff at the clinic asked for the photos of Samuel that had been previously taken. 3 days ago, the dimensions of "official photos " in Colombia changed, so we had to have these redone at a local photography store. Fortunately, there was one halfway in between the doctor's office and the parking lot. It didn't take much time, and was one less thing to have to do tomorrow.
Because everything was working out well with timing, Marieta went ahead and took us to the ICBF office because a letter we needed was completed, signed, and stamped. While there, I filled out a quick survey about our agency in Alabama, and about how I feel the ICBF handled things. My only complaint was that we were never given a written list of Samuel's medications including dosage, amount taken, and time of day taken. Considering his medications are heart medications, only receiving a verbal order from a social worker who had nothing to do with his medical information, I was nervous that he wasn't receiving the correct dosage.
We had all of these appointments and agency meetings completed in under three hours, which isn't bad considering Bogota traffic. We just got back, and we put Samuel down for a short nap just as the girls were waking up from theirs. Brent took the girls to get snacks and some bottled water, while Samuel and I are at the apartment resting.
Tomorrow afternoon, Samuel has his medical appointment, and the following day we should be able to get his Visa from the American Embassy once the doctor officially clears him. It is all coming together nicely, and the steps here in Bogota are really simple and straight forward. We are thankful we don't have much downtime here, and the days are truly flying by. That means that in no-time, we will be packing and boarding an airplane!
Sunday, October 5, 2014
Blue Skies in Bogota
It's almost 5pm here in Bogota, the city that is almost constantly overcast, misty, and chilly, and there have been bright blue October skies all day long. It has been warm with a slight breeze, and we aren't even having to wear jackets in our apartment. To say that it has been a wonderful Sunday would be an understatement.
We had to break from our Sunday routine of having pancakes or french toast simply because of our lack of groceries, and settled for some off-brand Fruit Loops. While we were getting ready, the children were having a blast playing together. It is such a sweet noise hearing children, especially those that recently became siblings, having a grand old time together.
We had church in our living room. We were invited to a church here in town, and were thinking about going, but it was so far from where we are staying that we opted not to. It is so exciting to think that next Sunday we will be back in our pew at First Baptist with our amazing church family. Samuel has never sat through a real church service before, so the first few Sundays may be a little interesting. I am very curious as to how he will do in Sunday School once he first goes, but we will most likely keep him with us in our class at least the first week or so.
After church, Brent had an Uber come and get us. It is convenient having this service available in Bogota, since there are not taxis readily available on our street. We went to the Colonial Spanish part of town. Sunday traffic is minimal, but there are so many roads closed due to restrictions that it still took a while to get to our destination. I was excited at first, but hesitant when our Uber driver rolled up the windows and told us to be careful before we got out of his car. We made sure to hold on tightly to the kids' hands, and kept our belongings close at hand. It was close to the city center and had its fair share of vagrants and pedlars, but we never felt unsafe.
We were dropped off at the plaza in front of an old cathedral. There were llamas to ride, pigeons to feed, venders selling snacks, and a stage being set up for a concert or a rally. We had a snack of strawberries and some sort of cream, then began exploring. We meandered down Spanish streets that were closed for Sunday restrictions and enjoyed the sights. There were vendors on most corners selling roasted corn, sweet treats, fried plantains, and fresh fruits and juices. We stumbled upon one of the most gorgeous cathedrals we had ever seen, which is shocking for Bogota. Most of Bogota is interesting, but far from pretty. The bulk of the architecture, aside from the Spanish district, looks stuck in the 1940s - 1960s. The church had a Gothic twist to the Spanish style, and had vibrant, gorgeous stained glass throughout.
After that we kept walking, and came upon a bizarre/ Colombian flea market. In areas where the market wasn't open, there were street vendors selling all sorts of items. Brent accidentally dropped all of his Colombian cash out of his pocket, and though he picked it up in a split-second, the vagrants noticed immediately. They flocked to him faster that a cheetah catching prey, and Brent convinced them he didn't understand Spanish while I held tight to the munchkins.
We soon arrived to a main street, only to be welcomed by a massive protest parade. These folks were either PETA or the Colombian equivalent and were clearly wacko. They were holding up ridiculous signs, including one of a person looking like he was getting ready to be served on a platter. Call me crazy, but eating a hamburger is a way different ball game than murdering somebody. We sort of wanted to grab a hamburger and eat it on the street while staring down these goobers, but decided against it. Instead we ate at a PPC - Pizza, Pollo, and Carne (Pizza, Chicken, and Steak) and really enjoyed our meal. Alex, Brent, and my meals came with a Coke, and we became the parents we used to judge - we gave our two year old a Coke. In our defense, she only had a little bit.
It was inching closer to nap time, but the kids were being amazing so we kept exploring. For dessert we went to a pastry and coffee shop. A pedlar came in begging for money, and we were very impressed with how the barista handled the situation. He clearly wanted the man gone, but gave him a nice fist bump before he ushered him out.
It truly was a great day spent in the Spanish district. We came back home and all took long Sunday afternoon naps, followed by a snack of popcorn and Tang. Dinner is going to be blah: ham and cheese sandwiches, chips, and apple slices. Tomorrow we are heading to the emerald district to shop, and in the early afternoon Samuel and I will pick up his passport and get his TB test read. We are doing our best to make the most of our last week in Colombia, and counting down the days till we land on American soil and Samuel will officially become a US Citizen!
We had to break from our Sunday routine of having pancakes or french toast simply because of our lack of groceries, and settled for some off-brand Fruit Loops. While we were getting ready, the children were having a blast playing together. It is such a sweet noise hearing children, especially those that recently became siblings, having a grand old time together.
We had church in our living room. We were invited to a church here in town, and were thinking about going, but it was so far from where we are staying that we opted not to. It is so exciting to think that next Sunday we will be back in our pew at First Baptist with our amazing church family. Samuel has never sat through a real church service before, so the first few Sundays may be a little interesting. I am very curious as to how he will do in Sunday School once he first goes, but we will most likely keep him with us in our class at least the first week or so.
After church, Brent had an Uber come and get us. It is convenient having this service available in Bogota, since there are not taxis readily available on our street. We went to the Colonial Spanish part of town. Sunday traffic is minimal, but there are so many roads closed due to restrictions that it still took a while to get to our destination. I was excited at first, but hesitant when our Uber driver rolled up the windows and told us to be careful before we got out of his car. We made sure to hold on tightly to the kids' hands, and kept our belongings close at hand. It was close to the city center and had its fair share of vagrants and pedlars, but we never felt unsafe.
We were dropped off at the plaza in front of an old cathedral. There were llamas to ride, pigeons to feed, venders selling snacks, and a stage being set up for a concert or a rally. We had a snack of strawberries and some sort of cream, then began exploring. We meandered down Spanish streets that were closed for Sunday restrictions and enjoyed the sights. There were vendors on most corners selling roasted corn, sweet treats, fried plantains, and fresh fruits and juices. We stumbled upon one of the most gorgeous cathedrals we had ever seen, which is shocking for Bogota. Most of Bogota is interesting, but far from pretty. The bulk of the architecture, aside from the Spanish district, looks stuck in the 1940s - 1960s. The church had a Gothic twist to the Spanish style, and had vibrant, gorgeous stained glass throughout.
After that we kept walking, and came upon a bizarre/ Colombian flea market. In areas where the market wasn't open, there were street vendors selling all sorts of items. Brent accidentally dropped all of his Colombian cash out of his pocket, and though he picked it up in a split-second, the vagrants noticed immediately. They flocked to him faster that a cheetah catching prey, and Brent convinced them he didn't understand Spanish while I held tight to the munchkins.
We soon arrived to a main street, only to be welcomed by a massive protest parade. These folks were either PETA or the Colombian equivalent and were clearly wacko. They were holding up ridiculous signs, including one of a person looking like he was getting ready to be served on a platter. Call me crazy, but eating a hamburger is a way different ball game than murdering somebody. We sort of wanted to grab a hamburger and eat it on the street while staring down these goobers, but decided against it. Instead we ate at a PPC - Pizza, Pollo, and Carne (Pizza, Chicken, and Steak) and really enjoyed our meal. Alex, Brent, and my meals came with a Coke, and we became the parents we used to judge - we gave our two year old a Coke. In our defense, she only had a little bit.
It was inching closer to nap time, but the kids were being amazing so we kept exploring. For dessert we went to a pastry and coffee shop. A pedlar came in begging for money, and we were very impressed with how the barista handled the situation. He clearly wanted the man gone, but gave him a nice fist bump before he ushered him out.
It truly was a great day spent in the Spanish district. We came back home and all took long Sunday afternoon naps, followed by a snack of popcorn and Tang. Dinner is going to be blah: ham and cheese sandwiches, chips, and apple slices. Tomorrow we are heading to the emerald district to shop, and in the early afternoon Samuel and I will pick up his passport and get his TB test read. We are doing our best to make the most of our last week in Colombia, and counting down the days till we land on American soil and Samuel will officially become a US Citizen!
 |
| Munchkins in the Colonial Spanish district with the mountains in the background |
Saturday, October 4, 2014
Llamas, Cable Cars, and a Gorgeous Mountain
We were hoping for a much better night than the first, but Alex simply cannot sleep here for some reason. Maybe it's the altitude, or the fact that she won't wear socks to bed or keep her covers on, and so she freezes at night. Possibly, it's a combination of the two. She went to sleep insanely late last night, and was up in the wee hours of the morning again coughing, tossing, and turning. We assumed she would sleep super late into the morning. Wrong! She got up earlier than she has in months, as did the other two kids. Due to her intense crankiness, we put Alex in Lilly Grace's bed to try to go back to sleep while the older two hopped in bed with us and watched Finding Nemo.
Brent got out of bed first and made fried eggs for himself and the children. It was such a treat and so kind of Brent to cook, which is not easy in our little kitchen here. We then cleaned the kitchen and got ready for the day. We bundled up because we were planning on going to Monserrate - the mountain in the middle of town. Bogota is on a plateau of sorts, and is mainly flat, but is 8500 hundred feet above sea level. The top of the mountain is roughly 10,500 feet, so we were prepared for cool weather.
It was a windy road getting to the mountain. Poor Lilly Grace's face was draining of color, and she kept telling us she didn't feel well. We arrived at our destination, and within minutes the poor child threw up. Immediately, she said she was fine. We got a snack and drink from a local street vender. It was about $1.50 for a bottled water and 6 cookies. Then, the kids all got to sit on a llama named Lucas, which they thought was amazing! We were even able to get a family photo with Lucas.
Then we all boarded a cable car and made the steep incline up the mountain. It was incredible seeing not only the gorgeous mountain, but the entire city of Bogota as we ascended. It is ginormous, and is a city of 8 million people, hence the heinous traffic. The top of the mountain is where an old monastery is located, and many gorgeous sculptures of the days leading up to the crucifixion, Jesus dying on the cross, and the resurrection. The sculptures are amidst gorgeous gardens. The area was built hundreds of years ago and truly is remarkable.
We meandered through a bizarre where venders were selling all sorts of trinkets, snacks, clothes, and souvenirs. It was fascinating. Then we went through a market where every vendor was selling the exact same thing. Brent thought it looked great, I was repulsed. He is a far more adventurous eater than I am. There were freshly stuffed sausages, whole chickens, plantains stuffed with mozzarella and something purple, soups, and a few other options. It smelled the same way as the lab smelled in high school when we dissected frogs, rats, and sheep eyes. It wasn't appetizing in the least, but those vendors were certainly proud of their food.
We settled for a cafe that had traditional Colombian food and some more simple options. Brent had eggs, rice, pulled pork, salsa, and beans. The kids and I had hamburgers. I may have mentioned this a few dozen times, but I can't wait for American food! True, hamburgers are pretty American, but I miss American hamburgers and my stomach is growling right now thinking about what all I want to eat when we get home. Brent and I already have a childless date planned for our favorite restaurant, Garrett's.
After we finished eating, we walked around the top of the mountain some more. We then took a funicular down the mountain. This is basically a rail car that follows a track, but is guided by a cable since it is on such a steep incline. It reminded me of a cable car that is on the ground instead of suspended in the air. It truly was an amazing experience, and is a must-do for anybody that finds themselves in Bogota. Surprisingly and rarely, it was a clear day so the views were marvelous. If our internet wasn't heinous, I would post pictures, but that'll have to wait until we are back in America.
We got home and all five of us slept. Samuel and Alex took super long, much needed naps. I tried, but the boys playing soccer in the hallway and the car alarm that went off for an hour made it difficult. Sweet home, quiet, Pike Road is going to feel like heaven. Brent and I wonder what Samuel is going to think about living in a house, not an apartment, having his own back yard, and not hearing sirens, horns, and car alarms all day long.
We were able to FaceTime with several folks this evening. The kids were able to talk to both sets of grandparents, Uncle Travis and Aunt Kelly, Uncle Michael and Aunt Lindsey, and Beth Stanley - our social worker back home. It was nice to see such precious faces, and for Samuel to meet the person who helped us every step of the way to bring him into our wild family.
Now, the kids are in bed and Brent and I are watching the Auburn - LSU game. The Alabama game was very sad, but at least Auburn is beating LSU! Samuel and Lilly Grace enjoyed watching parts of both games with Brent, and they are looking forward to going to an Auburn game together soon after we are home. As you can see, we have a lot of plans for when we return to the states. We can't wait to introduce Samuel to all the south has to offer, all the fun and excitement of fall, and of course to all the friends and family that have prayed for and loved him since before he was officially in our family.
Brent got out of bed first and made fried eggs for himself and the children. It was such a treat and so kind of Brent to cook, which is not easy in our little kitchen here. We then cleaned the kitchen and got ready for the day. We bundled up because we were planning on going to Monserrate - the mountain in the middle of town. Bogota is on a plateau of sorts, and is mainly flat, but is 8500 hundred feet above sea level. The top of the mountain is roughly 10,500 feet, so we were prepared for cool weather.
It was a windy road getting to the mountain. Poor Lilly Grace's face was draining of color, and she kept telling us she didn't feel well. We arrived at our destination, and within minutes the poor child threw up. Immediately, she said she was fine. We got a snack and drink from a local street vender. It was about $1.50 for a bottled water and 6 cookies. Then, the kids all got to sit on a llama named Lucas, which they thought was amazing! We were even able to get a family photo with Lucas.
Then we all boarded a cable car and made the steep incline up the mountain. It was incredible seeing not only the gorgeous mountain, but the entire city of Bogota as we ascended. It is ginormous, and is a city of 8 million people, hence the heinous traffic. The top of the mountain is where an old monastery is located, and many gorgeous sculptures of the days leading up to the crucifixion, Jesus dying on the cross, and the resurrection. The sculptures are amidst gorgeous gardens. The area was built hundreds of years ago and truly is remarkable.
We meandered through a bizarre where venders were selling all sorts of trinkets, snacks, clothes, and souvenirs. It was fascinating. Then we went through a market where every vendor was selling the exact same thing. Brent thought it looked great, I was repulsed. He is a far more adventurous eater than I am. There were freshly stuffed sausages, whole chickens, plantains stuffed with mozzarella and something purple, soups, and a few other options. It smelled the same way as the lab smelled in high school when we dissected frogs, rats, and sheep eyes. It wasn't appetizing in the least, but those vendors were certainly proud of their food.
We settled for a cafe that had traditional Colombian food and some more simple options. Brent had eggs, rice, pulled pork, salsa, and beans. The kids and I had hamburgers. I may have mentioned this a few dozen times, but I can't wait for American food! True, hamburgers are pretty American, but I miss American hamburgers and my stomach is growling right now thinking about what all I want to eat when we get home. Brent and I already have a childless date planned for our favorite restaurant, Garrett's.
After we finished eating, we walked around the top of the mountain some more. We then took a funicular down the mountain. This is basically a rail car that follows a track, but is guided by a cable since it is on such a steep incline. It reminded me of a cable car that is on the ground instead of suspended in the air. It truly was an amazing experience, and is a must-do for anybody that finds themselves in Bogota. Surprisingly and rarely, it was a clear day so the views were marvelous. If our internet wasn't heinous, I would post pictures, but that'll have to wait until we are back in America.
We got home and all five of us slept. Samuel and Alex took super long, much needed naps. I tried, but the boys playing soccer in the hallway and the car alarm that went off for an hour made it difficult. Sweet home, quiet, Pike Road is going to feel like heaven. Brent and I wonder what Samuel is going to think about living in a house, not an apartment, having his own back yard, and not hearing sirens, horns, and car alarms all day long.
We were able to FaceTime with several folks this evening. The kids were able to talk to both sets of grandparents, Uncle Travis and Aunt Kelly, Uncle Michael and Aunt Lindsey, and Beth Stanley - our social worker back home. It was nice to see such precious faces, and for Samuel to meet the person who helped us every step of the way to bring him into our wild family.
Now, the kids are in bed and Brent and I are watching the Auburn - LSU game. The Alabama game was very sad, but at least Auburn is beating LSU! Samuel and Lilly Grace enjoyed watching parts of both games with Brent, and they are looking forward to going to an Auburn game together soon after we are home. As you can see, we have a lot of plans for when we return to the states. We can't wait to introduce Samuel to all the south has to offer, all the fun and excitement of fall, and of course to all the friends and family that have prayed for and loved him since before he was officially in our family.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)