Festival of Lights

The Christmas season has offically kicked off in Colombia! Today is a holiday to commemorate the immaculate conception (Colombia is predominatly Catholic). So, just like on Sundays, the streets were closed, many people were out biking and running, or strolling along with their families! We have enjoyed 70 degrees and sun every day. Our kids were very happy to spot Santa (or as Caroline calls him "Papa Nieve." On our way to PePe Ganga (store).

Marta loves hanging out with me in the Mobi wrap...this has been a wondeful way for us to bond on our long walks. All the kids love going out every day, which is wonderful...the only challenge we still have is trying to get Caroline to ride in the stroller. She crosses her arms, and says "NO, para bebe!" She thinks it just for babies, and refuses to ride...I think there is a fear there. So, we may start taking taxi's the further we venture out, as her little legs get tired! We don't want to push to hard...each day she is more and more comfortable with us!



Isabel and Silas really enjoy going in the cocina (kitchen) to dance with the wonderful staff at Hotel Paris. Isabel is very fond of Nancy, one of the maids that works here...she is by far the most amazing maid we have ever had! She loves our kids and they all love her!!


At home, Silas does not like to dance...but, when Juanita (the cook) is in the house...watch out! He adored her at 10 months when we adopted him, and now, continues to be very fond of her...he gets mucho mucho besos (kisses) from her! This has been good, because he is not enjoying sharing his mommy with his new sisters. He has had lots of tears and frustrations...but, he also has a lot of great moments with them!

Last night the Christmas season was kicked off with the "festival of lights!" We had our own little candle lighting ceremony, listening to Colombian Christmas music at the hotel with Jenny's family!

Below is Caroline with Kay, Jenny's new mom.

I can't begin to tell you how amazing Isabel has been with her new sisters! She has poured out so much love and affection, often being rejected by Caroline. But, the 2 of them have a special moment every day, and that's bath time. Isabel lets her pour and splash water over her, the Spanish that Isabel knows is blowing us away. (Escuela El Puente at ZCS...words can't express our gratitude toward the education you have given our kids)!!!

So, yes, things continue to go very well! Not to say each one of our kids have not had their moments. Last night, Isabel was extremely sad, and expressed that she wanted to go back to being a family of 4. Silas is really struggling sharing his attention, as Caroline is just as animated and outgoing as him. Caroline finally had a break down yesterday...before her nap she showed her first signs of definace. So, I pulled her in, she resisted at first, and then had a half an hour of crying, laying on me, that showed me she finally let her guard down to feel safe enough to grieve with me. I cried right along with her. We snuggled and nappped together for 2 hours, and she then woke up with smiles for me.

After her nap she experienced a new freedom. She has begun to smile (sometimes) at John and talk to him (sometimes)...she was so full of it, and you will see in the picture below she loves a good time. She giggles more than any little one I know, but, also likes to tease and pester her new siblings. Isabel and Silas did not find her funny last night. She was extremely wound up at dinner, cracking me up. I gave her 2 "time in's" with me...which were really beneficial. One minute she is telling me how much she loves me, and the next calling me "Senora" not Mami. She is always calling Papa "Senor" and finds it very funny. It is cracking me up, as it's just all a part of the process to having her feel safe and trust us. She is unbelievably bright, and we have to be on our toes!

Below is my favorite picture. Caroline has not wanted to have Silas in any pictures with her. Last night, her walls came down and she is finally letting her big brother into her heart! As you can see, it makes him very happy!

Please keep us in your prayers. Tomorrow we return back to Los Pisingos for our ICBF interview with the Committee at Pisingso. This officially begins our adoption process and gets us into the courts. But, our prayer is for the tour, that each one of our kids would not regress by being back there, but, that it would be a time of healing, closure, and blessing over our family!

Love to you all!