Our First Week Home

For me, it was a week of being very tired, letting the suitcases sit, letting my house be a total disaster...getting "reaquainted" with the kitchen, the wash machine, the school and church schedules...John and I figuring out how to do this thing called "family." It was a week of visitors, fellowship...and amidst all of that...a week nothing short of sheer JOY!! We had no idea how all our kids were going to respond, 2 of them to a new culture and way of life...life in Michigan is a much faster pace for our girls than what it was in Colombia...and things could not be going better!! Not to say that we don't have challenges, but, in reflecting on the last 11+ weeks much progress has been made...Here's a glimpse into our first week as 6 in Michigan...

Isabel and Silas were very excited for Caroline to play in the snow with them...she braved her first venture out in the freezing cold for about 10 minutes, and then decided it was nice, but, would rather watch the kids play out back from the kitchen window where it was cozy and warm...bless her little soul, the next day, she wanted to venture out with Silas while Isabel was at school. 2 minutes later, she came stomping in with blood all over her face...Silas had accidently hit her in the mouth with a shovel...she is a brave one...handled the episode with a few tears and forgiveness...and now very happy to venture out in the snow when big bro and sis come home after school (the shovels are put away)!!

Caroline could not wait to meet her new extended family...as you can see below she is very fond of Sawyer and Ally. She has already had an outing to their house, where John and I had to leave for 2 hours, and had a blast!! No fears, no worries...happy as can be!! This is the Caroline we are seeing more and more, as she is showing so much security with us, now that we are home. She does not test us like she used to, no more tantrums, less whining...I am so proud of her. Healing is taking place, trust is being built stronger...

Uncle Kevin and Aunt Marcy stopped by first...and after a minute, it was like the kids had known them all their lives...a big help to this was all the photos I could pull up on the computer of family while in Colombia...it was one of Caroline's favorite things to do...

...Cousins are the best...

...and then at night Uncle Curt and Aunt Kim's family came over with Grandpa and Grandma VS...they were all excited and happy to meet more new boy cousins...

Uncle Curt has a special gift with little ones...and within 2 minutes he already stole Caroline's heart...she did not want to let him go when it was time to go home...she keeps asking me when she gets to go visit their house...

Ahhh...our family and friends continue to amaze and bless us! From a freezer full of meals and goodies, to my cousin just making a meal for us tonight...to John coming home with a special gift from my friends at school...I could go on and on...one night we had so much fun opening the mail, where we each had a little note, a special request for each of us...and then a gift card for each of us to share with the rest of the family, from Captain Sunday, to Sweet Treats...Melinda and Brent, we had a blast with that...so creative!!!

Isabel has had a bit of a hard time wanting to let her little sisters in her room. Caroline is very curious, and wants everything that she has...Isabel has been pushing especially Caroline away...but, when bath time hits...it is a very special bonding time for them, and I can tell that in their hearts, they are really becoming "sisters."

Silas and Isabel have always enjoyed putting on "shows" for John and I. They both LOVE music, Isabel loves to dance, Silas loves making us laugh...and we are very happy to see that whenever they go off and "practice" they always include Caroline in this...another fun thing that is allowing them to slowly bond...we have found that Caroline is our "pleaser" and she wants to do everything well...encouragment goes a very long ways with her...

And yes, I did not forget about Marta. How could we?! She has done some very amazing things this week...our little strong-willed wonderful one has given us a few surprises...

She is WALKING...solo...no help...

She is always making all of us laugh...it's her mischevious personality, her buck teeth, her temper tantrums...It is not in John's personality to tease and pester, but, with Marta he just can't help it...

And...she is not spitting every solid food out anymore. We have witnessed her eating lasagna, soup, chicken, cereal, fruit...she still can get upset with her choice of foods, BUT, in 1 week, with not giving her any choices (hotel Paris was great...but, they loved serving her big helpings of oatmeal when she sqwaaked loudly...she learned quickly that wasn't going to happen at home)

...and if she is thirsty enough, she will drink out of a sippie cup...we have won this battle (most days)...and we all are happier!!!

When Silas is home, he and Caroline can play well together. I still have to put out a few arguments a day, listen to Caroline tattle repetatively, watch Silas come unglued on her or me when he thinks we just aren't being fair, and always keep a very close eye on 2 very curious 4 year olds...

When Silas is at school, I will find Caroline "mothering" Marta...although Marta does not respond well to her "mothering" as Marta likes to be in full control of their play...as you can see below, Caroline just wants to help Marta with the stroller...she approaches her very gently and kind...

...Marta does not like any help or any instruction...although she can not talk, she uses her grunts, screams, and facial expressions to get what she wants with her siblings...letting out a naughty giggle every time. I'm just waiting for Silas to not find it very cute, just once, and come unglued on her like he does his other 2 sisters...

After being home 1 week, I turned a corner...it was a really hard transition for me that first week. I expected it to be. Thanks to my parents for babysitting, getting all 4 kiddos down, so John and I could just sit and talk for a few hours...that really helped both of us get our "bearings" and together are now ready to face life as a family of six...

God has been so good and kind to our family...giving us our hearts desires...a home full of laughter and chaos!! His ways are not our ways, sometimes the road to follow is long and difficult...but, man, it is so worth moving towards Him in obedience when He lays something, big or small, on our hearts!! Worth it all!! So worth it!!!

Welcome Home Caroline and Marta!!

Detroit Airport...

No need to journal this post...as you can see...it is SO GOOD to be reunited as a family of 6!

Our Day of Travel

Our day of travel didn't start off as we had expected. When Johnny took us to the airport we discovered that our flight was cancelled. Bags packed, kiddos excited to go to "Estados Unidos..." What were we going to do...

Well, showing a little (ok a lot of ) emotion, and a lot of effort from Delta,we were soon put on an Avianca airplane to Miami, FL. It departed the same time as the Delta flight was suppossed to depart...but, after 1 1/2 hours of trying to switch everything over, I was literally running with the girls in the stroller through the gate, entering the plane with only 5 minutes to spare.

The girls were absolutely amazing the the plane, sleeping the whole flight to Miami (ok, I confess, a little kids dramamine calmed the spirits). From there we went through immigration (which went very smoothly). It's a different feeling arriving in the Miami airport than Atlanta. It did not feel like I was on American turf just yet...I think I was the only American in the airport until I went to sit at our gate that was headed to Detroit.

With 30 minutes to spare, we had a snack and boarded the airplance. They upgraded us to first class for the "hassle" Delta put us through...this flight went quickly, only 1 little meltdown from Caroline....and then we landed in Detroit. The only bummer was that other than Grandparents, famiily and friends couldn't come to the airport...I played that up with the girls, so, Caroline was wondering where everyone was. But, it really went well...and was so fun to arrive home at 11pm and watch Caroline and Marta take in their new home. By the time Isabel and Silas showed them around...we hit the pillows at 1 am...and all slept sound late into the morning!!

It's good to be home!!! So GOOD!!!

Sentencia Party

This is it...our last photos taken in Colombia...

We spent our last week in Bogota with the Houseman family, Thompson family, and a family from France...precious children...

...the band...

...Guillermo and Marta...

...Dave and Tammy...I am going to miss you...

...my sweet daughter was determined to have a front row seat...

...Valeria getting Dave on his feet...

...precious Camila forever in our hearts...

...Camila's Papi...

...Caroline enjoying the night (once she overcame the loud music)...

...the best cook in Colombia...Juanita...

...Katya loving on my girl...

Good bye Colombia!!

Good-Byes

I wanted to end this journey with one more blog entry before I am home. With my internet still down I can not post any pictures, but, I want to journal my thoughts, as always, the last day in Colombia is a very bitter sweet day for me. I have tears streaming down my face as I am typing. It is hard to say good-bye to so many dear friends. It is hard to say good-bye to the place that has been my daughter's home for the last 4 years (and of course, Marta, 20 months)...take a breath, Kristi...not only has this been our home for the last 10 1/2 weeks...but, Colombia has been in our hearts for the last 7 years...and will forever have a place deep within us! It is where God has formed our family, it is where our Representatives and Hotel staff were once just that, but, now life long friends...it is a beautiful country full of joy and despair...poverty and hope...

So, to give you a glimpse at the lat 24 hours. Last night we had our Sentencia party! Everyone taking lots of photos, Juanita making my favorite meal (Rice, Carne, Queso, and the BEST guacomole/advocado dip)!! And as dinner was winding up, Katya, again surprised us with the Colombian band that came in...more desserts...lots of dancing...at this point my heart was overwhelmed with gratitude for all that the hotel staff has done for our family...and yet it was such a special time, I couldn't help but ache to have the rest of us (John, Isabel, Silas) here. Isabel would have had so much fun dancing and meeting Camila's papi. Caroline and Marta enjoyed it...I think Marta is going to be the other dancer in the family.

And then today...we had a quiet morning of packing...still can't close my suitcases...ay!! And after lunch it was a quick run to Mimos for Caroline and Jacob Houseman, one last stop at the bank, and a pastry store to buy treats for the Hotel and Isabel Romero. Isabel then picked me up this after noon and we headed back to the Embassy. We couldn't really look at each other when we talked because neither one of us wanted to cry. We picked up the girls visas. She took me back to her home to meet her grandson, Julian because I was giving her the business that he wasn't at the Christmas party, and he is very special to her...when his mother died,he lived with her...and she has raised him the last 5 years. It also gave me a chance to say good-bye to Carmen. She was so precious...she handed me this small little pouch, and in that pouch was something small for each of the kids to give to them in the future to remind them of their roots, and encourage them to be all that they can be in the future...precious...then Isabel and I said our good-byes...that was very hard...her and I have connected in a very different way this time around...she is like an aunt and a very dear friend to me...then Katya comes upstairs...closes the door, and just hugs Marta and cries. Katya still calls me "Mrs." A while ago I told her she could call me Kristi, but, it is a sign of respect to call someone "Senora or Mrs." We hugged and cried. She can come across a bit abrupt and bossy at times...but, has found a special place in my heart.

And again, tonight, they made my 2nd favorite meal...lasagna Camila took a bath with Caroline...and then dined with us. She told her mom that she was going to come live with us in Michigan...oh she wants to live in the states (and so does her mom)...and then I said my good-byes to all the wonderful staff (Juanita, Guirellmo, Valeria, Carolina)...expained as much as I can about our big day tomorrow for Caroline, tucked them in...and sat in the room and cried.

So, I've said many good-byes today. That was hard...last time with Silas we knew we were going to return for another adoption...there is something much more final about this time...even if we return in the future...a vacation or mission trip is so different from an adoption experience...This journey truly has been a journey of faith, maybe that is why it is hard to say good-bye...I had many "desert" days here (when john went home the first time...and the last 2 week stretch), where I had nothing but a desperate need for Jesus to get me through...there is something beautiful about that...and letting my Jesus fill me up...some days it took all that I had...and then God surrounded me with amazing friends here...and amazing friends back home praying...I still am overwhelmed with emotion when I think about that...

And ahhh...on to the next part of this venture. I am SO excited to see my family and friends it almost hurts!! I miss John, Isabel, and Silas so much that I flood with tears when I think about them! Although flying is not my favorite thing to do in the world...and taking 2 new little ones on the plane, through immigration, sitting at layovers is a dreadful thought to me...I am READY and I think able to get through tomorrow...prayer warriors please don't stop. I can tell Caroline has such a mix of emotions. She is excited, very nervous, one minute talking all about it, the next, not so sure....Marta, well, you never know with Marta...she is our stubborn one, with a bit of a temper, so, hopefully will keep her cool tomorrow!

That's it from Colombia! Again, faithful followers and prayer warriors...I could not have done this without you! I praise God for you...and can't wait to see many of you at home!!!

We're Coming Home...Saturday!!!

It's 12:30...and everything has gone as hoped this morning.  I had an interview with the US Embassy, and the girls visas are being processed... Isabel R. and I will go to pick them up at 3:30 tomorrow afternoon.  

Family, my computer is still down, so, I can not skype you to go over the details.  I could not open our flights on this computer...I do know we will be arriving in GR Saturday Night!!!

Keep little Caroline in your prayers...she has been a roller coaster this week...so much for her to take in all at once (including a measles immunization and  a visit to the dentist...with Isabel's nephew-in-law...we accomplished 2 fillings on the 2 worst teeth that were really bothering her...but, she still has a mouth full of cavities!!!  Poor things)!

This afternoon will be spent packing, packing, and packing...and tonight a party to celebrate!!!

The Paper Chase Continues...

My computer is down right now...so, I am borrowing the Housemans computer (they have been my angels this last week...just when I felt like I was going to fizzle, there they were)!!!

But, I wanted to give family a heads up as to what is going on...

Tomorrow morning first thing we are off to pick up our "conformity" letter from ICBF.  If that happens by 10:30, we head to the US Embassy with the girls for a long appointment...it takes 24 hours to process the girls visa, but, if that goes well, we can pick them up on Friday.  

So, I tentatively booked our flights for Saturday.  That would put us in GR airport at 9:20.  If the above does not go as planned, then it will be Tuesday or Weds. as Friday the Embassy is closed for processing...and Tuesday flights are "iffy" as the plane is almost full...so keep praying.

I'll keep you posted once I know more!!