Sorry for my lack in posts, just been somewhat busy and by the time I get a chance in the evening to post I'm too tired. I thought I'd try something different and post while Owen is sleeping this morning and Addisyn is doing school work with Chuck--it's his turn today. On that note, school work has been difficult at best. She is totally out of her element and its just not conducive to sitting and studying. We've tried every imaginable tactic...structure, discipline, make it fun, change locations, rewards, withholding things, and lastly bribery...all to no avail. So we started first thing this morning after breakfast, stressed the importance last night, and explained we expect the attitude to change or no fun today whatsoever...so far she's doing good!
On Friday we went to Chipichape Mall on the suggestion of many people just to eat a great burger at El Corral. I must say it fully satisfied. Addy saw the McDonald's and we were certain that would be our destination, but she agreed to El Corral and she ate all her burger and fries! We found a few gifts at a small store but not as many as I wanted. Chuck was ready to leave after 5 minutes and I could've spent all day shopping, however carrying a 9mth old on your hip is more tireing than I remember. When a stranger in the shop ask me if that was my baby and I responded yes and got a stare...I thought maybe we should go! She was friendly, don't misread into it, it was just she kept asking questions, she lived in Miami for a while so her English was great and she didn't mind asking me anything. I ask Magnolia what the general feeling of Colombians were to foreignors adopting here...she said very good but the biggest thing is that many people can not fathom why we would want to adopt a child of another race, a child from here. There is still alot of seperation of races here and you see it. There is a great divide between classes and most generally you do not escape the class you were born into. That of course, makes me painfully sad when thinking where Owen would be because he was born into the lowest class possible. He came to us with nothing, not even the clothes on his back because we provided an outfit for him so they could keep the clothes he had. As a Christian, the parallel is striking, you can not help but see your faith and your relationship with Christ in a different way. I understand more how God loves all of us just as we come to Him, empty handed, and gives us a new name, clothes us with righteousness, and loves us as His own just as scripture says. My hope is that as people see our family they make this connection, how love truly can be unconditional. My hope is that as the people of Colombia see all these families of so many blended colors and demographics the colors and lines begin to fade.
On a lighter note, much lighter I have a hilarious story to tell of another incounter with a stranger in the grocery store. This involves Chuck! His job has been grocery shopping and he has done it so well. The diapers have been an issue for him from day one, however. This time round he was determined to get the right size and kind. In the stores there is a clerk in each aisle, obviously to watch shoplifting but also to assist customers. Chuck said he had the right diapers in his sight but hesitated just a minute and the clerk approached him asking if he needed help, or so he assumed that's what she said. At which point he said his brain frooze. He knows some spanish but it is minimal, and when put under pressure it goes out the window. She ask him how old the child was, and he understood that question however he responded "dose anos"! At which point she glares and gives him the strangest look and responds " Que, DOCE ANOS???" ....ok so for those who don't know.....he said 12 years old!!! I ask what he did then because he said he realized he said 12 yrs old at that point and he just said no no no and picked up a pack and left! and...yes they were too big! poor chuck.
Here are some pictures of our visit to a wildlife park on Saturday and a wonderful lunch out yesterday. We are hoping to hear something from our lawyer this week about our Sentencia....also known as court meeting to sign the adoption deed in which is our next step before we can leave for Bogota. Once we get the adoption decree his new birth certificate will be issued and translated and we get his passport and head to the next step. Praying we hear something this week!
Addisyn just got to skype with her entire class and oh my how excited she was! It made her day and she is so happy. Thank you Karen for taking time to do this for her....she has ask me a thousand times if she would get to or not. I appreciate it.
Ecopark visit on Saturday
Addisyn at the Ecopark...bamboo bench
On Trampoline at a resturaunt with friends
Improvised play for Owen this morning in the bathtub
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