Day 8-10: More Fun

We've been a little more busy so my posts haven't been daily. Hopefully, I can catch up three days in one post without too many details. Thursday was a little lazy day for us, which we needed....well Owen needed. Anytime we've taken him out he tends to shut down from all the stimulation and go to sleep. I figured that is his response instead of dealing with it. We've taken him out for short periods except for one day which we didn't realize would be so long so we decided to stay in on Thursday.

Friday was one full week we had with Owen. Magnolia, our translator took us to the local zoo. He actually stayed awake the whole trip, about 2 hrs, although he wasn't his normal bubbly laughing self he did enjoy the trip. Addisyn had a blast! It was so good for her to get out and just have fun. She's been helping feed him and it makes her feel very important and helpful, which she is! I don't know how I raised her without two extra little hands to help out:) I love seeing her enjoy him more and more each day. Here are some pics from the zoo.

With Magnolia--she's wonderful with Addisyn!

Today we went to a sugar cane museum. It was at least an hour drive, we left at 9:30 and returned at 1:30. Owen did fabulous, Addisyn thought it was a little boring:)lol. He slept on the way and then played and giggled throughout the tour. It was a beautiful drive through the countryside and nice to see something outside the city of Cali. Cali is a very large city, about 3 million people. The traffic is terrifying, unlike anything I've ever experienced. There are minimal road lines and NO traffic rules. You just drive how you please, it's crazy and a miracle every time we reach the hotel safely. The good thing is you don't ever get over 30 m/hr because it's so congested.

Many people questioned the safety of travelling to Colombia when we started talking about our adoption, as did we. We knew little, if nothing, about the culture, people, or lifestyles before we started researching. Even still, it is nothing like living here. I can honestly say I've never felt threatened or scared or unsafe. The people have been gracious and kind and very proud of their culture. Of course, we feel uneasy walking around with two Latino children and sticking out but it's more a feeling of what are people thinking of us white Americans with brown skinned babies. Also, because the adoption is finalized there is some fear there until we get that Adoption Decree! Some people embrace us foreignors adopting their children, while some think we're crazy. I've never been one to care much about what others think of my decisions however, I just want to make sure I'm doing what I've been called to do. That's really all any of us are required to do, walk in the path God lays before you. I thank God for where I've been, where I am, and where I am going!

At the sugar cane museum

A tree like I've never seen on the sugar cane farm

Some of the amazing flowers at the sugar cane farm, they probably told us what it was but the tour was in Spanish so I quit listening:)

Last but not least, a hilarious video of Owen learning to spit his pacifier to make us all laugh!