Colombian Countryside

Saturday we took the boys to an artisian store called Maku. The boys each chose one thing as a special reminder of Bogota. We also purchased some beautiful linens for special occasions. There were some beautiful nativity sets but we were concerned they would not survive the flight home. Later in the day we went to a restaurant comparable to McDonalds called Presto. They have a five story indoor playground and the boys enjoyed climbing, jumping and sliding.

Sunday we took a van with two other families to El Dorado Lake for a five mile hike. We were concerned but the children made the hike just fine. The countryside here is very beautiful and lush. At the bottom we enjoyed corn roasted over an open grill. Then we traveled into the city for an outdoor lunch of chicken roasted on a spit. It was very tasty. Once we finished eating the afternoon was spent walking around the town and looking at handmade goods. On the ride home we enjoyed spectacular scenery and grand views of Bogota. Johnnatan and Juan enjoyed a nice nap as we traveled back to the hotel.

Here are some photos from Presto and El Dorado Lake.

Sentencia!

Yesterday afternoon we went before the judge for the final decree. It was an informal ceremony in his office. The judge said he likes to make these events very special. He spoke to us from his heart and was very greatful that we were keeping the three boys together. This man has a great heart for the children here and likes to see them move forward to a better life. He also presented us with a special letter written as if from the children to us. There were many tears and hugs. We all shared cake and much joy. Jeison even teared up a bit at one point as the judge told him ¨no more will you seek your hearts desire because now you have your family forever¨.

The drive to downtown Bogota was beautiful despite the rain as beautiful lush mountains surrounded us. After Sentencia we stopped for empanadas and then were given a tour of downtown Bogota. The drive back gave us spectacular views of the city as we ascended into the mountains again. It was a truly special day for us all.

At supper last night each of the boys took turns saying in English ¨My name is ____ Schiefelbein¨ Larry and I became tickled with one another when I asked him a question and he responded with ¨Que?¨ Our first instinct is becoming to speak in Spanish. So we know this will also happen with the boys in a few weeks as well. Jeison continues to ask how to say everything in English and even Juan is now doing the same. Johnnatan does not seem as interested but we know he will do fine as well.

We are so greatful to God for all his blessings. We feel so honored to have these children and every day is a new adventure.

Rainy Days in Bogota

So, much rain this week! Tuesday we tried to go to the Childrens Museum but it was closed. Juan was testing the waters a bit more yesterday so Larry took Jeison and Johnnatan to Mimos for ice cream and the indoor playground. Juan has now figured out that good behavior makes for a much more fun filled day. We all had a great morning and then went to the Childrens Museum. They have a 747 that the children tour and learn about flying, so it was important that we prep them for the trip home. Speaking of which we just learned that we are supposed to sign with the Judge tomorrow afternoon. So, that means we will probably be home by next weekend. YEAH!!! So, please pray the next week will go smoothly with visas, embassy doctor appointments and such. We are so ready to be back in the United States. The photo is from the Childrens Museum today.

What day is it?

We keep losing track of the days. I guess that is good since we are in limbo and must wait for the courts now. The days are filled with games, the park, indoor playgrounds, movies and walks to the store. Today it is rainy so we will probably just stay at the hotel.

We have made it through initial trials with all the boys. The agency prepared us and we just had to wait for it to happen. First, Johnnatan was put into timeout and was told he had to say he was sorry before he could get up. After an hour an a half he finally did but in the meantime he whimpered and cried and when he finally did say he was sorry my heart broke. We both cried and gave hugs and said I love you. It was a big moment of realization for both of us I think. Larry was downstairs ensuring the other two did not come up to interfere. Then, Jeison did not want to brush his teeth because he was pouting. We told him to brush his teeth or he would lose a toy, that it was his choice. He sat for about 10 minutes and then brushed his teeth. Lastly, Juan became upset during breakfast about something. He did not want to sit in his chair so Larry took him upstairs. I had to physically restrain him for two hours because he was mad and wanted to hit us. The choice was to calm down and he could go back down to eat or he had to sit with Mama. After the two hours he calmed down and said he was sorry so we took him downstairs to eat. He wanted Mama the rest of the day and stayed very close.

Another family here is having similar issues and said that these children are disciplined very harshly with hitting and such. This is why they lash out with hitting when they are angry, it is what they have been taught. Juan is really the only one who does this but it is not acceptable in our family and he is learning that truth. Johnnatan and Jeison lash out with hitting one another when angry and they are understanding that it is not acceptable.

We are also working on table manners. The children tend to grab for the food when it is placed on the table. I think in the orphanage they probably had to do this to get enough to eat. They also make a big deal of getting as much as each other. We explained that it is not necessary to grab and that there is plenty and they must ask for what they want. They also like to point and not ask. But we make them ask for what they want. It is going well and just a matter of breaking bad habits.

Jeison is very excited about learning English. He points to everything and asks how to say it in English and then we ask him to tell us in Spanish. Mutual learning. He has a notebook we purchased and he writes down the words. He is so excited about his English class today and was sad over the weekend that their was no class. The teacher said that Juan was more of a distraction so Larry and I will just spend special time with him. Johnnatan does not seem that interested but every now and then will blurt out something in English.

Here are some photos of face painting at McDonalds yesterday. I think they are supposed to be action heroes.

Horses and English Lessons

This morning the boys watched a show on Discovery Kids where a man made horses using newspaper, staples and paint. The basic concept - draw a horse on paper, make sure there are two sheets and then cut it out. Staple the two sheets together but leave an opening. Fill the opening with crumpled paper and then add a piece to the back so the horse can hang on something. Jeison and Johnnatan said they wanted to make the horse. So, Larry took them to the store for supplies. Juan and I stayed behind because it was raining. The boys did everything themselves except for a little help with attaching the back piece for hanging.

We decided to begin English tutoring for the boys. The tutor will come two hours a day. So far it seems to be going well and they are eager to learn. Sometimes situations are more difficult because we cannot understand what they are asking or need to explain something but we do not know the words. So, we have to take out the computer and use a translator online. It is great that Jeison can read because some explanations are long.

So, another day is almost gone and we are thankful that the days seem to pass quickly.

ICBF appointment went well

We arrived at ICBF and they took the children into another room and questioned them. They wanted to know if they were happy and what activities we had been doing with them. Then they brought them back into the room with us and told us what they said and it was all good. They wanted to know if we had any questions or concerns. Then they also asked us some questions about the children such as are they eating and sleeping well. They were very pleased and congratulated us on bonding with the children. So now the paperwork starts moving through the courts.

This afternoon we took them to a McDonalds playground after lunch. They spent a couple of hours running and sliding and chasing one another. We met a couple that was from Houston, Texas and were visiting family here. That is about it for today....more tomorrow.

Feeling Better

We want to thank all of you for your comments. They lift us up each day! My fever broke during the night and the ladies here gave me some special things to eat and drink today. They are really wonderful and have seen many families become sick here and know just what to do. What a blessing they have been to us. So, we ventured out to get ice cream for the boys. The ice cream parlor (Mimo's) also has a two story indoor playground and the boys really enjoyed themselves. They were so excited when they realized there was a playground that the ice cream just didn't seem so tasty but we told them first ice cream and then play.

There have been a few timeouts here or there but overall the boys are good. We think they are just testing the waters and need to know what we expect. They so love to tease each other. Also, Jeison says he is 10 years old and Johnnatan 8. So tomorrow at ICBF we will double check.

Bad water

It seems I have contracted a parasite from bad water. At first Juan liked to pour out the good water and run water from the bathroom sink. We tried to keep an eye on it and finally just told him "No Mas". So fever, chills and other unpleasantness. Larry did not feel well the other night but he seems fine now. We already had prescription medication for the consequences of a parasite and the hotel ordered the medicine to kill it.

Larry has been so helpful. I am truly blessed that he has taken care of the boys most of the day. Now Jeison is complaining of a sore throat. Larry went after supper to get some childrens cold medicine.

So, if you could keep us in your prayers for healing we would appreciate it. It is sort of scary that the children may get sick here and we would have to find a doctor for them. Our follow up appointment with ICBF is this Thursday and then the paperwork begins to move through the courts.

Photos of our New Family

The internet has been down here all weekend. Here are some photos posted quickly. The boys are coming out of their shells a little more each day but are still typical boys. They all like to teach each other until we tell them to stop and it is enough. We are learning more spanish every day.

Update on our new family

First we apologize for not sending a new post until now. We have been very busy! The boys are so wonderful and we could not have picked more perfect children for us. God sure knows best!

A little update on Thursday when we met the boys. We arrived at ICBF and learned that the boys were already waiting. They took us into a small room and the social worker talked about each of the boys. We did not learn any new information about them, it was just a recap of what we already knew. After a while I was thinking "Just bring me my children already!" Afterwards Larry said he was thinking the same. They did cut it a little shorter because someone appeared at the door and said that the boys were trying to leave their room to come find us! So, then we met them and it was hugs and kisses all around and they called us Papa and Mama right away.

The boys are all very calm, well mannered and affectionate. They fold their own clothes (Jeison folds clothes better than Mama) and make their beds. They were very happy and appreciative to receive new clothes and anytime we give them something they give a hug and say "Thank you Mama, Thank you Papa".

Jeison wants us to know he can speak a little english and uses english words if he gets the chance. He is so helpful to us with his brothers, if we don´t understand what they want he tries to translate and uses the dictionary we brought to find the words so we understand. The first night Juan did not want to settle down in bed so Jeison went over and said something to him and he then went to sleep. The room has a set of bunk beds and then one single bed for the boys. The first night they slept separately but last night Johnnatan and Juan slept together.

Johnnatan is a bit more reserved with affection than his brothers. He would eat cookies every minute if we would let him. He is constantly asking for galletas, galletas, galletas. It seems that he understands all too well that Mama and Papa are the providers and he likes to ask for things. He does not really like to share much with his brothers once he is given something. He also showers in his underwear.

Juan is the most affectionate and loves to sit with Mama and Papa and give hugs. He also enjoys pouring water from one container into another and has a little bottle of water that must go everywhere with him. They have legos here and he has played with them also.

The first day we walked to a nearby park and played for a bit until Juan was said´"PoPo" so it was back to the hotel for a bano break. Other than that we just played in the back of the hotel on the swingset and kicking beach balls around. The children here like to swing and we roll the balls toward them and they kick them while swinging.

Yesterday we went with another couple to Panaca Sabana and all the children had a great time. They rode ponies and burros. We also survived a hail storm while we were eating. It could not have been timed more perfectly and then once that subsided we took in a few more activities and called it a day. It rains just about every afternoon here.

Lastly the boys love playing computer games, mostly car based. When we first arrived at the hotel and they saw the laptop we just thought they were curious to know what it was. But they kept asking about it so later that day we turned it on and Jeison immediately went to the internet and typed in a spanish free game site. So we let them play a while but then No Mas and out to play!

I have pictures to post but right now the boys are on our laptop and I am posting on the hotel computer for guests. So will post those later today or tonight.

We are so happy and things could not be going better! God has truly blessed us with wonderful children and we are so thankful!

One last restful day

Yesterday morning we walked to the bank and then t0 Unicentro Mall. We purchased some snack foods at Exito and then back to the El Refugio where we are staying. The rest of the day was spent hanging out with the other families here. The hotel is a very relaxed family atmosphere and the meals are very good.

We are so ready and excited to meet our boys today! They are coming to pick us up at 8:45.

We are in Bogota

We arrived at the hotel around 11 after a long day of travel. There were several couples still awake and so we spent about an hour getting to know them. Afterwards we decided to unpack because we were both too wired to sleep. So, now it is the next morning and our plan is to become familiar with the area. So more later! We are so thankful for safe travels and that God has surrounded us with many supportive families here.

Five Magnolia Branches

I walked into a conference room Friday to find friends at work gathered together for a surprise send off. Sitting on the end of the conference room table was a magnolia tree and it’s branches were filled with gift cards and cash. I did not tell Larry but just surprised him with the tree at home and he was overwhelmed by everyone’s generosity. We took a few pictures of the tree and then began to untie the cash, cards and notes from the tree and cried as we were overcome by their generosity and heartfelt wishes. The tree has five main branches, one for each member of our new family. The main branches shoot forth smaller ones which represent our children’s future families. What an amazing thought! We will plant the magnolia with the boys when we return home and it will always remind us how God uses others to show his love. The support and prayers of these people through this journey means more than they will ever know. There are just no words. They also gave me an envelope filled with notes that is only to be "Opened in Colombia". So, more on that in a later post.

On Saturday we received an email from our agency. The phones have been down at the orphanage so they sent someone to check on the boys. They are all well and excited to meet us on Thursday. We are packed and ready to leave in the morning! Thank you Lord for all your blessings!