Conquering a little boredom

I thought I could bypass the sickness but it struck me hard during the night. I'm much better now after taking it easy most all of the day. My appetite still hasn't come back and luckily I didn't have the sickness as bad as poor Marissa. She was sick for almost 2 days and really bad sick. I'm so grateful to have Rick step in and take over as he does even though he himself was feeling ill too. He even took the kids out to the pool this afternoon for their 3 hours outing in the pool they've grown accustomed to. I was able to get some a little sleep while they were there and so I'm feeling a bit better now.

As both Rick and I were not at 100% this morning and dragging around, we noticed the kids were just completely bored and in almost an instant they began to start acting out, mostly out of sheer boredom. It was a little trying at first but then we both understood they were just bored and not understanding that both their parents were not completely on their gameplan as normal.

Needless to say we've seen some behaviors from it, but its only because they see an opportunity to act independently and some of it comes from not being entertained within our daily routine. There were times when they would get a little mad over not getting their way today and would go pout for a very short time, but each time they came around in no time flat so we can only be grateful to God for His hand in preparing the children for our ways and for the incredible bonding He has presented us. Even the baby is really coming around. He is very stubborn at times and is getting stronger and stronger each day from not getting everything he wants or getting his way. He gets mad and rares back his little body at times but in doing so his muscle control is growing tremendously from him exerting a little of his anger at times. We just changed his formula to Enfamil and he's been great today. He really seems to like it and it does him well. It's hard to believe that he's the same baby we met only 5 days ago. And he has changed so much even in that short time. It's just amazes me how fast they grow and change.

Marissa was proud of herself today for diving into the pool for the first time ever. Into the deep end! And the other 2 kiddos are just water bugs who are progressing so well in swimming and floating. They just took naturally to it.

Rick had the kids out at the playground yesterday and as he was pushing the girls on the swings he turned around to find Fabian was gone. It happened instantly and he just vanished just like that. Then Rick looked up in the tree and that boy had climbed that tree to pick some fruit for him and his sister. He's quick! Climbing fruit-bearing trees might have easily been his survival method in his earlier years. We still have to follow right behind him because he will try to give food to his little baby brother also and sometimes its things that aren't suitable for babies. No doubt about it though these are the children God paired exactly for us and it is so convincingly right. They're just little bundles of energy and fill us with such joy.

Well, off to spend some quality time before bedtime. We've learned they do best when we completely wind down after dinner. They are like all kids when it comes to using every excuse possible to stay up later. Last night Fabian even reminded us he needed his medicine for his cold that he absolutely despises begging to take it... of course we know it was a ploy to stay up for a little while longer. Kids are certainly the same despite the language barrier in that aspect. They always want to stay up like the big folks!

Thanks for your prayers. They are working and we should be all back to 100% in no time flat. We love it when you leave comments too, so feel free. It does mean so much here to hear from our friends and family.

Oh, fresh on my mind, if I had any advice to offer any others who are anticipating a trip to Colombia, I would say learn as much of the spanish language as possible. I'm so thankful for the 2 years of spanish instruction in high school. It has held us through here because we are in a location with only spanish speakers. We're fortunate that our son Fabian also took such an interest in learning english that upon hearing about us, he took some english lessons. He's progressing along at such a rapid rate too. Of course he and Karen had a great foster mother who really encouraged these children to do their best and we're mighty thankful for her guidance and love. The baby also had a wonderful foster mother!

Also, I'm thankful for my network of friends who have prayed for our family in ways that are now seen and experienced with the wonderful bonding impact. My yahoo girls who meet regularly online on Mondays have sure meant so much and the prayers have been answered not only with my case but with other families as they meet their children. What wonderful blessings found in a group of ladies so prayerfully connected!

Goodnight all!
Sending our love!
Genece