Wow, survival without internet has been an interesting few days indeed. Almost a week without it -- how spoiled I now know I am! I can only see it as a sign from God to let me see the important things in life and right now it is my family who needs me more than ever! God only gives enough to us and only gives enough to sustain our direct needs and that's been so evident in this situation with the internet. We really needed to only check on 3 things although we would have loved to enter a blog about our happenings. But like I said, priority-wise we only needed the internet long enough to pay our electric bill before it went late, then pay a credit card, then check with our bank. Without internet for days we were a little worried whether or not these tasks would be able to be carried through, but then 2 days ago we had internet just for only 5 minutes -- just long enough to get the electric bill paid and to check our bank statement. The other task wasn't able to be accomplished in the time the internet was up, so we thanked God for the little window he opened for us to get the electric bill paid at least. Just today we were able to again connect and it seems to be operational now, and we were able to use Skype to pay the credit card (which I thought was late) and much to my surprise, it was due today. Again, a true representation of how God provides only just enough to sustain us through our needs.
We still have no word on our case but we hope to hear some good news soon. It could come at any time now and we are just waiting for the judge to sign the decree which is called the sentencia.
Last night we went to a mall that's almost brand new and has only been opened for about 2 months. We forgot that the children had probably never been on an elevator and when the doors shut we soon got the same reactions from the 2 older kids as if they were on the "Tower of Terror" ride at Disneyland. Of course it was one of the newer ones made of all glass and we were going up a few floors. They just went nuts jumping up and down and screaming so loud. Those other people on the elevator didn't know what to think of them. It was wild! Later when we were ready to take the elevator down our boy Fabian refused at first to go. We had to really coax him into going. Going down 3 floors was a little different and not as crazy as the first time. The baby even reacted to the trip down. His little eyes got so big and he appeared to be holding his breath out of fear for what was happening. These are just some of the firsts for our kids and it's been so neat to encounter these times with them.
I'll go for now so we can get the kids a snack. They are getting a little restless right now. More later. It's so good to be back in communication with everyone! Internet is a great thing! Thank you Lord for all the finer things in life! We are very grateful for His faithfulness!
Love, Genece
WEATHER IN CUCUTA
Friday, November 30, 2007
Saturday, November 24, 2007
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
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
Friday, November 23, 2007
Another Good Day
Today was a good day even if my tummy said a little less. Both Rick and myself have been successfully riding this bug out and so far it has been tolerable, just causing a little nausea, but poor Marissa got hit hard. She did get to feeling better by mid-day today but she seemed to celebrate her feeling better a bit too fast and soon learned after a trip to the playground that she needed to get back in bed and was still a little sick. Poor little girl but we're glad she's so much better than yesterday. She had us a bit worried yesterday with how sick she was.
Despite nursing Marissa back to good health, we really couldn't be more blessed. Our children are bonding so well with us and we haven't really seen the meltdowns others talk about. There's a little sibling rivalry at times but nothing unexpected. They are learning our ways and our boundaries even though at times they try to push the envelope as all children would. They are overall very well-behaved children and are most always polite. I haven't taken them to the store yet but Rick says it's a trying experience because they touch everything and they ask for everything, which we both understand will take some time to work through. They love going to the store with their Papi because they always get to ride the little rides outside the store. I'm not sure if the bulldozer or the airplane is Fabian's favorite, but I sure know Karen's favorite is the little car because she says it goes "vroom, vroom Mami!" She has this petite little screechy voice and when she gets excited it gets faster and moves up in the very screechy range. She's cute with the emphasis she places on so many things we take for granted. Little things really mean alot to the children and it pleases our souls to see them as thankful as they are. They really do have great manners. Fabian is much more organized with his belongings and loves Mariachi-style music. He loves soccer too but we haven't seen so much of that. He'd pick watching either Power Rangers or cartoons over any sports from what we've witnessed. Also, yesterday we might have goofed by letting him control the remote for the TV. OOPS, we should have never done that... Marissa said, "Mom, please take that remote away --he's making us watch Power Rangers for the 7th straight time now!" It was hilarious! Karen is such a daddy's girl but every once in a while she'll warm up to me. She's a little shy at times and gets a little embarrassed at times. She winds up completely at night but is hard to get to wake up in the morning, sort of like her mami and Marissa. I mean, c'mon, las chicas like their beauty sleep! She loves Cheetos and she's so funny because she was asking her Papi yesterday for some chips and speaking english. She said, "Give me my cheetos! Give me my cheetos!" It sounded so melodic and sweet that how could Rick say no... She has him wrapped around her finger, definitely! She also loves dolls! So much!! Every commercial that comes on that has a doll advertised, she says she likes that one. Today Rick bought them a toy at the store and you guessed it, she got a doll. Fabian got a car that you can change the wheels on it.They love their sunglasses which we held off until yesterday to give them. They think they are movie stars or something, and they can't go anywhere outside of the room without their sunglasses! Styling kiddos! Probably the most struggle of all is keeping the kids from spoiling the baby. Okay, truth be known, he is spoiled! Really! But we are trying to keep the other children, mainly Fabian, focused on being a child and not having to feel responsible to tend to the baby. He has a natural tendency to keep the baby from crying. But we made some real headway l night when we let the baby cry to sleep and Fabian really had a hard time at first but he listened to me and found out that Mami knows what she's talking about when I say that the baby will cry himself to sleep and it's okay to do so. We have been easing into this and at the same time trying to tell the kids we love all of them and that they are our forever family, and we accept and love them unconditionally. This morning Fabian came out of the shower and baby Luis was crying away for no reason and where the boy just yesterday would have picked his little brother up without hestitation, he leaned over and started mimicking the crying. What a breakthrough! Well the kids and Rick are back from swimming so I'll sign off. Please keep our family in your prayers - For everyone's health be renewed and our process to move along within the courts.
May God bless you,
Much love, Genece
Despite nursing Marissa back to good health, we really couldn't be more blessed. Our children are bonding so well with us and we haven't really seen the meltdowns others talk about. There's a little sibling rivalry at times but nothing unexpected. They are learning our ways and our boundaries even though at times they try to push the envelope as all children would. They are overall very well-behaved children and are most always polite. I haven't taken them to the store yet but Rick says it's a trying experience because they touch everything and they ask for everything, which we both understand will take some time to work through. They love going to the store with their Papi because they always get to ride the little rides outside the store. I'm not sure if the bulldozer or the airplane is Fabian's favorite, but I sure know Karen's favorite is the little car because she says it goes "vroom, vroom Mami!" She has this petite little screechy voice and when she gets excited it gets faster and moves up in the very screechy range. She's cute with the emphasis she places on so many things we take for granted. Little things really mean alot to the children and it pleases our souls to see them as thankful as they are. They really do have great manners. Fabian is much more organized with his belongings and loves Mariachi-style music. He loves soccer too but we haven't seen so much of that. He'd pick watching either Power Rangers or cartoons over any sports from what we've witnessed. Also, yesterday we might have goofed by letting him control the remote for the TV. OOPS, we should have never done that... Marissa said, "Mom, please take that remote away --he's making us watch Power Rangers for the 7th straight time now!" It was hilarious! Karen is such a daddy's girl but every once in a while she'll warm up to me. She's a little shy at times and gets a little embarrassed at times. She winds up completely at night but is hard to get to wake up in the morning, sort of like her mami and Marissa. I mean, c'mon, las chicas like their beauty sleep! She loves Cheetos and she's so funny because she was asking her Papi yesterday for some chips and speaking english. She said, "Give me my cheetos! Give me my cheetos!" It sounded so melodic and sweet that how could Rick say no... She has him wrapped around her finger, definitely! She also loves dolls! So much!! Every commercial that comes on that has a doll advertised, she says she likes that one. Today Rick bought them a toy at the store and you guessed it, she got a doll. Fabian got a car that you can change the wheels on it.They love their sunglasses which we held off until yesterday to give them. They think they are movie stars or something, and they can't go anywhere outside of the room without their sunglasses! Styling kiddos! Probably the most struggle of all is keeping the kids from spoiling the baby. Okay, truth be known, he is spoiled! Really! But we are trying to keep the other children, mainly Fabian, focused on being a child and not having to feel responsible to tend to the baby. He has a natural tendency to keep the baby from crying. But we made some real headway l night when we let the baby cry to sleep and Fabian really had a hard time at first but he listened to me and found out that Mami knows what she's talking about when I say that the baby will cry himself to sleep and it's okay to do so. We have been easing into this and at the same time trying to tell the kids we love all of them and that they are our forever family, and we accept and love them unconditionally. This morning Fabian came out of the shower and baby Luis was crying away for no reason and where the boy just yesterday would have picked his little brother up without hestitation, he leaned over and started mimicking the crying. What a breakthrough! Well the kids and Rick are back from swimming so I'll sign off. Please keep our family in your prayers - For everyone's health be renewed and our process to move along within the courts.
May God bless you,
Much love, Genece
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Trying for a Lazy Day
First off, Happy Thanksgiving! We certainly tried to have a lazy day and it started off that way. We were all prepared for a relaxing little day, but poor Marissa got real sick and has been feeling terrible all day. She's kept me busy all day with helping her out. Please pray that this bug work its way through and that her health be restored.
Well, just as I was about to report on how everything else is running smoothly and how fortunate we are for only one sick child, it would appear that I'm going to have to put Luis in another bath to clean him up. Just when I thought the coast was clear and there would be smooth sailing for the rest of the night... oh well, the things we mothers must endure for our children.
More later if I get a chance. We're hoping to get all in bed tonight for an early morning meeting with the ICBF regarding how we're bonding, and its set for the first thing in the morning so we want to be prepared.
Goodnight from beautiful Cucuta! Ciao! Genece
Well, just as I was about to report on how everything else is running smoothly and how fortunate we are for only one sick child, it would appear that I'm going to have to put Luis in another bath to clean him up. Just when I thought the coast was clear and there would be smooth sailing for the rest of the night... oh well, the things we mothers must endure for our children.
More later if I get a chance. We're hoping to get all in bed tonight for an early morning meeting with the ICBF regarding how we're bonding, and its set for the first thing in the morning so we want to be prepared.
Goodnight from beautiful Cucuta! Ciao! Genece
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Still working through the photo issues
Hola,
Still having issues with the photo downloads that won't go through, but I will at least report on our day. We started off leisurely, which we should know by now is not the thing to do. As we were about to get ready to go to breakfast we got a call from Alexandra who said they would be coming for us at 9:45 for a 10am appointment with the notary. I'm guessing the call came in at no earlier than 9:20 or so, because once again we hurried to get ready. After we completed the notary business we got the kids' pictures done for their passports. They were so cute and so excited. We walked downtown for a little while and had lunch then came back to the hotel. Of course, the kids kept saying, "when can we go in the pool" which is their most popular question of the day and they repeat it over and over, no matter what answer you give. Definitely the highlight of their day! They're actually learning swimming techniques very well, but poor Papi who is the "pool ornament" with 3 little kiddos climbing on him and waiting their turn for him to throw them out of the water on the count of 3.
Today marked the day that Luis really opened up to Rick. The little guy is really feeling much better and we thank you for your prayers. Now if we could just get our oldest son well everyone would be in great health.
I hope to get those pictures for you soon. I really want to show off our wonderful children. They are so cute and they've bonded so well with us and it happened almost instantaneous. This was our interpreter's first time participating in an adoption and she continues to remark about how touching our "Gotcha day" was. She says it was pure love and so beautiful to witness such an event.
More later but I must get back to trying to download the photos. Keep our family lifted up!
May God bless you!
Love, Genece
Still having issues with the photo downloads that won't go through, but I will at least report on our day. We started off leisurely, which we should know by now is not the thing to do. As we were about to get ready to go to breakfast we got a call from Alexandra who said they would be coming for us at 9:45 for a 10am appointment with the notary. I'm guessing the call came in at no earlier than 9:20 or so, because once again we hurried to get ready. After we completed the notary business we got the kids' pictures done for their passports. They were so cute and so excited. We walked downtown for a little while and had lunch then came back to the hotel. Of course, the kids kept saying, "when can we go in the pool" which is their most popular question of the day and they repeat it over and over, no matter what answer you give. Definitely the highlight of their day! They're actually learning swimming techniques very well, but poor Papi who is the "pool ornament" with 3 little kiddos climbing on him and waiting their turn for him to throw them out of the water on the count of 3.
Today marked the day that Luis really opened up to Rick. The little guy is really feeling much better and we thank you for your prayers. Now if we could just get our oldest son well everyone would be in great health.
I hope to get those pictures for you soon. I really want to show off our wonderful children. They are so cute and they've bonded so well with us and it happened almost instantaneous. This was our interpreter's first time participating in an adoption and she continues to remark about how touching our "Gotcha day" was. She says it was pure love and so beautiful to witness such an event.
More later but I must get back to trying to download the photos. Keep our family lifted up!
May God bless you!
Love, Genece
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Pictures from our first day together
I'm having a bit of a problem posting pictures but I'm bound and determined to accomplish my goal and get them up somehow. So I ask that you bear with me as I try to do this in between the few moments I have free. Seems our little one is nothing but a mama's boy, and recovering from a little sickness. He's had a fever ever since we go him but I just got it to break earlier in the day. We're suspecting it might be teething as a possible culprit, but even so, he's definitely a mama's boy. He's slowly warming up to Rick and after a few more spoonfuls of our daily intake of Colombia's out-of-this-world wonderful tasting ice cream, the baby will be all over his papi. It sure is a joy to hear the words "Mira Mami". Who knew what joy that would bring? These kiddos are just fearless in the pool. Almost a bit too much! But they are absolute joys and even with a scheduled power outage today of a few hours, they weren't too bored. That's to be expected though as soon as the new wears off, you know.
Well, I'd better go and try something else with this picture issue. Please pray that my children all recover from their slight illnesses. The older two with slight colds and the baby with his fever problems. Thanks for looking in and we appreciate your prayers so very much. Life is good hre in Colombia. Ciao! Genece
Well, I'd better go and try something else with this picture issue. Please pray that my children all recover from their slight illnesses. The older two with slight colds and the baby with his fever problems. Thanks for looking in and we appreciate your prayers so very much. Life is good hre in Colombia. Ciao! Genece
Monday, November 19, 2007
What Beautiful Treasures God Brings!
Real quick while I have a free moment I want to report that all went well with our very memorable "gotcha" day. So many memories to share and we will catch you up on them just as soon as there is some time, but in a nutshell we were set to meet at 2 pm so we leisurely went to breakfast with hopes to pass some of the time later getting ready for our afternoon meeting. As we were just wrapping up breakfast we were met by Alexandra, our interpreter, who said they were ready to meet us earlier, and that we needed to be there at 10AM. What a surprise to us, because this news came at 9:45am meaning we must hurry get ready. They called again as we were enroute to let us know the children had arrived and they were eager to meet us. The meeting went so well and when we met the children there was no doubt in our minds how much God's hands were there. We met also with the wonderful foster mothers who had taken such wonderful and loving care of our children, and I was very emotional and so very thankful for meeting with them and showing the appreciation they are so incredibly worthy of! We will eternally be grateful for the love and direction they have shown to the children! They are very good kids and just a joy to be around. Fabian is mastering the english language quite nicely. I will write more when I have a chance. We just got back from the pool (which they loved) and we are hungry. Pictures later, I promise!
Love to all and thanks for your prayers! God is so good!
Genece
Love to all and thanks for your prayers! God is so good!
Genece
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