The Process Begins

Today our process began. Basically this is how it works:
-We met our lawyer at court today. At the court, we sign a petition to adopt the girls. The petition was a lot simpler than I expected. Just our facts, the girls facts and our reasons for wanting to adopt them.
-Then, we went to the orphanage, there the family defender (another lawyer who works for the orphanage as well) met with us. He also signs stating that he sees that the integration period has been positive and that the adoption should move forward. Usually the defender meets with the kids and parents does an interview and signs the report. However, in our case the defender talked to us in a more social format, and after 10 minutes he told our guide that he did not need to meet with us, that he could see the integration had been positive and that he would sign without interviews. The director then met separately with the girls and then with us. The interview with the director was positive. She told us the girls had said that we were both loving and strict and that she could tell they felt very safe with us. She also said to us that in her view the integration had gone a lot better than what she had expected. She said that not all kids call their parents papi y mami during the integration period, and do not feel as safe with their parents. She said the fact that I was fluent in Spanish and that Alex understood so much had helped. I do think our weekly phone calls, once we had permission helped as well.
-Next in the process the lawyer takes all the paper work to the court and waits to get a judge who will oversee the case. While we waited, Vicky, our guide took us to El Tesoro, a Shopping Mall that had rides This was my favorite place to go so far. The mall is beautiful and there are rides for little and big kids. I also loved the fact that we get the girls a rechargeable card put money in it and they can get on the rides until the money is gone. We just put enough money in it for about an hour and a half, once the money was gone they could not ride anymore. This is a great system that I wish someone would copy in the states. I hate having to pay ride per ride or paying so much and not riding as much as you can for the money you pay.
-Then our guide picked us up and the lawyer called. We then found out we got judge #7, not too fast not too slow just right, so he will review the case and hopefully sign papers on Tuesday. Once this is done, then the count starts, about 10 days after we should sign our sentencia, this is the final adoption decree.

The process was a lot simpler than we expected. No lines, the courthouse was not that crowded. What our guide was explaining to us was that the worst part of the process is the U.S., not here. I guess that in Europe the process is a lot simpler and the U.S requires more clearances.

We had a great day. We are glad the process has started.

One final word, I want to thank everyone who had positive comments regarding my entry last night. I do not mean to sound negative and it was never my intention to sound as if we are feeling negative about the process. We love our girls and we could have not asked for a more beautiful family. Just like birth families we have gone through our ups and downs, but overall it has been a great experience. Medellin is a beautiful place, and the Medellin people are wonderful. We plan to come back. --MM

I wanted to add that the psychologist at La Casita that interviewed the girls and us gave us very positive comments. I have been telling Merecedes that she is doing a wonderful job, but like my telling her she's gorgeous, she doesn't believe it unless she hears it from someone else. Thank you to everyone who wrote positive things.
Also, our computer has been up mostly when I use it (can't explain). As a result Mercedes is typing these blogs but is not writing everything. We usually type this together. (This took me 10 minutes of frustration to type).