Sorry, we have no pictures today. I forgot to bring my camera while I went with the girls to see a movie and play at an amusement park, and Mercedes was home packing all afternoon. The morning was eventful in that we had the girls begin packing. This is the first time they had to pack for a big trip. We will have to figure out 20 kilos is, as this is our weight limit per bag (we know it's 45 pounds). Some girls had an easier time than others. Our packing was interrupted by a painter who came to paint the railing in the balcony. Just after the painter left, our guide and lawyer showed up, to give us the official adoption documents. We did not get yesterday, because the lawyer, Maria Jose, wanted to make sure that everything was organized and complete.
What that means is we have three separate folders and four envelopes of documents. One folder is for us to keep, one folder is for the US embassy and one for our Adoption agency. The envelopes are to be given to the immigration office at the airport when we leave Bogota. Maria Jose made very simple for us, and we appreciate it. We were impressed to how well everything went here in Medellin and how committed these people are. Neither Vicky, our guide, nor Maria Jose (who is not married) ever had children, yet they are committed to helping children find families and families find children. As a woman, I am glad that the girls have had contact with these women on a regular basis because I think they have been excellent role models for them.
In the afternoon, Mercedes stayed home and organized/repacked everyone's bags, as well as started the clean up of the apartment that has been our home for the last month. Alex took the girls to a nearby mall for a movie and amusement. I don't know whether the girls were in a better mood today, but there was a lot less complaining and demanding of things. Alex is assuming this is because if they asked complicated questions he wouldn't understand them anyway. Alex and the girls were gone almost until 6 o'clock. Mercedes got a lot done with less interruptions. We have already bought one extra suitcase and may need to buy another. This will be fine for the international flights, which allow two bags per person. But the domestic flights might charge us extra for extra bags (One bag per person allowed). The girls are getting excited about going to Wisconsin. We look forward to introduce them to all our friends and family. We have not thought out exactly how we want to introduce them, but we don't want to overwhelm them with all the people who have helped bringing them to Wisconsin. So please be patient. We do want them to meet everyone.
Please be aware of the following: The girls do not speak any English, they speak a very different dialect than most Spanish speakers in the Madison area and have not had much contact with people outside of their state in Colombia . However,they've had a lot of good experiences through Casita. We have tried to give them some of what Wisconsin and the US will be like, but until they get there they won't totally understand our explanations and guidance. We hope the weather will be warmer when we get there, that would make it easier. We are looking forward to coming home and using a computer that is more reliable than this one! Tomorrow we are off to Rio Negro to the Club. We will be there until Monday and then we will fly to Bogota on Monday afternoon. We will be in Bogota until the 21st.
Dear Milene, Mirellen, Yesica, and Sucena,
ReplyDeleteYou have so many people who will be important to you in Wisconsin to learn about. I am one of them. I am one of your new grandmothers, Papi's mother. He calls me "Mom" and your Mami calls me "Sis". Other grandchildren (Julia and Anna) call me "Bom"; (Sophie, Sam, Joe and Ben) call me "Wom". You may wait a while to decide what you want to call me. My given name is "Janet" and my nick-name is "Sis". That's a lot of choices. I am married to "Andy" who is Papi's father. He is called "Grampie" or "Grampa" by his other grandchildren.
Sadly, neither of us speak any Spanish so it will be hard, at first, for us to know each other. I will listen to you carefully, and, if you are willing, give you a hug---maybe more than one. I love to read stories aloud, I would love to have you teach me some spanish words, and I love to swim. Those things we can do together at Crab Lake. Perhaps we can plant some flowers there as well.
Grampie and I live in Milwaukee which is 90 miles from Sun Praire where you live. That sounds like a long distance, and would be if there were many mountains as there are in Columbia. But here it is flat, flat, flat with farms, forest and lakes so we can drive quite quickly to your house.
In a few days we are going to our log house in the woods that we call Crab Lake. We will be there the day you leave Bogata so we will not be around to greet you when you come to Wisconsin. A week after you come, you will drive up to Crab Lake and stay there with us for a few days. All our children have spent happy summer weeks at Crab Lake swimming, fishing, boating, camping out under the stars---for 35 years. We hope you will grow to love it up there as much as we all do.
Grampie and I are looking forward to meeting you and starting to get to know you. Your pictures are already on our walls. I have grown to love your beautiful faces already.
With a hug for each of you,
Wom/Bom/Grama Sis/Grama Janet or ????
and Grampie/Grampa/????
Mom,
ReplyDeleteThis is a very nice letter. We will share it with the girls tomorrow and let you know what they think.
Alex