tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39793384406563196402024-03-13T08:05:50.531-07:00The Story of Thunder and Lightning...a spellbinding tale of adoption ordained and written by the Creator of heaven and earth; illustrated and recounted by Kelli, a servant of the One who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine according to His power that is at work in us.Kelli, all of my life, in every season, I have a reason to worshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699958306852813348noreply@blogger.comBlogger133125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979338440656319640.post-50156074573251786702012-11-02T08:54:00.000-07:002012-11-02T10:35:58.784-07:00Seasons<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Days continue to come and go. <br />
<br />
Weeks fly by. <br />
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October is G.O.N.E. <br />
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November is H.E.R.E. <br />
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Though the seasons are changing outside the window, inside it remains the same. We are stuck in a fiery season of reds and yellows...a season of defiance and not listening. <br />
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As a result, for me, it has been a season of giving...giving until I think I just can't give anymore.<br />
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A season of loving....when some days I say to myself, "Okay, Self, if you can't LOVE, at least be KIND".<br />
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A season of sacrifice and service...<br />
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<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>shoes for "him" are more important than shoes for me, </li>
<li>lunch with "her" trumps organizing the closet, </li>
<li>one more bedtime story takes precedence over catching the last ten minutes of Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives (did I really say that?), </li>
<li>rising at five in the morning is worth it to spend some time with the Lord </li>
<li>rising at five in the morning also means that I can make six healthy homeade lunches, and chat with and pray for my teenagers before they walk out the door at 6:25a.m., and sign all the school folders, and clean toilets/tubs, and start laundry, and respond to emails, and write emails (primarily to teachers), and make breakfast before the Princess and the "Storm" (aka Thunder and Lightning) awaken for the day,</li>
<li>time spent making reminder charts and positive behavior reinforcement plans outweighs engagement in cutesy crafts, </li>
<li>the phone, the computer, and social networking are all put aside to make time for homework and one- on-one time with each of five children every day...</li>
<li>S.A.C.R.I.F.I.C.E. and service. This season is a deep and profound season of dying to self, again. No, unfortunately, I have not accepted every day of it without some kicking and screaming and "what about me's" passing through my lips. And then God so graciously and mercifully reminded me of the days/weeks/months following the births of each of my biological children...the giving, the loving, and the sacrifice that was required to grow happy, healthy, well adjusted, well mannered little people. There were seemingly endless days of pouring myself out to meet the needs of a tiny, helpless baby. There were days that spun one into another without any gratitude displayed, without love being returned, without smiles being reciprocated, without my own needs being met (or at least what I thought were my needs). There were days when my babies cried endlessly and I had no idea how to meet their needs. Then suddenly one day, that same baby who had pitched a fit for weeks, would smile when he/she saw my face, or calm at the sound of my voice, or respond lovingly to the touch of my hand. Suddenly, one day, calm returned, and the fruit of my sacrifice was visible. The baby was happy and bubbly and giggling and responding to affection and comfort. It was a fiery season full of emotions and sacrifice and service (and an occasional pity party). As the yellows and reds of one season faded, a new season of vibrant green was blossoming. Thunder and Lightning did not experience a biological birth into our family, but they have nonetheless been birthed into our family and in many ways they are as helpless and selfish and cranky and non-communicable as newborns. And this is yet another season of sacrifice as we wait for what we know from experience is coming...the season of vibrant green when impulses fade, self control is gained, selfishness diminishes and patience takes its place, goodness abounds and authority is recognized and respected, good choices are made, lies are replaced by TRUTH, and "to listen and obey" becomes a way of life.</li>
</ul>
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<i>"If you carefully observe all these commands I am giving you to follow-to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to hold fast to him-then the Lord will drive out all these nations before you, and you will dispossess nations larger and stronger than you." Deuteronomy 11:22-23</i></div>
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I am "holding fast to Him" (and I never leave the house without a copy of Karen Purvis' <u>The Connected Child</u>). Amen and amen!</div>
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Kelli, all of my life, in every season, I have a reason to worshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699958306852813348noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979338440656319640.post-8946641713895235182012-10-11T10:24:00.000-07:002012-10-11T10:24:31.372-07:00Rubber Ducks and Rainbows<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Perhaps the most frustrating thing to me about our entire post-placement time, from GOTCHA Day on, is that Thunder and Lightning do not know how to PLAY. <br />
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It's true. <br />
<br />
From day one, they have had little to no interest in "things". <br />
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Toys have NEVER excited them, NEVER held their attention, NEVER left the shelf for more than three minutes at a time. In Colombia, the Imaginex building blocks would entertain them briefly, especially when they discovered they could make PISTOLS out of them as long as they told Mommy that they were "TOOLS"! <br />
<br />
The match box cars, the Mr. Potato Head, the Cooties, the coloring books, the deck of UNO cards, the blocks, the TOSS IT game, the Etch-a-Sketch, the stuffed animals, OLD MAID, the MATCHING GAME, the action figures, the Little Pet Shop animals, the puppets, the bug collection box, the binoculars, the race cars, the puzzles, the construction vehicles, the train track, the LEGO village, the Ninetendo DS, the Leap Frog lap top computer, the PLAY-Doh...you name it, they didn't use it. <br />
<br />
After being home, it dawned on me that perhaps PLAY had never been modeled for them. <br />
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For example, they would carry their big Brueder trucks around the house, set them on the sofa, then return them to their rightful parking spot in the playroom. They would snap the train track together, push the toy engine around it once, then disassemble the whole thing and push it back under their bed. They would look at a LEGOS brochure and create what was on the cover, then stare at it. Within seconds, it was taken apart and put away. They colored pictures using only one color of crayon although 20 or 30 were available to them. And PLAY-doh? What were they supposed to do with PLAY-doh? We spent more time picking it up off the floor and washing the residue off the table than we did doing anything else with it. <br />
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I found this frustrating. I thought ALL kids LOVED to play. What was I going to do?<br />
<br />
I began to intentionally model "PLAY".<br />
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I made roaring engine noises and raced their trucks through the house. They laughed so hard, I thought they were going to pass out. Then they started doing it. They started having fun. I gave them sticks to haul and empty egg cartons to transport to the grocery store. I reenacted a conversation at the loading dock and at the gas station and at the garage. Next thing I knew, they were PLAYING...not for long, BUT they were PLAYING! <br />
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We set up a LEGO village together and used True Princess G.A.'s Polly Pockets to live in the buildings we constructed. The little people would go from their home, to the store, to the doctor's office, to the school, to work, and back home again. We used cats and dogs and pretended to take them for walks and feed them.<br />
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They watched me pick up pretty stones and catch lovely butterflies that I put in a collection box. The next day they were filling their boxes with sparkly stones and big stones and small stones....all treasures in their eyes.<br />
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Today, they color pictures using a rainbow of colors. Their world has gone from mono-chromatic to COLORFUL!<br />
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Their knowledge bases are expanding day by day as are their life experiences.<br />
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Life is no longer viewed through the bars of an orphanage. Thunder and Lightning are immersed in a family and immersed in daily activities. They go to church and to school and to the super market and the pet store and the doctor's office and the dentist's office and to Daddy's office...WOW!...what exciting and new experiences their days are now comprised of!<br />
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Today, they make pizza and popcorn and hot dogs and ice cream and strawberries and chicken legs and pancakes and eggs with the PLAY-doh. They also make shapes and numbers and letters and animals. Most impressively, they make people out of their PLAY-doh...a mommy and a daddy and an Aidan and a Bryan. ISN'T THAT SWEET!<br />
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With an old, pink BARBIE cash register, they have started playing store. They use grocery bags and play money to purchase items throughout the house and from their toy baskets. It sounds like this:<br />
<br />
THUNDER: "Hello! How are you?"<br />
LIGHTNING: "I am good thanks. How are you?"<br />
THUNDER: "I am good. And how are you?"<br />
LIGHTNING: "I am good. Have a nice day." (he pays and walks out the door with his bag of goodies)<br />
THUNDER: "Have a nice day. Thank you for coming. See you soon." (and they do it all over again)<br />
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I filled an old egg carton with plastic Easter eggs and gave them some plastic bowls and spatulas and paper plates and measuring cups to play with. They love it. For weeks they have been watching me in the kitchen and now they have a chance to be creative themselves. They cook up some delicious meals!<br />
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A few weeks ago Lightning had no clue how to put a puzzle together. This weekend, HE DID ONE ALL BY HIMSELF. <br />
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Thunder often disappears into his room to read...he loves books and rarely watches t.v. <br />
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I am discovering new things about my kids everyday. For instance, Lightning enjoys pushing a baby buggy around the house and whenever "the baby" cries, he feeds it because it is always hungry, and Thunder loves basketball, not the soccer we thought he would. He is also an amazing artist. <br />
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I think they themselves are also discovering who they are day by day.<br />
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Last night Lightning sat in the bath tub with his 20 or so mini rubber ducks and two buckets. He began to sort the ducks. He told me (in English) that one was full of "RED" ducks. They had made "bad" choices at school. They didn't listen to the teacher, or sit on the carpet, or stay with the class. Some of them had been fighting with their friends. Not good. The other bucket was full of "GREEN" ducks. They had made "good" choices at school. They listened to the teacher, they kept their hands to themselves, they sat on the carpet all day. They were helpful. And then Lightning showed me the little duck he clutched in his hand.<br />
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I questioned who that duck was and why he wasn't in a bucket.<br />
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Lightning just smiled at me and said, "Mommy, this is Aidan. He is "PURPLE". He made VERRRRY good choices today! Are you happy?"<br />
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Yes, my friends, life with children is all about rubber ducks and rainbows.</div>
Kelli, all of my life, in every season, I have a reason to worshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699958306852813348noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979338440656319640.post-47599837796666855412012-10-10T10:17:00.000-07:002012-10-10T10:17:58.025-07:00Life After the Airport<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We have been home for nearly six weeks.<br />
<br />
Thunder and Lightning started second grade and kindergarten, repsectively, at our local, year-round, public school immediately after our arrival in the States. After a five week bonding vacation in Colombia where every day was fun and games and free time, we were more than ready for routine, structure, and learning now that we were home.<br />
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The boys attended school for 8 days before experiencing their first "track-out". For the next 2 and 1/2 weeks they attended "Mommy's Front Porch School" as a way to maintain routine and structure as well as to continue their immersion in learning. <br />
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Now, public school has been back in session for over a week.<br />
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For every one of his first 12 days in public school, Lightning's behavior clip stayed on "RED". Finally, on day 13, he achieved "PURPLE"...one behavior grade BETTER than "green"! (Truth be told, if he had a behavior clip at home, it, too, would have been on "RED" most days.)<br />
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For every one of Thunder's first days in public school, he was a model student, attentive and motivated. On day 9, the tide turned and both his motivation and behavior went south.<br />
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School days 14 and 15 have found Lightning back on "RED", and Thunder is regaining his motivation and model behavior.<br />
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ROY G. BIV symbolizes the colors of the rainbow. Through the spectrum, from the fiery reds, oranges, and yellows to the calm, cool, greens, blues, and purples, every color combines to create something beautiful in the hands of God...something hopeful. He set the rainbow in the sky as a visible symbol of His promise. The rainbow is a symbol of hope, a reminder that He has not forgotten us. <br />
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We have experienced every color of the rainbow in these days after the airport, and I have great confidence that God is taking us through the spectrum of colors as He creates a masterpiece worthy of His glory. In the meantime, through the fiery red days and the calm blue hours, we live faithfully in the shadow of His promises looking daily to the heavens for a glimpse of the rainbow, the hope, that He is painting in our sky .<br />
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In many ways, life after the airport greatly resembles life on the Adoption Highway. <br />
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There are days:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>...of great joy</li>
<li>...when expectations are too high</li>
<li>...when expectations are too low</li>
<li>...of despair</li>
<li>...of great triumph and progress when you move forward by leaps and bounds</li>
<li>...when you feel like you have been in reverse from sunrise to sunset</li>
<li>...when the responsibility (financially and emotionally) is overwhelming</li>
<li>...when FAITH, HOPE, and LOVE are literally tangible</li>
<li>..when fear lurks and doubt haunts</li>
</ul>
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For the last 6 weeks, I have spent a lot of time refereeing and modeling appropriate behaviors. I have spent a lot of time giving examples of "good" choices vs "bad" choices and the consequences of each. There are days when I have wished that we could afford to buy three of everything we own and that sharing was NOT an option in our family. The enemy still lurks, he didn't disappear with the placement of Thunder and Lightning. Although generally GOOD, the days can be long and exhausting. <br />
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There are also those banner days when Lightning runs to me and says "Mommy, Mommy, come see!". And the child that could not walk up and down stairs without holding both of my hands is climbing the rock wall in the backyard ALONE, without help, and loving every minute of it. <br />
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There is the moment when I am washing dishes, absorbed in my own thoughts when I turn around to get a dishtowel and there is Thunder with his arms open wide coming to give me hug...a hug from the child who is very stingy with displays of affection! As he wraps his arms around me, he says ,"I love you so much. I want to be here forever." He sheds a tear and so do I.<br />
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We continue to:<br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li> talk about House Rules </li>
<li>discuss what it means to be a family, </li>
<li>identify positive character traits.</li>
<li>read a lot of books and search the illustrations for clues about how the characters feel and then how they react, and how they solve their problems in appropriate, and sometimes inappropriate, ways.</li>
<li>have an interactive bath time where I wash them and towel dry them and lotion them before bed when each is read stories and given a massage followed by quiet lullabies. Their day also starts with touch as they are awakened with a back rub and limb massage to get their engines going without a grumpy roar. All of these things help to satisfy their craving for appropriate touch and closeness.</li>
<li>remind them that asking permission is a necessity in a family. With this realization has come a greater respect for authority. </li>
</ul>
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Most significantly, the days after the airport are spent WAITING.<br />
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You WAIT :</div>
<div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>...for language acquisition</li>
<li>...for a deepened level of trust</li>
<li>...for behaviors to become internalized</li>
<li>...for a routine that works</li>
<li>...in doctor's offices, and dentist's offices, and in labs</li>
<li>...for wisdom</li>
<li>...for assessments and progress reports</li>
<li>...for acceptance</li>
<li>...for walls around hearts and minds to crumble</li>
<li>...to comfort the grieving child</li>
<li>...for some sign that they understand, that they are happy, that they know they are loved</li>
<li>...for them to share their possessions, their thoughts, their feelings, their wants</li>
<li>...for affirmation and words of affection</li>
<li>...for the idea of teamwork to take root</li>
</ul>
<div>
The WAITING continues, but this time it is different because you have traveled the Adoption Highway, and you have learned HOW to wait. </div>
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Now you wait hopefully and confidently. You wait while engaging and immersing yourself in life around you. You wait knowing that God is in control. His timing is perfect. He is there. He has a purpose and a plan in every circumstance.<br />
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You wait while loving God with all of your heart, mind, soul, and strength remembering that His grace is sufficient and that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.<br />
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You WAIT while passionately loving your children.<br />
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Adoption IS love in action!<br />
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Kelli, all of my life, in every season, I have a reason to worshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699958306852813348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979338440656319640.post-65337043404903504632012-09-10T08:50:00.000-07:002012-09-10T08:50:36.660-07:00The Last Chapter<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
August 28, 2012<br />
<br />
The Embassy:<br />
Our appointment on the 27th had been cancelled, so we returned on the 28th in an attempt to get visas for the boys. Once the visas were in my hands, we would be able to fly home. I was told to bundle up for the Embassy visit because it would be cold. Indeed it was...COLD. The seating at the American Embassy in Bogota is OUTSIDE...surprise! I was expecting the building to be unheated, but NOT outside. Upon making it to the inner "courtyard", we took our seats in folding chairs and sat silently waiting for our name to be called. Eventually from a distant window, I heard it. I approached the window and picked up the telephone to talk to the agent on the other side of the glass. Things were going well. Papers were being processed. One child...COMPLETED...necessary data had been entered into the computer. As the agent began to ask questions and process papers for the second child, the data base became inaccessible because the system had CRASHED...an irreparable CRASH according to the computer technician that had been called in to evaluate the situation. A malfunction of this magnitude had only happened TWICE before that anyone could remember. With a very apologetic look on his face, the attendant told me that this was VERY rare. The only option we had was to wait for the computer to "correct itself"...maybe minutes, maybe hours, maybe days...no one knew. We had 30 minutes for the problem to correct itself before it would be impossible to get the boys' visas that day. We opted to wait, and in utter disbelief, our in-country facilitator said to me, "Kelli, let's pray...you and me, let's do it now. Let's pray." And PRAY we did. As I prayed tears rolled down my cheeks. I was pleading and praising. There was an ache in my heart and I prayed and I wept. After twenty minutes we sat in silence unable to make eye contact with each other. Emotions were running high. We were preparing ourselves for the reality that we may be leaving the Embassy without the visas...<br />
BUT GOD...<br />
Five minutes later, just five minutes before our deadline for things to start working, my name was called from the window. The attendant had a sheepish grin on his face. He was shaking his head...almost in disbelief, as he said, "The computer has "self corrected" and we can access the needed database. Your visas will be ready in twenty five minutes. HAVE A SAFE TRIP HOME TOMORROW." We were going home!<br />
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August 29th<br />
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I woke the boys at 3:30 AM. We arrived at the airport at 4:30 AM and boarded a plane to Panama City, Panama at 7:00 AM. After a four hour layover we were Miami bound! The flights were turbulent. The boys were troopers.<br />
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Notable story: I am deathly allergic to peanuts and although most airlines have banned peanuts from their snack offerings, passengers are allowed to board with and eat their own peanut snacks if they so desire. To this point in our travels, I hadn't had any issues. Then on the flight from Panama to Miami, the woman seated next to me tapped my shoulder. She was in the middle seat, I was in the aisle. "Would you care for a peanut?", she asked as the snack cart was approaching with a drink offering. I had a momentary panic. Epipen? Where's my Epipen? is all I could think to myself because all it takes for me to have a severe allergic reaction to peanuts is for someone to be eating a peanut product in my vicinity...<br />
BUT GOD...<br />
At that very moment, in a split second, as the passenger next to me was holding an open can of peanuts, the plane jerked from side sending the stewardesses at the snack cart tumbling into passengers laps...drinks were spilling...AND THE CAN OF PEANUTS WENT FLYING INTO THE AIR! The plane rocked and rolled. People were tossed left and right. When it was over, people were stunned, and the woman next to me said, "I guess we won't be eating peanuts today. Sorry."<br />
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Immigration:<br />
We were prepared to spend hours in Immigration upon arrival at the airport in Miami. Long story short, we were there for fifteen, YES, fifteen minutes. In and out. We waited longer for the hotel shuttle than we did to get through Immigration. The Marriott welcomed us to a room with two cozy beds where we would spend our first night in America before embarking on the final leg of our journey to NC in the morning.<br />
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August 30th:<br />
Home! Home Sweet Home! Home!<br />
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August 31st:<br />
First Day of School<br />
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September 2nd:<br />
Church<br />
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LIFE IS GOOD.<br />
GOD IS GREAT!<br />
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Kelli, all of my life, in every season, I have a reason to worshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699958306852813348noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979338440656319640.post-53190755027488173252012-08-26T21:07:00.001-07:002012-08-26T21:07:46.929-07:00Day 33: Sentimental<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I am sentimental tonight.<br />
<br />
My oldest son starts school as a freshman in high school tomorrow morning and I will not be there to kiss him good bye before he gets on the school bus. We didn't get to go supply shopping together. I wasn't there for orientation or "meet the teacher". I wasn't there to cook our traditional back to school meal or pray over him before he went to sleep.<br />
<br />
My oldest daughter is here, in Colombia, with me. She will miss her first days of school. Knowing that this might happen, she chose to stay with me and face the challenges of catching up in her classes whenever we get home.<br />
<br />
For the last four weeks, Kind Hearted Warrior has been holding down the fort at home. He has been getting his little sister ready for school everyday...fixing her breakfast, packing her lunch, and walking her to the bus stop. He stays home most days and takes care of the house, inside and out, while his dad is at work. Faithfully, he has been there to get his little sister off the bus in the afternoons. Then they wait for daddy to get home from work. In my absence, he has sacrificed his summer to fill my shoes. He is just fourteen years old and he is shouldering the responsibility of an adult and shouldering it well.<br />
<br />
While Kind Hearted Warrior has been at home doing his part to preserve the family, Fair Maiden has been here with me. At fifteen, she has laid her heart on the line for two little boys who, before being matched to our family, had no hope and no future. She has never hesitated to offer them love or guidance. She wakes up at the crack of dawn when they do and her day begins...playing, helping with meal prep, cleaning, laughing, consoling, and modeling the right behaviors. She has sacrificed her summer to live in a foreign country with her mom and new brothers...no friends, no parties, no modern conveniences, but when asked, she has no regrets and would do it all over again.<br />
<br />
These are my teenagers, doing hard things. Selfless. Responsible. Committed. Caring. Helpful. Patient. Understanding. Dependable.<br />
<br />
My teenagers understand about family and the fact that privilege comes with responsibility.<br />
<br />
My teenagers do everything they do to bring glory to the One who made them.<br />
<br />
Tonight, I think back...back to their birth days...back to their first days of kindergarten...back to all those precious memories I have of them, and I shed tears. <br />
<br />
Why? Because I am so proud of them. So proud of the teenagers that they are.<br />
<br />
My teenagers have integrity. They are good servants.<br />
<br />
They have faith. <br />
<br />
And they live their lives for something greater than themselves.<br />
<br />
</div>
Kelli, all of my life, in every season, I have a reason to worshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699958306852813348noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979338440656319640.post-17765436672756075292012-08-25T19:48:00.003-07:002012-08-25T19:50:40.853-07:00Day 32: Hoops & Hurdles<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
On one side, adoption is LOVE. On the flip side, adoption is a series of hoops and hurdles and high jumps which you must navigate before becoming a family. When LOVE combines with jumping through the hoops and over the hurdles and high jumps, you discover "the process". Without LOVE, an overwhelming, Spirit-filled LOVE, I dare say that no one could complete "the process" of jumping through the hoops and over the hurdles and high jumps because "the process" is not for the faint of heart. The stamina to withstand the obstacles does not come from the flesh, it comes from surrender and obedience to Jesus.<br />
<br />
<i>"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13</i><br />
<br />
Today another hurdle stood before us on the course to home. <br />
<br />
Both Thunder and Lightning had to test NEGATIVE to TB. If one or both of them tested POSITIVE, a mandatory xray would be required thereby lengthening our process and subsequent arrival at our destination...HOME. The results were read this morning. The residual mark left on their arm from the serum injection had to measure less than 10mm.<br />
<br />
Lightning had a residual mark that measured 4mm. Result: NEGATIVE<br />
<br />
Thunder had a residual mark that measured 9mm...yes, 9mm! Result: NEGATIVE<br />
<br />
My boys LEAPT into my arms! I cried tears of complete joy. We are going home on the fast-er track...no xrays necessary!<br />
<br />
Monday morning they will have a physical exam...a hoop to pass through. Then, Monday afternoon, another hurdle looms at the US Embassy where we have an appointment to present our papers to get the visas.<br />
<br />
I can see the finish line. It is in sight. And though I want to sprint to it with one last burst of energy, I must pace myself to get through the hoops and jump over the hurdles and high bars remembering that this is a process, and the process has a protocol.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMtz8X-MmPe9vzAQ96JA6veXyFti72Omn9pWrt5fxpZGQEmrnaehupzXHS5EFYa41kyz3zuABa-_O-e29ojuwmUXrpI0BANVGKmAHtH-EQ30tHhYpsLDkIbI8jRP4QXEnEgM-XHU-GWQQ/s1600/Good+bye+Cali,+Hello+Bogota+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMtz8X-MmPe9vzAQ96JA6veXyFti72Omn9pWrt5fxpZGQEmrnaehupzXHS5EFYa41kyz3zuABa-_O-e29ojuwmUXrpI0BANVGKmAHtH-EQ30tHhYpsLDkIbI8jRP4QXEnEgM-XHU-GWQQ/s200/Good+bye+Cali,+Hello+Bogota+001.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goodbye, Cali...</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5FO2iVu_GgsF3BqXFISv-WsKpoMWJApSbxXSKKdUFrmgkrf6FLUJgRpchBWQNE-AJACn70Zh8tnbNMKQHgOylGsEoE6WNnc4zXANYs4927M9lza9qm_1iEBW1srRj6gg-M0SYX2VeImg/s1600/Good+bye+Cali,+Hello+Bogota+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5FO2iVu_GgsF3BqXFISv-WsKpoMWJApSbxXSKKdUFrmgkrf6FLUJgRpchBWQNE-AJACn70Zh8tnbNMKQHgOylGsEoE6WNnc4zXANYs4927M9lza9qm_1iEBW1srRj6gg-M0SYX2VeImg/s320/Good+bye+Cali,+Hello+Bogota+025.JPG" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lightning loves the sand pit</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtJKKfWrlInoLihr7nHZuEyG4WKH7cwHBHS5AHw3TOsRUxMocnqPhX6F6fio-ToBwBIJJAxptTlmCwZiAr4Tpz_ozg4QFrYZtEd5avPStQvw_h8mrCOvUdPWrUDXFV4aIeuQYHbGWRKmg/s1600/Good+bye+Cali,+Hello+Bogota+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtJKKfWrlInoLihr7nHZuEyG4WKH7cwHBHS5AHw3TOsRUxMocnqPhX6F6fio-ToBwBIJJAxptTlmCwZiAr4Tpz_ozg4QFrYZtEd5avPStQvw_h8mrCOvUdPWrUDXFV4aIeuQYHbGWRKmg/s320/Good+bye+Cali,+Hello+Bogota+026.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hello, Bogota...the street we live on</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5rpz3nw3whlJqwCuNwXN1FKYRnlj8JTGVARB9HjJBSo_wsPvPTkzHGEskgjMvJqi9J_9bx63qEPNh6mRZm98M3GVT7zD5orVwBCcn6MiSxzISdj3eocq6ZeRBa2wQCDcyh6zKJmhEa_o/s1600/Good+bye+Cali,+Hello+Bogota+028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5rpz3nw3whlJqwCuNwXN1FKYRnlj8JTGVARB9HjJBSo_wsPvPTkzHGEskgjMvJqi9J_9bx63qEPNh6mRZm98M3GVT7zD5orVwBCcn6MiSxzISdj3eocq6ZeRBa2wQCDcyh6zKJmhEa_o/s320/Good+bye+Cali,+Hello+Bogota+028.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The park right out our front door</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgjGGwwJY4ydgZHkHohK9aPCOzGCA-Rn3cnRFxcTP-lj_GuFEOZwu6RLC5J85JgEzgq8rdezv-CbPDdAtekl4LPyD9UBCOat3yWkDjvvMU_J42uPVD-MGDMXIV4oqvVGL545uvDK1NewM/s1600/Good+bye+Cali,+Hello+Bogota+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgjGGwwJY4ydgZHkHohK9aPCOzGCA-Rn3cnRFxcTP-lj_GuFEOZwu6RLC5J85JgEzgq8rdezv-CbPDdAtekl4LPyD9UBCOat3yWkDjvvMU_J42uPVD-MGDMXIV4oqvVGL545uvDK1NewM/s320/Good+bye+Cali,+Hello+Bogota+031.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our casa in Bogota</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipmQHhYkFevJiutkQyYJZ_dSw9u2RbeFfkc8Yj3XHhCr2ON2zhw9cQsAXe4nw4WsAx5MFzZuuggeKwXk1z20S7RDLgKV3ew7ShRDr0fNQFCPIpFKUGlUH2NeE9iV_c_m574YTzRCnCU_8/s1600/Good+bye+Cali,+Hello+Bogota+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipmQHhYkFevJiutkQyYJZ_dSw9u2RbeFfkc8Yj3XHhCr2ON2zhw9cQsAXe4nw4WsAx5MFzZuuggeKwXk1z20S7RDLgKV3ew7ShRDr0fNQFCPIpFKUGlUH2NeE9iV_c_m574YTzRCnCU_8/s320/Good+bye+Cali,+Hello+Bogota+041.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pastry for mama</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF8ibrTvvEyEvgDYPzP1tE5ELEIAI_bYoKf45PDfz0k6cPH_CvemuyV60tvlCizrdFxVkvG3-PXvfZzSMRRvjiXYkEzSt0PWMf7dQLQ_n8O1WhULqn6UnPTp7cqeOWMgStkQfa6rDlDaM/s1600/Good+bye+Cali,+Hello+Bogota+042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF8ibrTvvEyEvgDYPzP1tE5ELEIAI_bYoKf45PDfz0k6cPH_CvemuyV60tvlCizrdFxVkvG3-PXvfZzSMRRvjiXYkEzSt0PWMf7dQLQ_n8O1WhULqn6UnPTp7cqeOWMgStkQfa6rDlDaM/s320/Good+bye+Cali,+Hello+Bogota+042.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MORE pastry for mama</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIxa6lyJXC54w9pALs0jWtLYTm3YSS8xGmSF074i1cXekQWf3jeccaYVy7H47Vckw1yBUhtz6xD2fzoWGg1NmPGexfrxewnmYe9No2e4BZwSPYfP5d8HaZEd3DVFDUpvwMMbGa9koLrE8/s1600/Cali+and+Bogota+061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIxa6lyJXC54w9pALs0jWtLYTm3YSS8xGmSF074i1cXekQWf3jeccaYVy7H47Vckw1yBUhtz6xD2fzoWGg1NmPGexfrxewnmYe9No2e4BZwSPYfP5d8HaZEd3DVFDUpvwMMbGa9koLrE8/s320/Cali+and+Bogota+061.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A beautiful castle in the sand</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCg3UNqxq26KPea49XvUNtkoeadY8LQ1GBIWFnuR_zR24nb5x3KO2FayYtSuiI92Qt4oJR8VaPobfxJEIux2FEJgGNtWEO-EB3LVky3qT2qu1KqkG0Jxu-lP8Y7RNxBR3_S8aKF83Dwkc/s1600/Cali+and+Bogota+051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCg3UNqxq26KPea49XvUNtkoeadY8LQ1GBIWFnuR_zR24nb5x3KO2FayYtSuiI92Qt4oJR8VaPobfxJEIux2FEJgGNtWEO-EB3LVky3qT2qu1KqkG0Jxu-lP8Y7RNxBR3_S8aKF83Dwkc/s320/Cali+and+Bogota+051.JPG" width="236" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brothers...together forever</td></tr>
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Kelli, all of my life, in every season, I have a reason to worshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699958306852813348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979338440656319640.post-8790837879994293212012-08-24T21:30:00.003-07:002012-08-24T21:33:16.937-07:00Day 31: Bogota<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Our last day in Cali could be likened to a nightmare, luckily, like most bad dreams we were awakened just before complete despair set in. I could tell the story, but I'd rather not. Somethings are best forgotten.<br />
<br />
I will say that walking off the plane in Bogota was like walking into a "wonderland" of delights. <br />
<br />
Oh, the air is beautifully crisp and clear. The landscape is lush and green. Traffic flows at a normal pace and drivers obey streetlights and stop signs. Chinese Restaurants sit on every corner. The Papa John's Pizza sign flashes bright in the night sky. There is a rhythm here quite different from the city we had just come from. <br />
<br />
Fair Maiden and I looked at each other and smiled. <br />
<br />
This place was peaceful, and that very peace washed over us like a refreshing rain.<br />
<br />
Arriving at our second home away from home was pleasantly surprising. The apartment is two-stories with three bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs, and a large living, dining, and kitchen space downstairs as well as another full bath and laundry room. There is also a maid...a real live maid. She is Mairisella and she arrives at 8 a.m. She cooks, cleans, launders, irons, grocery shops, and makes me a hot pot of coffee every afternoon to take the chill out of the Bogota air.<br />
<br />
We are living in a quaint, quiet neighborhood with a park and shops right across the street. <br />
<br />
People smile and kids play. There is a rhythm to life here that is quite different from the city we had just come from and I like it very much.<br />
<br />
Then there is Gloria, our in-country, Bogota, facilitator, and her husband Cesar. <br />
<br />
If ever there was a couple that exemplified hospitality, it is Gloria and Cesar.<br />
<br />
Today she invited us to her home for a special snack in the afternoon...and that is exactly what we expected, a special snack, not a formal dining room table set with fine china, fresh flowers, and candles where we were served a delicious home cooked meal accompanied by mango juice and herbal tea. <br />
<br />
Fair Maiden asked for a glass of water and Gloria replied, "Sweetheart, this is your home. Make yourself welcome. What's mine is yours." <br />
<br />
We toured her grounds, taste tested the wild raspberries, and picked orange colored leaves off the ground. Thunder and Lightning ran and played and collected firewood. Then we went to the family room and sat around a lovely, large, wood burning fireplace where we stoked a fire. <br />
<br />
Everyone gathered around and the hours flew by as we talked and we laughed and Thunder told us a short story...the story of Rapunzel and her Prince. He is a very entertaining fellow...so funny and engaging.<br />
<br />
Just like a fairy tale, it was a night that we didn't want to end, but it did, and my children wrapped themselves around our gracious hosts giving a great big hug and asking if they could please "come home again before leaving Bogota."<br />
<br />
My boys...so sweet, so full of satisfaction, so grateful for the life and love they have been given, so blessed by the ordinary angels God continues to put in our path.<br />
<br />
They had their TB tests on Thursday morning. We return to the lab bright and early in the morning to get the results. The results of the tests will determine our next steps here in Bogota.<br />
<br />
Praying without ceasing...</div>
Kelli, all of my life, in every season, I have a reason to worshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699958306852813348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979338440656319640.post-51796777477413222212012-08-21T20:31:00.000-07:002012-08-21T20:49:54.262-07:00Day 29: A Family of Seven<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;">Today, it is official...we are a family of seven. <br />
We signed "sentencia".<br />
All honor, glory, and power be unto His name!<br />
We love you Bryan and Aidan...we love you.<br />
Today our family is complete.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg91jvociLtaWpus9dAa42p1P4LyQ24mgefpUaq-uxs8FtShtZqAopu2cqHUGRl2MxewSkkHCT5hzXUV-mshdNc7DNzR1HcFs11cs7JRz408MvsgaE87SzW8tzIgN9Pf17t-qPhFjjEMn4/s1600/day+28+113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg91jvociLtaWpus9dAa42p1P4LyQ24mgefpUaq-uxs8FtShtZqAopu2cqHUGRl2MxewSkkHCT5hzXUV-mshdNc7DNzR1HcFs11cs7JRz408MvsgaE87SzW8tzIgN9Pf17t-qPhFjjEMn4/s640/day+28+113.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> "Thundering" Bryan Steverson and "Lightning" Aidan James Worley</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQznfTov_uGR_iWwvHDJFfloDoeApFOfbfd6LQb7ZQjTcdom3xUgsFkJObaZscVwLERwUfIDfvvfUTFbfBsWuvXqI1RlVo9FrojOq6yjEQvz6cJYNnBYc6O55CUX2Gatn3zCVRvWXZe2k/s1600/day+28+052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQznfTov_uGR_iWwvHDJFfloDoeApFOfbfd6LQb7ZQjTcdom3xUgsFkJObaZscVwLERwUfIDfvvfUTFbfBsWuvXqI1RlVo9FrojOq6yjEQvz6cJYNnBYc6O55CUX2Gatn3zCVRvWXZe2k/s320/day+28+052.JPG" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Lightning" Aidan James Worley</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7wbnjHbW0g7ajG6SS6GIGucYGMl2OPAJlRfS_Z09xn0rVH_c1pXlOhw-wnv_NZlFI8E3g8WQtcfRjeUI1qAKu0fUuJPAcxSWcys4SPiRD5VWIgmTQDKg3JFoR-XjFVQNftDozeMLuVpU/s1600/More+Day+25+191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7wbnjHbW0g7ajG6SS6GIGucYGMl2OPAJlRfS_Z09xn0rVH_c1pXlOhw-wnv_NZlFI8E3g8WQtcfRjeUI1qAKu0fUuJPAcxSWcys4SPiRD5VWIgmTQDKg3JFoR-XjFVQNftDozeMLuVpU/s200/More+Day+25+191.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aidan at the Zoo</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB-0VPzgyWjRp7I-5N6L_hFTpCc-od_SsyhybuXSVIVz5P2BCYFgT1ApcavV4sI-4IWbXLql0bZwxC_n4hWzJW_YIqt59IMMTdQ5yjXhHPA2DkeTQn7THYL0nKskfuvtlfF9MBerq3RP8/s1600/More+Day+25+217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB-0VPzgyWjRp7I-5N6L_hFTpCc-od_SsyhybuXSVIVz5P2BCYFgT1ApcavV4sI-4IWbXLql0bZwxC_n4hWzJW_YIqt59IMMTdQ5yjXhHPA2DkeTQn7THYL0nKskfuvtlfF9MBerq3RP8/s320/More+Day+25+217.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Thundering" Bryan Steverson Worley</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ASh9t0ihMhVkyTB0YOJC5NtfENzchVp7K8DmzL4jxepxhnzJcSFr11RSCbwJ3rW3BSLVEOwsuobgpuxYW2h9FeyU5O2CAtGKVCJH7ZbtEIsfPA1mb9xLow_qKWUzU4-VZw6gO4N-syA/s1600/More+Day+25+275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ASh9t0ihMhVkyTB0YOJC5NtfENzchVp7K8DmzL4jxepxhnzJcSFr11RSCbwJ3rW3BSLVEOwsuobgpuxYW2h9FeyU5O2CAtGKVCJH7ZbtEIsfPA1mb9xLow_qKWUzU4-VZw6gO4N-syA/s320/More+Day+25+275.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Worley Brothers going to the Mountains</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8L_hf1b9gwQrOJUCb-jaoDyUUAX9PaoAfyoqIYOokLD0KQojbM8bMNNGm2cIicq4JUkvzAIi8wq9W6K6eGCnHMs0WY-Ykvyr-W9EwYBfMMs5M88Ij0ihDE-3gtj-GMLP3pMXLLguqBXA/s1600/More+Day+25+218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8L_hf1b9gwQrOJUCb-jaoDyUUAX9PaoAfyoqIYOokLD0KQojbM8bMNNGm2cIicq4JUkvzAIi8wq9W6K6eGCnHMs0WY-Ykvyr-W9EwYBfMMs5M88Ij0ihDE-3gtj-GMLP3pMXLLguqBXA/s200/More+Day+25+218.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catching Butterflies at the Zoo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigGXBkmUSriOvSi0fL0g1xewXoCg-jfyJKWjYxN7CplfgCLwMUkP0-E7EvSWjEbX9lOyfz7lq9ddeHgqzwl5Ku7eDGbo2_jCpNk6SVCZTVuRfiNuB0vLhgG-naZKF3SZfMhzHKA4s-vrU/s1600/Day+25+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigGXBkmUSriOvSi0fL0g1xewXoCg-jfyJKWjYxN7CplfgCLwMUkP0-E7EvSWjEbX9lOyfz7lq9ddeHgqzwl5Ku7eDGbo2_jCpNk6SVCZTVuRfiNuB0vLhgG-naZKF3SZfMhzHKA4s-vrU/s200/Day+25+017.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bryan in the mountain stream</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_GsCAK5Qv1R-5qTD3UbQ8ZLjr66HWRpV8D68iyJZxrwlW6CpL1vuvtwPphjWA4JLAJZmio_SIeIaExynRrckkUJKm4C5Stks4CgsMgZz3Mm1_tTmBgCWP5zMZw9-z4gHULARx7yzR34/s1600/More+from+Colombia+Day+23+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_GsCAK5Qv1R-5qTD3UbQ8ZLjr66HWRpV8D68iyJZxrwlW6CpL1vuvtwPphjWA4JLAJZmio_SIeIaExynRrckkUJKm4C5Stks4CgsMgZz3Mm1_tTmBgCWP5zMZw9-z4gHULARx7yzR34/s400/More+from+Colombia+Day+23+015.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bryan and Aidan...you light up my life</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKCzpMk8kwLj3OhqN-7I_HSF51U4Zt7DHgs0btwtwZu96gNUfQOTBxnEHnBGVlfwwAWxTOEjmL-XhzTa3gjH4903iQCwJj-iJ-J0RZXeb_L2Kk4ZwGC3XKtQK4QOjM-EGhhZOqhCfCGE0/s1600/Day+18+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKCzpMk8kwLj3OhqN-7I_HSF51U4Zt7DHgs0btwtwZu96gNUfQOTBxnEHnBGVlfwwAWxTOEjmL-XhzTa3gjH4903iQCwJj-iJ-J0RZXeb_L2Kk4ZwGC3XKtQK4QOjM-EGhhZOqhCfCGE0/s320/Day+18+009.JPG" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bryan...so handsome</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJogl9xomyTbxgz8PC3S6p0ud_MiP3bN3U8FBdt4aHWPP_gxBmTqRrRv4UoqfMi0ndYQ4eVa-40vOt8fTbhKTvCzEXR4htDEUezTucxVmj9AcYIbCJycYhXFqsLilPGP7_wE8PRK5MvSU/s1600/Day+18+057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJogl9xomyTbxgz8PC3S6p0ud_MiP3bN3U8FBdt4aHWPP_gxBmTqRrRv4UoqfMi0ndYQ4eVa-40vOt8fTbhKTvCzEXR4htDEUezTucxVmj9AcYIbCJycYhXFqsLilPGP7_wE8PRK5MvSU/s200/Day+18+057.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aidan...so cute</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTo8OHNrNBUTrhyphenhyphenEZnfEt_TyJ3Itg_MbD8aWQwHPG7CEPIWpeshVX1Fx1rs9PzKPf1BKEZOUAUYfe63YX9HxSiE4K3wqyxctWxwwgwPkkTAgHqbGTDdqcvRZBvtgOwtczaS5RCtAcjFt4/s1600/Day+18+069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTo8OHNrNBUTrhyphenhyphenEZnfEt_TyJ3Itg_MbD8aWQwHPG7CEPIWpeshVX1Fx1rs9PzKPf1BKEZOUAUYfe63YX9HxSiE4K3wqyxctWxwwgwPkkTAgHqbGTDdqcvRZBvtgOwtczaS5RCtAcjFt4/s320/Day+18+069.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joker?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg37ESFKkysy6Gj1EinYuCiB4T6WK984INi3IjlZRiFf2hb6bzz8vd4_wETyneZNtHXO6bcR_5PJxQbReWHbBoWnRSYRNpOibBL2t9Bn2irmjBUQPEO9LFS4CPSEF4LAxBztr5gI6KnzMc/s1600/Day+18+071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg37ESFKkysy6Gj1EinYuCiB4T6WK984INi3IjlZRiFf2hb6bzz8vd4_wETyneZNtHXO6bcR_5PJxQbReWHbBoWnRSYRNpOibBL2t9Bn2irmjBUQPEO9LFS4CPSEF4LAxBztr5gI6KnzMc/s320/Day+18+071.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spiderman?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwRfsmiT9LMOvXg8khdRez3sD79ylQQGkG0V20kHeqv7v2KRtnwV1JpYCIZfdI-CU89hUJFRC-Qci_HSDS5G_enXeaHx3QpwPlENmIu_-Wbao1lYftDH-57cFeL7Yqazfs_Qim_jtwMw8/s1600/Day+14+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwRfsmiT9LMOvXg8khdRez3sD79ylQQGkG0V20kHeqv7v2KRtnwV1JpYCIZfdI-CU89hUJFRC-Qci_HSDS5G_enXeaHx3QpwPlENmIu_-Wbao1lYftDH-57cFeL7Yqazfs_Qim_jtwMw8/s200/Day+14+003.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aidan rescues frogs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHhwZbGRF2sFGujdX_vlpcRzubTLpnXauxhegxRA_v9WmFtjyH4gD1YiSCCPWsvoQniVkQ_RAMvT9ODxPqgGRjVfvHQkp8SWEpB8pNkA0gHIgpEVqpWpnHFp4LX0ObIzs3eJhYpmgFp3c/s1600/Day+14+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHhwZbGRF2sFGujdX_vlpcRzubTLpnXauxhegxRA_v9WmFtjyH4gD1YiSCCPWsvoQniVkQ_RAMvT9ODxPqgGRjVfvHQkp8SWEpB8pNkA0gHIgpEVqpWpnHFp4LX0ObIzs3eJhYpmgFp3c/s400/Day+14+017.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My boys...my precious boys</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRncK_NDrLj4DLGC2g4J8nUs9J5SczHM7qdW5J-QnkSU5mWh5ZSqcuYGmlyKwatyJd5ZsCeL6SaEGU6e0C5bduRG4CJJsZZajFlSXR6F8qV1C7-8WWQAhBkQKSIR0uKIm8FAyCVSnlXuY/s1600/Colombia+Week+1+134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRncK_NDrLj4DLGC2g4J8nUs9J5SczHM7qdW5J-QnkSU5mWh5ZSqcuYGmlyKwatyJd5ZsCeL6SaEGU6e0C5bduRG4CJJsZZajFlSXR6F8qV1C7-8WWQAhBkQKSIR0uKIm8FAyCVSnlXuY/s400/Colombia+Week+1+134.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More of my boys...I can't get enough of them!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1qq-Z_eCYlStXtjyfAo_n29_DSYqBm8YrxERFRXuWPYkIpYVVaMFhI4SixH-0SzfAEPGhVLMfDnZhUIY2zmmM-i5_7qmMapcp4Q5KNPjPK1_6KFa_LanOCXgoBN24-x4AdBTFjMYkCc/s1600/Colombia+Week+1+135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1qq-Z_eCYlStXtjyfAo_n29_DSYqBm8YrxERFRXuWPYkIpYVVaMFhI4SixH-0SzfAEPGhVLMfDnZhUIY2zmmM-i5_7qmMapcp4Q5KNPjPK1_6KFa_LanOCXgoBN24-x4AdBTFjMYkCc/s320/Colombia+Week+1+135.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proud Parents!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw60RnvqqxuY4FgqGd6ET7GeHj-1C1-dokecaE0arRfxX2Bf-ZIIshsDjmccAHTDFukQq_s1wrAggu3SbAHOJAIdIDi5Bzl_-CsnLacWM49DoLYsteeGnHZFLziBCVHb1rgrWIH1Rl4K8/s1600/Colombia+Week+1+147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw60RnvqqxuY4FgqGd6ET7GeHj-1C1-dokecaE0arRfxX2Bf-ZIIshsDjmccAHTDFukQq_s1wrAggu3SbAHOJAIdIDi5Bzl_-CsnLacWM49DoLYsteeGnHZFLziBCVHb1rgrWIH1Rl4K8/s200/Colombia+Week+1+147.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aidan did it!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL6dffO8lzYq1UbpNpmZUs675tU_ulEDX3mmyIcpwtDQdsxB9CO53d5lssc-y5cAQb-4FIs5AQeQDcKSg4FjkuYq5Dvqq86c5gs7HHqmq8lZ3Gq6fW_kU3h8BVPq8abiOOhfmgJgRL774/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL6dffO8lzYq1UbpNpmZUs675tU_ulEDX3mmyIcpwtDQdsxB9CO53d5lssc-y5cAQb-4FIs5AQeQDcKSg4FjkuYq5Dvqq86c5gs7HHqmq8lZ3Gq6fW_kU3h8BVPq8abiOOhfmgJgRL774/s320/004.JPG" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Together forever</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZbjrZKRPEo4Du3fD2WBHi9fOOtZTyv_6ypX4vmXAJuQ1zaVaiHxeTBYy_4wvWJItSQa978oyfo_ofN7cjws9AlF-cIUC_vUbeF8JZmDvNVrOLRL_QoRW9gFcaYKHLp7yI8RUbWbekjZ8/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZbjrZKRPEo4Du3fD2WBHi9fOOtZTyv_6ypX4vmXAJuQ1zaVaiHxeTBYy_4wvWJItSQa978oyfo_ofN7cjws9AlF-cIUC_vUbeF8JZmDvNVrOLRL_QoRW9gFcaYKHLp7yI8RUbWbekjZ8/s320/014.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sister-love!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI7d-YEAdJVWbirxQ-wAnfiXOgCI0rWw5-iEbpEDXaU2kt-05ZJ3WKO_gMlqJ3DBWtT3kbpwMsXb8A8WYhhlCGh903u-tH-XFcIqj3kfE3oHsg2bI5ZAJjIQ7XSejYL3V0GfDfo11_maM/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI7d-YEAdJVWbirxQ-wAnfiXOgCI0rWw5-iEbpEDXaU2kt-05ZJ3WKO_gMlqJ3DBWtT3kbpwMsXb8A8WYhhlCGh903u-tH-XFcIqj3kfE3oHsg2bI5ZAJjIQ7XSejYL3V0GfDfo11_maM/s200/015.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aidan's first ice cream</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7hGlWuRzgXU_JNRFOBTaWS-nYxFiLSsBaJlrZ8tOIvD4CZEGo1ZguN9sJnsTDKeD83MQV_C7TVO-DoVeEw5OQdXDySsOtHVhGlZQhaq6W0z98QGUev4cAMUXzgBoDYm7YYGUino8WdNI/s1600/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7hGlWuRzgXU_JNRFOBTaWS-nYxFiLSsBaJlrZ8tOIvD4CZEGo1ZguN9sJnsTDKeD83MQV_C7TVO-DoVeEw5OQdXDySsOtHVhGlZQhaq6W0z98QGUev4cAMUXzgBoDYm7YYGUino8WdNI/s400/019.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Complete Worley Family...a picture of LOVE in action</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5dBQyoA1IY1HqI8m6g_nbdk7-1MjdZ-nMwqvKlkpsp2EDmytfSJRweuRzlswoWNnBhJIBRHVmweBj5s8vcM03vbi7omXesw4UkjMXfr1Mh4VDv7x7kfoTmnCCsmY-lxTsQFQRVJglsL4/s1600/033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5dBQyoA1IY1HqI8m6g_nbdk7-1MjdZ-nMwqvKlkpsp2EDmytfSJRweuRzlswoWNnBhJIBRHVmweBj5s8vcM03vbi7omXesw4UkjMXfr1Mh4VDv7x7kfoTmnCCsmY-lxTsQFQRVJglsL4/s400/033.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Worley Family on a windy mountain top</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuCGQFtsUe9ncDZexQ3NPwEjqPIqIUGfl41tVl40ZooG8VUw1874l5n40MDKEUCpaQ8J7VdKpd6Yrod8aV7QZUigIFN_K71VCTmvRYLwsBFf-IYu7mVQblIl54K4U2JaeBSXptxhKGvAw/s1600/day+4+and+5+day+6+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuCGQFtsUe9ncDZexQ3NPwEjqPIqIUGfl41tVl40ZooG8VUw1874l5n40MDKEUCpaQ8J7VdKpd6Yrod8aV7QZUigIFN_K71VCTmvRYLwsBFf-IYu7mVQblIl54K4U2JaeBSXptxhKGvAw/s320/day+4+and+5+day+6+008.JPG" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Super star, Bryan!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpvLsWwvwwmfby-Ic6BWyc3AFmejtH8ZrtTi0D8P72VBCaOTmZhZb_NKLyV9a90fzt_JRy2XaN4IZIDkvSAlkfmuSbPSG3NAVfxbj6_7NSOe4ODgxWzWLfX6M9km_UhY6NVwzEDSZhP9Y/s1600/day+4+and+5+day+6+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpvLsWwvwwmfby-Ic6BWyc3AFmejtH8ZrtTi0D8P72VBCaOTmZhZb_NKLyV9a90fzt_JRy2XaN4IZIDkvSAlkfmuSbPSG3NAVfxbj6_7NSOe4ODgxWzWLfX6M9km_UhY6NVwzEDSZhP9Y/s320/day+4+and+5+day+6+019.JPG" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aidan and big brother at the park</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3J3UXERIMQGuJ-h6NigVSQD5NBiFgnfoVYPV-Woh8NCsQtnInANecORJDmdrDVHBYnHJa8NtTx9Vy0yhcPGzxBWnydq_sNFrUIfqpW0079yO09ly7zHWyNeEEP5z4FUlHGSNqUzAlZzQ/s1600/day+4+and+5+day+6+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3J3UXERIMQGuJ-h6NigVSQD5NBiFgnfoVYPV-Woh8NCsQtnInANecORJDmdrDVHBYnHJa8NtTx9Vy0yhcPGzxBWnydq_sNFrUIfqpW0079yO09ly7zHWyNeEEP5z4FUlHGSNqUzAlZzQ/s320/day+4+and+5+day+6+040.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brother-love!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpmV0PKBA9AJQKAZl-GRoSY9wD4tmRamHvNAIFJ7vl2lmIkWMCk4CeovdCuga-TI2Njogl3AP2g6z51r1tFxmhegMZ3GNiPEaZGTRy7W52CokP3NwkHIxT8d2S0VZ-i7NnjbvKJ_hRqFs/s1600/day+4+and+5+day+6+064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpmV0PKBA9AJQKAZl-GRoSY9wD4tmRamHvNAIFJ7vl2lmIkWMCk4CeovdCuga-TI2Njogl3AP2g6z51r1tFxmhegMZ3GNiPEaZGTRy7W52CokP3NwkHIxT8d2S0VZ-i7NnjbvKJ_hRqFs/s400/day+4+and+5+day+6+064.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Worley Family goes to the Zoo</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_qump3pY15IomwWcsxZt5Dvjw9s9mcx8VHk3u-sjz4m0047QztcI8EIXp1gRLR8BiwI9i26ZKvNYpc31HvmxPPHHMHLZP9Kp0obvYepEktXlI3EDiU6D_TCrnqeheLGZDllEah8BiA4/s1600/day+4+and+5+day+6+083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_qump3pY15IomwWcsxZt5Dvjw9s9mcx8VHk3u-sjz4m0047QztcI8EIXp1gRLR8BiwI9i26ZKvNYpc31HvmxPPHHMHLZP9Kp0obvYepEktXlI3EDiU6D_TCrnqeheLGZDllEah8BiA4/s400/day+4+and+5+day+6+083.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Worley Family and the giant Tortuga</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiosMxdBz-cT_VZQ5QlrSVJlXU7qYAArzvwDctX-9_0yvoA9F3mrkA0ceHf-sMR5k4EV0Wf-J-W_pBjAEeZD2qWipd9ky3lNxCg4ZFlQB2Z3iHb2dxZNe_iCp_dim5N3sj9lvbqakVwPM8/s1600/GOTCHA+Day+069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiosMxdBz-cT_VZQ5QlrSVJlXU7qYAArzvwDctX-9_0yvoA9F3mrkA0ceHf-sMR5k4EV0Wf-J-W_pBjAEeZD2qWipd9ky3lNxCg4ZFlQB2Z3iHb2dxZNe_iCp_dim5N3sj9lvbqakVwPM8/s320/GOTCHA+Day+069.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"The Twins" It's Great to be 8!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitwYlQXb1UD7fwe6hNt0XoiN2tjMaph1Xi9xpQ9Ag90bCqHoXK8QNv3f-AuvN-q5cNIE1ttTURGwVGxzFxd0l-Vwc2964kC9ESn_ipiEoULTCQkd3Fuo7yNgjhiLhim86nJVKoF00c6rM/s1600/GOTCHA+Day+074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitwYlQXb1UD7fwe6hNt0XoiN2tjMaph1Xi9xpQ9Ag90bCqHoXK8QNv3f-AuvN-q5cNIE1ttTURGwVGxzFxd0l-Vwc2964kC9ESn_ipiEoULTCQkd3Fuo7yNgjhiLhim86nJVKoF00c6rM/s320/GOTCHA+Day+074.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ahh...The Brothers Club</td></tr>
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Kelli, all of my life, in every season, I have a reason to worshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699958306852813348noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979338440656319640.post-18807971834904326072012-08-20T19:09:00.000-07:002012-08-20T19:09:50.454-07:00Another Day: LOL! and Kisses from Cali, Colombia<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I just had a SKYPE conversation with my family in the States:<br />
<br />
Kind Hearted Warrior and I talked about the large copperhead they had wrangled in the front yard just minutes before our conversation. He had toured the highschool today and found all of his classes. He said his dad was standing at the kitchen window threatening to jump because he has had all he can take of being without the rest of his family. I told Kind Hearted Warrior that the least Knight in Shining Armor could do to preserve his manhood would be to threaten to jump from a second story window! My boy started to laugh so hard he dropped the phone. LOL! Then,<br />
<br />
True Princess got on the phone and squealed for joy at the sound of my voice. She is getting sick and wants me to know just how much she needs me. She missed the bus this morning because big brother was late getting breakfast on the table and dad had to drive all the way home to take her to school. She told me she has been praying and praying and asking God to bring her family home. She wonders if He hears her. Finally,<br />
<br />
Knight in Shining Armor spoke. He was frustrated because little dog Hazel had jumped up on the counter and eaten his plate of spaghetti and meatballs while he was outside wrangling the mammoth copperhead that was threatening the homestead. He said she was orange and greasy from her eyeballs to the tip of her tail. The only other thing in the house left to eat was toast, so he is having toast for dinner. LOL! <br />
<br />
I told them that Fair Maiden had gotten a pair of earrings today. They are handmade, dangling earrings made from coffee beans and a hand painted medallion. She left them in when she showered this afternoon after returning from the swimming pool. She got out of the shower and asked me if I had made coffee because there was a great smell wafting through the air in the bathroom. I said "No". Then it dawned on us that her earrings had gotten wet and the coffee beans were giving off the enticing aroma. She has been sniffing those earrings ever since. LOL!<br />
<br />
I told them that Thunder goes around town telling everyone that his Daddy looks like he is 63 and his Mom looks like she is 21, but they are really 43 and 42. LOL!<br />
<br />
I told them that we were playing a funny word game today and Lightning called me a o-po-pot-o-me as he was trying to say hippopotamus in English. LOL!<br />
<br />
I told them that sometimes I wonder, too, if God hears me and the prayers I have uttered during our separation. Then I shared this with them from Jesus Calling:<br />
<br />
<i>"Expect to encounter adversity in your life...stop trying to find a way that circumvents the difficulties...anticipate coming face to face with impossibilities-situations totally beyond your ability to handle. This awareness of your inadequacy is not something you should try to evade. It is precisely where I want you-the best place to encounter Me in My glory and power. When you see armies of problems marching toward you, cry out to Me! Allow Me to fight for you. Watch Me working on your behalf, as you rest in the shadow of My almighty presence."</i>
<br />
<i><br /></i>
And I blew them kisses good night from Cali, Colombia.</div>
Kelli, all of my life, in every season, I have a reason to worshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699958306852813348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979338440656319640.post-39700184975596105072012-08-19T20:46:00.000-07:002012-08-19T20:46:32.970-07:00Day 26: What Can I Say?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Come Wednesday we will have been in Cali, Colombia, for one month.<br />
<br />
Today, on Day 26 of our in-country journey, what can I say?<br />
<br />
I could tell you:<br />
<br />
...that I have an addiction to fried plantains and lulo juice<br />
...that I do not understand why Colombians spend money on paint to differentiate lanes on the roads.<br />
...that the mountain peaks are beautiful.<br />
...that the zoo is our favorite place to visit.<br />
...that most trees have had their trunks painted with limestone to keep the ants from destroying them.<br />
...that it is noisy in the city at night.<br />
...that there are more dogs roaming the streets here than I have ever seen anywhere. <br />
...that this city exudes creativity and there are budding artists everywhere.<br />
...that people here say "Caio!" and "Buenas!", not "Adios!" and "Hola!"<br />
...that milk comes in boxes, ketchup comes in plastic bags, and eggs are sold in 48 packs.<br />
...that chicken is expensive.<br />
...that most toilets here don't have toilet seats.<br />
...that Colombian time differs from American time.<br />
...that you should keep the windows rolled up and the doors locked when you are riding in the car.<br />
...that Fair Maiden L.K. is an amazing young lady and I couldn't do this without her.<br />
...that my heart aches for Knight in Shining Armor, True Princess, and Kind Hearted Warrior.<br />
...that my son starts school next week as a Freshman in highschool and I won't be there to kiss him goodbye.<br />
<br />
BUT, really, after twenty-six days on this stretch of 'the Adoption Highway', what can I say?<br />
<br />
What can I say that is significant? <br />
<br />
I can say this,<br />
<br />
"Love doesn't discriminate. Love is powerful. Love can change a life. Adoption IS love in action."<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Kelli, all of my life, in every season, I have a reason to worshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699958306852813348noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979338440656319640.post-42665181331025443592012-08-18T19:55:00.000-07:002012-08-18T20:28:52.990-07:00Day 25: The Other Side of the Mountains<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXLOrPxcKCyr34NIyLNQn5zRA3n4kdw6xUKaWTDYzg0kT8ZMl1jaaWPOqRwP-ybaibfy6GvGIdXjc8LUKj7nxI-_HYL8uuXBE6C2uBILOD9uPeufmnB33vks3AikA5JiAvALFRMbbr8Zg/s1600/Day+25+072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXLOrPxcKCyr34NIyLNQn5zRA3n4kdw6xUKaWTDYzg0kT8ZMl1jaaWPOqRwP-ybaibfy6GvGIdXjc8LUKj7nxI-_HYL8uuXBE6C2uBILOD9uPeufmnB33vks3AikA5JiAvALFRMbbr8Zg/s200/Day+25+072.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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There are few things I love more here than the beautiful scenery and the delicious food...Day 25 of our stay offered both.<br />
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As a family, given a choice, we would go to the beach over Six Flags...rent a house boat rather than stay in a five star resort...head for the mountains long before trekking to Disney World, so the chance to spend time in a small native Colombian mountain village with our facilitator's family made this a day filled with love and laughter.<br />
<br />
We were welcomed with open arms and a cup of coffee...deliciously brewed Colombian coffee, of course. <br />
<br />
The home was small and quaint and inviting. Dogs roamed the property. There were chickens in the backyard coop. A stealthy cat, or two, darted in and out from time to time. A fat white goose kept his distance and two little birds, Sun and Moon, chirped in a cage attached to the side of the house.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Va5I0TwzUyXR8nWATTEc8Izjif-1NpywhiBKQaFBqxlYi5wAoJ0i4BJjDbTS81pGsJfZ96r8sLe2s5UqT0L6zSzo5mqB14pyd38QnEu0j1PwQ5hO9_-DxNNdok68P-n2ob2tq-qCSkI/s1600/Day+25+061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Va5I0TwzUyXR8nWATTEc8Izjif-1NpywhiBKQaFBqxlYi5wAoJ0i4BJjDbTS81pGsJfZ96r8sLe2s5UqT0L6zSzo5mqB14pyd38QnEu0j1PwQ5hO9_-DxNNdok68P-n2ob2tq-qCSkI/s320/Day+25+061.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This was the home of our facilitator's grandma. It is a place with a rich and vibrant history...a history of family and good times spent together. The home has a legacy that my children and I are now a part of.<br />
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Thunder and Lightning swam in the icy cold mountain stream that courses through the front yard.<br />
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They fed the chickens.<br />
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They picked fruit.<br />
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They admired the rich vegetation and took a lazy rest in the old hammock.<br />
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We ate at a local family owned eatery...we were the only patrons. Before anyone took a bite, Thunder asked everyone to bow their heads because "Mama always prays before we eat"! The first course was a plate of fried plantain chips and salsa, followed by soup, then a dinner plate with chicken, rice, green beans, plantain, salad, and french fries all served along with a pitcher of fresh lulo juice. Delicious. Rice pudding was our dessert. <br />
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(For the record, six meals cost $20 US dollars)<br />
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The place was tranquil, a welcome break from the constant hustle and bustle of the big city in the valley. It was good to see the boys explore and run around the yard. It was good to be outside. It was good to have green grass between my toes. It was good to be among "family" and watch other people delight in my boys. <br />
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Day 25 was a good day on the other side of the mountain.<br />
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<i>"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty."</i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Psalm 91:1</span></i></div>
Kelli, all of my life, in every season, I have a reason to worshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699958306852813348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979338440656319640.post-87245539004309492002012-08-17T19:16:00.000-07:002012-08-17T19:16:07.261-07:00Day 24: Amazing Grace<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This has been a week of staying close to the phone...so close that we have not set foot out the apartment for two days in a row, and today, by far, has been my hardest day.<br />
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I had a pit in my stomach. I couldn't stop staring at the phone or stalking my email. I couldn't concentrate on anything for long. I took a lot of deep breaths and sighed a lot. I felt my face tight and in a scowl most of the day.<br />
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BUT God...<br />
<br />
When this momma failed to be as attentive as usual, when she failed to really listen, when she was slow to smile, and slow to engage in family activities, Thunder and Lightning showed uncommon favor and amazing grace.<br />
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They gave spontaneous hugs and smiles. <br />
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They peacefully occupied themselves. <br />
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They sang. <br />
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They danced. <br />
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They made a band out of kitchen pots and pans and utensils. <br />
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They put their swim suits on and played in the bathtub. <br />
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They colored and painted and crafted and did puzzles.<br />
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They played LEGOs.<br />
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They unconditionally loved their momma, and this momma realized in a humbling moment just how blessed she was.<br />
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<i style="color: #191919; font-family: 'century gothic'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">"Accept each day just as it comes to you. <b>Do not waste your time and energy wishing for a different set of circumstances. </b>Instead, trust Me enough to yield to My design and purposes. Remember that nothing can separate you from My loving presence; you are Mine." </i><br />
<i style="color: #191919; font-family: 'century gothic'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">from Jesus Calling</i><br />
<i style="color: #191919; font-family: 'century gothic'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></i>
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<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /> </div>
Kelli, all of my life, in every season, I have a reason to worshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699958306852813348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979338440656319640.post-43140953139128179292012-08-15T20:09:00.000-07:002012-08-15T20:09:00.227-07:00Day 22: Blossoming<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
For the past couple of mornings, Thunder and Lightning tip toe into my room, sit beside me on the bed, rub my back, and begin to sing. They awaken me with the same songs I serenade them with at night. At the opening of my eyes, Thunder quickly climbs under the covers with me and snuggles up close. Lightning keeps on singing....and my heart melts.<br />
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We have had a bout with behaviors that have required TIME OUTS recently, more so for Lightning than Thunder. <br />
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TIME OUT breaks Thunder's heart. He is crushed that he has disappointed me and he quickly regrets his rash decision to be disobedient. He is a quick learner. His time outs have never extended beyond the first buzzer. Apologies are made sincerely, and he recovers very well without holding a grudge. We easily go on with the day.<br />
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Lightning, however, becomes a Jekyll and Hyde...from sweet Mama's Boy to Monster Extraordinaire. He yells, he kicks, he squirms, he hits. I share this because I found myself questioning whether or not I was being too strict in my corrections. I had moments of doubting my disciplinary actions. <br />
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For example, was I making him sit too long? Was I being unreasonable when he turned the time out chair into a bucking bronco and I extended his time in time out for such an action? Was I being unfair making him sit in the chair rather than allowing him to roll around on the floor waiting for the time to pass?<br />
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Regardless of my doubts, I still had an overwhelming belief in my heart that I was doing the right thing. <br />
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My children need to know that I mean what I say and I say what I mean. We had a family meeting weeks ago. I explained the rules of our family to them as well as the consequences for breaking a rule, and I continue to take time to review the aforementioned. They must know that they can trust what I say...breaking a rule results in a consequence. The consequence is to SIT in TIME OUT.<br />
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If I say SIT. I mean SIT...not roll around on the floor...not half stand, half sit...not sit riding the "horsey chair"...I mean SIT, you are in TIME OUT, and if that means increasing the time in time out for not sitting, then so be. I would ask Lightning to STOP the unacceptable behavior and tell him that if he did not comply, the time would be increased. <br />
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When met with vehement defiance and "NO!" to my request, the time he needed to spend in the chair was automatically increased. This translated into some rather lengthy "sitting"/monkeying around spells for Lightning that did not end until he sat and sat well. <br />
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In general, he is a slow learner and very reluctant to apologize. He likes things on his terms. Where Thunder is quick to reach the "I'm ready" stage, Lightning is not, so the last couple of days we have spent a lot of time waiting...waiting for Lightning to recover from random and varied misbehavior's.<br />
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Two beautiful things have blossomed from our mini-bout with disobedience and tantrums:<br />
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1. I believe that my children now know that they can trust my words and actions. Thunder has mostly witnessed it through watching my interactions with his brother, whereas Lightning, on the other hand, has experienced it personally. In the midst of doubting myself, I read the following words written by an adult adoptee about the things adoptive parents should know:<br />
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<i>"Show me-through your words and your actions-that you are willing to weather the storm with me. I have a difficult time trusting people due to the losses I have experienced in my life. Show me that I can trust you. Keep your word. I need to know that you are a safe person in my life and that you will always be there when I need you and when I don't need you." </i><br />
<i> <span style="font-size: x-small;">from the Diary of a Not-So-Angry Asian Adoptee</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i>
It was the phrase <i>"Keep your word" </i>that spoke directly to my spirit and helped me to understand that maybe in his own unique way, Lightning, through his misbehavior, was asking "can I trust your words and actions?" <br />
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My answer:<br />
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"Yes, Lightning, you can trust my words and actions. When I say SIT, I mean sit and I will be there by your side, through the kicking, the hitting, the yelling, and the defiance until you realize that I mean what I say and you can trust me to follow through. I will be there when you need me...to kiss your boo boos, to eat your playdoh pizzas, to give you a horsey ride in the pool, to wash your stinky feet, to button your pants, to wipe your nose, to hug you and say 'I LOVE YOU SO MUCH', to wrap spaghetti around your fork, to help you count and color in your books, to sing you to sleep and so much more. I will also be there when you don't need me...when you are kicking and screaming and playing the part of Monster Extraordinaire, because I am a safe person in your life and I will weather the storms with you."<br />
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2. Lightning had one tantrum a day for three days in a row. However, today is our third day without a tantrum, and a confident boy is emerging from the cocoon. He is well aware of the behavioral expectations I have and he repeats them to me often. I confirm the truth of what he is saying. The directives that sparked the tantrums just three days ago are now met with joyful obedience. He sings as he cleans up. He willingly does the tasks asked of him even if he takes a minute to process it...he may start to squawk then quickly corrects himself. He is respectful of boundaries. He doesn't raise his voice in anger. <br />
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When he does make a mistake, he SITS and he SITS well and only for the allotted time. He is quick to offer an apology and go on with the day. <br />
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Two days ago, I heard him singing, "I did it. I did it. Bueno Nino! Si!" upon leaving the TIME OUT chair after just five minutes. <br />
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He is blossoming, and it is beautiful!</div>
Kelli, all of my life, in every season, I have a reason to worshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699958306852813348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979338440656319640.post-44742438537818375812012-08-14T08:30:00.000-07:002012-08-14T08:30:07.925-07:00Day 20: The Tour<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Two noteworthy thoughts come to mind about our "good-bye" tour of Chiquitines:<br />
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1.) The place OVERFLOWS with love. From the guard at the gate, to the maintenance man for the property, to the ladies sitting at the reception desk, to the elderly woman mopping the floor, to the teachers and therapists, to the "House Mamas", to the ladies in the cafeteria cooking lunch, to the large group of volunteers serving the children, there was not one person my boys did not run to for a hug... not one person who did not receive them with open arms... not one person who had a dry eye when we drove away. Chiquitines loves the children. Chiquitines advocates for the children. Chiquitines understands the children. Chiquitines shares in the children's success and failure. They are committed to the SUCCESS of every child in their care. God bless Chiquitines.<br />
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2.) My children have lived life looking "through the bars" and a chain link fence. All else aside, they have grown up in an orphanage and every view of the outside world they have has been through iron bars and razor wired fence...this profoundly touched my heart. Thank God for the love inside.<br />
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<i>"For He breaks down gates of bronze and cuts through bars of iron." </i><br />
<i> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Psalm 107:16</span></i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSHUGVoarF6C907IT43g0hFPsIl_8TW76BfeExxh6Q082XsUKZijDCv-_tYScX4ONU9_BlFcgduTKhTrs1y1TdEi6ChaD_FcrVcijpg3iGYVFTurqxBYLbuI7N5AezM7sp79qv6-NAfnc/s1600/Days+19+and+20+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSHUGVoarF6C907IT43g0hFPsIl_8TW76BfeExxh6Q082XsUKZijDCv-_tYScX4ONU9_BlFcgduTKhTrs1y1TdEi6ChaD_FcrVcijpg3iGYVFTurqxBYLbuI7N5AezM7sp79qv6-NAfnc/s200/Days+19+and+20+007.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The main inner courtyard.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnCRTMxIKGPaS4D6XCKBd8wp-UEtrGIQqykZqUlkskZy-kOhHXpaa3v_Wi9bS3G9r-xacAna4awoIouVu1ng5_MnAwxQ02FmIcNieBpUmQ2G1RI2gs60IKi1p4e8zSfthLJQ0Af9YwuKU/s1600/Days+19+and+20+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnCRTMxIKGPaS4D6XCKBd8wp-UEtrGIQqykZqUlkskZy-kOhHXpaa3v_Wi9bS3G9r-xacAna4awoIouVu1ng5_MnAwxQ02FmIcNieBpUmQ2G1RI2gs60IKi1p4e8zSfthLJQ0Af9YwuKU/s320/Days+19+and+20+009.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cafeteria...oh the wonderful aroma!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEd-6saIDF-D5UxZpEnDyyXhyphenhyphen1vuUuYWAGVeADdc6fWQakpoBWqJXcr2y-571LGUNBwCrzRw_4WsitB5U39qFhhKC0u4ts_gwc65lexzvil2n8L4iJXBOSSs79K_0wLWBTmvXfumNJVv4/s1600/Days+19+and+20+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEd-6saIDF-D5UxZpEnDyyXhyphenhyphen1vuUuYWAGVeADdc6fWQakpoBWqJXcr2y-571LGUNBwCrzRw_4WsitB5U39qFhhKC0u4ts_gwc65lexzvil2n8L4iJXBOSSs79K_0wLWBTmvXfumNJVv4/s320/Days+19+and+20+011.JPG" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Superkids Abby showing Laura the ropes.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQbcsdjOax0QJeICDSFVYhpwslluJpe3yQoNlB7OXBk8rfy9BwoQb21zdo6qRdZWgH3baQ8KrOhD2J7bq6mzV68DHyh7NEvDwxWU8ZSzqmeuGrhT-X8kyXduZclM2aEeISLsMRp0iSpYc/s1600/Days+19+and+20+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQbcsdjOax0QJeICDSFVYhpwslluJpe3yQoNlB7OXBk8rfy9BwoQb21zdo6qRdZWgH3baQ8KrOhD2J7bq6mzV68DHyh7NEvDwxWU8ZSzqmeuGrhT-X8kyXduZclM2aEeISLsMRp0iSpYc/s320/Days+19+and+20+021.JPG" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Each child has a closet for "their" things.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQMOJylkkIzzjRTwB_b9TUta0exZ65NOckbnzLQ8Jvhv6IJaGiHV6gIuhuP5vadYDL6JT8ZPNF-RGgXyon3psN0Miaso2FuhLqsMeIf6EXmzCZmDNCoX8RkjHllRVHmCAeOKbYPgPWI4I/s1600/Days+19+and+20+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQMOJylkkIzzjRTwB_b9TUta0exZ65NOckbnzLQ8Jvhv6IJaGiHV6gIuhuP5vadYDL6JT8ZPNF-RGgXyon3psN0Miaso2FuhLqsMeIf6EXmzCZmDNCoX8RkjHllRVHmCAeOKbYPgPWI4I/s320/Days+19+and+20+023.JPG" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outdoor, open air showers with cold water only.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizIUjHWmxBe9TABX1x0rwrJXajbQB9xyLdki8tKTcrMNzyECgkHvJS4SiJdDtgZMReH5z8Njk-8Em8X4uAg339k_pK6WsIFAIWSG6U7eErwnRvyraPlxvpJevGxesgaWP2-qLjpmlLw04/s1600/Days+19+and+20+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizIUjHWmxBe9TABX1x0rwrJXajbQB9xyLdki8tKTcrMNzyECgkHvJS4SiJdDtgZMReH5z8Njk-8Em8X4uAg339k_pK6WsIFAIWSG6U7eErwnRvyraPlxvpJevGxesgaWP2-qLjpmlLw04/s640/Days+19+and+20+024.JPG" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bars backed up by the chain link fence...everywhere.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdkWz8pe90pNPrQQio9wmsG7rFXzhxwrKvboTlis3cI0J1OLTccbkX7lvdtsv77x0ROMdoqRUHmfmfW8moSgioTy3h14R_I55o_zcQ2TUzMGVJjdwB1gVHHw4hfahbjnalfeDmmtF-DCU/s1600/Days+19+and+20+027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdkWz8pe90pNPrQQio9wmsG7rFXzhxwrKvboTlis3cI0J1OLTccbkX7lvdtsv77x0ROMdoqRUHmfmfW8moSgioTy3h14R_I55o_zcQ2TUzMGVJjdwB1gVHHw4hfahbjnalfeDmmtF-DCU/s320/Days+19+and+20+027.JPG" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical sleeping quarters.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd0ayG3JAusBP0l7l22iJHKrmIt4jGUu5Wkfe9xua8wRrg_lEgQUu2edIlD_LcBf7DQ8SvkNRlU7LKmJ5iAIoGUz1STQyzKxuiTI2NHIg6w7HYRbmQllybbdPrR0iPusoiB7yvu9f8AOo/s1600/Days+19+and+20+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd0ayG3JAusBP0l7l22iJHKrmIt4jGUu5Wkfe9xua8wRrg_lEgQUu2edIlD_LcBf7DQ8SvkNRlU7LKmJ5iAIoGUz1STQyzKxuiTI2NHIg6w7HYRbmQllybbdPrR0iPusoiB7yvu9f8AOo/s320/Days+19+and+20+030.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pool and playground.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicsiH2yo20_scxWMbDGo8325Uv7Kpwq1dLThFLvAqliwm5oYSqMt5Zr-6BgxIstG3VBV0NT9kGBf5GGsLUPeVFC0MMU5WE_3X2w30V3-HHl6dyGcUhnnk6Qmzd5ca2F-GCrpeP9rzykKo/s1600/Days+19+and+20+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicsiH2yo20_scxWMbDGo8325Uv7Kpwq1dLThFLvAqliwm5oYSqMt5Zr-6BgxIstG3VBV0NT9kGBf5GGsLUPeVFC0MMU5WE_3X2w30V3-HHl6dyGcUhnnk6Qmzd5ca2F-GCrpeP9rzykKo/s320/Days+19+and+20+033.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Preschool.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQfvvuzWc0j9A912QGLlQXMw9dItsk5EM3thelfp_7FZx5g4sRk0mH_vVZHce8ribCFXjTp-STuqNhcd0TXKOW2FTruDmAlFBjFFA7kcOKM39dpKB7UvG9GZu0icFZmnMUxdwUoYzR6y8/s1600/Days+19+and+20+032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQfvvuzWc0j9A912QGLlQXMw9dItsk5EM3thelfp_7FZx5g4sRk0mH_vVZHce8ribCFXjTp-STuqNhcd0TXKOW2FTruDmAlFBjFFA7kcOKM39dpKB7UvG9GZu0icFZmnMUxdwUoYzR6y8/s320/Days+19+and+20+032.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Creek running through the property.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAmMDh95te5O8DxxIALa57bluq7xhVIsxc6Gym8a6IemReov0eS-qm_GoZc9LhDm4v-4JmUKHGcvuoPhyphenhyphensj5QT-ImqJ2fRJBcMNTBwMbq98IQYgMj5HXIMYA6VcLgo4mfMq2S3S3HmU80/s1600/Days+19+and+20+045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAmMDh95te5O8DxxIALa57bluq7xhVIsxc6Gym8a6IemReov0eS-qm_GoZc9LhDm4v-4JmUKHGcvuoPhyphenhyphensj5QT-ImqJ2fRJBcMNTBwMbq98IQYgMj5HXIMYA6VcLgo4mfMq2S3S3HmU80/s200/Days+19+and+20+045.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Children playing. Take note of the "toys".</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjryywaAyJ-PfNGg8on9amw054wwXV4SA2aln2BpARHOEHU9owV1nobx4iZE-VztEbOxpn4jA2maQ5zT1tbm_mcskGjCdcr5BYLEJdS0DPhKK7tadTftBJYSPZGLnRZ5eg9FDuxzlqET6c/s1600/Days+19+and+20+053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjryywaAyJ-PfNGg8on9amw054wwXV4SA2aln2BpARHOEHU9owV1nobx4iZE-VztEbOxpn4jA2maQ5zT1tbm_mcskGjCdcr5BYLEJdS0DPhKK7tadTftBJYSPZGLnRZ5eg9FDuxzlqET6c/s200/Days+19+and+20+053.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "floor" of the play area.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh4xcy2SV6zANoQ1V02GUHj1Bnk-Yt3zDgbAGQv0r2Q5J_jNO6tbbSHx8Miu23vajg0ZpHNukvwPzE8rfI205fS6Wl0bwdshzIsltl1n18EiNADl82hXf7oV1LmSfEQ8UGgRqTBWeCil8/s1600/Days+19+and+20+038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh4xcy2SV6zANoQ1V02GUHj1Bnk-Yt3zDgbAGQv0r2Q5J_jNO6tbbSHx8Miu23vajg0ZpHNukvwPzE8rfI205fS6Wl0bwdshzIsltl1n18EiNADl82hXf7oV1LmSfEQ8UGgRqTBWeCil8/s320/Days+19+and+20+038.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For fun.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig7OjIDGoumGqmULexcm4yu4hmdMsaSj6NMr5pBnwFHlrnShMJdzlwvzQ79lpZxe4xfQlA0t1Wfcc4QHornBpvu33BqiYraimsoxGTCYmGT3c-N64SYacGvW8kH3MhadkdwMKu8gxjX3Y/s1600/Days+19+and+20+073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig7OjIDGoumGqmULexcm4yu4hmdMsaSj6NMr5pBnwFHlrnShMJdzlwvzQ79lpZxe4xfQlA0t1Wfcc4QHornBpvu33BqiYraimsoxGTCYmGT3c-N64SYacGvW8kH3MhadkdwMKu8gxjX3Y/s320/Days+19+and+20+073.JPG" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the play yard...again, note the "toys". </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7OSxRavwzdeEqpFA3VWyljqtlqQSgoy082Hn9jVe2Q1rvy1okNDduL7e90CwypDhlnASlZZhj8-hdqOHlvqk8mafJBMW2szlcDZeYpdbvIGiShmNYb9dtibRGVR70Tev4WDsNxSOozo/s1600/Days+19+and+20+075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7OSxRavwzdeEqpFA3VWyljqtlqQSgoy082Hn9jVe2Q1rvy1okNDduL7e90CwypDhlnASlZZhj8-hdqOHlvqk8mafJBMW2szlcDZeYpdbvIGiShmNYb9dtibRGVR70Tev4WDsNxSOozo/s200/Days+19+and+20+075.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The parking lot.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbumi49qBn9Q-RwX2yjBpnDNijm-UB3zxPykxoY79RBMWvIp-hDb1pOm54yQBfbiU59A0Yj_5BijgBXcaIqXImQM_M-x7gT988aNWPRMVa0yZY0hj3g3tv-q8zQ8WOwxfHCXqKDuR0JG8/s1600/Days+19+and+20+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbumi49qBn9Q-RwX2yjBpnDNijm-UB3zxPykxoY79RBMWvIp-hDb1pOm54yQBfbiU59A0Yj_5BijgBXcaIqXImQM_M-x7gT988aNWPRMVa0yZY0hj3g3tv-q8zQ8WOwxfHCXqKDuR0JG8/s400/Days+19+and+20+039.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The children play in this "field" separated by age groups. The area is full of briars and saw grass and broken cinder blocks and all kinds of debris that quickly become the only "toys" the children have to occupy themselves with...so much to think about...so much that we take for granted...so much we are blessed with...while there are so many living with SO little.</td></tr>
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Kelli, all of my life, in every season, I have a reason to worshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699958306852813348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979338440656319640.post-51922265784351712642012-08-12T20:16:00.000-07:002012-08-12T20:16:47.106-07:00Days 18 & 19: Cocooning<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Cocooning.<br />
<br />
It is a word in the adoption world that you hear mainly in reference to infant adoption. It is a part of the bonding process. The adopted child is in essence placed in a cocoon...a world of mommy, daddy, child, and home... all the child's needs are met by mommy and daddy...the child is only held by mommy and daddy...socialization is limited to mommy and daddy until the child recognizes who their mommy and daddy are and a strong bond is formed. Then little by little the child breaks out of the cocoon, experiencing extended family and community little by little as tolerated.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht-yaYeIATrxNEJkhJWCmJv80MAe-Xc2pVg4U0Vsq4qLPKqtdBuKJmAt4AsZJ04JwI86Cjp2EPrcAiaJ8tm81e29vpG4t4zItOT1vH6aBZNhukOJhHxr7F8pvMKbfgMH4qIh_BfkdoZmA/s1600/Day+18+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht-yaYeIATrxNEJkhJWCmJv80MAe-Xc2pVg4U0Vsq4qLPKqtdBuKJmAt4AsZJ04JwI86Cjp2EPrcAiaJ8tm81e29vpG4t4zItOT1vH6aBZNhukOJhHxr7F8pvMKbfgMH4qIh_BfkdoZmA/s320/Day+18+026.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Not much was said about this "theory" in reference to older child adoption.<br />
<br />
We sent an introductory video to our children along with a photo album and a gift in a care package that they received at the orphanage weeks before our arrival. The staff at the orphanage began talking to them about their new family...their role in "a" family...the rules in "a" family...the expectations of "a" family.<br />
<br />
<br />
We met Thunder and Lightning on presentation day and off we went...Day 1 of our new life. Not only did Thunder and Lightning not know the ropes, but we weren't sure ourselves exactly how to function as a family of seven. There was going to be learning to do on both sides of the fence.<br />
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On Day 19 of our new life as a family of seven, I am an advocate of cocooning in the case of older child adoption. <br />
<br />
I can speak honestly about the advantages of being secluded from others in these early days as a new family.<br />
<br />
The orphanage did a FANTASTIC job through the years, and particularly in the weeks before placement, preparing Thunder and Lightning for "a" family, BUT it would be impossible to completely prepare them for "the WORLEY family" with our rules, workings, idiosyncracies, and expectations. As our boys walked out of the orphanage nearly three weeks ago, they left everything they knew behind...people, friends, teachers, school, recreation, food, clothing, toys, language, a schedule...EVERYTHING...and they walked into a world of almost complete unknowns.<br />
<br />
They had new clothes, new toys, new people, new language, new food, new rules, and a completely new schedule in a completely new place...and that is plenty of NEW at this point in time. Cocooning, secluding ourselves from others, DYNAMIC IMMERSION INTO THE WORLEY FAMILY, allowed these things to become familiar without distractions from others. <br />
<br />
Protecting their eyes and ears from others allowed them to focus on the essentials around them without comparing, or being compared to others. They had time to become comfortable and feel accepted in their "new skin"...with their new ways...with their new schedule...in their new clothes before having to show it to "the world". They have had time to figure out that we are on their side...that we will willingly meet every need in a timely fashion...that we kiss and clean boo boos promptly...that night after night we follow the same routine and we sing the same songs...morning after morning starts with hugs and kisses...day after day the rules remain the same, no matter what.<br />
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Cocooning, DYNAMIC IMMERSION INTO FAMILY, has given us a chance to improve our communication with each other. They can read my body language and my looks. They recognize what is playful and what is not. The know when to carry on the joke, or the game, and when to stop it all together. I can read their faces and their little twitches. I can see a storm brewing and head for shore. All of this is because we have been secluded, in close proximity to each other, learning together what being a family looks like for us now.<br />
<br />
I came with index cards and a strict schedule in my back pocket, but I have realized that with my boys, I don't need it. I read their cues. I know when they are happy and I do not upset the apple cart. When the voices get raised and the shoulders slump, I intervene with a friendly clean up song and an enticement to do something different. I do not put us in a box OR keep us in a box...although the basic bones of our day are non-negotiable. <br />
<br />
We wake up at almost the same time everyday. <br />
<br />
Breakfast is a necessity...followed by flexibility for a few hours until lunch, another necessity...followed by flexibility for a few hours until dinner, another necessity...and this is where we begin to follow a hard and fast schedule. We prepare dinner. We set the table. We pray. We eat. We call Daddy. Lightning bathes, puts on p.j.'s, brushes his teeth, climbs into bed, and I sing a round of lullabies while patting his back. He falls asleep. While this is happening, Thunder bathes, puts on p.j.'s, brushes his teeth, tip toes into bed, and then I move over to his side to sing him a round of lullabies while rubbing his back. <br />
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There have been no exceptions to the basic framework of our days and I believe that that has built security into the more flexible hours of the days here in Colombia.<br />
<br />
Again, cocooning, being DYNAMICALLY IMMERSED IN FAMILY without the distraction of others, has allowed us to create our own schedule and get involved in activities that suit us...things that strengthen the ties that bind us. Thunder and Lightning can show their vulnerability. They can soak up hugs and kisses all day long. They can test rules. They can try and retry behaviors without having anywhere to be or anything pressing to do. <br />
<br />
They can be who they are while discovering who we are. <br />
<br />
They have built confidence each and every day. They have bonded and become very close siblings. Their affection for everyone in the family is spontaneous and sincere. They have learned to share. They laugh...oh how they laugh! And when patience runs short or tempers flare, we have the time to "work it out"...to walk them through reasonable solutions because we are in our cocoon...just us...no distractions or temptations.<br />
<br />
In the cocoon, they are learning the Worley family way and it is a BEAUTIFUL thing. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibFS1B4kIAUPP4CeoN0NkgOd7oaGEoh22BZ9n3FcY__BucC-dl4mvRk-LzbGKt3OFKU_OLPaFlXjf2Hpe-lbHER_exdzq-BTgDbiCPSQvOzag3y9XUJRsfayKKuqU-o-A5WlGmzG42f8k/s1600/Day+18+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibFS1B4kIAUPP4CeoN0NkgOd7oaGEoh22BZ9n3FcY__BucC-dl4mvRk-LzbGKt3OFKU_OLPaFlXjf2Hpe-lbHER_exdzq-BTgDbiCPSQvOzag3y9XUJRsfayKKuqU-o-A5WlGmzG42f8k/s200/Day+18+001.JPG" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our drinking water.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqOCnVgsvgStpg-Fd6AcMxetlff6UIv5seV6ad52fcpRgxmRbwlHLy5fVLQ7zdNaVvIdZzwEpoUI9vJ0VUK2XtTJ2ahkzfe2R7XTNITAEnbBr2ubcRFZWTRZzn5H6c4Sw5WNw-tyasyNA/s1600/Day+18+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqOCnVgsvgStpg-Fd6AcMxetlff6UIv5seV6ad52fcpRgxmRbwlHLy5fVLQ7zdNaVvIdZzwEpoUI9vJ0VUK2XtTJ2ahkzfe2R7XTNITAEnbBr2ubcRFZWTRZzn5H6c4Sw5WNw-tyasyNA/s200/Day+18+003.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite aguacate.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYgASSjhrkK_oDCwEYleus-I4QaTdUqtT8OJfsp_lAKY1MfuY4czuQTpXXjHbaTvd7rhfZGq8vAdQi4Dk2Ma-CDbWQyigg7-RONSbKLxJcWylcWpVVvZeuzQIlHt8X3dMKxPBBKq4GvN8/s1600/Day+18+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYgASSjhrkK_oDCwEYleus-I4QaTdUqtT8OJfsp_lAKY1MfuY4czuQTpXXjHbaTvd7rhfZGq8vAdQi4Dk2Ma-CDbWQyigg7-RONSbKLxJcWylcWpVVvZeuzQIlHt8X3dMKxPBBKq4GvN8/s200/Day+18+002.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delicious Colombian "Green Beans"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-tbN3vcerUjjkSu6LXaIgntutejKoKjilN39kXHRv3JdeNPFqXrTcsp3XPnrXiooYz1dzunoAqUnOxWmUTi2XXHoqQp84WidgBwuInDjQhpLczowJBwTvkeFiAKF36Gjwhf12kQj1GOU/s1600/Day+18+064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-tbN3vcerUjjkSu6LXaIgntutejKoKjilN39kXHRv3JdeNPFqXrTcsp3XPnrXiooYz1dzunoAqUnOxWmUTi2XXHoqQp84WidgBwuInDjQhpLczowJBwTvkeFiAKF36Gjwhf12kQj1GOU/s200/Day+18+064.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Chiva...one of my favorite sites here.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAAgzf6trXXRUZ3UjDnXJmLu9_qEbGVMl4Iv13lJMLWa40rHbWk1XAOSMsxkWsKGKxuseWv6U5Fg2G4fYf_ZCpNZOSzP18LVrFy4hb19Xy8Y5zZDXKJc3Kygg6YuIdxodLTpSxb0QtHJE/s1600/Day+18+062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAAgzf6trXXRUZ3UjDnXJmLu9_qEbGVMl4Iv13lJMLWa40rHbWk1XAOSMsxkWsKGKxuseWv6U5Fg2G4fYf_ZCpNZOSzP18LVrFy4hb19Xy8Y5zZDXKJc3Kygg6YuIdxodLTpSxb0QtHJE/s200/Day+18+062.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful seed pod from a Colombian tree.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhusy8ipaHUiEWqRg94_6JPQutV8OfjOfidgXQzTNDqsK35nGMOhfEvW-gyFtMg1RrPjibufPGxlHKzixNVAX-CSp3-bB1ddBB8CiHyFOPE3pUo0DMgA_D0hR1KANSFsXGlilN7FvP5bM/s1600/Day+18+068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhusy8ipaHUiEWqRg94_6JPQutV8OfjOfidgXQzTNDqsK35nGMOhfEvW-gyFtMg1RrPjibufPGxlHKzixNVAX-CSp3-bB1ddBB8CiHyFOPE3pUo0DMgA_D0hR1KANSFsXGlilN7FvP5bM/s640/Day+18+068.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A typical restaurant...open air dining at its finest!</td></tr>
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<br /></div>Kelli, all of my life, in every season, I have a reason to worshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699958306852813348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979338440656319640.post-28040704307905303842012-08-10T20:51:00.001-07:002012-08-15T16:01:18.627-07:00Days 16 and 17: Probable Change in Plans<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Have you ever had one of those days when you got out of bed with a plan? You knew exactly what the day had in store for you...where you were going...what you were doing...who you were seeing And then before your second cup of coffee, everything changed...something happened...you weren't doing anything or going anywhere or seeing anyone that you thought you would be.<br />
<br />
Well, yesterday, we thought we were going to spend the day at a country club south of the city. We had graciously been invited and we were excited for the opportunity.<br />
<br />
Mid morning when our facilitator arrived to pick us up, the plan had changed. The invitation was never confirmed and rather than make pests of ourselves by calling to ask if we could still come, we redirected our activities and took off for the River Pance. <br />
<br />
It was not part of the plan, but it was after all a good and suitable alternative.<br />
<br />
We took the scenic route which was lovely. We saw beautiful estates and horses out to pasture. We saw new construction as well as old stone walls still standing from the days when slavery was permissible in Colombia. <br />
<br />
It was along ride. The boys were anxious to arrive at our destination.<br />
<br />
An increase in tour buses on the highway gave it away that we were indeed nearing our stopping point. With a quick jerk of the steering wheel to the left, we turned into the parking lot. As we did, our facilitator's cell phone started to ring.<br />
<br />
She began to chuckle.<br />
<br />
The man on the other end of the line was wondering if we were ever going to arrive at the club or not! <br />
<br />
We had no idea he was expecting us.<br />
<br />
Not having paid for admission or parking at the River Pance yet, we did a little fancy maneuvering (most driving in Cali consists of fancy maneuvering!), made a u-turn, and took off to the country club where we originally thought we were going to spend the day anyway. <br />
<br />
Just minutes down the road, I made the comment that some days you wake up thinking you know exactly what the day has in store, exactly what the plan is, then you realize that all along God had something else in mind.<br />
<br />
Your plans were not His plans.<br />
<br />
That is how I feel sitting here tonight. <br />
<br />
We were hopeful that our court case would go like clockwork and there would be no delays. <br />
<br />
We planned to be Bogota-bound next Monday or Tuesday. <br />
<br />
Then the call came that changed our plans. <br />
<br />
Our papers would not be signed anytime soon. <br />
<br />
So we have made other plans, and allowed for a longer stay in Cali. <br />
<br />
BUT in the back of my mind, I can't help but wonder if at the last minute we'll get that call that puts us back on the original chartered course? We had a plan. We changed the plan. BUT maybe, just maybe, Bogota is waiting for our arrival next week after all. <br />
<br />
There is only One who knows for sure and He is the One whose thoughts are higher than my thoughts and whose ways are higher than my ways. He is the One weaving the beautiful tapestry of my life. Unfortunately when I look up, I only see the back of the weaving...the twisted threads...the nonsensical colors...the knots...and the loose ends. BUT GOD, He sees it from the front where every color, every thread, and every stitch is woven into the design of my life that truly makes sense.<br />
<br />
Sometimes when I look at the tapestry, it doesn't seem possible that it will ever make sense or become anything beautiful. BUT GOD! All things are possible with God.<br />
<br />
Today we went to the science museum in downtown Cali.<br />
<br />
As we were leaving, we stood outside on the street waiting for our ride. I spent my time looking around, taking in the sights...I love it. <br />
<br />
My eyes immediately focused on a small space between two tall buildings. <br />
<br />
What I saw through this gap took my breath away.<br />
<br />
There on the mountain peak barely visible between the two buildings was the Statue of the Christ. The very statue we visited the day we had our bonding interview at ICBF. The very place where we had our picture taken as a family of seven on the day that Thunder and Lightning said "YES! We are Worleys and we are a part of this family!"<br />
<br />
God is so good. So loving. So present. <br />
<br />
He called to me through the gap,<br />
<br />
"I am always with you. I will never leave you. I am in the battle, have no fear." <br />
<br />
I have no idea when we will get through court and be leaving Cali, but as I lay my head on the pillow tonight, I praise the One who does.<br />
<br />
I have the only One I need.</div>
Kelli, all of my life, in every season, I have a reason to worshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699958306852813348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979338440656319640.post-82642029746053701132012-08-08T21:05:00.000-07:002012-08-08T21:05:22.934-07:00Day 15: It's the Simple Things<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><br />These are a few of our favorite things that help to pass the time here in Cali, Colombia as we wait for Sentencia:<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb-KEFPr1MdEHIAT3A9AeE-4IuXdVnJmxhM6m-2YfPg9eC8XSdOwImrR1EbGY5sknuqyZFAMOnhIxNeHotLjvXojjVM9wJ6F6NcwRxlwONnRTdtxwyPL4X8VCO2kjD5k898vyPs8ywAu4/s1600/Colombia+Simple+Pleasures+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb-KEFPr1MdEHIAT3A9AeE-4IuXdVnJmxhM6m-2YfPg9eC8XSdOwImrR1EbGY5sknuqyZFAMOnhIxNeHotLjvXojjVM9wJ6F6NcwRxlwONnRTdtxwyPL4X8VCO2kjD5k898vyPs8ywAu4/s400/Colombia+Simple+Pleasures+003.JPG" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A plastic bucket, a scoop, and a boat have been used in the pool and in the bathtub. The bucket doubles as a soup pot and a dumping apparatus!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFFGCVZNXZunAGdYj71HLXeWgnEG6MyPPv24yH7Aas51PhrQwpC-cqTC9w6xdaTk4pzCXjb9TnFDXzIqjq6KWtfLviSTnpD1hP08sCpxz5-PhM_UTxTbNgRZ89wJmw-M-u48njnqWrF1k/s1600/Colombia+Simple+Pleasures+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFFGCVZNXZunAGdYj71HLXeWgnEG6MyPPv24yH7Aas51PhrQwpC-cqTC9w6xdaTk4pzCXjb9TnFDXzIqjq6KWtfLviSTnpD1hP08sCpxz5-PhM_UTxTbNgRZ89wJmw-M-u48njnqWrF1k/s400/Colombia+Simple+Pleasures+006.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This art kit is a "paint by number" using stickers instead of paint and water. It has provided hours of quiet engaged activity. We work on color recognition, animal names, and animal habitats. We have made connections to things we have seen at the zoo. These will also make great gifts for the children to give as going away presents.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDXaZu6MlycWCtLW4PVF6PrOqD0jzLg0AzycB3ayXoATuNHavdDuUSSWERsbJS-e-ritzgQBeWOfl6pE05s57yJwucthExv_h9OCKolRaC5oYpKf8e1rJfmxq3pd66Ln6ezFw5MjKN1g/s1600/Colombia+Simple+Pleasures+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDXaZu6MlycWCtLW4PVF6PrOqD0jzLg0AzycB3ayXoATuNHavdDuUSSWERsbJS-e-ritzgQBeWOfl6pE05s57yJwucthExv_h9OCKolRaC5oYpKf8e1rJfmxq3pd66Ln6ezFw5MjKN1g/s320/Colombia+Simple+Pleasures+008.JPG" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A package of punch balls (balloons) have provided hours of entertainment as well as a way to burn off extra energy and frustration while in the apartment. They have also served as a great way to improve eye hand coordination and concentration!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN654dsxHX9ZmxmQEDtSZ4QzGBTlgn5z5Vnu_7SoB7CSu1QtleA0NoTGlQP68Ad6Zaevc6CTjRmMFc-XR1e3JOMMBoJBcitdSES0aEnDgBsMiScm7j2uATsSAZ0mnVWP7sPfNIJgxPxi8/s1600/Colombia+Simple+Pleasures+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN654dsxHX9ZmxmQEDtSZ4QzGBTlgn5z5Vnu_7SoB7CSu1QtleA0NoTGlQP68Ad6Zaevc6CTjRmMFc-XR1e3JOMMBoJBcitdSES0aEnDgBsMiScm7j2uATsSAZ0mnVWP7sPfNIJgxPxi8/s400/Colombia+Simple+Pleasures+010.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ah! Treasure! This simple collection of coins has given us many opportunities to have fun and learn at the same time. Their primary function was to be used in lieu of fancy dive sticks. I quickly realized that they can be used for practicing counting in English, as well as sorting like and unlike, as well as identifying monetary denominations, as well as adding and subtracting. Thunder knew he started with 11 coins. Then he found 4. How many more did he have to find? And so on... We have done this for hours at a time at the pool!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC629ofY4s5oRaE1jvWd6Zwigod-lTKqPLl_QxADbTwKdUV2awt_ZhOG-mVFSnXrZ04ZZTW5LB97tC55AvuV3xIHrXAORhC0vIwAD280oYiOZVm7437wcLZFVK9WHdzbQPUixOPi3dxP8/s1600/Colombia+Simple+Pleasures+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC629ofY4s5oRaE1jvWd6Zwigod-lTKqPLl_QxADbTwKdUV2awt_ZhOG-mVFSnXrZ04ZZTW5LB97tC55AvuV3xIHrXAORhC0vIwAD280oYiOZVm7437wcLZFVK9WHdzbQPUixOPi3dxP8/s400/Colombia+Simple+Pleasures+012.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plastic jumping frogs sold in the party favor aisle at WALMART for next to nothing have become a favorite toy around here. Lightning plays "rescue the frogs" in the kiddie pool while Thunder dives for treasure coins in the big pool. The multiple colors of the frogs make for a great sorting activity, and today we played hide and seek with the frogs. We hid all of the green ones for Lightning and all of the red ones for Thunder. They searched again and again, getting more excited with each turn to search and find the colorful frogs. We play this at the pool and in the apartment and at the park! We also count the frogs and practice color recognition.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRaiy07TbsynHFf1-gmEFXbDWOlAtpXK9_MElC8WSXxQiZCbXA9-a7Pi9jIBVB-HPc7FF40O6lg5aOrjgKT7oMzpGV0-EdjKK19YNYZCgUdW02O-v_AmPe-1iK0uU5a6KMEGdb9_QPP0E/s1600/Colombia+Simple+Pleasures+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRaiy07TbsynHFf1-gmEFXbDWOlAtpXK9_MElC8WSXxQiZCbXA9-a7Pi9jIBVB-HPc7FF40O6lg5aOrjgKT7oMzpGV0-EdjKK19YNYZCgUdW02O-v_AmPe-1iK0uU5a6KMEGdb9_QPP0E/s400/Colombia+Simple+Pleasures+014.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A clearance set of IMAGINEX blocks has entertained the boys day after day.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiFsio77bTT0hyphenhyphenJ9bvaoMrCPOZBBMl-dHpuBHigBnZz5xYeeWfC2BF9ngqt5AsZo7t0fa1iNSKBdoOyYn2SbRtsmTX4dHUOwenKhR3F0FwL3avB5k_mjaLT81ls2EE6FoBp5rTn_Ex3iU/s1600/Colombia+Simple+Pleasures+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiFsio77bTT0hyphenhyphenJ9bvaoMrCPOZBBMl-dHpuBHigBnZz5xYeeWfC2BF9ngqt5AsZo7t0fa1iNSKBdoOyYn2SbRtsmTX4dHUOwenKhR3F0FwL3avB5k_mjaLT81ls2EE6FoBp5rTn_Ex3iU/s400/Colombia+Simple+Pleasures+018.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And this simple pool toy is a favorite with everyone. Sometimes we use it as a hoop and through balls through it or into it. Sometimes we put it in the pool as a floating target and try to jump into it. Sometimes it is a flotation device. But mostly it is our "cabello"...our horse. Someone gets in the tube. Someone else gets on their back and holds on to the tube as the water horse takes them for a wild bucking bronco ride! Fun!</td></tr>
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<br /></div>Kelli, all of my life, in every season, I have a reason to worshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699958306852813348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979338440656319640.post-47443984685515904092012-08-07T18:39:00.001-07:002012-08-07T18:39:57.837-07:00Days 13 & 14: The Ramblings of a Mom thousands of Miles from Home<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It has been amazing to look back at the past two weeks and see the changes in Thunder and Lightning...some subtle, some not so subtle.<br />
<br />
We allowed t.v. from Day 1. I had my theory and we went with it. My theory was that Thunder used the t.v. as a coping mechanism...his own sort of transition device. His t.v. viewing was not unlimited, but we were very generous in the amount of time we allowed him to watch as well as WHAT we allowed him to watch (for example, CARTOON NETWORK was allowed here, but we do not allow it at home). <br />
<br />
Hence, day by day, he watched less and less t.v...no nagging from us, just him choosing for himself to join in our games and activities without feeling forced to be a part of something he wasn't ready for.<br />
<br />
On Day 13, we witnessed the biggest breakthrough.<br />
<br />
Two days earlier, I set stricter limits on the t.v. viewing (for example, no more t.v. viewing in the bedroom... t.v. must be viewed in the family room only.) The limit was obeyed and Thunder began to be in closer proximity to the action happening here in the apartment. <br />
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The next restriction was on the channels he was allowed to watch. This restriction was met with some resistance, but he quickly responded to the new rule and he no longer views CARTOON NETWORK. <br />
<br />
So, on Day 13, the t.v. didn't even get turned on and Thunder showed us another side of his wonderful self...the ARTIST! He had his most content, most relaxed, most enjoyable day so far just coloring, and doing sticker books, and painting, and creating LEGO machines. He now opts for music and the Ninetendo DS and crafts and games, not the t.v. as a means of entertaining himself. To me this is a testimony that his comfort level has increased ten-fold and he does not NEED the t.v. anymore.<br />
<br />
I have had to pick my battles very carefully, extending a lot of grace in a lot of situations, remembering that these boys have a lot to learn, many social skills to acquire, and often their pure excitement and enthusiasm overwhelms them all by itself. When I am witness to an infraction, let's say, pushing to the front of the line in the grocery store, or failing to say "please" or "thank you", I have them apologize to the one they offended, then we try again...very calmly and very quietly...with a "no big deal" attitude. They respond incredibly well to this approach. <br />
<br />
WE work on three things everyday:<br />
<br />
1. Use Kind Words/Watch Your Tone<br />
2. No Hitting in This Family/No Hitting Friends (I demonstrate the things God made our hands for, such as helping and building and creating and hugging, NOT hitting)<br />
3. LISTEN/Do What You Are Told the First Time<br />
<br />
Number 3 is the biggest challenge, but we are making breakthroughs everyday and it is SO exciting! I give a command and if it is not followed, I get down on their level and repeat it. If they still choose not to comply, I give a choice, you can do what you are told or you can sit (we have a TIME OUT chair for each boy) until you are ready to do what you are told and the rest of us are going to go on our merry way. <br />
<br />
You can bet your bottom dollar that by now, we have two very good listeners in the house who have not hit each other in at least four days and no longer raise their voices at each other!!!<br />
<br />
Demanding? YES! It takes all I have. All of my time. All of my energy. All of my focus. BUT it is SO very worth it to see the investment returned.<br />
<br />
Fair Maiden L.K. is a great partner and works alongside of me to reinforce our family rules.<br />
<br />
Just a few days ago, bedtime was so distressing for Lightning...from the bath to the tucking in, he fell apart, clinging to me for dear life. NOT anymore! He is a happy boy who starts talking about bedtime before we even sit down to eat dinner. I play right along with the conversation, assuring him of the sequence of events and that it is going to be a good night. He is going to be a good listener and Mama is going to be a happy Mama!<br />
<br />
Tonight, he got his p.j.'s and took them into the bathroom. He climbed into the tub and played with the toys and the bubbles for at least twenty minutes. He got out of the water the first time he was told to. He put on his lotion and his jammies, brushed his teeth, and climbed into bed. I rubbed his back while serenading him with lullabies. He drifted off to dreamland in less than ten minutes. <br />
<br />
Time, patience, and consistency...it takes time, patience, and consistency.<br />
<br />
Is the language a barrier? Yes. And no. <br />
<br />
Right now, we are relying heavily on the language of love...it is universal and it is powerful. I long for the day that I can have a real conversation with my sons, but that is not today. Today, our faces speak and our bodies speak. The monster hugs, warm and tight and long speak volumes into both of our lives. The smiles and the pats on the back and the silly tickle bugs and the dancing around the apartment all speak volumes into our family dynamic at this point.<br />
<br />
I reassure my boys constantly that I will always be with them. I tell them I love them. I tell them they are handsome and intelligent. I comment to each one of them on their individual strengths. <br />
<br />
Lightning has special time with me in the kitchen helping to wash potatoes, put things away, or set the table. It is a great diversion tactic as well...when I sense trouble brewing, I playfully whisk him away to the kitchen where we do something together for a few minutes until the tension fades. Most of the time, managing behavior requires me to be proactive, nipping something in the bud before it has a chance to materialize.<br />
<br />
Thunder has carved out his own special time with me at the pool. After getting out of the ice cold water, we often sit on lounge chairs in the sun wrapped in towels so we can warm up before returning to the apartment. Thunder has found a place for himself on my lap in my chair. We snuggle and I warm him then I offer him a back massage. He always flashes that million dollar grin and says, "YES! PLEASE!!!". Today we sat together for nearly thirty minutes and as I rubbed his back, he caressed my leg.<br />
<br />
Oh! How I LOVE to hear the laughter and the giggles coming from these boys. I LOVE to see Thunder wanting so much to do the right thing. I LOVE to hear Lightning's little voice call to me. I LOVE the infinite times each day that one or the other of them runs into my arms and says, "I love you so much".<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LOVE...the Universal Language</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thunder spent an hour diving for treasure (coins) in the pool today.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lightning spent hours rescuing colorful frogs from the pool today.</td></tr>
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<br /></div>Kelli, all of my life, in every season, I have a reason to worshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699958306852813348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979338440656319640.post-4866596836234086582012-08-06T07:45:00.001-07:002012-08-06T07:46:30.196-07:00Day 12<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I can say with all honesty that I LOVE MY BOYS, Thunder and Lightning.<br />
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All of the little hunches I had about them and their personalities have been confirmed, and I ADORE each of them. I cannot imagine life without either one of them. Each is so different from the other, yet the joy and energy they exude is so much the same.<br />
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I am overwhelmed each time they call me "Mama"...each time they wrap their arms around my neck...each time they say "I love you"...each time they flash their boyish grins in my direction. <br />
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Everywhere we go people comment on what happy boys we have. <br />
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Our in-country facilitator just stands back and grins. She has known our children for years and says that it brings her the most happiness to see the bounce in their step and the way they have bonded. She says it is unusual, especially between mother and child, to see such love and comfort shown toward each other from the very beginning. I must admit it does my heart and my psyche good to hear such encouraging words, and it confirms what I know in my heart to be true... <i> </i><br />
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no "ifs", "ands", or "buts" about it...this is the real deal...very genuine...<br />
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WE ARE A FAMILY...<br />
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<i>SOMOS UNA FAMILIA!</i><br />
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Admittedly I have had my reservations about being here with the children by myself once Knight in Shining leaves with Kind Hearted Warrior and True Princess. I had allowed many doubts and fears and reservations to creep into my way of thinking. The enemy is still prowling, and he still knows my weak spot. My defense has been the surest and most true defense...PRAYER. And God , again, has been gracious beyond measure.<br />
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Through prayer I heard His gentle reassuring voice remind me again and again that He is here, never absent, and this all part of the plan. My remaining time in-country is all part of this season and I am to enjoy it...all the sights and sounds and people and food and activities...and mostly, my boys!!!<br />
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So, with a resolve to live this season to the fullest, today's adventure took us high into the mountains north of Cali. The roads are narrow. They twist and turn. Every view is magnificent. Our destination was a weekend mountain house. The grounds were beautiful and lush and full of flowers and unique greenery. Horses rode by on narrow dirt roads...klip, klop, klip, klop...we could hear them long before we could see them. Aromas from the village restaurant rose into the air and wafted on the cool mountain breeze. <br />
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We were welcomed, like family, with open arms...a cup of coffee, a glass of Colombiana, and a bowl of popcorn...to this beautiful retreat just under the clouds. The boys ran and played. We picked raspberries and visited the garden. I enjoyed the landscape and the views and the company. I didn't speak the language, but through our facilitator, I talked to the host family about life and family and adoption...especially adoption. Fair Maiden made fast friends with a 14 year old Colombian beauty and they went to town to indulge in chocolate covered churros and some good conversation. Thunder and I played NINJAs with the stalks of some long tropical flowers. We sparred and battled each other until I fell on the ground defeated...DEAD. Thunder ran to tell of his victory. Our facilitator came running and cast a spell over me...BACK TO LIFE I CAME! Thunder and I hugged and started all over again. So much fun.<br />
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Our time at this place just below the clouds was coming to end as a cold mountain breeze began to blow in. <br />
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Our most gracious hosts lined up at the door to say good bye. It was a most touching moment. The seniors in the group had tears in their eyes as they looked deep into mine and took a firm hold of my shoulders...they spoke sincere words. Through the translator I found out they were thanking me and my family...thanking us for loving the children, for playing with the children, for hugging and kissing the children, for traveling so far to give the children a hope and a future, for giving the children a family. I wanted to shout from the rooftops...<br />
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"It is MY privilege and MY pleasure!!!"<br />
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The hugs were long and tight before we climbed into the car waving good bye and shouting "mucho gracias" out the window down the mountain road.<br />
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Just minutes down the road, a look to the sky revealed KITES! Kites filled the sky. Oh! What a magical and whimsical vision...like nothing I had ever seen before. August is the "month of the winds" in Cali and people come out in droves to fly kites from the hill tops. Street vendors sell food. Families gather. Children laugh. The sky is colorful. It was an amazing and endearing vision. Such a blessing.<br />
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The whole day was a blessing during this season of my life in a country far from home, far from my family, and far from everything familiar. Yes! God is near. He is always here. The secret is to seek Him and you will find all the blessings He has in store. Nothing is going to change the amount of time we have to be here, BUT GOD and His army of ordinary angels have made it a treasured experience.<br />
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<br /></div>Kelli, all of my life, in every season, I have a reason to worshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699958306852813348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979338440656319640.post-15458674695843642542012-08-04T21:02:00.000-07:002012-08-04T21:05:42.492-07:00Days 9, 10, and 11: It Must Have Been God<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
WOW! Time flies when you are having fun.<br />
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(My blogging was just temporarily interrupted as the entire building shook followed by the sound of an explosion right outside of our balcony! Rushing to open the curtains and peek outside, we saw a crowd gathered below and a taxi cab that had crashed into the front of our building. Oh my! Thank goodness, no one appears to be hurt. The police have just arrived. NEVER a dull moment.)<br />
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Day 9 was the day that ended our bonding period with the boys. We had an 8:30AM meeting at ICBF with the officials to discuss "how things were going". This is a mandatory meeting that must take place and be met with approval before our adoption case can be sent to court and presented to a judge for an official signing of the Sentencia which declares the children part of our family.<br />
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In other words, this meeting is a big deal.<br />
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We walked there from the apartment fighting morning rush hour traffic and a lot of commotion on the streets.<br />
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We were all in our Sunday best as advised by our agency (in other words, we drew a lot of attention to ourselves!)<br />
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I don't know if the boys understood exactly what was happening that day or not, but I do know that when we finally reached the third floor of the ICBF building and entered into a tiny office where the meeting would commence, Thunder ran into the arms of the woman waiting for us. It was an ICBF official, a Defender, THE defender whom had been advocating for Thunder and Lightning for the many years that they have been in the system. She wept sincere tears of joy and repeated to our facilitator again and again what an emotional this was for her because these boys have such a special place in her heart. She had fought long and hard for them and their rights. She kept saying that the joy on their faces was proof enough that they had indeed found a home.<br />
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The meeting lasted a total of fifteen minutes, most of which was spent signing official paperwork. In an effort to ensure that every "i" was dotted and every "t" was crossed, the Defender read the legal paperwork containing Thunder and Lightning's given names out loud in order for us to confirm that the info contained therein was real and true. When Thunder heard his name given name read out loud, he instantly jumped to his feet and vehemently said to the Defender, "NO! WORLEY! I AM A WORLEY!"<br />
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Things wrapped up there very quickly and we were on our way to the Notary. After finishing our business there (another fifteen minutes later), we spoke to our attorney who assured us that she would take the papers to court by the end of the day and we would be assigned a court that afternoon. Late in the evening we received a phone call...Court #5. Our court was #5 and we were told that this was VERY good for our family and VERY good for the boys.<br />
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<i>"It must have been God."</i><br />
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Following our bonding meeting at ICBF we went on a tour of the mountains surrounding Cali. We drove to the highest peak in the area where a statue of the Christ stands. <br />
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It is beautiful. <br />
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Along the way, we saw artists carving in the clay along the roadside banks. They create incredible murals that they later paint. <br />
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Day 10 struck a fancy with all of us. It was a day when we were truly immersed in the culture of this colorful and lively city. We went to the local market where they sell fruits, vegetables, cheeses, meat, flowers, and local fare of all kinds. Our tour guide took us to vendor after vendor where we were treated to delicacy after delicacy and it was incredible. Everything was fresh and delicious including a lunch of beef sausage, yucca, ground corn cooked in the husk, and a delicious soda-like drink. <br />
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The boys enjoyed themselves so much.<br />
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<i>"It must have been God."</i><br />
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This would be the last day that we would be together as a family. Knight in Shining Armor would be leaving with True Princess and Kind Hearted Warrior in the middle of the night to catch an early morning flight to the United States.<br />
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Day 11 started with some sadness as the reality of Papa and brother and sister being gone really hit home. By mid-morning everyone was doing well. We went to the supermarket, played some basketball, and spent the afternoon at the pool. Without Papa, big brother, and little sister to monkey around with, the responsibility fell on Mama's shoulders. So we played water horse and raced from side to side, then I became a big, bad monster who inhabited "the cold pool" while the littles enjoyed themselves in the little hot pool. I do not like to swim in cold water...I actually prefer pool water at bath water temperature, but today, the cold did not phase me.<br />
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<i>"It must have been God."</i><br />
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Once back in the apartment, I LOVE that I have a helper every night! Lightning wants to be a part of everything I do, so he scrubs potatoes and sets the table and places the condiments, meal after meal. The boys know that dinner isn't eaten until a prayer is said and that dinner is followed by baths and baths are followed by tooth brushing and tooth brushing is followed by bed and bed is followed by back rubs and songs. Tonight, Lightning played in the tub for twenty minutes...splashing and singing and playing with the bubbles. He did not protest bed time at all. He did not ask to be rocked. He climbed up into bed after giving and getting bedtime hugs and kisses. I rubbed his back. I sang the songs. He fell fast asleep. The same was true for Thunder.<br />
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<i>"It must have been God."</i><br />
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One of the many things that I appreciate from Chiquitines is their discipline of the children and the expectation that the discipline is to continue when the children join a family. Our boys are accustomed to TIME OUT, therefore it has been our choice method of discipline when extra emphasis is needed to reinforce that a certain behavior is not tolerated in our family. One of the most important things for us to establish early on is that Mama and Papa mean what they say and they say what they mean...in other words, the expectation is that the boys will do as they are told, the FIRST time and NO means NO, YES means YES. We are kind to each other. No hitting is allowed. We are a team. We work together. We are here for each other.<br />
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The glimpses of understanding that the boys are gaining of these principles is priceless. They have such a desire to love and be loved...to fit in...to be a part of the family and they are continuously showing that desire. They are already using our expressions and picking up on the English words. They love to be out in the mall and saying "Excuse me.", "Thank you", "Please", "I'm sorry", "Okie Dokie", "Ut-oh spaghetti-o", etc...<br />
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I find it heart warming that already when one or the other is facing a dilemma or a problem or a troubling situation, they call for "Mama!". Already they have a sense that I am here for them...they view me as a protector and one who can help them solve their problems.<br />
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<i>"It must have been God!"</i><br />
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<br /></div>Kelli, all of my life, in every season, I have a reason to worshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699958306852813348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979338440656319640.post-4620268036830729392012-08-01T20:55:00.000-07:002012-08-01T20:55:53.675-07:00Day 8: Privileged<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We were walking down a city street today visiting souvenir shop after souvenir shop.<br />
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A cool breeze was blowing.<br />
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Rays of sunshine broke through the clouds. <br />
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It was quiet...very quiet on the streets.<br />
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The boys were a few paces ahead of me hand in hand with their brother and sisters. <br />
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They walked up to a jewelry cart and began to admire the bright, beautiful, colorful rings, necklaces and earrings.<br />
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Both boys bubbled with joy and turned to call, "Mama! Mama!"<br />
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As they motioned me to the cart with their eyes sparkling and arms open wide to greet me with a hug and take my hand, I had a "MOMENT".<br />
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In that "MOMENT", I realized just how privileged I was.<br />
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What a privilege it is that these boys call me "Mama" and allow ME to love them.<br />
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When one of them gets a bump or a bruise or a scratch, it is ME that he wants to kiss it.<br />
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When one of them is running a fever and has an aching belly, it is ME that he wants to sit beside him.<br />
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When one is uncertain of a person or place we encounter, it is MY hand he wants to hold.<br />
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When he needs toothpaste, or clean clothes, or a snack, or a game partner, or someone to play ball, it is ME he runs to.<br />
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ME. They have allowed ME to love them.<br />
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Only by the grace of an almighty God could I have been given this privilege, and it is to an almighty God that I humbly give thanks. <br />
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Oh no, these boys are not "the lucky ones".<br />
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I am. ME. As the world would say, I am "the lucky one".<br />
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I am privileged.<br />
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I am blessed.<br />
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All power, all honor, all glory be unto His name... <br />
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<br /></div>Kelli, all of my life, in every season, I have a reason to worshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699958306852813348noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979338440656319640.post-78419370961974577282012-07-31T20:40:00.000-07:002012-07-31T20:40:56.916-07:00Day 7<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Early, early every morning we hear soft little footsteps scamper into our bedroom. <br />
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Thunder and Lightning stand at the end of the bed saying, "Mama! Papa!"<br />
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The minute we roll over, they come for a hug...all smiles. Then they disappear to their room where they watch a little television until breakfast is served.<br />
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Today, as I was cooking eggs and buttering bread, I heard a melody coming from their room. Two little voices were singing, in English, the same lullabies I sing to them each night. A few minutes later, they were standing in the kitchen, holding my hands and serenading ME! Yes, these are the very moments that melt my heart and make me whisper praises to Jesus for all He has done and all He will do in our lives.<br />
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So far, I love being in Colombia.<br />
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I enjoy the sights and sounds and never tire of the incredible vistas...the mountain peaks, the clouds, the colorful flowered trees, the red tile rooftops, the little yellow taxis, the street vendors calling, "AVOCATE!", the open air bakeries, the river, the rocks, the architecture, the soccer stadium, and the fruit stands.<br />
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Yes! Driving is an adventure. Our in-country facilitator has a car that only seats 4-5 passengers maximum, therefore we always call a taxi in addition to using her car being that we are a family of seven now.<br />
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Somehow, I ALWAYS end up in the taxi!<br />
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The picture is not deceiving, the car is actually similar in size to a Matchbox car, and do not be mistaken, each is equipped WITH seat belts and the passengers are highly encouraged upon entering the vehicle to wear them! Gladly, we oblige. The cars are not air conditioned, so we cruise around the city with the windows down which can be interesting when we stop at a red light where street vendors swarm the car...all part of the adventure.<br />
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I am amazed by the open air markets and the open air malls and the open air restaurants and the open air pastry shops/ BAKERIES...almost everything everywhere is open air, and I LOVE it! I never expected Cali, Colombia, to have a bakery on every corner, or for bread to be such a staple in the diet here. Our family is loving the fresh baked loaves of bread we buy at the market everyday. We eat sandwiches, but also love the bread topped with Pina (pineapple) and Fresa (strawberry) marmalade. Oh, and the foods here are made with sugar (not corn syrup) and contain no preservatives...absolutely delicious!!! I enjoy going to the market and browsing the produce aisles...tomatoes, grapes, mangoes, onions, melons, apples, bananas, carrots, potatoes, fresh herbs, lettuce, celery, papaya, mandarina, corn, and on and on and on.<br />
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Yes! There is a language barrier, but our Spanish vocabulary has quadrupled in the one week we have been here. I came without a dictionary or a translator or any cheat sheets and we are managing just fine. Charades is a GREAT tool and keeps everyone in good humor! The taxi drivers also work hard to communicate and enjoy using the little bit of English they know...they are proud of their city and like to show it off.<br />
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Today we were guests at a traditional Colombian luncheon prepared especially for us. It was WONDERFUL and DELICIOUS...soup, fresh squeezed mandarina juice, pork, rice, fried plantain cakes, and salad with balsamic vinaigrette. It was an honor to be treated to something so special during our stay in Colombia. <br />
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After lunch, the children went to the playground with Knight-in-Shining Armor, and I did laundry....several loads of laundry...and everything hangs to dry unless you have very deep pockets and can afford to use a laundry service. Needless to say, our pockets are NOT deep, and thank you to the beautiful climate, warm breeze, and hot temperatures, we opted to air dry.<br />
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Our day ended back at the apartment where we took the kids swimming, made a special popcorn snack, took a walk to the supermarket, and followed our usual bedtime routine of tooth brushing, baths, good nights, and songs. <br />
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Bless Lightning's little heart...bathtime and bedtime are hard for him, but each night it is getting easier. He finds comfort now in my arms and in the words I whisper in his ear unlike a couple of nights ago, when the actions and the words just evoked anger. He will not lay in his bed until he has been rocked and sung to. Then he climbs into bed and lays on his tummy. I rub his back and continue singing. At this point in time, Thunder says "Sing Mama! Sing!", and inches closer to his brother as he also rolls over on his tummy. I sing and rub both of their backs as they drift off to dreamland. It is heart warming.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiEfo2IlKKfhfeSA2lCe6ZeFP2A3WSbfHFx4sWmlG1cd6KVbdzsvj0D_OD3xRhlEvOulz_CDjr3ELuwFJSCCC7VD0XRPczsFhi7KQVpueyGBR6fGMIF-XmqUxYQDSjrtvr3oApxL0hyn0/s1600/Day+7+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiEfo2IlKKfhfeSA2lCe6ZeFP2A3WSbfHFx4sWmlG1cd6KVbdzsvj0D_OD3xRhlEvOulz_CDjr3ELuwFJSCCC7VD0XRPczsFhi7KQVpueyGBR6fGMIF-XmqUxYQDSjrtvr3oApxL0hyn0/s400/Day+7+004.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Colombian Washing Machine</td></tr>
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<br /></div>Kelli, all of my life, in every season, I have a reason to worshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699958306852813348noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979338440656319640.post-15385653223026701492012-07-30T20:13:00.000-07:002012-07-30T20:13:04.383-07:00Days 5 & 6<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We are the proud parents of happy boys!<br />
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After just four days with Thunder and Lightning, we wholeheartedly agree that God has done a marvelous work preparing our hearts for them and their hearts for us. The bond is utterly unbelievable. It could only have been created by Him and for His glory. <br />
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I cannot help but to think back to the place where we started this journey on 'the Adoption Highway'...destination Honduras, requesting two boys 0-4 years old...<br />
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BUT God!<br />
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By His sovereign hand doors closed and we were led straight to Colombia because waiting there were the Thunder and Lightning that God had chosen for us...two boys 4 and 8 years old, one with a special need that we had NEVER even considered adopting.<br />
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It took complete surrender, a leap of faith, and unwavering obedience to watch our dreams shatter into a million pieces then be resurrected into something far beyond what we ever imagined. We held on through it all. We fought the enemy attacks. We waited for the blessing.<br />
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AND HERE WE ARE!...blessed beyond measure with two amazing little boys who complete our family.<br />
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A schedule for our days has basically worked itself out:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD9qvZGbTooi9gwBoCm5kaV_dIibpAdfBabupkvMqoxHy_7tY1g9RZw3bLYJH3d2vPl3xvRVTHvP3Em3ef320SRiQDMDFqTwTsKMzZ9bHhlHweY89W38cv1nCGIlSR1pn0BcyAn-cPcwA/s1600/day+4+and+5+day+6+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD9qvZGbTooi9gwBoCm5kaV_dIibpAdfBabupkvMqoxHy_7tY1g9RZw3bLYJH3d2vPl3xvRVTHvP3Em3ef320SRiQDMDFqTwTsKMzZ9bHhlHweY89W38cv1nCGIlSR1pn0BcyAn-cPcwA/s320/day+4+and+5+day+6+031.JPG" width="320" /></a>Breakfast<br />
Playdoh<br />
Card games<br />
Snack<br />
Pool<br />
Lunch<br />
Computer/Nintendo DS<br />
Soccer/Football/Relay races/Outdoor play<br />
Snack<br />
Supermarket or Outing<br />
Dinner<br />
Baths<br />
Bed<br />
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The boys sing. They laugh. They giggle. They play. <br />
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They are good sports. They help each other. They are excitable. They are social. They are content. <br />
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They are loving. They are good listeners. They are learning.<br />
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The names Mama and Papa roll off their tongues effortlessly, and it is the sweetest sound ever.<br />
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</div>Kelli, all of my life, in every season, I have a reason to worshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699958306852813348noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979338440656319640.post-19569027496145516002012-07-29T14:25:00.000-07:002012-07-30T18:56:03.793-07:00Day 4<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
(Friday)<br />
The first and only behavior issue we have faced so far was at bedtime last night when Lightning refused to get into bed and refused to let anyone hold him or comfort him. He whimpered, then settled himself down on the floor in front of the bathroom door and refused to move or be moved. I sat beside him quietly repeating kind and encouraging words....telling him I loved him, but he would adamantly reply, "NO!". Oddly enough, he grew even more agitated when I tried to get up and leave him alone. So, I stayed beside him and rubbed his back in silence. He eventually fell asleep and Papa carried him to his bed where he slept beside Thunder. He slept the whole night through, waking up bright eyed and bushy tailed, ready for a new day...no evidence of the stress from the night before.<br />
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The boys are absolute darlings, so affectionate, easy going, and fun. They love to show off their good manners and they are very good helpers. On occasion, one or the other of them will be stubborn and refuse to do what we ask. We stop them immediately and ask for a re-do thereby giving them a second chance to choose a better behavior or answer leading to the desired outcome. Each and every time, they have made the right choice in behavior and are pleased to follow up with a high-five and a hug.<br />
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(Saturday)<br />
We were prepared for them not to eat for a couple of days...NOT so!!! They eat, and they eat well. <br />
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We were informed that Lightning wakes up like a grumpy bear...NOT so!!! He wakes up with giggles and hugs and a smile from ear to ear. He is a chatterbox, and he also loves to sing. He is happy, happy, happy. He loves to swim. He enjoys doing puzzles and sorting types of games as well as play doh. He is fascinated with dogs. He comes to me many times a day calling "Mama! Mama! Un abrazo! Un beso!" (he wants hugs and kisses) His giggle is contagious and really gets going when he plays with Papa. He repeatedly climbs into Papa's lap, puts his head on his shoulder, and pats his back over and over "Mi Papa...Mi Papa".<br />
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Thunder is handsome and athletic and loving. He has a wonderful position in the family making fast friends with True Princess because they are the same age, but he also keeps up with Fair Maiden and Kind Hearted Warrior. He is theatrical and really loves watching movies. He makes every effort to be helpful and has become protective of his mama...like when others are spraying her with ice cold pool water, he jumps in front of her and says, "NOT on my Mama!". He loves his Papa more than any other and can often be found by his side holding his hand or sitting on his lap or hugging his neck. He is learning to play card games and American football. He tells us many times a day in English, "I love you so much. I am so happy!"<br />
<br />
We have moved into a beautiful apartment in Cali and LOVE it. We have a kitchen, a utility room, three bathrooms, two bedrooms, a dining room, and a family room. We have a personal water tank filled with drinking water, a great wi-fi connection, and access to the roof top pool. We have complete house keeping services. The staff is wonderful! <br />
<br />
A great mall is just a block away. One floor is a grocery store. One is a food court, one has movie theaters, and several are retail with many, many ATM machines. It is part of our daily routine to go to the market for that days food. The boys love it, and for a mere $2 US, a delivery boy will bring the groceries to our room and unload them...SUPER service. We ordered meat from the deli our first day there and forgot to back and pick it up before we left. An hour later, a market employee was at the door with our order that we had paid for, but not received!<br />
<br />
Though we did go to the park and a large mall yesterday afternoon, we have spent most of our time in the apartment doing puzzles, watching movies, cooking (the boys are very interested!), swimming, playing games, and just being together. It is such an easygoing time.<br />
<br />
Bedtime last night was much different from the night before. The boys happily took baths, put on p.j.'s, and climbed into bed. Lightning's melt down was about to start when he arched his back refusing to lay in bed. I was sitting on the bed. Instead of opting for the floor, he climbed into my arms and put his head on my shoulder. I rocked. Thunder watched. This night Lightning WANTED me. He let me whisper sweet nothings in his ear and rub his back. I started to sing. I felt him melt into my arms. At the same time Thunder threw off his covers and laid on his his stomach inching closer to me. I was able to lay Lightning down and rub both boys backs as I serenaded them with good night lullabies. Sweet dreams, my littles...sweet dreams....<br />
<br />
Our meeting at ICBF is scheduled for Thursday morning at 8:30. Then Knight-in-Shining Armor, King Hearted Warrior, and True Princess leave us on Saturday. We know the name of our attorney and have been told that we are in very good hands.<br />
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<br /></div>Kelli, all of my life, in every season, I have a reason to worshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699958306852813348noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979338440656319640.post-22959518918172394072012-07-27T21:26:00.002-07:002012-07-27T21:26:56.336-07:00With Love From Colombia<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
On Monday, Knight and Shining Armor and I were in Atlanta, Ga, our kids still did not have passports, we were having trouble getting our special travelers visas from the Colombian Consulate, and our travel date was two days away...<br />
<br />
BUT GOD!<br />
<br />
By the end of the day, we had our special travelers visas and all of our children's passports in hand. <br />
<br />
'Thunder' and 'Lightning', here we come! <br />
<br />
We would be boarding a plane to Colombia on Wednesday, July, 25, 2012, well on our way to becoming a long-awaited family of seven.<br />
<br />
The flights themselves were comfortable and uneventful. We even met a "neighbor" flying on the same plane as us from Miami to Cali. He was from our hometown in North Carolina, and he gave us his card just in case we needed him for ANYTHING while we were in-country...another ordinary angel on the Adoption Highway.<br />
<br />
Upon landing in Cali, we learned that there are three flights scheduled to arrive each evening and the first one to hit the tarmac is the "lucky one" because those passengers are the first in line through the immigration, baggage claim, declarations, and baggage confirmation check points. <br />
<br />
The airport quickly became a mad house. <br />
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It took us well over an hour and a half to finally exit the airport.<br />
<br />
Our first night in Colombia was one disappointment after another, starting with the fact that the agency facilitator we expected to pick us up from the airport was NOT there. Amidst the crowd were two complete strangers holding a sign with our name on it...they spoke no English and were driving a small vehicle. We had been prepared to meet Magnolia, our agency's in-country facilitator, so when we saw these strangers we were very confused and honestly weren't sure if it was safe to leave with them. We walked a very long way in the dark on coarse pavement with bumps and pot holes hauling 10 pieces of luggage and 4 carry on bags. <br />
<br />
We could hardly keep pace. <br />
<br />
The kids struggled to wheel 2 suitcases each across the bumpy terrain. The lights were dim and cars darted here and there. When we finally reached the vehicle it was obvious that we were not all going to fit inside. However, there was no option, so we sat one on top of the other to make room for the luggage and some of us sat with suitcases on our laps.<br />
<br />
Arriving at the hotel, we were disappointed to find that we had been put in two adjoining rooms WITHOUT air conditioning. The temporary solution to the problem was to move Knight in Shining Armor and Fair Maiden LK to the other side of the hotel to stay in one small air conditioned room...the only one available. <br />
<br />
That left us separated the last two nights before becoming a family of seven and it was very difficult.<br />
<br />
Day 2 involved an informational meeting at the orphanage where we discussed the boys' past, present, future, likes, and dislikes. It was a wonderful meeting. The staff at Chiquitines is outstanding and it shows in EVERYTHING they do and say. The meeting lasted for three hours, but we still did not have enough time to discuss everything or meet their teachers, so we will return another day to do so. We were identified immediately by the other children in the play yard as 'Thunder' and 'Lightning's' Mama and Papa.....so much for the surprise!<br />
<br />
Day 3 was GOTCHA Day, and it was, beyond a shadow of a doubt, one of the most memorable days of my life. The excitement at Chiquitines could be felt everywhere from Agatha, the Director, to Maria, the Adoption Coordinator, to the doctor, the psychologist, the social worker, and the teachers, to the janitor, whom our boys call "Tio" because they love him so much. A large group of staff was invited to the presentation due to the fact that 'Thunder' and 'Lightning' have such a special place in so many hearts at the orphanage. It was priceless. The hugs we received from the staff were long and hard and tight and genuine. <br />
<br />
Our boys have been well loved while waiting for us and the many, many tears shed today tell me that they will also be well missed.<br />
<br />
Our time began in the Director's office with a brief meeting and the signing of a document that named us 'Thunder' and 'Lightning's' foster parents for the time being. Then, cameras began to roll and we lined up facing the door through which the boys would march.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibnCLJmfver_gA62S6CNpIypTNc6owbVm_qod_cSu48BmzLYdnW-P9CdFDkKnDR3gx_YrVR4xha9SbihNrGDNmt8q4zub3PNUxvNNrHXRDEf6jjab-BEXR2Hyeh9fdFpNrSaRzHiKcW-0/s1600/GOTCHA+Day+042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibnCLJmfver_gA62S6CNpIypTNc6owbVm_qod_cSu48BmzLYdnW-P9CdFDkKnDR3gx_YrVR4xha9SbihNrGDNmt8q4zub3PNUxvNNrHXRDEf6jjab-BEXR2Hyeh9fdFpNrSaRzHiKcW-0/s400/GOTCHA+Day+042.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WAITING for the door to open!<br /><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The door opened and T.H.E.R.E. T.H.E.Y. W.E.R.E.!!! Running toward us with smiles and flowers and a photo collage of themselves that they had made.<br />
<br />
'Lightning' led the way and went straight to Papa wrapping his arms around his neck and hugging him tight.<br />
<br />
'Thunder' came to me and melted into my arms. I S.O.B.B.E.D. and S.O.B.B.E.D. and S.O.B.B.E.D. They were so sweet and so beautiful and so very happy.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_O4NaBbclHXtGwRJni7Lwz6tkPG2vgK9SclzBLHTYBrrDAghBwSfBrOds4hyphenhyphen8_5AuLOBM2sVsG-GcnHsO2Gv9OW_89D3mdGY-3CQ0GDPZtFEbU44LuClimu3J8k_-jb8wzjv6BSKZnd8/s1600/GOTCHA+Day+049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_O4NaBbclHXtGwRJni7Lwz6tkPG2vgK9SclzBLHTYBrrDAghBwSfBrOds4hyphenhyphen8_5AuLOBM2sVsG-GcnHsO2Gv9OW_89D3mdGY-3CQ0GDPZtFEbU44LuClimu3J8k_-jb8wzjv6BSKZnd8/s200/GOTCHA+Day+049.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6VROYdxzhKAvPPmQxDRIPBFejW2IoeUqs4eRVKNxZYzOnEIU0uWAmApOEnSodTrJhglJMV1DQoHAYpeV53joFvrL4oyXZMbTfs0x1qW-Gf2Ti6jnWe7AvASwTYD02Pp8Po1CrBBSF9oY/s1600/GOTCHA+Day+050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6VROYdxzhKAvPPmQxDRIPBFejW2IoeUqs4eRVKNxZYzOnEIU0uWAmApOEnSodTrJhglJMV1DQoHAYpeV53joFvrL4oyXZMbTfs0x1qW-Gf2Ti6jnWe7AvASwTYD02Pp8Po1CrBBSF9oY/s200/GOTCHA+Day+050.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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After a minute, 'Thunder' leapt into Papa's arms and 'Lightning' melted into mine. He put his head on my shoulder and wrapped his arms around my neck. He squeezed so tight. He was smiling from ear to ear. Each went on to embrace their sisters and their brother, then 'Lightning' came back to Mama and planted himself on my lap! We talked and we laughed and we hugged some more. Then 'Thunder' said (in Spanish), "I am ready. Let's go home!"<br />
<br />
The staff lined up for more hugs. It was so hard for them to let go, but at the same time they were so joyful.<br />
<br />
It was "Tio", the janitor that walked the boys into the Presentation Room and it was "Tio" who was waiting outside by the van. His face was wet with tears and it was hard for him to smile as he watched the boys walk out. In a priceless moment 'Lightning' let go of my hand and ran to him. Embraced him. And shouted, "Mama, photo! Photo!" Then it was 'Thunder's' turn. "Photo, Mama!"<br />
<br />
"Tio" stood in the open field and waved good bye to his little loves. <br />
<br />
The Director and the psychologist stood teary eyed in the driveway blowing kisses. <br />
<br />
The guard at the gate stopped the van so that he could say good bye. <br />
<br />
As we took off down the road, the other children, big and small, ran alongside the chain link fence shouting and waving to 'Thunder' and 'Lightning'. Then, a sight that broke this Mama's heart...<br />
<br />
Waiting at the end of the fence, ahead of the crowd were two little girls. The oldest had tears streaming down her cheeks...no smile. She stood with her head pressed to the wire, and through tears she just stared. Then she raised a hand and waved. No hoopla. Just tears and a slow motion wave.<br />
<br />
Our boys never looked back...<br />
<br /></div>Kelli, all of my life, in every season, I have a reason to worshiphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09699958306852813348noreply@blogger.com1