Teary Endings and Bright New Beginnings

So, yesterday, we had 5.6 scale earthquake in Monteria.  Somehow, we didn't feel a thing.  We are thankful that God kept us safe!

This morning we bid farewell to Monteria.  Although we were thrilled to begin our journey home, we will miss the people of Monteria, especially the staff at the hotel.  The good byes started at breakfast.  The hardest good bye was to the bell boy, Pedro.  Pedro truly made a difference in our stay.  He knew some English and went out of his way to make sure every detail was perfect. This morning, he brought me to tears.  He wasn't scheduled to work today, but he made a special visit this morning just to say good bye and bring us a personal farewell gift - a beautiful hammock in the traditional colors (black and white) of Monteria.  He also wrote us a good bye letter.  We gave him huge hugs good bye and promised to keep in touch (he's on Facebook - yay!)

We loaded up our four stuffed suitcases, the bumblebee backpack, 2 carry on backpacks, the diaper bag, two umbrella strollers - and of course, our two children into the truck and made it to the airport.

Our flight was delayed by an hour.  I had a momentary panic because our translator did not stay to make sure that we got off ok, and we didn't have a way to contact him, so I prayed our flight wouldn't be cancelled.  No, it was just following the Colombian time schedule (we'll take off when we feel like it!).

The plane ride was better than expected.  Luckily, they put us in the seats right near the engine, so you couldn't hear a sound that the girls made.  We made take off and landing fun for Katie with gummy bears and lots of giggles.  She was overall great during the flight and didn't freak out like I expected.  Rosa was just unhappy.  She managed to hold it together for most of the flight, but near the end, she had had enough.  Poor little girl.

Things got worse for Rosa in the taxi ride.  We got a taxi driver from the Wild West who thought he was driving a crazy stallion instead of a taxi.  He whipped around turns, sped, and weaved around traffic within inches of the other cars and buses.  Rosa screamed for her life out of hunger and teething until she finally fell asleep out of exhaustion.

Yes, our dear little Rosa is teething in the midst of all of this change.  I think she will soon have six teeth instead of four.  All the Tylenol, teething gel, and ice in the world cannot soothe this poor little girl.  She is just inconsolable right now and is attached to Mommy.  It's funny how not being able to soothe her has affected me.  I am actually feeling down right now and desperate to make my baby girl feel better.

But even with all of this, we arrived safely at our bed and breakfast in Bogota.  What a wonderful place!  There are kids everywhere because there are about seven adoptive families here right now, new toys to play with, a WASHER and DRYER!, filtered water out of the refrigerator door, and of course, an American family for us to talk to (at least for one more day).  We can actually talk in English and people understand us here.  Woohoo!

The girls are doing okay with the changes.  Rosa was a little stunned when she woke up from her nap in a new crib in a new room, but she has her teeth to worry about, so that has been her biggest focus.  The poor little thing is so cold here though.  Tim had her wrapped up in socks and a hoodie today, and she still looked cold.  Katie is coming out of her shell more here.  She has said more words today than we have ever heard from her, she played with the other kids, practiced walking down steps, ate in a high chair with only an initial scream that she allowed Tim to console her from, and she barely even touched her sister.  Things she is not happy about?  SOCKS and the extremely cold water in the showers here (it is much colder here anyway, so it is torture for them to go in the cold water here.)

Tomorrow, we head over to do passports and to see the doctor.  Monday, we go to the embassy for visas.  Tuesday, we pick up the visas.  And...Wednesday, we fly home!!!