Busy in Bogota

We are alive and well! Sorry it has been a while since we were able to post. We have been very busy since we left Cali.

We arrived here on Wednesday. Our flight was delayed because of fog in Bogota but only by about 35 minutes. Ladi and Joana did great on their first flight. We got to the apartment and it was such a big change. We had to unpack again (but are trying to keep everything possible in suitcases) and try to get situated. It took us a whole day to acclimate.

On Wednesday, we walked to the local "grocery store" and were completely overwhelmed and bought a bundle of oddly packaged necessities but ran out of time and had to get back. We were supposed to run two errands the first day but only did TB skin tests and a cash exchange (converting USD into Colombian Pesos).

Due to total chaos of trying to take all five children to appointments, Karl has been staying at the apartment with the three younger children while I go out with the two older girls. That arrangement has helped with stability during a tumultuous time of change for the younger children. "Appointments" are often spur of the moment - meaning grab coats and go! and also the rides are crazy and nothing is predictable and waiting is often long.

Thursday we went to apply for the girls' Colombian passports. Every day here in Bogota has been a whirlwind compared to the pace of life in Cali. Days go faster here since there are more things we have to do.

Friday involved going with girls to Bogota ICBF office and signing documents (not sure why) and picking up Colombian passports. Later in the afternoon (3 pm - 7:40) we had the TB skin tests read (negative!) and the appointment at the U.S. Embassy Doctor. It was a very long day. After the kids went to bed, Karl and I purchased L & J's airline tickets home - a costly endeavor but thankfully seats were available.

Today it rained so we were not able to go to the park but have played games and had a nice day. Today we got a taste of regular life when the maid bailed out an hour early and left us with all of the dirty dishes (no dishwasher!) and I washed them and cleaned the counters. We have also done a couple of loads of laundry today as well! We have had some "maid issues" and have asked if it would be possible to request a new maid for our remaining days here.

Monday is our big appointment at the U.S. Embassy to apply for IR-3 visas for the girls to come home. The whole family will have to come since both parents must be present. We think we'll get those on Tuesday. That means we will have Wednesday and Thursday to just hang out. (Trying to fly home early would be over $1000 extra.)

Our flight home will leave Bogota at 9 am so that will be a very early morning for us but will get us home (4:40 pm) at a decent time to try to acclimate, buy groceries, etc. We are looking forward to it and at the same time can hardly imagine what new life at home will even be like! Communication is going fairly well (very basic) and each day bonding increases. Everyone is wondering what home life will be like but over time we will work out all of the kinks I know.

There's more adventures to tell about but I have to heat up our dinner!