Disconnected from the Outside World!

The internet has been down since early on Saturday so we have been totally unable to connect with the "outside world" since then.  It seemed like forever!  We couldn't get email, send email, check weather, use our phone, etc.  We are thrilled that the internet is finally repaired and hope there won't be any other interruptions.

It is going pretty well here.  The most adventurous thing that has been going on these past few days were bug bites turned bad 2012.  Yes, I (Julie) have covered myself in a robust, jungle-type 99% deet protection and still managed to get about 10 mosquito bites - not exactly sure when.  Well, they were normal-looking for a day or so and then, just like four years ago, they started getting nasty despite the host of ways we tried to prevent the bites from getting worse.  Swelling, secretion, pain, itching, etc.  Anyway, after calling the hotel recommended doctor and $100 later, he prescribed a cream similar to the one I used last adoption but stronger.  But the bites continued to worsen and get nastier & more & more painful, so we called to ask if that was normal and described the continuing symptoms.  One wonderful thing about Colombia is that you can call and they will deliver your prescription - pronto - for a minimal fee!  So last night, I started the antibiotic combined with the special cream, and now we are seeing some improvement in swelling, appearance, pain, itching, etc.  The bites still look awful but there is a marked improvement.  I will have to wear my one pair of jeans anytime we go on an outing to protect myself from getting more bites.  Thankfully the rest of the family have not had a bad reaction to the plentiful bites they have gotten.  The 1% hydrocortisone cream has provided relief for them and their bites are healing normally.      

Here's what the past few days looked like for us:

• Saturday 2/4: Hotel tour to the Eco parque. This turned out to be a huge ordeal!  A bunch of us adoptive families loaded up in a van and one taxi and headed off to what sounded like a lovely adventure.  After a grueling 50-minute winding, noisy, terrible ride, along with a wide array of ongoing fumes and smells,   we ended up at a little outdoor place with a lake and a few birds, iguanas, a couple of turtles, and a walking path...a tons & tons of mosquitoes. Add to this that we had just eaten lunch and then left for the awful ride and I felt horrible: a headache, nausea, etc.  We were not there long and all of the families were dreadfully disappointed for the bad outing (how short it was and the mosquitoes!) and then it was time to head back for another grueling ride!  We passed back to the hotel and by the next morning, I thankfully felt much better!
• Sunday 2/5: We have not found a place to attend church here. We read the Bible together and prayed as a family.  There was an outing to "Siga La Vaca" affectionately called "the Mosquito Farm" by all the adoptive families when we were told we must wear long pants.  There was swimming and we passed on that activity but enjoyed a little play area and a trampoline and lunch. We had a very nice time and ironically, hardly got bitten that day!
• Monday 2/6: A trip to the notary office with our "translator." We walked there with the whole family and it didn't take very long to notarize an adoption document and to certify copies of our passports (needed every time you try to use your credit card in a store). This was also the day of the Doctor appointment - 200,000 Colombian pesos.  We walked to a pharmacy that supposedly accepted credit card - a real adventure! - and after all of that, they DIDN'T take "international" credit cards and we didn't have the 42,000 Colombian pesos for the much-needed cream...so believe it or not, they cut us a deal and accepted 37,000 pesos instead.  Phew! We were so glad - but out of cash!  Thankfully the hotel paid for our PM prescription that was delivered and put it on our bill - another 38,000 Colombian pesos.
• Tuesday 2/7: Out of band aids to cover my awful sores, the front desk let me have two so that I could cover the two sores that otherwise rub on my shoes. We had to wake up early today to leave at 7:30 AM with our "translator" for our "Integration" meeting at ICBF. At this meeting, we met with the psychologist who asked the two daughters how they were doing and then interviewed Karl and me about details how we were all doing with the changes. He asked a variety of questions and proceeded to hunt and peck/type our answers via our translator into a document that was then printed out after our interview.  We all signed and that is the document that officially authorizes the beginning of the adoption finalization in the courts here in Cali. A little later, our Lawyer and translator (top secret to everyone else: mother and daughter) will come and explain the court process and what to expect in the coming weeks. More details to come. Anyways, we left there, paid the taxi guy, and have spent some quality time here at the hotel together - doing bilingual flash cards 1-100, playing a game called Toss Up (fun but long), went outside and played with an inflatable beach ball (fun!) in a patio area, and also  begun a 500 piece puzzle together!       
• All of the children (and parents!) are doing very well. Ladi and Joana seem to be adapting more and more each day and always say that they are "very happy."  A, C, and A are thrilled with their new sisters. For the most part, things are harmonious and happy.  L & J are learning the family ways easily, are eager to comply,  are calm, kind, and orderly - all of which are a huge blessing! 
• Today marks our 6th day as a family of seven and we praise the Lord for how smoothly the transition has been so far. We are very excited that today marks the official beginning of the finalization of our adoption.

This is by no means a vacation experience! We are very thankful to be here and we are thankful for the time together. We are enjoying our new daughters and our expanded family so very much. But, it is also hard and the days are long. We miss home and look forward to moving towards a more predictable life together. There is much uncertainty as to what tomorrow will bring. We sincerely THANK YOU so much for your kind sentiments/notes and faithful prayer. It blesses us and brings us much comfort that beloved friends are praying for our family and journey here in Colombia.         

The lawyer and translator are here now so I have to go!