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Monday, November 24, 2003 7:21 PM CST

Well, it is official! We are coming home on Wednesday. We will actually be home for Thanksgiving! We will have so much to be thankful for!

Today Paul and I ran around like crazy trying to get all of the documents in order. We went to the court to sign, then off to the notrary, then back to the notary to pick up his official birth certificate, then to the Colombian passport office, then to the Embassy Doctor. All went well. I've enclosed a picture of Paul with his new Colombian passport.

Tomorrow we go to the American Embassy to get his VISA. After we pick that up we are finished! Tomorrow night we just enjoy our last night of no cooking, no cleaning and having a nanny take care of the baby. Do you think Paul will be able to take the place of the maids since he has been a bachelor for the past 10 days? I sure hope so.

We will be arriving from Miami on American Airlines at 9:05 pm. We look forward to seeing everyone soon!

Mama and Sarina attended a presentation today. The new couple, the Cummings, received their son Nathan at FANA. From what I understand it was a wonderful day. Mama was very impressed with the event. The Cummings are having a great time being first time parents. We are sad to leave everyone here. We are having a good time getting to know everyone, but we are excited to go home and get back into a routine.

Tomorrow is Matthew's first birthday. We are going to FANA for his party. The kids are making up the gift bags right now. They are looking forward to it. Paul is throwing a fit so I better go!

We'll see you in St. Louis!

Saturday, November 22, 2003 10:18 PM CST

Today we went to Villa de Leyva, a 3 hour drive into the country. The views were amazing! I have never seen such green rolling mountains. It is really neat to see the countryside. It is so different from the big city! There are people walking and biking everywhere. I am shocked that there are not more accidents. We almost hit a few ourselves.

We stopped at a restaurant on a lake for breakfast then continued on to Villa de Leyva. It is an old Spanish Colonial Town from the 1500's. We went through their market and shopped in the town square. We also ate lunch at a beautiful hotel on the hill.

Then we went to the main attraction... we saw a dinosaur fossil. I guess it was discovered in 1977 and they have built a tourist attraction around it! The girls thought it was neat.

It was a long day, but upon our return we were given great news... We are going home! We found out that we can sign on Monday! We are very excited. I was shocked. I guess they have been trying to get ahold of us since Friday, but we have been a little busy! We're not sure if we can leave on Wednesday or Thursday yet. We'll know more on Monday. Either way, we will be home in less than a week!

Tomorrow we plan on finishing our shopping. We are going to relax after that! We have a busy week ahead!

I'll update again soon.

Friday, November 21, 2003 9:29 PM CST

Today we spent the day with Clara again. This time she took us to their family farm. It was an 1 1/2 outside of Bogota. What a beautiful place! It is in the mountains which are green and lush. They have tons of orange and lime trees on their property. There are coffee plants across the way which were neat to see.

They have a horse which Franchesca and Sarina were able to ride. We had plantines and wine on their veranda overlooking the mountains. It was a very relaxing day!

We had lunch at a restaurant on the way out of town. This was the first meal mama actually liked. She had a steak called Churasco. It was very good.

Tomorrow we go to a dinosaur park a couple of hours outside of Bogota. The kids are really looking forward to it.

Hope all is well at home!

Thursday, November 20, 2003 8:27 PM CST

Last night we had dinner at Betty & Rafa's home. It was a lot of fun! Of course Rafa still makes the strongest drinks in town. They certainly carried a strong message! We had traditional Colombian cuisine. Mama loved the empanadas and cheese puffs (I can't remember the Colombian name).

The older kids enjoyed El Corral while we were out. They loved the chicken strips and milk shakes! They were great for the baby sitter.

Today the moms went to Umbertos to get their hair done. What an experience! I was there for three hours and had three men working on my hair at one time! That was a first! It actually turned out better than I expected. At one point I thought I was going to become a blond... I had white blond streaks in my hair. Fortunately they covered them up with brown. I'm not quite sure of the strategy, but it turned out ok... three hours later.

We went shopping and to lunch afterward. I am almost finished shopping at this point. I'm sure Paul is hoping for that anyway!

Tomorrow is a down day. We are going to relax and enjoy the kids. The Henrichs leave tomorrow. They are very excited!

We'll update again soon!

Tuesday, November 18, 2003 9:26 PM CST

Yesterday Paul left. It was so sad to see him go. All of us will miss him dearly, especially Sarina. Who will she ask for candy when mom says no?!

Mama Etzel arrived last night. She was so excited to meet her grandson Paul for the first time. He was so excited to see her too! He ate 5 ounces for the first time since we have had him when he was in her arms.

Sarina was so excited to see Mama as well. She was even more excited when she saw what Mama packed for her... candy, books, toys, etc. I think she just found someone who will say yes to candy when mom says no!

Today we went to FANA for a tour. Mama was so impressed. She was a big hit with the older children there. They didn't want to let her go. Sarina was very excited to show her FANA for the first time.

The moms went on a shopping spree with Betty in the afternoon. Mama got a taste of what Alicia does every day. We left her with 5 babies and 3 toddlers. She was a big help to Alicia, but I think she was happy when we all returned.

One of the couples found out they are leaving on Friday... the Henrichs. We are happy for them, but sad to see them go so soon.

Tomorrow is a tourist day for us. We'll update again soon!

Sunday, November 16, 2003 8:35 PM CST

Saturday night was a lot of fun. We went to an event at the British Ambassador's residence. It was a Casino Night fundraiser. Paul in his prime, lost 150,000 pesos! He was actually winning at one point, but of course he didn't walk away. He never takes my advice!

Of course there was other entertainment... Brazilian dancers. I think that is when the guys started to lose at the black jack table. They took their mind off the game while watching the scantilly clothed dancers.

Later in the evening we all decided to try out Colombian dancing ourselves. For a minute I actually thought I could keep up with them. The next morning I realized I was wrong!

The kids did great with the babysitters. They had their own party at home while we were out.

Obviously today was a relaxing day. We spent most of the day trying to recover from the night before. Colombians don't start to party until midnight so it was a late night!

Unfortunately Paul leaves tomorrow. We are all really sad about that. He'll bring home lots of photos for everyone to see. Mama Etzel arrives tomorrow night to help out with the kids. We can't wait to see her, but we will miss daddy!

Hope all is well with everyone at home.

Friday, November 14, 2003 7:51 PM CST

Sarina and I spent the day with a friend of Jen's, Clara. We went to the Candalaria. This is the oldest part of Bogota. It has a lot of history. Many museums, churches and restaurants. It resembles Europe in a lot of ways. We went to lunch at a restaurant that served tradititional Colombian cuisine.

Paul spent the day golfing with the rest of the dads and a couple of people from FANA. In Paul terms he did well, he shot a 99. And that is without his extra long clubs and golf attire. I'm sure they were all impressed!

Right now the older kids are putting on a performance for the adults. They are singing Wiggles songs and dancing. It is really cute!

Paul is doing much better. His eye looks great after just one day of medicine. He is getting cuter and cuter every day!

Tomorrow night is a big night for the adults. Some kind of benefit at the British Ambassador's home. I'll update again soon!

Thursday, November 13, 2003 9:27 PM CST

Today we went on a tour of FANA. It was just as we remembered it to be. It is an amazing facility, so clean and organized. We saw so many darling babies. It's hard not to bring them all home. Sarina and Julia were able to play with some of the older children outside while we were there. They had a great time.

We had to take Paul IV back to FANA today to check his eye. It appears that he has pink eye. Not a major problem, we just have to give him eye drops for 6 days. He is still doing quite well. He weighs almost 12 pounds now!

Tonight Sarina read books to him before bed. He loved it! She is such a good big sister. She is getting to be such a mature 2 year old. I think hanging out with older kids is making her grow up way too fast!

Tomorrow we are going to hang out with one of Jen Burton and Julio's friends, Clara. She will give us a real taste of Bogota!

We will write again soon!

Wednesday, November 12, 2003 4:34 PM CST

Today was a relaxing day. We just ran a few errands and hung out at the house. It rained on and off all day so we really couldn't do much.

We had a lady come to the house to give pedicures. It was very nice. The little girls received manicures. They look darling.

We found out what court we are assigned to... court #3. This is supposed to be a good court. It is always hard to tell though. There are 3 phases to the process. I guess we will know more next week as to what phase our process is in. Right now we will just relax and enjoy being a family of four!

Tomorrow we have our tour of FANA. We are excited for Sarina to be a part of this. She really loves going there.

I will write again soon. Hope all is well.

Tuesday, November 11, 2003 7:03 PM CST

Today was our Bienstar interview. It went very well. Sarina didn't say a word, but that was ok. They thought she looked just like us. They said that Paul IV was born to be with us. They were very nice and signed off on our paperwork. Tomorrow we should find out what court we are in. Hopefully things will move fast from here. It is hard to say.

In the afternoon the moms went to Andino for lunch at Luna then shopping, yes it is already my second time there in less than 2 weeks! The dads graciously volunteered to watch the older childeren. They took them to the local pizza joint, Jenos, to play and eat. Unfortunately the restaurant flooded from all of the rain today and they had to call a driver to pick them up. I guess it was quite an adventure. The kids didn't seem to mind. They were there for 3 hours waiting for the rain to end!

The dress maker, Mirium, came by for the fourth time tonight. I think she really hit the jackpot with this group! We are having her make all kinds of great things for the kids. Where else can you find hand-made outfits for a reasonable price?

Hope all is well at home!

Monday, November 10, 2003 8:38 PM CST

Today was an amazing day. We went to one of the other families, the Surace's, second presentation. They received their son Matthew today. They saw Matthew on their tour of FANA and fell in love. They now have a 4 month old, 1 year old, 4 year old and 6 year old. Matthew is truly an amazing child. It was incredible to see his brother and sister's reaction to him today. They love him so much. The Surace's are a wonderful family. Matthew is very lucky.

This now makes 10 children and 9 adults in Betty's Place. Needless to say it is a little crazy! The kids are having a lot of fun though. They all entertain each other quite well. Sarina is having a blast.

We have a big day tomorrow. We have our interview with Bienstar. This is the govermental agency for Children in Colombia. Hopefully everything will go well and our process will begin. Unfortunately Sarina has a bit of a black eye. She fell off the bed today. I think I will just explain that she takes after her mom and is a big klutz. Hopefully they won't hold it against us. Paul IV doesn't have any injuries yet. Mom hasn't fallen down the stairs with him. So far so good.

Hope all is well at home. We miss everyone. Stressful game last night, but good outcome. We all thought Paul was going to flip his lid. The families here saw a new side of him. I, of course, couldn't watch the game, too stressful.

I'll update again soon.

Sunday, November 9, 2003 4:48 PM CST

Yesterday was a fun day. In the morning we went to a festival to benefit the American School in Colombia. The head of Amigos de Fana took all 15 of us there! There were amusement park rides and ponies. Sarina and all of the older children had a great time! For dinner we went to Carbon de Palo. The restaurant is famous for their singing waiters. The kids really enjoyed the music and dancing.

Today we took Paul IV out for the first time all day. We went to a bazaar at La Fontanan. Paul did exceptionally well. Tonight we plan on watching the Rams beat up on the Ravens. We're having a Sunday night football tailgate party with burgers and hot dogs! American Style!

Hope all is well at home. We'll write again soon!

Sunday, November 9, 2003 4:10 PM CST

Yesterday was a fun day. We went to a festival that benefited the American school here in Bogota. There were amusement park rides and ponies. Sarina and all of the older kids had a blast. Last night we went to an interesing place for dinner, Carbon de Palo. The waiters sing here. We had a great time!

Today we went to La Fontanna for church and a bazar. This was the first time we have taken Paul IV out for the entire day! He was wonderful. Tonight we plan on watching the Rams beat up on the Ravens! We're having a Sunday night football tailgate party at the house.

Hope all is well at home. We'll check back again soon.

Friday, November 7, 2003 8:22 PM CST

Well, we are now on day 5 and still doing well. Yesterday was a lot of fun. A new couple arrived and we were able to go to their presentation. It was very special. All of the older children, Sarina, Francesca, Louie and Julia were able to help present the baby with Elizabeth, the head nurse at FANA. All of the babies are so darling. Now there are 4 babies and 5 toddlers in the house! It's a little crazy!

Today we went to the Salt Cathedral and this horse restaurant. It was a long day for the kids, but worth it. The Salt Cathedral is a mountain which has been mined for salt since the 1800's. They made it a tourist attraction by carving the stations of the cross, chapels and a cathedral through the tunnels in the mountain. It is very unique. The horse restaurant seemed very traditional Colombian. There was actually a horse show in the middle of the restaurant. The kids loved it!

Of course Sarina is still being a great big sister. She now thinks she is my mom as well, constantly telling me how to do things. She is really having a good time! We miss everyone! I'll write again soon!

Wednesday, November 5, 2003 8:30 PM CST

Well, we have made it the first 24 hours with no problems! I guess it helps to have Alicia, the baby nurse, helping us. Sarina has been a big help too. She loves to feed her baby brother and help me get all of his esentials. She is a great big sis! Paul IV just loves her too. He can't stop staring at Sarina! They are so cute together! We went to our favorite mall today and ate Italian at Luna, our favorite restaurant. We'll try to update the photos tomorrow. Thanks for all of the great notes in the guest book, we love to hear from everyone!

Tuesday, November 4, 2003 7:51 PM CST

Well, the big day has finally arrived! We received Paul IV today around 1:00 pm. Our presentation was wonderful. Mercedes, foundress of the orphanage, presented baby Paul to our family. It was very emotional for all of us. Paul is so precious and handsome. We've attached a few photos, but seeing him in person, is so amazing. We can't wait to bring him home to meet his family and friends!

Monday, November 3, 2003 9:05 AM CST

We are here! We arrived in Bogota last night. Today we are just going to relax and enjoy being here. Tomorrow is the big day! We should receive Paul IV sometime in the morning or early afternoon. We'll update the photos as soon as we can!

Thursday, October 23, 2003 10:39 PM CDT

We will continue to update with pictures as often as possible.

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