LFA Day 31 - A Day Full Of Surprises

We hoped to walk to the mall today to buy some things we need and were expecting 0a semi-leisurely day to recuperate from hectic, exhausting yesterday.

Well, we woke up and went down for breakfast and while we were getting ready to put cereal on the table for the kids, I got a phone call! It was Lucia saying that Andres was ready to come get us, could we be ready in 15 minutes to go get visa photos taken of the kids? "Uh, no, we are still in our pajamas! How about later, around 11 am?" I asked. She said he would come at 2 pm to pick us up for photos and then we would go to our appointment for the U.S. Embassy physical exams for each of the kids. "Okay! Sounds great!" I said.

Well then as we were eagerly awaiting lunch, we got another call saying that Andres was coming in 20 minutes to take us for photos and then we would come back and eat and then go later to the appointment in a taxi.

So, we went and got the photos taken and came back and in our little remaining time had to gather up necessary paperwork, money, records, etc. and then we ate lunch but then we did not have time for naps and still had to fit in a call to reschedule our flights home! Then we rushed off to the appointment for the Embassy physicals. Well, that was interesting. Andres dropped us off and we waited, and waited, and waited. In fact, we waited about an hour and a half. Then, our appointment took over an hour and a half. So, we were totally exhausted by the time we were finished!

So, maybe we can take that walk to the mall tomorrow - we shall see what comes up!

Other than that, the kids are doing really well here and seem to enjoy their new temporary casa. We have had many precious times together today including holding hands and "dancing" together in a circle to a kids praise CD (thanks, Monica!) and giggling a ton! Even Andres clapped after each song ended and a new one began!

About a week or so ago, Mami gave a lecture of love and also a plea for cooperation in broken Spanish that to our amazement has seemed to have had a lasting effect! Even Claudia is still referencing phrases & gestures I made to try to communicate that we are a family and need to work together and not be independent from each other and that we will always be together. Even today, totally unprompted, Claudia said a couple of times with her adorable little voice "Familia Armstrong" with bright eyes, while bringing her two hands together and clasping them really tight, interlocking her tiny fingers, ending with an emphatic "uhhhh!" just like Mami did! She got my point and it was a picture that made sense to her. Wow, that is really precious! It is so incredible to watch our little children developing as they grow in their understanding of their security with us and the permanency of our new familia. We praise God for these kids, our kids!!!