Oh man what a day...I don't even know where to begin...We did the 3 hour ride to Chinquinquira...alls I gotta say is Colombia is a beautiful country! We were a little early getting there so Mario - our escort - took us to do a little site seeing.
We finally got the call that all was in order and we headed over to the meeting. When we got there things really started into a frenzy...Our facilitator for our agency - Edith - had a rough day already...apparently some of the paperwork was a little mixed up but all was fine by the time she got to the meeting.
Anyway, they went over the paperwork with us and then the big moment came...a little earlier than everyone planned apparently because as they were bringing the children into the room next to us to wait...Jhon-Fredy decided that he wanted to start things a little sooner and started running down the hall to us. That's when it all started - Jhon-Fredy was the ambassador for the three of them. He went flying into Donna's arms yelling "Mommy"...while Carol was a little more reserved. And Anji went right into my arms and didn't leave until we got to the car. It was quite the experience and like I said way too much to type here - it'll take me a day or two to sort through the feelings. But all in all I gotta say that this was soooooo worth the wait.
So without further adieu - here's a pic of Carol, Anji and Jhon-Fredy (many more to follow):
I couldn't have asked for bigger blessing. They are absolutely wonderful.
I also gotta say that Donna has been pretty wonderful too. I have seen a side of her that I never saw before. She took Anji throwing up all over her on the way home totally in stride and changed a diaper on the side of the road like a pro when Anji wet herself (and me). And she got Jhon-Fredy to take a bath tonight when he was pretty adamant that it just wasn't gonna happen. she's defintiely doing great.
Although Donna and I know little Spanish and the kids know little English we have already started communicating as a family. When we got back to the hotel Donna bathed Anji and I took Carol and Jhon-Freddy downstairs to eat dinner over which we had a WONDERFUL conversation about balloons...I think. But the best was when we were putting them into bed and we did a rendition of the Waltons except with a spanish spin to it...As I was tucking him in Jhon-Fredy looked up at me and said "Ciao Poppy!" to which Carol said "Ciao Mommy!" and of course you have to respond back "Ciao Jhon-Fredy!"..."Ciao Carol!"...and that was that - pretty much everything was done by 9:30 . Not too bad for our first night..
Talk to you soon,
Scott
CONGRATULATIONS! We are so happy for you! It brought tears to my eyes to read your first entry after receiving your children. How absolutely precious! We will be praying for you and can't wait to hear about your other adventures in Colombia.
The Olsons in MN
Wow!! what a miracle...
I was so glad you shared this with us. love to all 5
Oh my word...all I can say is that I'm crying right now! I have been thinking about you guys all day... thinking... well they should be on their way..l. 3 hours later...they should be there...they should be meeting their kids now.. and to read this... well the tears just starte to flow. Love all 5 of you!
YEAH!!! How wonderful! It is so awesome how Jhon-Freddy was so ready to be with Mami & Papi...he's been waiting for this day for a long time too! Wonderful to hear that Anji and Carol seemed to take to you right away too! And introduced to some of the joys of parenthood already (being thrown up on and peed on!) and you seemed to have handled it wonderfully! Can't wait till our day comes too...throw-up and all! :)
Muchas gracias for the update!
Love,
Holly
Congrats!!!! What beautiful children and a beautiful new family!
(I have been following from the adoption.com boards)
It is an overwhelming feeling to have your family now complete....and Colombia is absolutely beautiful, as well....Enjoy, Enjoy!!
Look forward to following your journey!
Nicole
Mom to Anthony, Ayudame 2007
What a beautiful beginning!! Your children have a way of touching your heart like nobody else can. Sounds like you're off to a wonderful start and we couldn't be happier for you! Love, Shelley and Chris
I have tears pouring down my face!! I'm speechless right now, smiling ear to ear.
Scott and Donna,
OK this probably has been the most exciting experience that you two have let me and everyone share with you! I look forward to your emails and think about you guys all the time. Yes, it brought tears to my eyes reading this last post when you met your children for the first time. How amazing!! With many more diaper changes and baths to come, I wish the Krebs family happy and safe travels. We can't wait to meet the crew!
Kelli
Wow! As we sit here with tears in our eyes we're overwhelmed with joy at the blessing of God and the picture of our adoption into His family. It's so amazing to see the redemption of these children into a whole new life and what a wonderful beginning you've experienced. May our Lord give you strength for the journey ahead and may His love be poured out to these children through you. May His love shine through them into your lives as you soak in each special memory and the joy of knowing these children belong to you. May you see life through a whole new set of lenses and have a ton of fun along the way! We love you, David & Amie
OMG...they are so adorable!! Congratulations and I am so happy for you guys! Seems strange to say that for someone you haven't ever met. :D
It sounds like the initial meeting went great. Carry that feeling with you as it will help get through the inevitible rougher patches down the road. Glad to hear everything is going so well. I'm hoping you had your one glitch up front and that everything moves quickly from here on out!!
WOW!
What a story! I know I was all choked up. There is nothing quite like it when your children ask for daddy like there is no one else on earth that will do. I am so happy for your family!!!
Mike River
What a story! I know I was all choked up. There is nothing quite like it when your children ask for daddy like there is no one else on earth that will do. I am so happy for your family!!!
Mike River
I am so happy for you guys!! I can't wait to hear all the details. :)
So special, so beautiful... Congratulations :o) Only the Lord. Blessing upon your new family!!!!!
Congratulations Scott and Donna! Sounds like you are already settling in.
This brought tears to my eyes! Incredible. I knew Donna would be exactly like that I must say she is awesome! Enjoy your bonding time--we'll be thinking about you!
Other Krebs 5
That is just about the sweetest email I have ever read. I almost cried when I read that Jhon-Freddy ran into Donna's arms saying "Mommy!" I know you will never forget that moment.
The children are beautiful and we can't wait to see more pics.
Love - Kim, Dwight, Nick, Eric and baby #3!
All I can say is WOW !!
I have a few tears in my eyes as I type this to you guys. What emotion you must be feeling. Brodyn and I can't wait to meet the kids. We will practice our Spanish. Ola !
Take care, Good Luck.
We love you !!
Ryan (a.k.a. Nancy)
Fabulous!!
Hola Jhon Fredy
Hola Carol
Hola Anji
what joy you have brought!
Oh MY! Thanks for sharing. Everything sounds great. May you continue to bond and grow as a family!
that was the best day ever - can't wait to hear what happens next! what a great group of kids - and they got themselves some pretty cool parents too.
Welp, sounds like a family made in heaven! I am so pleased to hear the wonderful report and will keep your adjustment phase all in prayer too. God is awesome! Congrats guys!
with love and joy,
darlene grieco
I cannot wait to meet them! They are adorable! They seem so happy and your story of the first day, first meeting is amazing. It is great they were as eager to meet you as you were to meet them!
WOW! talk about an amazing emotional day! i can't imagine what all this is feeling like. i'm crying just reading about it!! couldn't be happier and we are praying for all 5 of you! ~carrie, dave and kylie
How wonderful, Poppy and Mommy!
How sweet that they ran right to you. I'm soooo happy for you guys!
Thanks so much for all the details.
Our love to your family,
Karen, Billy, Jay, Sam, Ginny
Welcome Carol, Jhon-Fredy and Anji to our family!! You are beautiful children and we know you have made Mommy and Daddy so very happy. You are all very fortunate to have each other. Can't wait for more pictures and meet you.
Love,
Unc "C" and Aunt Eileen
Donna & Scott, we extend our thoughts and our prayers to you on this incredible journey to parenthood! Seems you've jumped right in and are accepting it naturally! The children are absolutely precious and we are overjoyed to share this event with you. We look forward to sharing in your days ahead. (It helps to pass the time away until we receive our 3 kiddos.) May God continue to protect you and bless your family! Love, Genece & Rick
At first I felt incredibly moved while reading your latest post...now I just feel dejected and incredibly unoriginal.
Initially, I didn't know what to say and all that I could think to say was, "Wow!"... Then I started to tear up while looking at the beautiful, happy faces of your children while thinking to myself that the smiles on their faces in the photo mustn't begin to compare to their smiles when they got to meet you... Then I just wanted to tell you how incredibly happy I am for you and how much I cannot wait to meet Carol, Anji and John-Freddy...
And then, it happened...I read the messages that all of your friends and family had already sent to you...seems that there's not an original thought in my head - I'm just like everyone else...sigh.
Oh well...I'm gonna go try to find SOMETHING to think about that will help to make me feel warm and fuzzy inside to take my mind off of this depressing experience.
Craig
Congratulations!!! You are a beautiful family of 5. They are gorgeous!! I was tearing up reading about John-Freddy being so eager to meet you and calling you Mommy!! Oh, those kiddies are so blessed. I figured you guys would be great parents from the start - kids love you, and you handle them like you've been parents for years!!
Have a wonderful time in Columbia with your family!
Can't wait to meet them.
Love,
Misty, Jason, Dylan and Parker
Where can I sign up? Let's just say when Mike and I read this message there were tears and lots of emotion.