Top 10 thoughts of the day...

Here's a list of a few things that ran through my mind while I went through the day with the kids.

10. My son is obsessive compulsive.
I swear it's true. Jhon-Fredy got angry with me today when we went to go wash his hands and I put the soap on BEFORE he had gotten them wet first. Apparently there is a process to follow. And he spends 10-15 minutes washing his hands and when you go in to tell him to finish up...he says "UNO MOMENTO PAPI!".

9. There HAS to be a direct correlation between the number of meltdowns in a day and the square footage of the room a family is staying in.
Unless it's bedtime we cannot have all three children in the hotel room at one time. Carol and Jhon-Fredy constantly touch each and drive each other insane. I'm reminded of the Simpsons episode where they are riding in the car and Bart is holding his finger just within a few millimeters of touching Lisa on the shoulder and she's yelling "MOM! BART'S NOT TOUCHING ME!"

8. There are only so many times you can say "BUENO!", when your child is doing something correctly or good, until there comes a point when even THEY know you're heart just isn't in it.
Alright, alright I know you're supposed to praise your children and give them as much positive feedback as you can - but the other day Carol told me "No más Papi...por favor" cuz I think I was embarrassing her in front of the other kids while I was pushing her on the swing and apparently I was saying "BUENO!" every time I pushed her and didn't even realize it.

7. There are universal sounds that every little boy makes to indicate a car crash, a gun shot or an explosion.
As I'm writing this Jhon-Fredy is playing on the floor with his hot wheels and crashing them together making the SAME sounds I used to make when I was a kid and played with hot wheels. It's uncanny.

6. If the sippy cup is is upstairs and you are sitting at the table downstairs. Go get it. It saves you a LOT of trouble in the long run.
EVERY single time I give the kid the benefit of the doubt...I come away disappointed. I swear every time Jhon-Fredy or Anji (Carol has no problem) PROMISE not to spill their drink I fall for it. They should have kids selling used cars or something because they are the best con-men of all time. I am a complete sucker.

5. This whole thing is basically just an endurance test. A test of wills between the adopting family and the Colombian courts. We shall prevail
We are just waiting...yes just waiting...for our sentence from the courts. That's when it all goes into action. But until then...we sit and wait. So we have been getting out about every other day on tours and trips to keep the kids busy. This is the pattern that has worked best. The kids seem to like having a routine and when we go out and about too much it kind of upsets that.

What's funny is the families here talk like we are all in rehab or something "So how long have you been here? We are on day 29 ourselves...Ohhh you just got here eh? Well where are you in the process?"...and all of a sudden at breakfast lunch or dinner there's a new family in the dining area - and the conversation starts all over again.

4. The man that invented wet wipes is my hero. From poop to sticky hands to crud all over the face - wet wipes are the best And I'm SOOOO glad I like to wear cargo pants cuz I don't know what I would do without the pockets.

3. I sure hope Anji hasn't chosen a career path already.
Although she has gotten better with the 'stripping' - she continues to want to go 'au natural' in the hotel room - unless we keep her busy and divert her attention away from the fact that she has clothes on. Last night I counted 10 times that she took her pajamas on and off before she fell asleep with just her diaper on. We really don't mind so much as long as she keeps her diaper on. She favors eating fruit - and lots of them - and that makes for a very messy diaper. I couldn't imagine having to clean that up if she had no diaper.

2. A 'time-out' goes a long way in settling a situation down.
HA! You probably think I was talking about the children...but I actually mean 'time-outs' for me and Donna. Some of the families here have had to have the husband return home for work while they wait for the sentencing from the courts. Donna and I are lucky that I am able to stay here through the entire process (thanks Wall-to-Wall!) Because tag-teaming with the kids has been the key. There are times when Donna tells me to go for a walk and then there are times when I make her take a break. I don't know how anyone could do this alone with three kids PLUS get the court stuff and the paperwork done. Plus I am so glad that I am able to take this time to get to know the kids and spend one-on-one time with them.

1. For some things translation from one language to another is unnecessary.
I'm pretty sure a wag of the finger or a spanking transcends the language gap. The kids understand what they both mean (although explaining to them afterward as to WHY it was necessary is a little difficult). I also have found out that when I say "I love you" in English it gets the same reaction as when I say it in Spanish - a shy smile followed by a hug.

So that's pretty much it...there are million more things that go through your mind but these have been at the forefront of our thoughts. As I was finishing I came up with one more.

God sure does have a sense of humor.
I'm not sure why He chose us for these particular 3 children - but I gotta say when they are all crying or arguing or even just playing nicely - I smile cuz if you told me a few years back this was what I'd be doing I'd think you were crazy.

Have a great day.
Scott

PS: Here's a few pictures of the kids. I figured most of the ones I've posted are all smiles and warm fuzzies - well here's a few that show the flipside. And yes we comforted them before, during and after taking each picture. The last one is the three of them happy yet again.