We got him! We met with our lawyer this morning – then headed over to the ICBF. First we had to sit in a waiting area for a room to become available. Both of us were thinking ‘where is he’ and decided it felt like a game show – Where is your son? Door number 1, door number 2 or door number 3? They then moved us into a meeting room where we met briefly with the Director. She explained to us that they are proceeding a little differently. Normally the parents would meet with the parents solo to discuss the child – how he’s been doing, his schooling, etc. With Johan being almost 12 they decided to do the meeting with him included – which I thought was a good idea. So they told us to wait a few more minutes while they went and got Johan. Tom said the anticipation was worse than Christmas!
And in he came – looking as handsome as always. Some of the anxiety melted into relief of seeing him again. It’s been such a long year – the time is finally here. We celebrated with the cake and soda then huddled over some paperwork. We were happy to get a copy of his school grades (he does well in all subjects – but excels in Math).
The biggest surprise of the day was that Martha was there. Martha was the chaperone that came with the Kidsave kids last year. She has been Johan’s social worker since he went into care. It was very special to have her there with us especially since we know how deeply she cares for Johan.
After the Director gave Johan the low down on the process and explained to him that we are now family and that there will be no more foster homes (bringing us all close to tears) I gave him the gift bag we brought for him. This included a new Troy Trojans t-shirt that Nana Sherry B had made for him and a small erector set that Tia Lee Anna bought for him. He just about had the erector set put together by the end of the meeting.
This afternoon we’ve been playing some Uno and Skip-Bo. We just got back from a walk to the store and are hanging out right now.
Tomorrow we have another meeting with the lawyer and we’ll be going to the market.
Hope you had a great day – I know we did.
Carrie
(will figure out how to post some pictures tomorrow)
Monday, August 31, 2009
Gotcha Day!
We just finished a nice breakfast after a meeting with Patricia on the ins-and-outs of the place. The cake should arrive soon - then we are off to get Johan! In the world of adoption this is called 'Gotcha Day' - a day we'll celebrate from here on out.
More later...
More later...
Preparations and Travel
August 30, 2009
I am writing this at 35,010 feet over Cuba. We have another 2 hours and 47 minutes until we touch down in Bogota. I feel so unprepared! An entire year of paperwork and preparations and now I feel unprepared! I suppose this is the nervousness setting in.
Today has been an adventure. It started out mellow with a soak in the hot tub, breakfast at Waffle House (much to my chagrin and Tom’s delight) and a quick stop by the Laundromat to make sure all was well. Then all of a sudden it seemed we were running out of time. Lot’s of last minute tasks to complete but we got it all done just in the nick of time (it was tough packing for an undetermined amount of time and two different climates). Off to the airport at 10a.m. for a noon flight. All seemed to be going smoothly until Mother Nature decided to interfere with storms in Atlanta. We sat on the airplane for an hour on the ground until we pulled back in the gate and they let us deplane. We finally reloaded a little after 2 and took off at 2:45p.m. (thank goodness). We arrived in Atlanta with about 35 minutes to spare. As we were riding on the escalator to the trains it dawned on me that they often close international flights 30 minutes in advance. As we were climbing the escalator to our terminal we heard last call for our flight to Bogota. So Tom had to do the famous OJ Simpson through the airport – never a fun thing. But we made it – that’s the important part.
We had a good week getting everything aligned for our departure. My girlfriends threw me a surprise ‘kid’ shower a week ago Friday – complete with blue streamers, tons of gifts for Johan and yummy food. It was a nice surprise. Throughout the week the gifts for Johan kept pouring in from family. Everyone was so generous. The kid is going to be spoiled before he even gets to the States!
Tomorrow (Monday, August 31) is a big day. After our short stay in Bogota tonight we have a flight bright and early to Ibague in the morning. We will stay at Particia’s Place in Ibague – a type of Bed & Breakfast that caters to adoptive families. Patricia will be our guide and translator throughout our stay. She will pick us up in the morning and take us to her place to settle in. We then go to the ICBF at 11a.m. to get Johan. This of course will be a party!
I will close here for the day so I can work a bit on my Spanish. I have to figure out what I’m going to say to my new son!
Carrie
I am writing this at 35,010 feet over Cuba. We have another 2 hours and 47 minutes until we touch down in Bogota. I feel so unprepared! An entire year of paperwork and preparations and now I feel unprepared! I suppose this is the nervousness setting in.
Today has been an adventure. It started out mellow with a soak in the hot tub, breakfast at Waffle House (much to my chagrin and Tom’s delight) and a quick stop by the Laundromat to make sure all was well. Then all of a sudden it seemed we were running out of time. Lot’s of last minute tasks to complete but we got it all done just in the nick of time (it was tough packing for an undetermined amount of time and two different climates). Off to the airport at 10a.m. for a noon flight. All seemed to be going smoothly until Mother Nature decided to interfere with storms in Atlanta. We sat on the airplane for an hour on the ground until we pulled back in the gate and they let us deplane. We finally reloaded a little after 2 and took off at 2:45p.m. (thank goodness). We arrived in Atlanta with about 35 minutes to spare. As we were riding on the escalator to the trains it dawned on me that they often close international flights 30 minutes in advance. As we were climbing the escalator to our terminal we heard last call for our flight to Bogota. So Tom had to do the famous OJ Simpson through the airport – never a fun thing. But we made it – that’s the important part.
We had a good week getting everything aligned for our departure. My girlfriends threw me a surprise ‘kid’ shower a week ago Friday – complete with blue streamers, tons of gifts for Johan and yummy food. It was a nice surprise. Throughout the week the gifts for Johan kept pouring in from family. Everyone was so generous. The kid is going to be spoiled before he even gets to the States!
Tomorrow (Monday, August 31) is a big day. After our short stay in Bogota tonight we have a flight bright and early to Ibague in the morning. We will stay at Particia’s Place in Ibague – a type of Bed & Breakfast that caters to adoptive families. Patricia will be our guide and translator throughout our stay. She will pick us up in the morning and take us to her place to settle in. We then go to the ICBF at 11a.m. to get Johan. This of course will be a party!
I will close here for the day so I can work a bit on my Spanish. I have to figure out what I’m going to say to my new son!
Carrie
Friday, August 21, 2009
Message from Johan
We just got this email from Johan:
COMO ESTAN? YO ESTOY FELIZ PORQUE LOS VOY A VOLVER A VER PRONTO Y QUIERO QUE ESE DÍA LLEGUE RÁPIDO PARA COMPARTIR CON USTEDES.
Loosely translated:
How are you? I am happy because I'm going to see you again soon and I want this day to come soon to share with you.
:-)
COMO ESTAN? YO ESTOY FELIZ PORQUE LOS VOY A VOLVER A VER PRONTO Y QUIERO QUE ESE DÍA LLEGUE RÁPIDO PARA COMPARTIR CON USTEDES.
Loosely translated:
How are you? I am happy because I'm going to see you again soon and I want this day to come soon to share with you.
:-)
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Preparations!
Everything seems to be falling into place. Our tickets are booked - we used the travel agency that our adoption agency recommended. They specialize in adoptions and do not charge a booking fee - which was a good thing. We had some challenges getting a decent fare for the in-country flight but ended up with a $200 flight instead of a $400 after a little prodding. So I was happy with those savings.
We arrive Sunday night into Bogota and stay near the airport. The next morning we have an early flight to Ibague which is where everything will take place. I'm hoping we get Johan that day - but it could be the next day.
We will likely stay at Patricia's Place - a home that caters to adoptive families. I've talked to two different families who have stayed there and both gave glowing recommendations. The price includes 3 meals a day which makes things easy. I just wonder what we're going to do day in and day out to entertain ourselves! We're packing lots of card games, a few movies and some good books (we'll have to find a swimming pool too!). Ibague is not very touristy (like Bogota or some of the other areas) so I don't know that there will be much to see. If we have the opportunity we may try to travel and visit other areas of Colombia - we'll see...
Colombia doesn't have seasons like we do. I've been checking the weather for Ibague - it's steady at 87 during the day and 70 at night with a chance of thunderstorms every day. Bogota is higher in the mountains - so a much cooler high of 64 and low of 42.
That's all for now - hopefully I'm not repeating myself too much.
Take care,
Carrie
We arrive Sunday night into Bogota and stay near the airport. The next morning we have an early flight to Ibague which is where everything will take place. I'm hoping we get Johan that day - but it could be the next day.
We will likely stay at Patricia's Place - a home that caters to adoptive families. I've talked to two different families who have stayed there and both gave glowing recommendations. The price includes 3 meals a day which makes things easy. I just wonder what we're going to do day in and day out to entertain ourselves! We're packing lots of card games, a few movies and some good books (we'll have to find a swimming pool too!). Ibague is not very touristy (like Bogota or some of the other areas) so I don't know that there will be much to see. If we have the opportunity we may try to travel and visit other areas of Colombia - we'll see...
Colombia doesn't have seasons like we do. I've been checking the weather for Ibague - it's steady at 87 during the day and 70 at night with a chance of thunderstorms every day. Bogota is higher in the mountains - so a much cooler high of 64 and low of 42.
That's all for now - hopefully I'm not repeating myself too much.
Take care,
Carrie
Friday, August 14, 2009
Pack the Bags!
It's time! FINALLY!! We received notification yesterday that the Article 5 will be in today - so we can book our flights! It was recommended that we travel on the weekend. So we will depart on August 30. Tom will likely return September 12. Johan and I will be home some day!!!
WOO HOO!
WOO HOO!
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
I800: What does it mean?
Blogger wasn't working too well yesterday and some of the info I originally posted got cut off - so trying again...
We received notification from USCIS (immigration) yesterday that our I800 is approved. This is basically the last round of paperwork. This document gives us approval to adopt Johan. It is sent to Colombia where they review and give us a travel date. Our agency says a minimum of 2 weeks - more likely 3 weeks. So hopefully that means we'll be on a plane the last week of August!
We also filed for our Visa's on Friday. Tourists do not need to have Visa's for Colombia but since we are conducting legal business we have to have one.
We went shopping for a few clothes for Johan on Sunday. I've learned that he will likely come with the clothes on his back - and that's it. So we don't want to have to spend all our time shopping for clothes in Colombia! I suppose I should also take a sweatshirt or something for him - poor kid is going to have to get used to the cold!
We are also planning to celebrate his birthday while we are there - he turns 12 on September 13.
We'll keep you posted...
Carrie
We received notification from USCIS (immigration) yesterday that our I800 is approved. This is basically the last round of paperwork. This document gives us approval to adopt Johan. It is sent to Colombia where they review and give us a travel date. Our agency says a minimum of 2 weeks - more likely 3 weeks. So hopefully that means we'll be on a plane the last week of August!
We also filed for our Visa's on Friday. Tourists do not need to have Visa's for Colombia but since we are conducting legal business we have to have one.
We went shopping for a few clothes for Johan on Sunday. I've learned that he will likely come with the clothes on his back - and that's it. So we don't want to have to spend all our time shopping for clothes in Colombia! I suppose I should also take a sweatshirt or something for him - poor kid is going to have to get used to the cold!
We are also planning to celebrate his birthday while we are there - he turns 12 on September 13.
We'll keep you posted...
Carrie
Monday, August 3, 2009
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