the days are numbered...

Okay, so we did go to the pool. Shirley was so ecstatic that she was able to go, and the boys didn't really mind that they were not going to get in (I should say that Andres didn't mind, Juancho knew he wasn't getting in). Shirley and I played around for a little while, all the while I am trying to coax her to let go of the side and swim out a little. Still not successful on that one. She had fun jumping around, though, and I did get her to do some swimming-type things while still holding comfortably to the concrete side. Anyhow, after a while she went to the little pool and I went and talked to the Belgian couple with Janine. I have to say that it is wonderful to be able to talk to people in English down here. It has only been a little over two weeks, but we have really not been able to speak to too many people at all. I know that I get frustrated when trying to talk in my extremely limited vocabulary and no grammar skills in Spanish, so it is nice to be able to just say what I am thinking without having to think too hard on it. Anyhow, we had a good conversation with them and Shirley was having a blast with their children (two boys) and her little buddy from the pool (a younger girl). It was fun to watch them all chasing each other, jumping in and out of the pool and laughing a lot. The whole time Juancho and Andres are pushing these cheap plastic pool stools around on the pool side, stacking them up, unstacking them, and pushing them some more. I have no idea why this was fun or enjoyable or what to them, but they did that for quite some time, barely looking up from their task at all.

It was during this time that Emmanuelle showed up with a couple from France who just arrived. She spotted us and told us she had news. She said that our papers were signed Monday, that it was very quickly done, and that we would need to get passport photos done today (Tuesday) and perhaps sign papers on Wednesday. That is amazing. I know by her reaction that it is not ever this quick, so we are very happy about this. It is not set in stone yet, though, so please continue to pray that the process moves along as well as it has so far. We told Shirley that she might be flying in a plane in five days and she said very loudly and emphatically, "Noooo!" I was afraid that she didn't want to leave, but immediately following was her hand holding two fingers up, "dos." She wanted to fly sooner. We laughed around the dinner table. Needless to say, we are excited about this news and are very encouraged by it.

Yeah, I said dinner table. I went last night after pledging to boycott. Instead I ordered a cheese sandwich, at least knowing what I would get. It wasn't that great at all, but it was edible, and they have been consistent with that. When going to dinner, we ran into one of the waitresses who has been serving us consistently during the days when we are at the pool. She was wearing a different uniform and had her hair pulled back differently, so we did not recognize her right away. She has been so good with the kids, so helpful, and I really feel that she has attached to us and our kids in a way that she has not with the other families that are here. It always helps that we have the ever charming and outgoing Shirley and the cute as a button boys. But she was very excited to see the kids last night and came over immediately to recieve kisses from teh boys and to walk Juancho over to our table. The kids have really grown to consider her as a friend, and after two weeks I finally learned that her name is Gladys. There have been a few specific workers here who have made our stay so much better. She is one, for sure, and one of the bell hop boys who is always smiling, always saying good day to us, and who sometimes practices his English on me...plus Jose from breakfast (Rex and Deb, you know who I am talking about) who interacts so well with the children and is genuinely happy to see us daily. There are others who have been nice, but these three certainly stand out. I don't know where all that came from, maybe just a reminder to myself of the blessings we have had while we are here. I don't know.
Anyhow, dinner was good, as we enjoyed a later meal coupled with jokes from all three kids. They certainly all love attention and all are funny in different ways. For some reason they were all a little hyper last night, perhaps they understood the news that we heard earlier...but all three were in rare form. We basically had night at the improv during dinner, which was good for the laughing, but not so good for getting them to eat. Even bath time that followed was more difficult as both boys just wanted to squirm and twist and splash in the tiny tub in which we wash them (I can't wait for them to be in the bigger tub at home). They amazingly settled down pretty well last night, though, with few whimpers and arguments. We first read to them, maybe three books +/- and then let them look at books by themselves for a little bit. Sometimes we hear them crawling around hitting the walls and we have to go check and make sure they are not up playing. We remind them that it is bed time, and they usually settle back down. After a little while I go in and turn off the light. This is not usually met with approval, but if I don't, they sit up and look at their books forever. After this step, it is usually not long before they fall asleep, and last night was no exception, as they were out within ten minutes of 'lights out' time.
After that, we played Shirleys' favorite matching game and then Shirley and Janine worked on Spanish/English for a little while together. It was a very good day yesterday.

Today will be busy as we get passport photos, exchange shoes, and go to the bank to exchange money. Hopefully things will run smoothly, especially considering that Emmanuella is going to pick us up at 2, which is usually nap time for the boys. We will try to get them up a little earlier today and put them down for their nap a little earlier. Hopefully they are cooperative. We need to exchange money to pay the lawyer and Emmanuella and a couple of other things. We have been trying to get to a bank for a while now, but have not been able to do so yet. Today must be the day. This morning we will most likely let Shirley get in the pool again, as the days are now numbered for swimming for her. I am not sure that she totally understands that this is not our home, but just a place we are staying for now. We have showed her pictures of 7817 S. Holden, but I don't think it will set in for any of them until we are there. So we will take advantage of being here for now, and we will swim in the pool and eat lots of fresh fruit and bread.

Anyhow, I have finally written, it seems, after taking a couple days off from actually sitting down and writing. Things are moving along and we are very excited. Please continue to pray as the transition and the things we have left to do can be difficult and draining. It is always difficult to uproot kids who have gotten used to a routine, and that is exactly what will be happening when we leave here.

Anyhow, my iPod is on charge so I can pick my song for the day, so here it is, and this goes out to Joke: New Hampshire by Matt Pond PA is the song for the day...

I hope you are all doing well...

7-Up: Andres is actually the lefty...so we have Juancho and Lefty...

Mr. and Mrs. Chocolate and Choco Jr.: Our birding skills are zero without you...can't wait to eat dinner at your table again!

Frog Brutha, Jr.: Have you disappeared? Are you recording another hit record?

Eric: Dante Calabria might be a better choice...he could stroke it for sure...some days I am not sure what makes me happier: Carolina winning so much or duke losing so much...

Beatrice: I eat nails for breakfast...when you coming back to SLC?