Jiminy Lizard

Greetings from la familia Shinn!

Yes, it is true, we are now officially a family. We went to court yesterday to sign papers, and everything went well. We were explained that we now had rights and responsibilities of parents of the children and that their names are now Shinn. It was really easy and really exciting to get it done. The kids got to dress up in their fancy duds and were so excited. The boys were jumping around when they saw their plaid shirts, and Shirley looked so beautiful in her dress. Everything went so well.

Afterward we were able to do some shopping in what I would call a "touristy" place, filled with neat things that are more full of Colombian flavor than most of which we have seen yet. It was good to see the little artifacts and variety of artwork that was there. The boys were most interested in little trucks and the fish and birds in the upstairs room, although neither Juan nor Andres wanted to get within two feet of the aquariums with the fish, no matter the size of the fish. Janine got to quickly shop while I tried to keep track of the boys. Shirley had fun, too, looking at different things, and especially with a water powered chime that she and Yovany found. We were able to pick up a few things that will be nice to have around the house when we return. I know that it will be so different from here that it will be nice for the kids to have some recognizeable things from Colombia.

After this we returned to the hotel for some light lunch and the boys naps. Shirley and I went to the pool where she was more adventurous than she has been yet. I really think that she would be able to swim freely if she just let go of the side, but she still uses that as her safety net. I think it holds her back, though. Anyhow, she was letting go quite a bit more yesterday, moving clumsily through a few meters of water before grasping for the side again. I think she had a lot of fun, though, and I tried to encourage her when she would stretch herself like that. She had a lot of fun jumping into the pool and even went (accidently) without holding on once. When she came up out of the water I asked her if that was good. She forced a smile and made sure she held on to the side for the next jump.

So I got in the mood for pizza, even though the pizza here is not very good. I decided to ask the front desk if they knew of any good pizza. The attendant pointed out a good one and ordered us a large. So 35 minutes later we got our strangely decorated pizza. It had ham and some sort of jerky-like sausage that was supposed to be pepporoni. Anyhow, the kids were all excited and we ate out on the balcony. The pizza was okay, and it was nice to eat something different, and the kids liked it, so it was good. While we were eating I hear Janine scream from the other room. I run in to check on her when she tells me she saw a HUGE bug fall into the trash can and then jump out. I ask her how big. She says 3-4 inches big. Now I am screaming and standing on a chair. Not really, though, but I didn't want to see a gigantic bug that "looks like a praying mantis." So I get tough and start snooping around for this bug. I see nothing. Shirley joins in and is the next to spot it, as she gets really excited (in a scared way) and starts pointing toward the other room (If you can imagine the scene in Signs where the kids in Brazil are freaking out when they first see the alien...that is was it was like). So off we go, the three of us crouched over as if we are sneaking around, looking for Mothra. After moving chairs, beds, end tables, etc. we finally move the curtains to see a little lizard/salamandar type dude. Okay, no bug. We are safe. I could see where one could mistake it, though. Anyhow, we begin the task of chasing him out the door ( I don't want to touch it to pick it up) when suddenly a scream and cry from the other room (Andres got restless and fell between the chair and table in his squirming), so Janine tends to that while Shirley and try to encourage the little dude (hereto affectionately known as Jiminy Lizard) out the door. He wouldn't budge, even if I stomped right beside him. I found a straw (who knows from when) on the floor and begin to encourage Jiminy Lizard by poking him. Eventually I poke JL and prod him enough to get him out the door, where he scurries in the small overhang of the wall to the floor. I checked on Jiminy Lizard a few minutes later and he was gone. He might be back in the room right now, though. That crazy JL.

So after this adventure we decided to cap our special day with dessert. So we went out to get some cake and ice cream. The kids were all excited again, as this was a special day. I should note that before this we gave the kids Valentines Day presents. M&M's for the boys and candy necklace for Shirley. They all loved it...another part of the special day, although we have to moniter all of them with candy or else they would eat nothing else. So dessert. We go and get two ice creams, Janine orders tres leches cake, and Shirley some sort of caramel thing that didn't look very good. She didn't like it, and by looking at it, I couldn't blame her. Juan love the tres leches cake, while Andres would have eaten a lump of coal if we put it in front of him, so the ice cream went quickly between the two of us. It was fun. Shirley and Andres wanted to watch the swim club practice afterward, while Juan just wanted to go back to the room, so Janine took him. The three of us watched for a little bit, but then Andres got a little fussy so we left. When we got back to the room the phone rang. They said we had a package at the front desk. Weird. So I went to get it.

What a special day. Not only did we officially become a family today, not only was it Valentines Day, not only did we go shopping and get to have pizza and a special dessert...not only all that, but our wonderful friends sent us a box of love from SLC! The kids were so excited, we were so excited to see all that was in there. We were warmed over again as we saw all the goodies, all the wonderful things that our friends sent to us, the things they made for us. What a suprise! It was wonderful, to say the least, and such a great cap to a great day. We didn't even get into all of what was in the box because it was such an overwhelming gesture of kindness and love, and the kids probably wouldn't know what to do with so much stuff. It will be nice to be able to stretch the box out for a few days, to get something special over the course of time....Thank you all who were involved. It was wonderful and la familia Shinn is very grateful.

Anyhow, sleep came easily to me last night, as I was tired from the lack of sleep the night before (I guess I was excited/nervous about court). I fell asleep quite early and slept really well. Today I don't know exactly what we need to do. Something with Shirley's birth papers, I think, and then maybe get going on the passports. I know that we need to get tickets to Bogota either today or tomorrow, too. I can't believe it is Thursday already, that we only have a couple more days here. It seems unreal, after spending this time here, that we are now thinking about leaving, thinking about packing, about where we will stay in Bogota. There is still so much to do, but I have a feeling it will all go by so quickly. It is very exciting, and before we know it we will be back in Midvale. Much to do before then, though.

The song for the day is "The Man of Metropolis Steals Our Hearts" by Sufjan Stevens.
7-Up: The song for the day was almost "Whistle Down the Wind" by T. Waits. Just so YOU know.

Nurse Nan: You should read the book. It is amazing. Blue Like Jazz is a good read, too. Let me know what you think of it.

Gary: You should also read the book. I will send you a box of fun when I get back to SLC. How is school?

Jay: What is happening with our teams? V. Tech is starting to annoy me. How is snowboarding?

Meg: Thank you. I am glad you and Eric had a good V-day celebration, too.
Eric: I want to punch V. Tech in the face...twice...enjoy the Berry book:)

Lo: I haven't forgotten...the Elvis pictures are yours...hope all is well.

Mom: get the internet...

Al and Deb: Thank you both so much. We can't wait to get back east and for us all to meet!

Rex and Deb: Jose...what was I thinking?

Thank you all for your encouraging words and thoughts and prayers. We are always helped along by all of it and all of you. Hope all is well with you all.
S.