let's at least be respectable here...

Today has seemed like a long day. We ended up going to the shopping center today, more for something to do than for shopping. It is generally a nice walk and a good chance to kill time. Our theory is that if we can use up half the day, specifically the morning, and make it to nap time, we will be okay. The theory held up today. We had an enjoyable time walking and doing some final shopping here in Bucaramanga. The boys held up well and did not fuss too much. Afterward, we came back and had a small lunch in the room before the boys went to sleep. Shirley and I went to the pool, while Janine started packing (yeah!).

Shirley and I stayed at the pool for a long time today. I figured it would be her last time to swim for a while, so I didn't really mind it too much. It was a nice day, not too hot, and we had quite a bit of fun splashing around and playing. I am going to be glad for a break from the pool, though, as sometime in here my rotator cuff has started to act up. A break will be nice, although it was always nice to know that we had the pool for something to do. Anyhow, Shirley got to see her buddy Gladys who brought us some drinks and chatted with Shirley for a while. Gladys wanted to make sure that she would be able to see Shirley and the boys before we leave tomorrow, so we assured her that we would see her. Anyhow, after about two hours, Janine and the boys came down to see what we were doing. The boys were content to sit on the side, sipping on juice, while Shirley showed off to Mami for a little bit. Janine took the boys back to the room after about 45 minutes, while Shirley and stuck it out for another hour in the pool.

We had our last dinner at the restaurant tonight, although the boys didn't really want to eat. We began to say our goodbyes to staff here, which really brings our time here to some sort of finality. We came back to the room for baths and bedtime stories, and to continue to get ready to go to Bogota. Janine has done quite a bit of packing today, so tomorrow should be pretty laid back. We will need to finish our goodbyes tomorrow, with both staff and adopting families that we have become acquainted with here. Shirley has even made some cards for some of her favorite people, Gladys and Jose...she has really enjoyed their friendship while we have been here, and honestly, so have we. I was able to say goodbye to one of my favorites tonight, Edwing, who has helped us in numerous ways and has made our stay here so much easier. Tomorrow it will be Francisco, who has on different occasions brought me coffee in my room unsolicited, and Jose and Gladys. We have been fortunate to have kids who have made it easy to make friends with these people, and these folks whose hearts have shined brightly when we have interacted with them. We are blessed.

So now, with the kids asleep, the weekend party blasting from the convention area (there are parties every weekend here...that go on until the wee hours of the morning), and the Negro Modelo (La Crema de la Cerveza) beckoning me from the fridge, I feel very relaxed. I look forward to leaving tomorrow, for a change of pace from our daily lives here, and to see the kids as they take their first flight. It will be interesting, to say the least. I am also anxious to go home, to begin our lives in Midvale, as the kids become used to that lifestyle, and we continue to grow as a family. I also want to see our dog, too, to see how the kids are with her, how she is with the kids. It will all be very exciting. I am anxious.

On another note, the Flyers won a game. It sounded like a rough game, according to the AP news. I am sorry to hear that Brendan Shanahan when down, but I guess that is part of the danger of playing the game. Now, if the Flyers could only continue to play hard and win a couple of more games...let's at least be respectable here.

I just reread the paragraph before the Flyers one and noticed that I said that I am both "relaxed" and "anxious" and am wondering how that works...

Anyhow, I hope that you are all doing well. I hope that we get good sleep tonight, especially considering that we will be flying during nap time tomorrow. I really hope the boys aren't fussy.
Buenas Noches, Gorila...

Side note: Janine's blog...she made mention of a stinky morning (literally) with the boys yesterday. I have to give some detail of her morning, since she decided not to. Anyhow, she had to (ahem...cough...cough) "help" Juancho get his poop out. This was not very fun for her, and less fun for Juancho, I can imagine. So let it be known: I know my wife loves our kids very much, what with the extra help for the troubles of Juancho and his movements...just so you know.

Mr. and Mrs. Chocolate and Choco Jr.: Shirley seems to love birds!
Mr. Chocolate: can you please stock my fridge with delicious, cool, frosty beverages?
Jay and 7-Up: The ducks stink...
Huck: don't cut your hair...please...
Lo: Thanks for the kind words.
Gary: you are a preacherman, no?
DAFULLMAN: I am evading toy stepping quite nicely...
Nate: Are you reading this?