Beginning & End...

The beginning of our day started out with sleepiness. We tried having Abi in our bed last night but the three of us didn't fit very well. I moved to sleep with Bella in her twin bed. That worked until Abi woke at 12:47am. At that time, I comforted her and layed back down with her (hanging off the side of the bed w/she and Bruce). She woke again at ???am and after comforting her, I put her in her pack-n-play. She was so tired, she didn't realize she was there. At 5:30am, she woke again. At this point, Bruce has woken every time Abi has AND Bella has too. Bella sat up in her bed the second time and said, "Mom! Please make her stop!" I only wish I could. Help me, Jesus! Bruce couldn't go back to sleep at 5:30am so he was up for the day...poor Daddy! Abi fell back to sleep until 7ish, I took her to Bruce and layed back down for 2 hours. Ugh!

We had plans today to visit Andrew Stringer's parents. I mentioned Andrew a few days ago and our meeting after having communicated via email for over a year. He, too, was adopted from Infant Paradise in Villavicencio. It was wonderful to meet he and his family. He's in Bogota this week and helping with a church planting there. His parents though are in Medellin and they invited us over today. It was wonderful!

BEST PART OF THE BEGINNING OF TODAY...Abi gave me my first kiss! Granted, it was an open mouth kiss and was a bit wet BUT it was still a kiss from our darling baby girl! She's a love! She's also learned how to say "please" in sign language (rubbing her hand on her chest). She hasn't yet learned "more" and would rather yell out, "na" but it will come.

KID COMMENTS...Before we left for the Stringer's, Josh said, "Mom, I just want to go home and be with my friends." I agreed that that would be awesome as I miss mine too. We talked about what we'd like to do with our friends when we get home. Bella's comment this evening was, "Mom, this is NOT how a sister is supposed to act!" I then had to explain that her sister had a special need (right now in her life) because her birth mommy had a drug in her body that affected Abi before she was born. I said that we need to ask Jesus for extra patience and love because she doesn't know how to self soothe..suck her thumb, hold a blanket or stuffed animal, etc. Bella said, "alright."

We arrived to Mark & Barbara Stringer's home around 11:30. We met (for the first time) and had great conversation about their journey in adopting four children from Colombia and their ministry here in Medellin. They are such a sweet couple. They are American's but have lived in Colombia for many, many years. Andrew's wife, Joanna and their kids, were also there. Joanna made lunch for us and it was DELICIOUS!!! We had bbq chicken, mashed potatoes, salad, a bowl of fresh turnips (which they grew in their garden) and green beans. Bruce and I both had "seconds" because it was so good. They live in a beautiful area of Medellin. Their apartment is surrounded by the most beautiful greenery. The vines, leaves and multiple colors of green are lavishly thrown all over the wall of the apartment complex. From their balcony (2nd floor), they can directly see the play ground area and the pool. The kids loved playing together. We could hear them laughing from the balcony. Josh and Bella were happier today than any other day so far. People...the Menefee's all love being around other people! After lunch and some play time, the kids and Bruce went for a swim. Abi usually wants to get in the pool. I only allow for her feet to get wet here at our hotel because the water is not heated and is really cold! This pool was amazingly clean, beautiful and heated!! I put her cute little pink swimsuit on her. Her chubby hiney and thighs screaming for love...darling little, toenails painted pink...she was ready to go! She wouldn't have it. She walked up to the water and then grabbed onto me. She totally missed out! Instead she sat in my lap and had a 40 minute nap. Of course, since I was holding her there were few tears before sleeping. :) After the swim, we went in for brownies! When Josh was finished, he carried his plate into the kitchen and told Barbara, "muchos gracias." She then offered him a second brownie. What a look...those big brown eyes lit up and his dimples sunk into his beautiful face. Of course, I let him have a second. I said, "You're definitely at Grandma's, huh?!" He agreed. We stayed until almost 5:00 and then Mark kindly brought us back to our hotel. We all agreed that today was fantastic!

BEST PART OF THE END OF MY DAY...

Since we have chicken almost daily and had already had it for lunch, the kids decided oatmeal was a good choice for dinner. Bruce makes great oatmeal (the healthy kind). I'm not an oatmeal girl so I got to order pizza! May I just say, I felt like I was at home! Dominos Pizza! Yeah!!! It tasted just like it does in America! Pepperoni and mushroom with a huge Coca Cola!! I don't even order Dominos back home but tonight it was like steak and champagne!

Please pray that God gives us discernment in moving. The apartment complex that Vicky suggested to us, now has an opening. It's less expensive than what we are paying here and we would have 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, living area, internet, etc. I'm almost positive we will move there over the weekend. We LOVE being here at Torre 42 but the room situation just isn't working. I hate that the entire family is woken up every time Abi cries in the night!! Another benefit to this apartment is that it's right across the street from the newest and nicest mall here in Medellin. I could careless about the actual mall except that they have CINNABON in this mall. With the weight loss I've had over the last 2.5 weeks, I could use some delicious cinnamon rolls!

The joys of the USA!

Believing God for a better night for all of us and many blessings for YOU!