We had a simply beautiful day yesterday. For staters, after a gray, rainy day on saturday we woke up to a glorious sunny day. After breakfast we met with our friends from West Michigan staying at hotel Paris. Jeff, Santi, Sebastian and I walked from mom's home to their hotel. On sundays, some streets in Bogota are closed for people to walk and bike (it's a long tradition here, it's called "ciclovia"). In any event, because ciclovia, we had no traffic to deal with for the 15 minute walk. We met Thompsons, Housemans and Kameraads -who arrived friday night and will receive Maria tomorrow- as well as a family from Minnesota (Ahers) on a second adoption trip to Colombia. We all walked through ciclovia to a street market by Usaquen. It was a very nice walk.
Santi enjoyed once again meeting with his pals Josiah and Jacob (Jacob was an angel holding Santi's hand during parts of the walk).
In this photo: Santi and Jacob together with Tammy holding Luciana:
Jacob, Santi and Carlos:
Jacob, Carlos, Josiah and Santi
Sebastian really likes the stroller and was super well behaved. The market was beautiful and we saw a good number of things we would love to get for our home. We all commented that this would be a place we would all love to come back.
At around noon, we split from the "West Michigan Club" and left to meet my parents, sister Margarita and nephew Manuel for lunch. We drove to a restaurant north of Bogota called "El Portico". We had a very nice lunch and both my kids had a great time (I love saying "my kids"!!!!)
Sebastian smiled big time for mami:
This is my nephew Manuel. He is also Sebastian's future GodFather (thank you Manuel!)
Santi took a ride on a burro
Abuelito Papi and Tia Margarita
Manuel, my mom and Santi
Santi has had a couple of meltdowns today. Emily, if you are reading this, he told me he wanted to go to your classroom and play with Nolan. Twice today he has asked if we could fly back home today. He is doing better now and has finally agreed to a nap. Jeff and I are working hard on helping him adjust to having a little brother and we both continue to hope that he will enjoy this whole experience.
Well, this is it for now. He will post after our ICBF tomorrow with more updates.
"You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them"~Desmond Tutu.
Thanks for sharing such great journals! How we wish we could be with you all there! Your children are beautiful! Thinking of you! Enjoy this time bonding as a family of four with friends and family!!
ReplyDeleteWe are loving all of the photos and the journal entries...what a blessing to be able to follow you guys on this journey!
ReplyDeleteBesos,
Becky (and Scott and Ally)
Hola Tanner Familia,
ReplyDeleteIt has been so fun to follow along. Seeing pics of our Colombian Abuelitos brings back so many fond memories! Please send them our love (and tell them that Marta is now walking)!!
You have been a blessing to everyone staying over at Hotel Paris...what a blessing for all the West MI families back at home that you've been!!
We pray your journey is full of joy and wonderful bonding. Silas can relate to little Santi...that's just part of the adventure...it will get easier! Sending Abrazos y Besos to your family and Abuelitos, too!
Con Mucho Amor, Kristi
Hello Tanner Family,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing over the past week. We have all been thinking of you and hoping all is going well. I printed your first journal entry and posted it on our board for our classroom families to see. I think everyone has cried while reading it and can't wait for you to come back to meet Sebastian. I also printed an extra picture of Santi for Nolan to see. It is now taped on the wall next to his bed. Nolan is also really missing Santi. I hope all went well today. Enjoy your time with your family and friends. We will be looking forward to hearing when you might be back in GR. Emily