Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Sept 16-- SENTENCIA!!!!!!

Great news came our way today at 10:50 am. Helena called and said, "Tell Brian I am on the way to get him. We must sign the sentencia by 12:00". We couldn't believe it. We (all the families here) were in the family room and together we all started jumping up and down with happiness. We got many hugs from our friends and the staff at the hotel. Oddly enough, I (Trisha) also felt sadness, even while we were celebrating b/c I began to realize that soon we will be leaving this wonderful place. Truly, this is such a special time in our lives and such a beautiful country. And we have very dear friends. It will be bittersweet to leave.

We were shocked at how quickly the sentencia had to be done. There is usually a days notice. Fortunately, only Brian had to go with the passports and the money to give his signature. He and Helena ran errands until 3:00.

An amazing thing happened while he was in line at the courthouse. Behind him in line was our lawyer, Gertrudis from Cali who helped us adopt Lucia!!! We have tried to contact her, but have been unable to. So we feel it is God's grace in allowing Brian to bump into her in a city of 8 million. She now lives in Bogota. We hope to spend time with her before we leave.

While Brian worked on the sentencia, I stayed back with the kids and all of the families went out for lunch. Then the kids played all day. And then around 5:00, another family got their sentencia. More dancing and jumping with happiness.

What lies ahead of us is some pretty busy days of new birth certificate, visa, passport, embassy doctor, etc. So we are definitely on the home stretch. We are aiming to leave on 9/23 or 9/24 and can't wait to be home (and to see our new bathroom...long story, but our bathroom pipes broke the week before we left and ruined the downstairs closet. The bathroom needed to be completely remodeled, and the closet. So that will be fun to come home to!)

Stay tuned!

Lucia and Valentina blowing bubbles.
The kids played in Lucia's tent. Much fun.
Nicoli and Peder Dilon.
Out for lunch at La Taqueria. Both families are from Norway.
Pierre and Nicoli.

5 comments:

Erin said...

Oh Trisha! I am SO excited for you guys! I look forward to reading your blog every day! I am sure you guys are anxious to be home! I know it may be a while, but I can't wait to meet your handsome new little man!

Tanya said...

Brian and Trisha - We are so excited!!! We have all enjoyed the blog so much and are thrilled to know you'll be home soon. We just can't wait to meet our new nephew/cousin! Much love to all.

Anonymous said...

This is so exciting! Can't wait to see all of you back home! Enjoy your last couple weeks there as I'm sure they will fly by and you will miss Columbia -

Katrina S.

de Hakkies said...

Dear Family!!

Wauw congratulations!!! We are so happy for you!!! I feel sorry we weren't there with you when you got this got wonderfull news!!!It's so strange to read your blog...it's only a few days ago that we left Colombia, and while I'm reading your blog it feels like beeing there again, realy weird... We wish you all the best, the girls are still talking about their time in Halifax with Lucia and they tell and show everbody with proud their bracelets and necklaces!!

Love, remco, carolien, Manuela, Michel and Yerson

Katie Gilstrap said...

Congrats!!! I'm so happy right now I can't stop smiling!!! I can't wait to meet my new little cousin!!