The Embassy Dr. & Passports

Jaime had picked up our papers that the attorney had flown to us from Valledupar at 6:00AM. This means we could go forward with the passports and the embassy Dr. visit. This morning after breakfast we took a quick walk up to Unicentral Mall to get the kids out a little bit before the long day we had ahead of us. We made it back in just enough time (12:00PM) to meet Silvia and Jaime who were our guides for the day. First it was off to get the kids passports. We had not taken passport pictures yet so...we needed to do that first. No worries though because just outside the building where you get the passports was a small office that takes pictures and makes copies. After pictures we waited in line which was short for us because we get special privelage due to adoptions. At the first window the guy was reviewing everything and said that we would need to go find a lady to sign off on Steve's visa. The copy we had cut off the bottom part of the visa and she would need to OK it. We found her then rushed back to the window. 2 minutes later Silvia comes running over and said hurry we need to come over to the next window - when we got there she said they were closing for lunch...we just made it - this is where you pay for the passports. Then we waited in another short line for the next window which prepares the paperwork for the passports. Maria signed off on hers...and I signed for J.P. Now we just have to wait for them to "put them together". Shortly thereafter the lady calls the kids names and we have passports!! We check everything to make sure names and numbers are OK. Next we walk over to a translaters office as there are some documents we need to get translated from Spanish to English for the children when we get back to the states. We leave there and then get to the Embassy Dr.'s office (which is not on embassy property by the way) about 2:30-2:45PM. The children's appointment is not until 4:00PM and the Dr. is not in yet. Silvia says sometimes that the Dr. is there and you can go early however the was not there yet so we had to wait for him. Finally, we go in to see him - he is very nice and speaks both Spanish and English (Silvia did not go in with us due to this). He checks their weight and height (Maria is 51" tall and weighs about 55 pounds, J.P. is 39 1/2" tall and weighs about 30 pounds). Asks us and the children a few questions and then we are done! We get home just in enough time to eat dinner and then Tia Betty had a special treat for the residents (especially J.P. & Maria). She knows a Vallenato band who is a good friend and are from Valledupar. They came and played for about an hour for us. I think this wore the kids out especially since they had no nap today. Showers and then into bed. Tomorrow its up and going super early. Jaime and Silvia will be here at 8:00AM to pick us up to apply for the kids Visas. My mom was a great help as the kids had to sit for so long at times. It would have been really hard for me to do all that I had to do and keep an eye on them, too. (Mom Arlene, I know that you wish you could be here, also. I know that you would if you could but, you are helping us out there with the office. We could not get through these last several weeks without you so, Thank you!) We will see all soon! Only 5 more days to go! [D&T ] :)