The Canuels are Home!

Sorry it took so long to get this posted as you can imagine it has been busy these past couple of days. Sunday we were picked up from the residence (Betty's Place) at 6:15AM and wisped off to the airport. We made it there the 3 hours in advance as we were suppose to. It is a good thing though because it took us 2 hours to get checked in and through to the gate. We were only sitting about 25 minutes and they started boarding the plane. The flight left at 9:50AM and was aprox. 3 hours and 20 minutes. The kids did great on the flight. No screaming, crying or anything of the sort. I had packed them backpacks with stuff to do and it kept them content. We landed in Ft. Lauderdale about 2:30PM. There were about 3 other flights that landed the same time as ours so the "people traffic" was incredible. My mom was great helping me through everything with the kids...I do not think I could have made the travel without her. She was a blessing. (Thanks to God I was able to get to travel back with her on return date like we had been praying for.) After getting through customs (about 1 1/2 hours) we were escorted to immigration where we waited another 2 hours. All this time our family was waiting for us downstairs. We understand that an escort from our airlines should have taken us through to the front of all the lines because of the adoption but, they did not. Finally, we were able to leave immigration and we were escorted to the family. Maria saw Taylor and she ran and gave her a big hug. My dad, Arlene (Steve's mom), Joe & Trish (Steve's brother and wife), Taylor (my niece) and of course Meem all came down to meet us at the airport. It was really cool. We didn't get home until about 9:30PM. Our friends Donna & Tony had a huge welcome banner and some decorations out on the front entrance. Taylor put up some balloons and signs for J.P. and Maria to welcome them. It was nice. The kids came in and saw the house and their rooms and were totally floored. I got video and will try to put it up as soon as I can. All said good night and I put the kids to bed. They were use to sleeping in their own beds but in the same room at Betty's Place. I left them at night to go over to the next room (with a baby monitor on in case they needed me) to get them use to being seperated from me while we watched a movie at night and I did laundry. They did well! They both have night lights in their rooms and there are some more through out the house also. They have a big day the following day: To my sisters, the beach and over to Taylor's to play then out for ice cream. More details to come. Please continue to pray for Christina....she is still at Betty's and not sure when she will get sentencia. Thanks W

Going Home!

This morning I had to get up really early as Tia Betty set me up with an appintment to get my hair done (Cut n Colored). Noberto of Noberto's is a very well known stylist and has a huge business. He is very feminine but, super nice and did a great job. He has everyone that comes in there treated like a princess. There were always at least 2 girls working on me at the same time. It was really neat! There are several different sections in his salon. The building alone takes up a whole corner of a block and is about 3 stories high. He lives on the top floor (making it 4 stories in a place that sort of looks like a pent house). Christina gave us the scoop. Later that afternoon I took the kids back to get their hair done in the "kids salon" as I wanted to do something special for them for the trip home. They had so much fun. This salon for kids is utterly a disneyland fantasy complete with a ball pool, a slide and a little play area for this kids. J.P. was taken and seated in a "car" chair and the grin on his face was worth a million dollars. At first I was just going to take Maria but, I am so glad that I took him, too. Maria was next with braids and ribbons. She had a finishing touch of a flower, glitter then lip gloss and stickers for her face. They had a blast. We walked back home then it was time for siestas while I packed most of our suitcases. Mom went with Christina to a art show at the convention center which had all handmade things from Colombians. When they got back we sat down for dinner. After dinner it was off to bed. I wanted to get the kids to bed early because we have to get up at 5:00AM to be picked up at 6:15AM. Our flight leaves at 9:50AM but, we have to get there 3 hours early. The kids didn't go to sleep right away as we were doing the finishing touches on the suitcases and I think they were probably a little excited. Later I updated the blog and now it's time for bed. I can not believe the time has come for us to come home. I can not wait to see and hug all the family. I know that several are coming to meet us at the airport. We will see everyone soon! Please pray for a safe trip with no hick ups. Luv to all. W See you soon, Honey! XXXOOO

Panaca - The Farm

We got up and got dressed and went for breakfast. Patricia picked us up about 11:00AM. We all piled in the green car and headed for Panaca. Panaca is a place where the kids can see and touch animals: cows, pet goats and sheep, watch a dog show, catch rabbits and hold them, see chickens/roosters (some other birds too) and horses. It was pretty cool. We were able to spend about 6 hours there so it killed a lot of the day. The kids had a blast. They got to sit on a bull, milk a cow, pet some dogs and hold some rabbits. We had just gotten to the horses and it started to rain so we had to book it to the car. On the way home it rained really hard but, we made it home OK. When we got home we had to shower the kids. They got absolutely filthy chasing the rabbits. After showers it was into PJs and over to dinner. They wanted to watch a little TV after dinner which was fine because it gave them a chance to settle down. At about 8:00AM I put them into bed. They didn't get naps again today so guess they should sleep really good tonight. Tomorrow we plan to take the kids to get their hair done (at least me and Maria - we will see how JP handles it). Then maybe take them bowling or go to a market that is near here. I also thought about taking them to Crepes N Waffles for icecream. We'll see. One more day.

WE HAVE VISAS!!!

Today we slept in until 9:00AM!!! I couldn't believe how late it was! The kids must have been tired too because they didn't really get up either. After breakfast (about 10:30aM) we all walked over to the "Park Line" (A line of about 5 small parks that the kids love to play at. Each one is mor like a "Station"). Christina and little Mira walked with us - She has still not heard anything about her sentencia so please continue to pray for her. There was a man with an ice cream cart that came and sat next to the last station where we were playing with the kids. He rang the bell only once to let us know he was coming then he sat quietly and watched us. He was amazing in that he did not sit there and continue to "ring the bell" to taunt the kids. Nor did the kids pester me for ice cream. There was only once toward the time we got ready to leave Maria asked for ice cream...at first I told her later that we would go to "Crepes and Waffles" where they had the really cool ice cream deserts once before. Then I got to thinking about how nice this guy was sitting there so quietly. I decided that it would be better to buy icecream from him. So, we did! He appreciated it. About 1:00PM or so it started to poor so we decided to boogie on home. We got soaked! After changing out of our wet clothes we had lunch then I put the kids down for their nap. Jaime and Silvia were to pick me up at 2:45PM to go get the visas. They were on time. Another 45 minutes ride in traffic and in we went. When we got to the window the guy handed me the papers in sealed envelopes and the kids visas. He told me to check the info on the outside of the envelope to make sure it was correct (basic info: name, address, mother's name, father's name, etc.). Well on Maria's info sheet they had her name in the spot where my name should have been. Good thing I checked it well. The man changed it for me and said "have a nice trip home"! I told thim thanks with the biggest smile I have ever had...then we walked back to the van. We had to make one more stop before home - I had some paperwork translated from Spanish into English which we will need once we get back into the states. I understand this can get very costly in the states so I had it done here. Then it was home. I immediately called my hubby (hi honey) and told him that we have visas! We are done and we are officially clearred to come home! After talking with Steve I called my other Mom - Hi Mom- to tell her the good news. She has been great helping Steve to get the house ready for me...cleaning and all. Thanks Mom! The kids were up when I got home. They watched a little TV then we had empanadas in the living room with everyone before dinner. After dinner Marie Antwenette and OKellys made that awesome pineapple cobbler pie desert they had made once before! It was soooooo good! We played with the kids a little more then put them down to bed. Tomorrow its off to a place called Palanka which is about 30 minutes outside of Bogota. It is a little farm which the kids can see and touch farm animals. They are excited. Guess that's all the excitement for the day! We miss everyone and can not wait to see you all. Until tomorrow. W

Visa Application Process

Hey Everyone....sorry I got tired last night and didn't get the post up from yesterday. Taking the kids to the park then will get you all caught up on yesterday. Luv to all 3 more days!

Silvia and Jaime picked us up at 8:00AM to go to the Embassy. We piled into the van and off we went. It took about 45 minutes to get there due to the traffic. It was totally different than I expected. I expected to see something like you would see on TV where you go through these large iron gates into this huge open courtyard-like area where there are huge beautiful buildings on both sides and many American flags flying. NOT...The embassy is gated but, mostly with a large white block wall. On a back road there is one wall where a gold seal that says "United States Embassy". Jaime droped us off then we walked down this long sidewalk where there were several lines of people outside the walls. We walked right up to the front of the line as because of the adoption we have special privelages. Through security we go (similar to that at the airport) then through another area and to another block wall. This opens up into an area which reminded me of an outdoor train station. There is a truss covered area where there are hundreds of chairs/benches, 21 window "stations" which have bullet proof glass and look like those at a drive through bank teller for one person. There are telephones outside each window which are similar to those used in a prison where a prisoner talks to a visitor. There were no flags and no flashy buildings. You give your paperwork to a "teller" then sit and wait for your name to be called. At about 9:45AM we were called to a window. The "Teller" told me that one of the forms was filled out incorrectly (it was 5 pages). I had filled it out in my name and it should have been filled out one for Maria and one for Juan. Then she asked me for our new I171H form (this is the one that I ran around like a chicken with her head cut off to get finished before we left). I did not know that I would need that form and did not have it with me it was over in my book which my mom had. Then the lady asked me for proof of the update from the FBI!!! I didn't have any copies of anything from them as the information is not permitted to be returned to me it goes only to the adoption agency. I paniced! I had to leave the window to fill out the new forms and find proof of the FBI stuff. We were talking to the adoption agency - they pointed out that the new I171H (which I had a copy of with me) had a statement right on it at the bottom that the background check was valid until 2009!! It was a whole hour before our name got called again to provide the newly completed forms and copies of the I171H. It was only then that the lady said "Great...all your paperwork looks like it is in order...please have a seat and we will call you". WHEW!! Talk about an hour of stress! After that I paid for the visas as the windows were closing for lunch..and we waited more. Finally they called our name and I went through a brief "interview" where I answered a couple of questions, signed a statement that all is true to the best of my knowledge and then was handed an appointment card for tomorrow to pick up the visas! The kids were excellent! J.P. sat in his stroller with 2 hotwheels cars for 3 hours without complaining. Maria was great, too! My mom was fantastic with the kids (no surprise to me) so I could concentrate on what I needed to get done. Then it was home. It was about 6:00PM and we still needed to eat. We decided to take the kids out for dinner since they were sooooooooo good. We took them out to Jenos for pizza and the "indoor" park. (Family ask me about that experience...this is too long to write details). Afterwards it was back home, showers and off to bed. My mom, Christina and I watched a movie and then went right to bed! I was so tired after getting up so early that I crashed hard. Tomorrow we don't need to get up early so we planned to sleep in. The main attraction - PICKING UP THE VISAS.

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 ] :)