"Gotcha Day" August 15, 2008

Let me start by saying that Diego and Jeferson are absolutely adorable little boys. They are very warm and trusting, and their smiles just brighten our days.

The day on Friday was so magical. We had been notified that we would meet with the Director of the AYUDAME orphanage at 11:30 AM on Friday morning. Our LSS Colombian facilitator, Cecilia called us around 9:30 and suggested that we bring a cake and some Coca Colas to celebrate the presentation of the children at the orphanage. Since it was only 9:30 and both of us were ready to go, and now had an hour and a half to wait, we walked to the local bakery and chose the most delicious chocolate torte to bring with us.

Once at AYUDAME, we were directed into the room where we were first going to sign all the paperwork, and be given the information of how the finalizing of the adoption process will work. This meeting took about an hour. The staff was very friendly. After all the paperwork was signed, they went upstairs to get the boys. At this point, We waited in the room, with many butterflies in our stomachs. Then we could hear the boys talking and then they appeared in the room. We have included a picture of the expression on our faces the first moment we saw the boys. Both of the boys came running up to us saying "Mami and Papi". It was the most beautiful moment that anyone could experience. Diego ran up to Mami, and Jeferson ran up to Papi, and we both received the biggest hugs one could possibly get from a child. Then the boys switched and gave the other one a hug. They looked so happy to finally meet us, and of course, I don't need to mention how happy we were to finally meet them.

After the initial hugs and tears, the boys noticed that chocolate cake, and it was on to cake time. Jeferson (youngest ) took a chair right in front of the cake, and was ready to put his fingers into it.

After we arrived back at the hotel, we had lunch, yes even after the chocolate cake! They are both very good eaters. Then we decided that with all the excitement, the boys really needed to get rid of some energy, so we took them for a walk to a local park. They are very energetic typical boys, and I think they wore us out.





























Also, just to mention, the scratches that you see on Diego's face are from an incident at AYUDAME, where he accidently fell and hit a table. He ended up with 2 stitches by his eye. He is a very active little boy, and anticipate many more accidents along the way.

When we returned to our hotel, the staff at Zuetana, threw a party for us, to Welcome Diego and Jeferson, and Congratulate us on being a forever family. There were balloons and steamers, and a Colombian band, and pastrys, and many people to help us celebrate. It was so nice of the Zuetana staff, to honor us.

Here the boys are waving the Colombian flag, and the US flag.






So, after a very busy day, we ended with 2 very exhausted boys, and 2 very exhausted parents!!

We truly believe we are the luckiest parents to be able to welcome these 2 precious boys into our family.




Eric, Joyce, Diego and Jeferson