Defender of Minors

Today we had the good, the bad, and the ugly. We started off the day with breakfast. The boys got a tortilla something or other vs. their usual toast. John was an absolute nightmare. He was throwing his head back in his highchair screaming. Could not figure it out since they always eat so good. So, I asked the staff for a piece of toast and he was fine. Aye, Aye, Aye!!! These kids have something with food and I want to find out what it is. They do not stop eating until their plates are empty, John needs bread instead of something different after a week...who knows.

After breakfast Rhett and I had to run to the notary to get some documents notarized for our meeting later in the day. I hate to say it but it was actually a really nice walk. The hotel staff watched the kids while we went with another staff member. It really felt weird not having a kid attached to me. We were back within about 25 minutes! Not long, but a nice little break. When we got back, we asked the staff if we could have lunch around noon because our driver and rep. were coming at 1:00 to pick us up for our Defender of Minors meeting. Once again, both boys decided to pull the stubborn card on us. Once again, John needed his piece of bread (he never eats bread for lunch) and we still don't know what Sebastian wanted. Cate, she just went with the flow and ate her soup and rice. I don't know if I will ever get a bowl of soup or plate of rice in them again once we get home. If I were them, I would be so sick of it already!!

So, at about 1:20 we were off to meet with the Defender of Minors. Rhett and I were actually dreading it because it is a pretty big meeting (this is the meeting where the ICBF releases all rights of the children to Rhett and I). We couldn't mess this one up. By the way the morning was going, we were thinking we might be able to book our tickets to come home childless yet this afternoon! Add to that, the meeting was scheduled for 2:00 and the kids usually nap at about 1:30-3:00. But, the car ride over, John and Cate (I feel like I should put "plus 8" behind that) took short little naps and Sebastian closed his eyes a little bit but I don't think he actually fell asleep. We got there and we were the first family to show up. There were 4 other families that were scheduled for the same time. God was on our side there, I cannot imagine waiting through 4 other families. The meeting doesn't take that long, but they have to write up the report, yadda, yadda. So we were out of their shortly before 3:00. The kids were angels, it looked like we drugged them because they sat so nice, but they were all just really tired.

Since that meeting messed up naptime, none of them ended up taking naps, but so far it seems to be doing the trick. The boys went down pretty good and Cate was actually down within 15 minutes. I actually waiting till Rhett got out of the bathroom so if he needed to make anymore noise, he could do it before I laid her down.

One last thing, when we went down for dinner, there was a group of 15 people here who have all adopted and have all stayed at Hotel Paris. They come back every year to do 2 weeks of missionary work. So, they were here for dinner. Just when we thought we had a breakthrough with Sebastian prior to coming down for dinner, the minute he saw all of the people, he went stone cold. He turned the corner, saw all the people and immediately backed up and lost the hop in his step. He did alright for dinner, but it was definitely not what he needed.

Tomorrow, we are told our case will go to the courts. Once at the courts, it could take anywhere from 1-4 weeks (or possibly more) to actually get to a judge. Once the judge gets it, he or she legally has 10 days to sign off on it. After they sign off on it, we finalize paperwork and can come home. So, if you are looking for something to pray for, please pray that we get a fast court that gets out papers to the judge fast!!!! We really want to get these children to Minnesota to meet all of our family and friends. This whole adoption process has truly been an act of God and I know that he will have us down here as long as we need to be for the kids, but I really hope he grants us this one prayer!!

OK, off to bed I go. Not much on the agenda for tomorrow...hoping the weather is nice so we can get out with the kids!

Holly