Friday, October 5th! Day 4 in Panama!

Thank you to all of our friends and family who have sent encouraging words through email, blog and facebook. It has been very rough but today I finally saw the rainbow. George, Li-Li and I went to the orphanage at 10 am this morning. The translator (who we like a lot) met us at the hotel and then we went to the office to pick up the psychologists and social workers who will be writing our report. Hectar and Javier were waiting for us when we got there. Javier has already started calling us Mama and Papa. I went upstairs to get Madeline and she immediately started crying when she saw me...almost to the point of vomiting. We got into the car and within 10 minutes she had stopped crying. This is one of the few times that she had been in a car except for Dr. appts. The boys were very excited. We took the kids to a mall and to McDonald's. Madeline did not want me to  put her down, she allowed me to feed her and she gave us a huge smile when we gave her the toy from the Happy Meal. Of course, Li-Li then starts talking about how we don't get Happy Meals at home because McDonalds is unhealthy. lol

The highlight of the day for the boys was going into the bathroom and washing their hands. They couldn't believe the automatic soap dispenser and the hand dryer really shocked them. It is so amazing to see how the simplest things amaze kids who haven't experienced them.

When we got back to the orphanage, I dressed Madeline, changed her diaper and out her down to play. It was a great sign that even though we were back, she did not reach for the nannies but stayed with me.

Tomorrow we are taking Carlee, Li-Li and Bella to a huge mall with a movie theater and carousel. They haven't done anything fun this week so we are all pretty excited. I met a lady tonight from Panama City, Florida who has lived here for 5 years. She gave me the names of inexpensive, but good, restaurants, as well as, the name of a driver who speaks English. We are planning on going to an English speaking church on Sunday afternoon.

On a side note, Li-Li's expander in her mouth came unglued at one tooth. It  is still in place and is very secure but please pray that is doesn't become more loose.

On the plane!!!

Li-Li and Hector at the mall

Do you see the slight smile from Madeline?

Li-Li and Javier

Hope you enjoy the pictures!!