The Waiting Game

It's been a few day since the last post. this is due to several reasons. As has been the case throughout this whole process, there have been snags and setbacks at virtually every stage. Miscommunication, government "governmentness", and cultural differences have made us get re-re-re-re-refingerprinted, and has those sent to Houston for verification, then back to D.C. then back to Bogota, all the while our prints were already IN Houston and the judge may not need them after all. Adios $200.00. We met with Harry's defender, but he was only assigned the case THE SECOND WE SHOWED UP FOR THE MEETING. The prior defender was removed from the case by a mysterious judge. and yes, that was the defender we waited an extra 4 days for to return from vacation that delayed the placement date with Harry. The big 'intervention' meeting where we are or are not deemed a suitable match took all of 5 minutes and we were simply asked what we did the last week. it could have been done over the phone. In fact, our lawyer had to fight to keep this meeting, as they (ICBF) wanted to delay it further for reasons unknown. The tension was taking its toll on Rachel. It is simply too much to handle when all you want to do is start your family-life together, and it is stalled at every turn. My first car ran better than this operation and it bellowed smoke and had no doors. So Rachel and Addie returned home on Tuesday night. They were both frisked at the airport before they could board the plane, but luckily they we allowed to waive the 'exit tax' that Colombia imposes on people staying less than 2 weeks. Thanks for staying, now here is your bill! But they are safe and sound at home, getting re-acquainted with the dogs, cats, snow, etc.
Harry and I remain, and face 2 more weeks of boredom. there simply isnt that much to do with a 7 year old and it is not easy to get around. But, the good news is that we got our court assigned! After the intervention meeting, our case is assigned one of 23 courts set aside for adoptions. Our lawyer knows the judges in 12 of them, and we need her to expedite the paperwork FAST, so we were hoping to get a 'friendly' court. They all have numbers, and courts 10 and 20 are notoriously bad. bad meaning slow and not friendly. IF we were to get a bad court, there is no telling the toll it would take on us. This is like the lottery to see if you get to go to Heaven or Hell. We got court #2. so far, so good. our lawyer started her process today and is having lunch with the judge. This seems inappropriate to me, but who am I to question, right? so there is the potential we could have all the paperwork done in about 2 weeks, but the reality is closer to 3. and here is why this becomes a problem: our days are filled with playing in the park, walking around town, reading books, playing soccer, going to museums, etc. We are supposed to bond, right? I also try to instigate an hour of learning English per day. ONLY 1 HOUR. this is met with a ferocious fight from Harry every time. so we glare at each other, sulk, and it ruins the rest of the day. Harry also has a tooth coming in but has not lost the baby tooth inb its place yet! I think he is going to need surgery. so we need school and a dentist but we 'get' fighting and playing. There is little structure when structure is the one thing he needs. so I do the best I can, and we figure out how to communicate in new and interesting ways. He continues to be a good kid for the most part, given his horrible first 5 years, I think he is doing remarkably well. More pictures soon, either of fun things around town, or of men in white coats dragging me away.