I will spare you a long post today because I don't have as much to say. How about that? Crazy, I know. And I took zero pictures. I do have a video of Jace speaking a little Spanish, but I already posted that on Instagram, so go check it out there if you'd like to see it.
Today was rather boring, but we accomplished some things, so that's good news. We were picked up by trusty Ramiro at 1:30 to head to Tumbaco for Devin to sign his Power of Attorney document in front of a notary. This took far longer than it should have for a measly signature, and cost an arm and a freaking leg. Notaries must be serious business around here...the lady had like 7 different stamps and they were all chained to her desk. Heaven forbid someone steal them... I can't imagine someone being desperate enough to steal a notary stamp. Anyway, that's beside the point. Maybe someone will now email me and tell me all the stories about notary theft in Ecuador. Haha! :)
Anyway, that stamp on the document cost us a mere $300 (Yes, I KNOW...), not to mention the $50 we had to pay Ramiro to drive us there for a few hours of his time. Ugh. This place likes to rob us blind. I know they may suspect that all Americans are rich, but let me just confirm that we don't really fall into that category. Oh, well. The hoops are worth it to get us out of here.
Then MJB had the thought that we should go to a cafe nearby so that she could write down all the next steps for me on the back of one of the copies of my passport photo. When she told me I needed to bring copies of my passport and we painstakingly walked up and down the hill looking for a copy shop to accomplish the job, I didn't know it was so that she could write notes on it. But, so be it.
She told me that the judge (the one and only judge) in Tumbaco (another woman-- our last was a woman too and our experience with her was pretty rotten, so I am apprehensive to say the least) is a "dear friend" of hers and that she is very, very nice. I hope so. She said that if we all goes well, she thinks she can have the decree on Monday. I think that would be nothing short of a MIRACLE, but hey, I will get on board with praying for that. Remember last time? 17 days. So you know, two business days later would be a dream boat. How about it? Anyone want something specific they can pray for?
IF we get the decree Monday, then a three day waiting period ensues. WHY these waiting periods? I Have no idea. Anyway, a three day waiting period happens before we can go to the civil service registry and get the new birth certificate and ID. Now, if you are doing the math with me, that would mean the soonest we can go get this done is next Friday. Boy, would I really love that, because if it goes into the next week, that is when my mom and sister are here and I would hate to go do that all day affair while they are just sitting around.
The next step is to go get a passport and then go to the doctor (again--- she wants us to go once before and then again after all is done so that he can sign off...why not just go once, I have no idea). I think these two things can be done in short time, so it won't be too big of a deal if my mom and sister are here. Then, MIES issues an Article 23 once they have a copy of the new birth certificate as well as the new passport and we can fly to Guayaquil for the visa. During this time, MJB said she will talk to her trusty friend, the judge, and get the Salida signed while we are gone. Again, this would all be such a dream...MJB said that if all goes well, she thinks I could be gone in 2 weeks. I would keep my original flights and come home on the 28th (NEWSFLASH, I just checked my flights and I actually have flights for the 27th!! I have been telling everyone, myself included, the 28th. Huh. Well 27th, even better if we can make it work!) I pray this all goes smoothly. I would die a happy woman if so.
Anyway, that's all that needs to happen. My mighty praying friends, pray on, please.
Another funny note: MJB asked me if I would be willing to go meet with Cecilia sometime next week to discuss how adoptions are done in the US. I told her I already talked to her about that quite a bit when we were in the park, but she continued to press and say that I really should go meet with her and tell her all about how adoptions should be run. So, yeah. That's supposed to happen next week. I bet it does not, but even if it does, someone better bring a translator because I don't think they'll learn much from my half-baked Spanish.
So much for being short winded today, huh?
Tomorrow is court. Hallelujah!!!
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