Day 21 - All dressed up and no court today (double click for pics)

Tuesday, July 18---Day 21 Visitation (6th extra day)

It was just not our day! You guessed it, no court today and it has been moved to Thursday at 9am.

The day started out very well as we all got a good night sleep and we made some pancakes for breakfast. All was going well until 12:59pm, when the bottom fell out of the sky and we experienced the hardest rain since we have been here. Great timing as it was not raining when we left our apartment, but during the 5 flights of stairs, the facets were turned on. I had to run back up stairs and get Rylee’s umbrella (the only one we have) and attempt to get the family in the van without getting soaked. Rylee and Kim were able to stay somewhat dry, but I had a second bath. If we had only left 30 seconds earlier, we may have missed the heavy stuff.

Oh well, it was court day and nothing could dampen the Woodard’s spirit. We spent 40 minutes with our attorney and translator, and then it was off to the court house. While at the attorney’s office, Lena asked Kim if she thought the rain was bad luck. Of course we did not think so and told her of how it had rained on our wedding day and that was good luck. Little did we know that it would not be the same on court day. We arrived at the court house at approximately 2pm, right on time for the hearing. We were all waiting in the front lobby of the court house, just as you walk into the door. Again, no air conditioning and for some reason the lights were not on in the building. The rain had stopped outside, but it was now time for the humidity to kick in and it did. We waited for what Kim and Rylee thought was over an hour, but it was only 45minutes, for the other parties that were to appear with us to arrive (baby house representative and city department of education representative). Around 2:30, Kim asked Lena what was the happening as a lady that was the judge’s assistant kept coming out to discuss with our attorney. Come to find out, we were waiting on the city representative and the judge had decided he would not hear the case without her. We are not sure how our attorney found out the bad news, but she was told that the lady would not be there today and could not meet until Thursday at 9am. We had a few tears shed (Kim) as we loaded up the van and went back to the apartment.

Some good things did occur today, as in we got to visit Landen at 5pm. He was in a good mood, considering what looks to be an ear infection---there was a lot of drainage coming out of one of his ears . Kim pointed this out to the caretaker when she took him back up stairs and thinks he is on some kind of medicine for this. The first part of the visit Rylee was dancing around pretending she was ice skating (this is the “in thing“) and Landen could not keep his eyes off of her every step. We played with the bubbles and a few toys, but mainly enjoyed being outside with each other. Landen did get RyRy good with some spit up, direct shot on her favorite shirt again. I must say that Kim and I had a good laugh with it and Rylee did not seem to mind (true sign of her love for Landen).

Also, we had some great news from home. Our dog Bailey is doing very well and should be home today and the water leak at our house has been resolved (Thanks Bandaddy!)

We decided on the way home to have a good diner to help us get over the disappointing news about court, so we stopped and got a CHICKEN….yummy….what better way to celebrate.

We are not sure what this does to our return dates, but it’s not looking good for an 8/4 return. Please keep us in your prayers!

Until the next post, POKA, POKA.