Musings

A Goodbye of sorts.

2011-01-17T11:12:00.000-08:00

This is it. This is the last post.

Aaaaah! On this blog of course! Did you think I would quit writing? Nop. No. Well, I mean, I am pregnant with Wee #2 so come July, I may decide to quit writing for a few years, as I have no idea what it is like to juggle two cutie pies. Oh my. I have a feeling that a few months (or days, or minutes) into it I will yell out, "What was I thinkinnnnggg?!?!?!" Haha. You can laugh at my expense. Go ahead. I won't know if you do. (actually, I will. I can sense these things....I hear you chuckling Dad...I hear you).

So. Back to my original subject. Mi lindo esposo Jason and I set up a new website where we have centralized all of our online endeavors including blogs, and yes, even upcoming delightful stores. One will be for my jewelry creations and the other for some organic skin products we will be exclusively providing to the States United. (Steve and ShaSha...you got that right...Bioland!)

To be honest, I am really nostalgic about moving on to a new site. I have been around these parts for almost five years now and I am most definitely not a sucker for change. I like staying put. I like the comfortable, the familiar. While not a rat packer by any means, I will hang on to that comfy set of lounge pants just because...they are comfy. Isn;t that reason enough?

But it seems that right now in my life is a huge moment of change. We have moved houses. We are getting ready to welcome a new Wee (or two) into our little family. We are embarking on new ministries in our community. I'm trying out a new hairstyle. I quit painting my toenails for a while. You know. Lots of changes. So it makes sense to move on here, as well. Don't be mad at me. Just move on with me. Shall we?

The New site: mysmithereens.com

The direct link to my blog: sarah's new blog

Thank you for following my musings here. Let's continue over there. Ta ta now.

Ahem.

2011-01-04T14:07:00.000-08:00

Rather than bore you with all of the reasons why I have completely ignored this blog for ~~three~~ maybe two weeks, I'll just pretend no time has past. No. No time at all. And besides, who wants to read my blog when you are off having family fun and ripping into presents and stuffing your mouth with delectables anyway? It is a known fact that during Christmas and New years I do a poor job at writing much of anything, so now I will stop rambling and move on. Shall we?

Why yes.
Thank you.

Two days after moving (yes, you read correctly...moving. But more on that later) we missed our flight to go to the States United to spend Christmas with Jason's family. We have decided to not waste any more of our little gray cells dwelling on the fact that we missed the flight. But I will tell you that after ~~practically begging, bursting into tears, pouring out my heart, paying a fortune~~ sweetly talking to the head Honcho at a certain airline we dislike, we caught another plane and actually made it to Miami, where we spent two too short days with our beloved friends Daniel and Tessa, and their adorable little princess, Tessa Isabella. Long story short, TI and Luka fell in love and had a blast together.

We then checked in early for our flight to New Orleans, only to wait for a long, long time for a delayed flight to the big Easy. Go figure. Goooo figure.

Sigh. but we are here, and we have been here and we are blessed to be with family and friends and we have been blessed with an abundance of kindness and generosity from everyone we encounter. God is so good to us.

He looks at her...

She looks at him...so this is love.

BeeGee and his grand babies.

Wild bunch

All excited about their matching PJ's

Me-EE-rry Christmaaas!

No need to faint. There were a lot of us. Hence the big pile.

Sleepy Christmas morning faces.

Poor baby was so sick, but he managed to open one present, at least, and watched bleary eyed as we oohed and ahhed over the rest for him.

The New Christmas Day tradition. Home. Made. Apple Pie.
Made by Moi, enjoyed by all.

Andy and Jill's engagement party
Congratulations!

Tis the Season....

2010-12-12T20:16:00.000-08:00

...to share. It doesn't necessarily have to be a beautifully wrapped present or spare change dropped into a jingling can. Time, smiles, meals, a hug, a head pat, a back scratch (take note everyone, I particularly enjoy being on the receiving end of a back scratch), a big wave, a good wish, sincere prayers, tidings of great joy, all count in the beautiful art of sharing. Or, you could make ornaments together, but be prepared to still be cleaning glitter for at least a full year. We did just that. Two Saturdays ago we took a little afternoon trip to a Big City to purchase a REAL Christmas tree and all of the shenanigans that come with it. We did not go fancy on the shenanigans, but kept it simple and color coordinated. Last Sunday, Jason, Luka, our intern Dave and I had a little Christmas decorating party, along with small, cold boxes of non-alcoholic eggnog and some cheery Christmas music to tap our feet to while we wound lights around our sweet little tree and made a questionable star to top it off with.
Tuesday night we gathered with our friends to sip some coffee, munch on cookies and study God's Word together. Only this time we had a surprise birthday party awaiting Fanny, one of our Refuge workers and friends, and we made Christmas ornaments for our tree. We all had a verse related to the story of the birth of Christ to make into an ornament, and it was cool to see the different and creative ideas that were put into shape. What we had to work with:

Shiny red card stock
one pair of scissors
one bottle of glue
two sharpie markers
colored Popsicle sticks
green glitter
silver glitter

Imagine trying to share all that among 15 people or so. Whew! Somehow we all ended up alive and well, and with an ornament to scribble our names on the back of and a lot of good laughs. Our tree now has a lot of character, and the cool thing is that the people who come into the cafe read the verses on the ornaments.
I love Christmas. I love what it means. I love what God did so long ago for mankind, and for providing for us so that we can enjoy all of the fun traditions of lights, decorations, gifts, pies, carols, candy canes and so on, which really have nothing to do with what God did, other than to spread more of what was deeply in His heart on that night when he sent His hope and redemption for all who would receive Him: Love. So go give your gifts, give your hugs, scratch a few backs, smile wide with a twinkle in your eye...even at someone you don't know. Spread His love as much as you can and maybe there might just be a little more peace on earth and goodwill toward men.

But momma I want to dig my fist into that cake. Isn't that reason enough to let me?

No, I'm not licking icing off my finger. Why do you ask?

Surprised! Hee hee.

The glitter station

"Does anyone know where the scissors are?"

Luka found the glitter...with his mouth.

Diego got fed up with his inability to get his hands on the art supplies and even less of a clue as to how to make an ornament. He had been twisting the verse paper while he waited, and decided it was just as well to glue it on like that. Hah! When he put it on the tree, he stuck one of the lights through the paper. It added a nice highlighting touch and quickly became one of my favorite ornaments.

Feliz Navidad!

The Bracelet

2010-12-08T08:38:00.000-08:00

Remember me talking about that bracelet I've been dreaming about for years? Be forewarned, this will be a shallow, frivolous post. If that's not your cup o' tea, have a lovely day and I'll see you next post. XOXOX

Now, for those of us who take delight in beautiful things, let's continue, shall we? So. The bracelet. One of my "to do" matters while in Honduras was to find the bracelet and explore the possibilities of purchasing it into my loving care. I found it and ogled over it and then did the unthinkable and asked about the price. It had gone up. One. Hundred. Dollarrrrs. My sparkly little dreams casacaded around me, to put it lightly and I turned away with a "thank you" and a wistful little smile. Oh well. It would have been nice.

Then....

On one of our last days, we were running around completing errands and one of our stops happened to be right next door to a renown jewelry shop. I slipped in quietly, looked around and my eyes landed on the beauty portrayed above. All I wanted to do was try it on. That's all. Just try it on, admire, and walk away. But then I just had to do it. "Excuse me Ma'am, what is the price of this gorgeousness? Really? Well, that's not bad." Not bad at all. I think I could care for you pretty bracelet. For ever and ever, and then pass you down to someone special. And besides, I just got a nice order for jewelry to make that would pay for you (except for $10...but who cares about ten little dollars anyway?)....And then the lady removed all need for argument in a few short sentences. She informed me that the bracelet was made of Israeli silver that was special ordered for each unique design, and it was actually half off of the original price. SOLD.

It may not be the Mayan design I had originally wanted, but it is Israeli silver. And it's beautiful and I am really enjoying it. So if you happen to be around me and your eyes get dazzled by a pretty shiny thing, now you know the story behind it. And now our brains have been slightly expanded with a little bit of fluff.

round two

2010-12-04T08:28:00.000-08:00

This post is for everyone, of course, but goes dedicated to my family, as it will most likely mean the most to them. The most of the post. Okay....I will now stop being ridiculous...

33 years ago marked the start of a journey that my parents embarked upon which took them down wild roads they most likely never dreamed of encountering. By a direction only God could give, they ended up fresh out of Spanish language school smack in the middle of a people and culture they knew nothing about, but had the heart to embrace fully. They had two little tow heads tagging along catching the rapt attention of anyone they passed, being admired for their bright yellow hair and blue eyes. They were in Honduras, and they were there with a mission: To share the good news of God's love and redemption for man. Now. Where to start? They knew no one. My Dad, being the great lover of sports that he is and a talented athlete, decided to join any and every sports team he could. Even a soccer team, which he had never been a part of. They made him the goalie, because he was bigger than anyone else that had ever, or would ever step foot on the field. He played soccer, baseball, basketball, golf, bowling....who knows what else. I'm sure he would have surfed if there'd been a beach close by. He played and he played well, and soon became well known around the city, making friends wherever he went. My mom, being the talented baker that she is, concocted delicious cakes and treats and soon they were hosting get-togethers and Bible studies in their home with all of their new friends. Over the years, these gatherings blossomed into what would later end up being one large city church, five village churches, a Bible institute, and a Christian Bilingual school. And three more tow heads were added into the mix...me being the cutest of all. Hee.
Part of our trip to Honduras a few weeks ago was to celebrate the 33rd Anniversary of the large city church, and my parents, who now live in the States United, were invited to come and be a part of the celebration. It was so exciting to witness so much of the fruit that God has produced through their lives and everyone else that has been involved over the years. I think it would be safe to say that thousands of people have been touched or changed in some way through what God has done through my parents. What an awesome heritage to have and what a standard to live up to! Thanks Mom and Dad, for being such a solid example of faithfulness, love, generosity and selflessness.

Yeah, I know. A very blurry picture. But hey now, there was a lot of movement going on in the kids section!

Don Allan is the pastor who is leading the church

* Disclaimer: This story is told as my own version, taken from snippets I've heard here and there throughout my life and is most likely flawed and missing a lot of details.

The first round

2010-11-29T19:13:00.000-08:00

Let’s pretend that a week or two have not gone by since my last post, shall we? All right then. Ahem. On to our happenings...

I obviously have a lot to cover, so we’ll just take our sweet time and explore our travels in sections. Honduras. Ah, my treasured country. How I love you and how you’ve changed. Some things have not changed and probably never will, such as the warm embrace of the people, the genuine smiles from passersby, the wide variety of typical, scrumptious foods, the beautiful mountains...sigh. I could on and on if you’d care to read that much. Much has changed though. The neighborhood I grew up in, once a lazy, innocent adventure filled environment has turned into a full blown commercial zone. A corner that was once just an overgrown field is now a mall, complete with a casino and bowling alley. The streets that my brothers played chimini cuarta on (a version of hide and seek) and roamed around till late hours of the evening is now a long row of gated, high security houses, where residents look each way several times before opening their gates to leave the house. Taking a walk at night? Unthinkable. Might as well just go ahead and put a sign around your neck saying “rob me and kill me” because chances are, “they” will. Every. Single. Day. No joke. The front page of the newspaper depicts grotesque images of at least one murder that took place the day before. It is not unlikely to read about five or more such instances taking place in one day throughout the week. The boulevard where I used to spend entire days swinging around on the trees is now taken over by beggars. There is a woman who spends the day sitting in the hot sun begging for money, all the while holding a lethargic boy in her arms. Word has it that the boy is most likely drugged every day, in order that he would be able to just lay that way all day long. He has no physical defects. The corruption and the drug money that is taking over is truly...devastating.
I noticed all of these things and more, but I also noticed with love and patriotic pride how the people, the good people, despite the hardships they face and dislike, are just as loving, giving and joyful as ever. They are just as willing to be there for each other as they were in the “good ole’ days,” just as willing to hope for the best, even when chances are slim. I love them and I am honored to call myself a Catracha, a Honduran. I may not be legit by blood, but by birth, and upbringing and heart, I’m all there is to be. I thank God for that honor.

My pretty Momma and some of her lady friends.
(Doña Friiiida)

A Thompson and an Amaya...still playing together

The Amaya Family shared with us the best cook out possible on this earth.

Momma even got a little charismatic on us! Haha

Awww, my Papa

The Herdia fam. It was great to see them again!

My Mom, Hanzi and I all spoke at a lady's breakfast and at the end they gave us gifts. They gave me that necklace. See the welcome banner?

Such sweet friends we have.
What a blessing.

Homeward bound

2010-11-16T15:40:00.001-08:00

Are you tired yet, of coming to the blog and seeing the same post over and over again? I apologize. I know it's lame to say "We've been busy" but ours has been a busy of a different kind.
After the storm and all that, we had to rush around tying up last minute details to get ready for a trip. The best kind of trip in my world: Going to Honduras!!!!! My oh my oh my. There is little else in this world that excites me more or thrills me from the top most hair to the tips of my big toe nails. If you remember at the end of this post I said there was a secret to be revealed in due time. The "secret" was that Jason had finagled points for tickets for us to go to Honduras for my home church's missions conference because my parents would be there as the guest speakers PLUS my brother David and his wife Hanzi (my bff) would be there as well. I have not seen Dave and Hanzi for two years now and so this is a treat of all treats. Happy birthday to me, and what happiness it brings. So anyway, we started our trip early due to fear of the roads to the Big City collapsing again before our trip. That. Would not have been cool. No. No. No. So we went two days earlier than our scheduled flight and stayed with our awesome friends, the Redcays. Remember them? The ones who almost got swept away by the floods two weeks ago? Aaaaagh! It was so good to see them safe and alive. We had so much fun this past weekend! They spoiled us from every direction and Jaime even made double layer pumpkin cheesecake!!! What?! She is awesome. Thank you guys so much for your incredible hospitality and for being so fun. We'll see you again soon!

Coming up you will be hearing stories of Luka's surgery. Yes, surgery. Blek. The wonderful country I am from. The loving people who have opened wide their arms to welcome us, and all the goodies from our trip so far. My parents are coming in in 30 minutes, and so our whirlwind activities are about to really begin, so I can't promise when I will will write, but I can promise I will write.

All my love to you, with hopes that you are enjoying the life God has given you.
This world can be tough, but God's goodness endures forever.
XOXOXOX

He got stuck in the ditch.

Visiting the mission where Jed and Jaime work

The three Muchachos

What a sweet family

Jason bought sparklers for the boys...just for fun. And it was.

Almost like camping

2010-11-08T12:39:00.000-08:00

Almost. Except that camping is meant to be fun, and let me tell you that being stuck in a house for over four days, then losing power, communications and water and trying to keep an active Wee One happy in a dark, cold house isn’t exactly fun. Breath in....breath out. Monday evening it began to rain, nothing new there. Our friends, the Redcays were coming to visit on Thursday and we were going to travel together to Panamá so that they and our intern could renew their visas. We had all been anticipating this trip with much excitement. Luka was going to have two little buddies, Simmy and Tito to play with. Thursday night we were going to have a big grilled pizza party (if you have never had grilled pizza....oh my sassy! Do! It’s delicious.) Jaime Redcay was bringing pumpkin pies, which is a delicacy around here, my house was clean, the toys were put away, the guest room was cozy. We were ready. But then the rain. It. Never. Stopped. No really. It didn’t stop. Tuesday rolled by, Wednesday creaped by the the power and internet going on and off. That wasn’t much of a big deal either. Reports swam around of such and such road being closed, then open again, then maybe open soon. We didn’t know what or who to believe. Even the “official” information stations dished out conflicting news. Thursday morning came and we were assured by an official that the road from the Capital, where our friends were traveling from, was open all the way. Well. All you have to do is take a look at this blog to learn otherwise.
The roads were a complete mess and obviously our plans were squashed....but we ate the pizza! We had to. There was nothing else left in our fridge, as I had planned for an empty fridge before our trip. But the next day....ooooh the next day. No power. No communications. No water.
Luka had a blast, I cannot assure you. It was dark, it was cold, and pointing at all of the animals in his books got old after about the 27th time. What I love about situations like these is the push for creativity. What better time to introduce the Wee to in-home tent making, as Jason so wisely did? No water? No problem. There was plenty of rain, and so we put out buckets under our roof drains and used that to wash dishes and “take showers.” Modestly, of course. The stores were running out of most food items and so we even resorted to boiling our drinking water. I can tell you one thing I did not do: I did not purchase any of the unrefrigerated meats and dairies they claimed they had iced over the night before. The fact is, they were not on ice at that moment and the chicken, well, it didn’t take much light to see its greenish tint. Ew.
Our situation is well restored now. I have not been to the store yet, and don’t know if we will be eating fresh or canned tonight, but our hearts are full of gratitude for our safety and that of our friends. Thank you to those of you who have prayed. God is faithful and stopped the rain. Please continue to pray for this nation. Many people lost loved ones and homes, and thousands are still without power and water. Pray that God would show us how to help those in need.

XOXOX
Sarah

The Wee One, camping out Tropical Storm style.

He lined up his "friends" in a row and went down the line, giving each one of them a kiss.

Washing our dishes with bucket rain water out on the side of the house.

One of the bad sections of road that separated us form Panama.

While nearing the edge, I asked a worker if it was safe to get that close. He said it was and I informed him that if I tumbled down along with that chunk of asphalt, he would be the first one to go get me.

It's no wonder our power was out. Try fixing that mess. I have been very grateful to the government workers who have worked tirelessly night and day to provide people with basic living conveniences.

There once was road, and now there just isn't.

You want to know what's really crazy about this? This once was a little creek. It turned into a raging river and literally swept the road out to sea.

What the roads are looking like these days.

While going into "town" we encountered this. Semis as far as the eye could see, waiting for the road to open up so that they could continue on south. Buses too, lots of bus passengers stranded overnight.

Waiting truckers making the most of it, with their spread safely under one of their trucks

They didn't have a lid for their pot and so they rigged one with a plastic bag. They were so cheerful about it too! They claimed they were probably happier than most people because they were faced with the need to be resourceful, and they were enjoying it. One of them joked that the lid came straight from Nicaragua...

They wanted me to take a picture of their hot sauce

Christmas came early

2010-11-04T09:16:00.000-07:00

Some friends came to our doorstep the other day with two big boxes in their arms. Our surprise came when they announced that one of the boxes was for our intern, and the other......was for us?!?!?!?! All of the obvious little questions skipped through our minds. Who could it be from? What would be in it? Why would someone send us something? Did we ask for something and forget about it? Hm, hm hmmmm. After visiting for a while with our friends, who then went home, we tore into the box. The first thing we saw: Goldfish! For Luka, of course, although I might just maybe admit that I popped a few into my mouth. But that's not an official statement.

Can they be called "Gold Fish" anymore when they are actually all of the colors of the rainbow?

Luka was into to this whole care box thing right away.

Then Jason produced this out of the box. What?!?!? Are you kidding me? I would almost kill for this stuff. Well, not kill, exactly, but maybe scratch....or pinch.

Then Jason got a treat. Mr. Oral-cleanliness-fanatic discovered several packages of his favorite: Floss picks. Something we never run out of in this house. We may run out of milk in the fridge, but you will always find a good stock of floss picks in the bathroom.

Have you ever seen this? I hadn't either and I love it. It provides yet another scenario in life in which I can be lazy. You simply peel the paper off of the back, stick it on the inside wall of your dryer, and violá. Instant fabric softener every time you throw your clothes in the dryer, and you don't even have to remember to add any dryer sheets for approximately two months. And now my brain is dumber...but my sheets smell great!

A couple of packages were marked specifically for Luka. He discovered a LEGO back hoe plus several little doo dads that came with it. He was an immediate fan.

This was also the first present he really was a part of wanting to open.

Goldfish and a truck. What more could the Wee One need?

A book! Ever since he saw his cousins Roma and Anessa reading books with their Momma, he has decided that yes, he does want us to read to him please. Well, not that he says please, but I pretend that he does.

Then I got a treat. Lovely toiletries! I can be rough and tumble when absolutely necessary, but I do love me some girlie girl things too.

Our loot. There was even some Halloween candy and Jason was given a book "90 Minutes in Heaven" which I have already finished reading.

Now who would go to all of the trouble and surprise us with an early Christmas? Our intern's parents! The Fintels. God bless you guys! What a treat! We feel very blessed and loved by your gifts and thoughtfulness. Thank you for all of the little details you added which were noticed and appreciated. Thank you for loving on us even though we have never officially met. Know that your son is a blessing and encouragement to us every day and we feel privileged to mentor him. May God bless you!

I'm off to make some coffee.

Mistake

2010-11-01T10:06:00.000-07:00

I don't think I'll ever create another post marathon. It made me lose my umph to write. I'm all written out. Don't go crying off now. I'm not saying I'm quitting. I'm just being open and honest. I'm sure before the end of this post something of inspiration will be back. I still owe you my "Thrifty" post, which I am working on. I think I just have too many projects going on right now, at least in my head, that I don't quite know where to start. Even with this stinky post, nothing is gelling together and I have produced little more than short, scattered sentences. I'm tired, I'm hungry (because I am attempting to lose some weight) and I'm having a hard time sorting through my "projects" and defining what is priority and what is actually doable within the short time frame I have. For example: There is a gorgeous silver cuff bracelet that I have been eying for years now, but that is way over any budget I have ever had. They sell them only in Honduras and are unique to a certain jewelry store there. Not only is it something I would like to wear. A lot. I would really like something that I can pass down to a daughter, if God sees fit to give us one, or even a granddaughter. Alright, even a daughter-in-law if that is all I ever get. Anyway, my grand plan was to go into jewelry making frenzy mode and produce enough dazzling jewelry to host a show in my hometown and make enough money to buy my prize. I jumped into the creative side of my brain and started designing away. I designed and almost finished three sets of earrings (among them one of the cutest I have EVER designed....really...they are so cute I should keep them). And then. That was it. The first dress I have ever attempted to sew was staring at me from the office, begging me to finish her. I distinctly heard her say, But don't you want to wear me? Those earrings you're making won't look half as cute unless they are worn with me. I stowed away all of my jewelry makings and began working on Miss Dress. After about 5 dozen blunders, last night I finished her. Only to realize she was too big on me. Sigh. She is finished but I will need one more night to do a little tweaking. Another project I have looming ahead is something that I will be making about 40 of to give to all of the people who support us financially so that we can freely serve here. I can't say what I'm making because it would ruin the surprise, but lets just say it will take a very long time. A long, looong time. I also have two, possibly three more dress designs taking shape in my head, and the fabric is laid out and waiting patiently to be cut. I will not embark on those projects until Miss Dress is completely finished and being worn. In between all of this, we are taking a trip this week to help several friends renew their visas, and a week after that we will be going to Honduras, to see some of my family and be part of my home church's missions conference and anniversary. Both Jason and I will be speaking. While there, Luka will be having a small surgery, and as you know anything hospital-related throws me into a downward spiral and leaves me all jittery and weak feeling, not to mention thinking of subjecting my only baby prince in the world to it. Lets move on and not dwell on that thought...quickly now!
In the midst of all of this we have a pageful of projects going on for the internet cafe that require a good bit of hands-on time and work. Somehow I have gotten into my head to try to make a video that recaps our year so that when we go to the States for Christmas we can share in a nice visual fashion what has been going on. And on top of all this I am still a wife of a wonderful man, a mother to a crazy-messy-active, sometimes hyper, mud loving, sweet cuddling Wee One, part-time manager of a cafe, and three-meal-a-day home cooking woman. Am I crazy?!?! Why why why to I think I can handle all this? Obviously something's going to have to give....and I'm afraid it's going to be that bracelet...sigh. Maybe next time, pretty bracelet.

Keeps me singing

2010-10-25T16:18:00.000-07:00

Blessed. Proud. Inspired. Challenged. Convicted. Excitement. Peace. Joy. Deepening.

All words that describe what takes place in my heart when I listen to this music. My personal privilege is that I have listened to these voices and heard these instruments, well...ever since I was a small child. I heard the very first unpleasant twangs from their guitars as they attempted strumming their first chord. I heard them squeak out melodies as their voices changed, hoping that they would finally attain their deep and manly tones already. My heart beat quickened with excitement the first time they successfully sang and played a whole song. Even if it was about some old monkey who didn't know how to love...don't ask. Ok I'll tell you. Their guitar instructor was an old quirk who made them play that song. As their skill advanced, I sat back, closed my eyes and soaked in the original melodies that began flowing beautifully. I remember it distinctly: A calm afternoon in Chile, the sweet aroma of the rose garden wafting through our back window with the breeze, and the boys pouring out beautiful music.
And now? They've applied those heart warming melodies to the ancient heart changing words of hymns, written long ago by men who knew God, walked with God and advanced His Kingdom on earth. Who are these two? Well, my ~~bothers~~ brothers, of course. They have just released their debut album and I could not be more excited for what God is doing and will do in and through them and others with this music.
I hope you understand that I keep a no-advertisement blog. My intention in writing this blog is not to make any profit whatsoever, except for profiting the delight of my family, friends, and any others who grace me with their interest. You will never encounter pop-up advertisements here nor have products imposed on you. If I ever share about a purchasable item on here, it will be solely because it is something that I dearly, dearly enjoy myself and mean to share with you. This cd, I dearly, dearly enjoy. It's as awesome as those who produced it. I am proud of my brothers and what God is allowing them to do for His glory.

I boast the privilege of being the first to write a review on their iTunes account, and here is what I wrote:

No matter what situation I find myself in, whether a time of rejoicing, grieving or troubled, God uses the truth of these songs and beauty of these voices and melodies to encourage me, bless me, and deepen my faith in Him and love for Him. I really enjoy the diversity of the music...there is always a little melodic surprise here and there that never grows old. Steve and Danny, you have done a beautiful job that shows clear evidence of God's influence in your lives, music and creativity. We love you and appreciate your faithfulness in serving us and God through your music...

Their website is steveANDdannythompson.com

My bros are so cool that they are generously giving a song away every few months or so to those who sign up for their newsletter, so sign up, if you please, and you will receive a lovely blessing.

Have a lovely week.

Cop Out

2010-10-21T14:26:00.001-07:00

The post for today was supposed to be about being thrifty with things around the house and a cool do-it-yourself gift craft. Instead, I am going to be thrifty with my time and offer this lame excuse of a post. When you have too much on your plate, be thrifty and give something up. Haha.

I'm about blogged out (and I'm sure you are too) and although it has been fun, I'm taking a little break. At least the rest of this week. I have several little projects that I am workingon, and you can be sure to hear about those at some point, and several trips looming ahead, and so I need a little time to concentrate on what I need to be doing. I send out my love to you all and thank you for caring enough to read and keep up with a peek into our lives. May God ever fill you with a deeper understanding of the grace that He lavishes on you. Have a lovely weekend.

"Wonderful"

2010-10-20T07:51:00.000-07:00

Imagine after cooking breakfast, cleaning up after breakfast, picking up the house, cleaning around the house and thinking you might get a few minutes of sit-back-and-breath time, running into the above scene. Luka was on Jason's watch. I love you Jason but...ahmm...no comment. One of the drawbacks of the cooler rain weather we have been enjoying is the puddle festival that surrounds us. Luka is not complaining though, and I don't want to think of myself as a complainer but in this case I will COMPLAAAAAIN. Ugh. I really truly am sick of having to scrub his (and ours) shoes several times a day, changing his clothes, bathing him and then trying to scrub the mud out of his clothes. It is never ending. Never endinnnng.
Buuuut. I'll sort of admit that even though it is my daily headache, it's cute. And he sure has fun. Can't you tell?

A boy must be allowed to act like a boy, after all. Sigh.
I don't know how my mom did it with FOUR! At least they didn't live in the jungle.

Hey dude, you have some dirt on your face.

Hold me Mamma.
In your dreams, Wee One.

Too Cute

2010-10-19T10:16:00.000-07:00

A typical custom among families here is to air out mattresses every so often. You have to understand that most of the mattresses around here are glorified pieces of foam covered with thick fabric, so the act of "airing out" consists in the mattress being slung over a clothes line for most of a sunny day. What is accomplished other than just collecting more dust and grit on the mattress is beyond me, but hey, it has been "aired out" and that is what matters. Luka discovered our neighbors mattress the other day and decided it served just as well as a play tunnel. His little neighbor friend agreed and they took turns passing through it or smack bumping into it.

Who knew smurfs were still around?

This morning I had a lovely life experience, that I hope to remember forever. I was a bit behind timing wise with house duties, which I do with love, not necessarily enjoyment, and washed my clothes a little later than is best for a good sun drying. On a whim I decided to hang them out on the line anyway, even though the sky was clearly gray. I had hung no more than three garments when the "rain breeze" began ruffling the stray hairs away from my ponytail, and I thought, Well shoot. This is a wast of time. And so I began talking with God and asked him if he would please send some strong sunshine, so that all of us could get nice, toasty dry clothes. Our neighbors put their washed laundry out on the line every single day. Yes. They wash every. Single. Day. I kept hanging my clothes and a few minutes later...you'll never guess. God can be so dramatic sometimes. The clouds actually parted right above our house and a blazing sun beat down on my back. Our landlady, who is of a ripe old age, cane out of her house with a few wet blankets slung over her shoulder and hung them to dry. She exclaimed, "What a bright sun just came out! We thought it was sure to rain right now." I told her that I had asked God to send us some nice sunshine and that He did. She stopped hanging clothes, looked at me and said, "What would we do without God in our lives?"

What, indeed?

Melt my Heart

2010-10-18T15:49:00.001-07:00

It's the little things that melt my heart, that make me smile, that make life and parenting worth it (or at least that help me realize its worth, heh). The simplicity of childhood. Now that is a worthy attainment. Luka challenges me to wonder why I act the way I do or am the way I am. Or why society works the way it does. Not long ago we were at our favorite restaurant, a cozy little pizza place owned and run by some very good friends of ours. There is this one large plant in the middle of the restaurant that receives obvious abuse from many of the children that eat there. There are two or three particular large leaves that get the brunt of the abuse. Luka has definitely added his fair share of kicks and slaps to those leaves and we have used these occasions to teach him to ~~not destroy other people's property~~ be gentle with plants. Well anyway, that night I saw him heading over to the poor plant and told him, "Luka, don't hit the plant, just kiss it." He smiled, leaned over to kiss a leaf, patted it gently, and then ran on to other adventures. He kissed the plant. No questions asked, no that is silly, I wonder what people will think, but I'll look crazy, why shoudl I KISS a plant. He just simply did it, smiled and moved on. I love that! I love that he goes outside, sees a flower sniffs it, smiles and says "Mmmm. Sniff. Mmm." And that he calls me over to smell it too. I love that when he is walking by if I call out to him he looks at me, breaks a huge grin out on his face, rushes over to me in excitement and gives me a big hug and kiss. All it takes is me showing the slightest interest in him and he responds with full blown affection.

So as adults, as "grown up" "wiser" people, why do we not trust that simply, love that easily, respond to each other that openly, seek to share things we enjoy that readily, even if those things don't make a big difference in the world, such as smelling a flower? Is it possible to be just as responsible for the things we need to do as grown ups, but with the simple enjoyment of life as a child? Why did Christ teach about living with a child-like faith? Maybe part of it was because children trust completely, love unconditionally, and don't judge or criticize. I'm not saying kids are perfect. We all know they can be self-centered, selfish, disobedient little boogers, but they can also exemplify a simple approach to joy, fun, love and general outlook on life. Sin is the cause of so much of the hurt, distance, pride, judgment, criticism, negativity and wariness that we all learn to build up walls against to "protect" ourselves. It's easier to not trust and stay "safe" than to trust and be let down or hurt. Right? Or wrong? What if we all trusted a little more, loved more openly, shared more joyfully, if we all did it, wouldn't there be more victory over sin and the quality of life be improved? I'm not saying we should just throw ourselves out to get hurt all of the time. Maybe we can just simplify things a little and not get so wrapped up in "issues." Maybe we could focus more on what God has set before us to enjoy, rather than the things man has set up to abhor.
I have no idea how this post ended up here. I just started typing and this is what came out. Haha. I'm not even sure this makes any sense and it probably has a lot of room for correction and expansion. Or we could just go find some flowers to sniff and thank God for preserving such beauty for us to enjoy in the midst of all of the troubles that surround us.

My two handsomes
Watch out Wee One!

Haha. Too late. He got drenched. And he loved it, of course.
In case you were wondering, that is not our truck (I wish). We are helping a friend sell it.

Wathsup Mamma?

Just a boy in a truck. He likes to take after his Papi...

...and sometimes he imitates Momma, much to Jason's chagrin
hahaha

Until he gets back his manliness and decides these things are stupid. They're hard to walk in.

p.s. The first picture depicts the day the Wee decided it was much better to clutch and eat three pancakes all at once. And I mean...why not?

Smack Mah Lips

2010-10-17T14:50:00.001-07:00

Let's get back to the fun side of food, and my favorite side....dessert! I'm a sucker for sweets. I know. It shows, right? But I can't help it. I mean, I probably could but the fact remains that I don't want to. Last night we had friends over for dinner and this deliciousness appeared as the grand finale to our meal. It is a recipe that I ripped out of a magazine years ago and stuck into a splattered recipe folder. Key lime pie is one of Jason's favorite desserts, except that he has grown up on the frozen kind you buy at the store. Those kind are really good, but nothing tops homemade anything. Ok, I concede that maybe I might have trouble if I tried to make Reeses peanut butter cereal, but I'm sure you know what I mean. How could fresh lime zest be topped? It can't. As with most things I concoct in the kitchen, I have tweaked this recipe a bit, mostly because some ingredients are not to be found where we live. So here goes. La Receta...

Crust:

1 1/4 c graham cracker crumbs (I grind up cheap coconut cookies instead)
1/2 c sugar
1/2 c slivered almonds (I coarsely grind up whole almonds)
1/2 c clarified butter, melted (clarified meaning that you skim the white floaties off the top of the melted butter)

Filling:
2 cans of sweetened condensed milk
6 egg yolks
1/2 cup store bought lime juice (I squeeze my own, usually about three large limes)
1 tbs fresh lime zest
juice of 1 lime
2 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 325
lightly grease 9- inch, deep dish pie pan
Combine crust ingredients, mix well and press into the bottom of the pie pan and up the sides
combine filling ingredients until creamy and well mixed. Pour into pie crust.
Bake 3o minutes or until set, cool 30 minutes, then refrigerate and serve cold, to the delight of yourself and whomever you intend to bless with such yumminess.

*note: it is ok to taste test the batter before baking. It guarantees your mouth will water and your taste buds will not rest until you sink your teeth into that first cold bite.

Also, you can use your leftover egg whites the next morning to make an egg white omelet, or you can whip it up with some sugar to make a fluffy topping for your pie. Add a little zest and you have a cute dessert to boot.

Don't you just wish you could pick up that fork and dig in?

All my love to you and best wishes for a lovely week ahead.

Sleeeepy

2010-10-15T21:12:00.000-07:00

There is something so special about a baby that is sleeping. I'm sure a lot of it has to do with the fact that I am so tired and happy to have a moment's worth of peace and quiet that my overall attitude when I see Luka sleeping is right where it should be: Endeared. But there is more to it than all that, I think. A sleeping baby truly exemplifies the essence of peace, innocence, rest, beauty, and sweetness. Watching Luka sleep has often caused my heart to melt right there on the spot (I'm almost sure there is a puddle mark on his floor mat next to his crib) and many a time have his sleeping habits drawn a good laugh out of me. We have discovered him in the funniest positions over the past year and a half and have been successful in capturing them without waking him up. His latest sleeping arrangement has been particularly peculiar. Recently, during what was supposed to be his afternoon nap, Luka began crying for me to come to his room. As this was an odd occurrence, I went in to see what the matter was about. He gave me the most pitiful look and whimpered, "Mamma, baaallll...." Oh great. I thought. If I give him a ball "nap time" will turn into "play time" and he'll expect me to keep coming in to pick the ball up for him. I guess I won't know until I try. Here we go then... So I fished around the toy box and handed him a little Saints football that his soon-to-be uncle Andy (or Pandy) gave him for Christmas. To my surprise, he reached for it and immediately laid down and went to sleep. Huh. Well then. Sweet dreams Wee one. He has slept with a ball in his crib ever since.

Remember, if you would like to view it in full screen, after clicking "play" click again on the video and it will link you straight over to youtube.

Have a lovely Saturday.

Also, check out steveanddannythompson.com
to see my brothers' new website and
to hear their brand newly released cd
"How Firm a Foundation"
It is my new favorite cd and I have a feeling
it will always be so.
It is now available in iTunes.
Oh and the cover picture? Guess who took it?
= ]

Have a GREAT concert tonight guys! I'll be praying for you.
Wish I could be there to worship God with you and cheer you on.

Finger Lickin'

2010-10-14T20:50:00.000-07:00

Today is a food post. If you know me well, you know that I enjoy all things food. Cooking, menu planning, tasting, eating, devouring, gobbling, sipping, gulping, stirring, chopping....aaaah. It's so fun. God was so good to create flavors and give us creativity. I think there are three, possibly four types of cooks:

> Those who do not like to cook and have no interest in learning.
> Those who follow recipes religiously
> Those who make up their own recipes
> And then there is me. A mix of two and three.

I like looking at recipes to get a general idea of how certain foods are prepared, and then I run with it, tweaking, pinching, adding, subtracting as I follow my taste buds. My Mom is more of a recipe follower. My Dad is a slap-it-together kind of guy. They both bring amazing flavors and aromas to the table. I think I inherited a pinch of both. Somehow I just know what a flavor is going to do to a dish. Not always, mind you. I've been known to dump out plenty of grave mistakes, as Jason well knows. But I can typically sniff a spice and know if it will combine well with whatever is in my pot or mixing bowl. I see it as a God-given ability. You either have it or you don't. If you do, then cook! And enjoy the process. If you don't, then don't feel bad about it and order take out or eat the same thing you can cook every day. PB&J anyone? Mac and cheese? (Eww)
I could write about food and cooking and memories I have about meals and our family kitchen all day long, but I have little time today and will have to do all of that another day. Now. On to the food. Take note that I'm not much into giving exact amounts of ingredients because you should make it according to how you like it and everyone has a varying number of eaters in their home.

This is a soup I have been making lately that we really like.

First I chop these: tomatoes, red onion (or white if you like), cilantro, green onion, red bell pepper. Set the cilantro aside for later...

saute in a little Olive Oil (extra virgin)

while the saute is going on, I work on some garlic. Let me just tell you how much I love garlic: a lot. Look how cute it looks all plump and smooth and shiny.

I smash it to get its juices moving

then chop. I am kind of a coarse garlic chopper. I don't mind if it's not finely minced. I would rather chop garlic than mince it any day.
Sometime though, I wish I had a stone grinder so that I could grind garlic and herbs.
That would be lovely.

once the veggies are looking transparentish, I add milk and let it slightly bubble. Then I add the following

home cooked beans (or canned, if you like)

corn

cooked, ground beef (which is not necessary but I added it because I had it in the fridge)

Shredded cheddar cheese
Please, please, shred your own cheese. Buying pre-shredded is cheating, does not taste as good, and has bad stuff in it. As in, some sort of antibiotic, so watch out!

Then I add all of this. Note that I added waaaay too much salt and I almost choked when I took my first bite.

Stir and bubble for a little while and there you go. welcome, deliciousness.

I toast a flower tortilla on a seasoned skillet and then line the bowl with it. It makes for a nice presentation and the best part? Eating the tortilla last. Mmmmm.

Here are a few extras I am going to throw in here. I really want to post more but cannot today. I am a mother after all, and cannot spend the whole day clacking away at the computer.

We have pancakes once a week. I like putting honey on mine, even though my favorite is real maple syrup (which costs $32 here...yeah, so I put honey on mine) but Jason prefers the fake Jemima stuff.
These pancakes have 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour, 1/2 cup of whole oats, three tsp of baking powder, two tbsp of raw sugar, 1/2 tsp salt, two eggs, 1 1/2 cups (or a little more) of milk, 1/4 cup of coconut oil (or other kind is fine). Today I got Luka to help me stir the batter. They tasted better that way. = ]

I love using a gas stove. It does cook faster so I had to get used to knowing how to use it, but I love it. I feel like I can control the temperature better. If I want to turn in down, it goes down immediately.
This is one of my favorite cooking contraptions. It is just a cheap, simple aluminum flat plate sold locally that is the best for heating tortillas, pita bread, making corn tortillas, etc.

Last night I made squash cream soup, sliced whole wheat pita bread, sprinkled cheddar cheese in it, and toasted it on my flat pan with a little bit of olive oil.

The squash soup was made of boiled squash, sauteed onions and garlic, then all put into a blender with milk, salt, pepper, a tiny dash of curry, complete seasoning, and maybe another tiny dash of cumin. After blending it, I poured it back into the pot and let it bubble for a few minutes. Comforting for a cold (or rainy, in our case) night.

This is a Yucca root. It is much like a potato, only stringier and has more flavor. The following is how to cut and peel a yucca. If you don't know how, it can be very tricky and you can nick a finger or two. There is a process and here it is:

Slice through it several times down the root, about two to three inch slices.

You will notice a tiny ring at the rim of the slice. Slice a little cut at any point.

Then wedge your knife under the ring and begin sliding the knife down and under the ring, with an upward peeling motion.

Rinse the peeled yucca, as it tends to have dirt from the bark. Then cube to the desired size you need for what you are making.

Boil in water with salt or look online for other recipes and ways to cook it. I'm just showing you how to peel it.

I recently made this soda bread except that I added a palm full of cinnamon to it and served it for breakfast with blackberry jam, butter, or honey.

Are you hungry yet? Go cook something good and healthy. Or order take out, if you must.
I thank God for giving us the means to eat and enjoy the flavors he has created around us.

Happy Friday! See you tomorrow.
Yaawwwwn

Post Marathon

2010-10-14T15:29:00.000-07:00

Not post as in "after" but post as in "blogging." I have so much I want to post about that I decided to make a posting schedule, with one condition: * You can't cheat. * And by that I mean you can't check back in, say, next Wednesday and read them all at once (well, I mean you could but you shouldn't!). The marathon begins tomorrow and goes on until Thursday. Remember, I'll be watching you. *squinting eyes* I'll know if you looked in on Saturday but not on Sunday, and if you cheat! You're banned from...aahm...well, me liking you. Ok? Mrahahaaa. Pending schedule coming up.....

Finger Lickin' Friday

Sleeeepy Saturday

Smack Mah Lips Sunday

Melt My Heart Monday

Too Cute Tuesday

"Wonderful" Wednesday

Thrifty Thursday

and that's it.

Uno Mas

2010-10-09T09:59:00.000-07:00

One more post of our time with Mimi: Somehow I missed these pictures when writing the last post. Mrs. Ann finally got to experience the traditions of Independence Day in this country that we have told her so much about. It all starts early...eeeaaarly. As in, 5:00a.m. What starts that early, you might ask? Well, the unsteady beat of a dozen or so elementary school drums marching down the dirt road, re-enacting the announcement of the independence of the Central American countries. We just covered our ears with our pillows and opted to go to the later morning parade. Luka ~~didn't know any better~~ was feeling patriotic and donned on his country's colors.

While I am on the topic, can I just point out what an international family we are? Jason is North American, I am Honduran, and we have a son that was not born in either of those two countries. Three different countries represented in a family of three.

Now that we have that covered, lets move on, shall we? The night before has its own slew of traditions and events, but I'll get to those next year, when Luka is old enough to participate and I have pictures that do them justice. In a nutshell they involve various shapes, sizes and styles of lanterns, hours of dances from every single grade in the surrounding communities, yummy foods and typical refreshments, and a hot, stuffy gym full of people all shuffling around or standing on chairs trying to get a good view of the cute kindergartner swishing her skirts around during a folkloric dance.
We picked a good spot on the side of the road and waited for the parade to inch its way closer to us. It was cute to watch and fun! Viva la independencia y la libertad!!!

Remember this independence day post of a few years back?

Watching the approach of the parade
His hat is a traditional coffee picking accessory.

For Dad, since he said I wasn't in any of the pictures on the last post.

Tan ta ra rannn!

Remember this boy, Axel?

This is Maria. She lives next door to the internet cafe, and comes in every day to hang out.

Luka walked up into the middle of this soccer game and took the ball. He is has a deep crush on balls. The boys got a big kick out of it and followed him around, patiently waiting for the ball to be released. They never once complained.

Team Luka

Along came Mimi

2010-10-08T15:29:00.000-07:00

The same day that Luka and I came home from afar, Mimi (my mother-in-law) came for a visit! We have not had any family come to visit us this year, and considered it a welcome treat. Speaking of treat, Mrs. Ann treated, and treated....and treated and treated us until we were spoiled rotten again. Every trip to the grocery store ensured a discussion at some point about who was going to pay at the register. Among many other things, Luka received a popsicle making kit, sip cups, a plastic plate, snacks, drinks, a ball.....He is set up well for a long time. We are so grateful! We had so much fun together. We put up a sign and closed the cafe for several days so that we could get away if we wanted to go places and pranced around cities, waterfalls, beaches, jungles, and our little town. Luka, as you know from the "great trip" post, was sick for the first few days Mimi was here. All he wanted was mama and it was hard to tear him away from me, but a little medicine later, he bounced back and was ready for adventure. We went to the beach, where Luka let Mimi hold his hand all the way across the sand to the water. Up until then, he did not like his hand being held. Ever since then, he has decided it's not so bad after all...as long as you don't squeeze too hard. He thinks he's big stuff now when he holds your hand. He gets this little smile on his lips and tucks his chin slightly in. My cute little man, I love him!
Mrs. Ann, we had so much fun with you and thank you for helping us, encouraging us, and blessing us. Every time we ask Luka, "where's Mimi?" He points to the Smith family picture that is in the living room. He misses his Mimi! We miss and love you too.

Luka's friend Eden gave him these sunglasses "because they didn't fit her anymore."
Let's just say if I ever need a belly laugh, all I need to do is look at this. Look at how he is wearing the flip flop on the right! HAha

Early morning cooking lessons with Mimi

Stir it up...little darling, stir it up...

Take away the passey and you have a mini Jason.
No doubt.

Luka's Daddy book.

We went to a tilapia fishing pond. You catch your fish, they cook it for you.
I catch the fish. Then order chicken.

The "fishing pole"

ATC training center. Mrs. Ann has seen pretty much every stage of it being built.

I miss you Mimi.

Why get cold feet when you can get wet feet?

2010-10-05T10:21:00.000-07:00

Soon I will post about the great time we had with Mrs. Ann, or Mimi, if you will. Before I get to that, though, here is a view from above of what our feet encounter most days when walking to or from the internet cafe or anywhere else we head off to. I must add that those were the best $17 I ever spent on footwear, for the boots I mean. They have changed my overall attitude about the rainy season and have given me "wings" to fly out of the house when I otherwise would not. Also, this year for the first time in four years I purchased an umbrella. What were we thinking, living in the rain forest for three years with no umbrella? Apparently we were not. Or maybe it was that our brains were too damp to think far enough ahead to buy one. Having a child quickly sets slacked details straight...

p.s. Click twice on the video if you want to see all sides of it. It will automatically take you to youtube where you can see it better.

Honey, can I help you in any way?

2010-10-04T09:49:00.000-07:00

You don't even want to know why the captain of my flight asked me that. But I'm going to tell you anyway. For those of you who are weak of stomach, move on to facebook or something. It's not going to be a pretty post.

* Interrupting note: Before I can get into it, I know I told you that the last post was going to be the end of my travel tales, but this one will truly be the last. Because this story, well...it must be told.

Our flight itinerary for our trek home was a recipe for motherhood disaster:

1) Wake Luka up at the last second possible and transfer him, in his jammies, to the car seat for a 7:00am drive to Chicago's O'Hare airport...from Indianapolis. 4 hrs.

2) Quickly dress Luka in the car (hide dirty diaper under driver's seat...jeje...Dad, I really didn't do that on purpose!) say our last sad goodbyes *tear* and juggle Luka plus all luggage through the check in line, trying to keep him from running all over the airport while convincing the desk assistant that yes, that is me in that very old fashioned passport that does not scan and expires next year. Then get lunch at McGross while we wait what seems an eternity to board the plane for a 2 1/2 hour flight to Dallas.

3) Where we wait some more to board another plane to Central America for another 4 hours.

4) Only to then go through customs, again lugging the babe and the bags, greet my long lost husband and his mom.

5) To then cram ourselves and our bags/purchases into our car at 9:30 p.m. and drive another 3 1/2 hours home. In the pouring rain.

He discovered a little nook.

Everyone at the airport was impressed with his soccer skills.
I am too but I should be.

Mah sweet thang.

Ahm. Eww, Wee One. I really don't want to know what types of germs have infested themselves into that carpet. But I am all about him getting his wiggles out before the flight. Wiggle away, I say!

Every little boys' obsession...planes!

We were saying, "Bye bye, America."

Why can I not lift this thing???
(maybe because you are standing on it?)

Hmm. Whaths in here Mamma?

He liked feeling the air shooting out on his face.

Thank God for an empty row on the long flight. He could jump around all he wanted to, when the seat belt sign was off, of course.

So yeah. That sounds like an awful day, right? Well it wasn't. It was great actually. Luka could not have behaved any better than he did. He slept on the first car ride. Ate his breakfast in the car with no fuss or mess. Played like a well behaved, soccer star in the airports, slept on both flights, and sat contentedly whenever he was awake. Overall, a great success. I was shocked and pleased. And grateful.

And then....

And thennnn. Of course. Disaster stuck. During the last five minutes of the flight portion of the trip it all unraveled into a horror story that I wish was no more than a nightmare that I wake up from and think, "Whew, that would have been bad had it been..." But it WAS true! Ugh. It happened!

I was holding Luka on my left hip while handing the immigration officer our passports and forms. Luka coughed. It was a funny cough...it sounded...the officer and I looked at him. The Wee one then proceeded to ~~throw up~~ spew vomit all over me, all over himself, all over the floor, on the diaper bag and camera case hanging from my right shoulder, and all over the immigration forms I had so neatly filled out. The. Whole. Entire. Room. Stopped. Everything stopped. Every motion froze and every eye widened. Every mouth dropped and every fiber if my being sank. I didn't even know where to begin sorting through this mess. I was close. I was so close to flying into my husbands arms after a great trip. He had been five minutes away and now we had to deal with this, this mess. Poor Luka. I stepped aside from the mess and immediately stripped the Wee of everything he was wearing. The row next to us consisted of all of the flight crew and at that moment a male flight attendant came up to me and handed me a handful of wet ones. I glanced up only to find that everyone, everyone was staring at me. Really. All of the flight attendants, instead of going off to their hotels or to see the city just lined up against the wall with their arms crossed and their brows furrowed shaking their heads and saying, "Poor Girl." Praise God I had stocked the diaper bag well and had a fresh outfit for the Wee, but no clean shoes. I stuffed all of his soiled clothes in a bag, wiped my dress down as best as I could and scrubbed the sides of the diaper bag and camera case. At some point in the middle of all of this Mr. Captain himself came to me and said, "Honey, can I help you in any way?" I kind of laughed inwardly thinking that well, there was vomit all over the floor, if he wanted to start on that, or he could hold my crying baby while I filled out new forms, or wipe off the immigration desk. Haha. But I just thanked him instead and told him that I didn't think there was anything anyone else could do at the moment. And so I proceeded to set Luka down on the floor so that I could fill out new forms, and oh my goodness, what was that flight number and did it really even matter at this point, and Luka's passport number, I don't have it memorized yet and no, I have not had any contact with any cattle as of late and definitely am not carrying more than $10,000 on me. Not now and probably not ever. The whole time Luka stood there, clinging to my skirt and crying that pitiful "sickness" cry and wailing "Mamma, mamma, mamma." Everyone that walked past us threw us a pitying glance and not once did anyone smile. They were just all horrified for me and sorry for Luka. It's almost laughable now, but it really was horrible then. And how anti climactic, too. All of the sudden seeing Jason and Mrs. Ann wasn't going to be the glorious sparkly reunion we had all imagined it to be. I stunk. Luka felt bad. And we were ready to be home. Bathed. And in bed. But there was still a 3 1/2 hr. drive left....siiiiiiiiggggghhhh.

The phrase, "Have a good trip!" has a new meaning to me. And we are finally hommmme.

Grandma, can I call you "Nana?"

2010-09-30T19:45:00.000-07:00

I was five when I made that request. My friend Cassidy called her grandmother "Nana" and so I I wanted to call my grandmother "Nana" too. I mean, why not? It had a nice ring to it and more importantly, it was personal. My grandmother would be set apart enough to have her own special name. Maybe not unique, but she would be my Nana. And that was special. In my little fairyland fantasy imagination it was settled. Grandma would have a shiny new name and it would be special. She would be Nana. Forever my Nana.
My fantasy came to an abrupt halt when she responded, "Nope. You can call me "Grandma" and that's how I like it." What? The fairies and the flowers all fell away. Just plain old Grandma? How could this be? But we were supposed to be different. Things were supposed to change. It was all supposed to be shiny and new and sparkly. She carried on with her knitting and I drudged off to put together a little tea party, as was my usual habit, on the coffee table of her guest living room, complete with a tiny copper kettle, a carved wooden nut cracker, and numerous other nick knacks collected from all over the world.

21 years later, I'm rather glad that I never called her "Nana." There has been only one place in my entire life that has remained constant, that has never changed. Grandma and Grandpa's house. I've lived in many countries, lived among numerous groups of people, lived in several States, moved to too many different houses and apartments, ridden in dozens of different cars, always changing always moving. But at Grandma and Grandpa's, everything stays the same. The garage always smells of tires, oil, carpet, and the tiniest hint of garbage. I could always expect for there to be a box full of plastic balls of various sizes, bats and small golf clubs next to the back door porch. The contents of the box have dwindled over the years and the box might be pushed back a little further on the shelf. But they are always there. I could always expect my grandpa's jewelry making station in a corner of the garage to hold a delightful assortment of gold dust, silver, rubies, diamonds, pearls, tools, magnifying glasses, and an old squeaky chair. There was always a ring in the making, a clasp to be repaired, a knotted chain waiting to be unraveled. You can still count on there being a stash of sodas in the outside fridge, ice cream in the freezer, and ice cream cones stashed in the cupboard. If there aren't any in the cupboard, you can bet your socks that there is a spare box out on the snack shelf in the garage. On a sunny morning you will find a large pitcher out on a chair brewing some sun tea, and clothes flapping about on the clothesline. During a hot day, you can count on a lunch of sandwiches, chips and a coke out on the patio, all served on paper plates, of course, with a basket weave holder under your plate, to keep it from bending. In the morning you will be shaken awake to the words, "Breakfast is getting cold. Go on, get up and eat." And you can expect there to be bacon or sausage, toast and jelly or biscuits and honey and always, always, grape juice. Sometimes you might get lucky and score some C'ptain Crunch or Lucky Charms. The water in the kitchen tastes like blood (well, iron really, but when I was a kid I refused to drink it because it tasted like blood to me) and the water in the bathrooms is treated with softeners, making you feel like you can never rinse the soap off, which makes for a longer shower, gaining you a few bangs on the door. At the end of the hallway there is a set of swinging "saloon" doors, which always made me think I was in a western, and when you swing yourself dramatically through them, you stare directly into a mirror on the opposite wall that is decorated with an assortment of Mardi Gras masks and beads. In the family living area, Grandma and Grandpa always have a love seat set, where they sit in the evenings to watch Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy. The wall behind them holds their wall of fame...or shame, depending on your art skills. The wall sports the good and unfortunately the bad artwork of any family member who would dare offer a piece for its decoration. They are proud of each and every one. I have never offered a piece. Ever. Any time the family is together there will always be games. The most consistent one over the years has been Yahtzee, but others have included Uno, Zilch, Balderdash, Pit, Guestures, Apples to Apples, Scattergories.....Grandma's Vanity always has Chanel perfume and lipstick and Grandpa's bureau has a comb and a days-of-the-week pill sorter. Her bathroom always has Dove hand soap, and therefore, smells like Dove hand soap. At Christmas you will find a mistletoe hanging from the ceiling light at the front entrance and poinsettias on the table, along with gift baskets that friends from all over have lovingly sent them. On Sundays you will always dress nicely (preferably with a skirt, if you are a lady), go to church, and eat lunch afterward at a cafeteria. The barn shed in the back of their lawn always smells of musty grass and in front of it you can expect something to be planted. It used to be a full on garden, but these days it tends to be mostly tomatoes. The one thing that has truly remained, and I am positive will never waver, is their love and enjoyment of birds. There are birdhouses scattered around, a birdbath (that I was often asked to spray clean in the evenings) and most importantly, the birdhouse. The one perched up right in front of their family room window. The one that if a special bird, such as a cardinal or a bluejay appears, we all stay still for a moment, so as to not scare it away. Hummingbirds, too. Grandma's favorite.

My Grandparents don't like change, and I am glad they don't. They have been my one true constant, and I appreciate that deeply. They have demonstrated to us all the importance of loving one another, of being faithful to one another, of being crazy about each other regardless of age and circumstance. They have been great encouragers of joy and laughter, of giving and generosity. They have been ever ready to teach us things, to tell us of their lives, their choices, their experiences. Most importantly, they have passed on to us the Truth. They have believed in God, believed God, and lived out their lives loving Him and serving Him by serving others and helping others. Theirs has been a legacy of simplicity and contentment.

To be honest, some things do change. Grandma has cancer. Grandpa grunts when he gets up out of his seat, and often times could use a strong arm to hoist him up. They rarely cook anymore and you are likely to find them hanging out with all the other non-cooking old fogies at Hardee's for breakfast...where they share one biscuit. The box of balls is probably really not much there anymore. But the ice cream is. = ]

Probably the change that bothers me the most is that every time that I say goodbye to them now, which is usually once a year in between each time, I think, "Will this be....?" I can't bring myself to write it. I can't hardly even bring myself to think it....

Who needs a "Nana" after all, when I have such a great un-ordinary Grandma? And a Grandpa who has always called me......George???

It's always better when we're together

On we go

2010-09-25T10:23:00.000-07:00

Your journey through our travels has taken a bit longer than expected, no? Well, there are always bumps in the road. We have been very busy around these parts but blogs must go on and so here I am again. Sharing another peek into our fun family time...
Alas, it was time to say some goodbyes. Sniff, sniffles, sniff. There we were, out on the front lawn of Steve and Marisha's house and the cousins began, of their own accord, giving each other kisses. First Luka and Roma hugged and kissed, stood back, smiled at each other, then hugged and kissed again. I looked over at Anessa who had a desperate look on her face as if to say, "Wait, will I not get to kiss him too?" Within a split second Luka turned to kiss her too and her face broke out into a beaming smile. She rushed forward and the two little babies embraced and kissed, with a maturity bordering adulthood. It will forever be one of my most treasured memories of their time together.
Where were we off to now? Papo and Moma's house in Indianapolis! We spent a week there and oh what a week! Tio Mark quickly tickled his way into Luka's affections, and even now, weeks later, we ask Luka where Tio Mark is and he pipes up saying, "Mah? Mah!" Luka was loved on, spoiled rotten and I must say, so was I. Thank you Mom, Dad and "Mah" for loving on us and making our time with you special.

He is such a cuddler and I will take it for as long as he will dish it.

Sweet Moma, always growing in the Word.

A good morning, indeed.

He loved his good morning porch play in Papo and Moma's back yard. So did I! Comfy porch swing and perfect weather. What's not to enjoy?

No Wee, you are not Superman quite yet. All you need is a cape though, and you will surely take off.

Getting a free ride on Papo through a museum.

A free ride on Tio Mark too. Hmmm....now I know why he wants to be held so much...did I mention spoiled rotten?

I introduce to you the very live version of Calvin, from Calvin and Hobbes.
We need to get the Wee a little stuffed tiger...

Tio "Mah" the kite expert.
He makes them from scratch. So COOL!

One more post and the trip is over.

ALSO: Check out this link to meet the NEW Thompson family member. I missed meeting his gorgeousness by two weeks!!

A walk in the Park

2010-09-21T12:51:00.000-07:00

After all of the wedding hoopla was over, we decided we needed a laid back day, and so we moseyed on over to a park nearby to have a picnic of my mom's delicious homemade mac-n-cheese. The wind decided it was as good of a time as any to play tricks on our hair...and plates...and cups...and pretty much anything else that we needed to stay put. But after juggling our way through lunch, it was time to play!

Would you pass me the chips please? Sorry to keep you from holding down your drink, plate, napkin, bowl and keeping your hair and your child's hair out of your mouth! Thank you though.

Steve is such a good Papa. Swinging his girls.

Higher Papa! Wheee!!!!
Too high Papa!

Sweet Anessa. That girl could be eaten as a lollipop, she is so sweet.

Who says you have to grow up all the way?

Hah.

The Wee's first swinging experience.

Tio Mark. All kids love this guy. It's like they are pulled by the magnetic force of his awesomeness. Luka has been saying his name ever since we got home! When asked where Tio Mark is he says "Mak"....or something like that, and looks around for him.

The essence of innocence, joy and fun being had.

1st slide

The end result of a cookie that was enjoyed for ten whole minutes.

Wellp, I know it is taking a long time to get through the events of our trip, but a few more posts and your journey through our travels will be over...so sad. But me hopes you be enjoyin' it.

Pre Wedding Fun

2010-09-17T16:44:00.001-07:00

Our first week back in the States United was funnn! Pure, laid back family fun. The roads were clean and smooth, the breeze was....sigh, no words can describe how pleasant it felt, the sun was warm, not scorching make you sweat buckets hot, just warm. Perfect. Yeah, it did rain a few days, but American rain is no problem. What's a bit of dampened hair and clothes when you dash out to the store compared to mud, grit, and sopping clothes? I'd much rather get a slightly soiled hairdo than have to scrub my shoes with every scrubber and soap available just so they can be usable again.
Anyway, nothing beats time with family. Nothing. It is what I look forward to the most and enjoy the most. Who else understands you, knows you, quirks and all, better than your family? Who else is more willing to put up with your grave mistakes, petty blunders and overlook the fact that you got braces and glasses all in one day and failed your drivers test ~~because you slightly hit a parked car while backing out during the test~~? Who else encourages you steadily on when you least believe in using the God given talents you are afraid to put forward, or cheers loudly when your effort becomes blessed and successful? Who else gives you a familiar shoulder to cry on when your best effort just wasn't "enough?" Who else buys you Reece's Peanut Butter Crunch Cereal to make up for an offense? Oh. That hasn't happened to you? Well, it has happened to me, and I like that strategy. Jason, take notes. Reese's Peanut Butter Cereal. Import if necessary.

Family. I like my family.

The Wee, giving his Daddy Cyber Kisses

Roma enjoying some dirt play. = )

Anessa modeling dirt on her cute face.

Luka demonstrating his balance act.

Mah sweet thang.

I love my rough and tumble kind of boy.

MOmma!!! Screeetch! How dare you lend your back to someone else?!?!?!
Don't you know it belongs to me?!

Okay, Wee One. I get the point. I will think twice before I lend my back to another.
Now would you please retire your monkey ways for the evening? No? oh.

Have a happy Monday!

Publish Post

And the two become one...

2010-09-15T10:23:00.000-07:00

Yaaag! I have so much to share, so many pictures, so many thoughts, and a few stories. But because most people love a good wedding, I will start with that most lovely of days. The day. Honestly, I've been to some weddings where the depth of the love and affection between the couple is questionable, but there was none of that to be had at the Thompson ~ Daigle wedding. Pure love! Tenderness. Humility. Delight. And a lot of googly eyes. Even some tears in those sappy stares. The wedding was lovely in every way. The ceremony and vows sincere and solid. The joy in everyone's hearts felt to the tip of their toes. Danny and Lauren, pronounced husband and wife, sealed with a kiss...or two, blessed with prayers, good wishes and the cheerful congratulations from all. To describe in detail the beauty of the wedding would take six posts, so I will throw out a stream of words that made up part of the day, and you can let your imagination run wild:

Wild flowers * pink and green * farm land * Victorian house * large white tent * sunset * harp * flower fairies (girls) * petal ring around the bride and groom * dessert bar (yummm) * coconut cake * twinkling lights * first salsa dance in a gazebo * fireworks! * bonfire * Large tree backdrop with a swing * kisses * family * laughter * fun * beaming * hugs * well wishing * great video of bride and groom (with an embarrassing twist) * sparkler goodbye * nostalgia * sigh *

Danny and Lauren, we love you and are so happy for your marriage! May God bless you, and keep you and make His face shine on you. May there always be love, forgiveness, laughter, fun, humility, affection, like-mindedness, kindness, peace, gentleness, gracious words and service toward one another in your marriage, and may everything you do together be for the eternal glory of God. Congratulations!!!

The handsome Wee, all gussied up.

Grace and Mark came in from Arkansalsa...I mean, Arkansauce...or just plain Arkansas. It was so good to see you! Too short...too short.

Mark, the firstborn awesome Thompson.

Roma. She talks to Luka in "Spanish"
"Catakkatukaletiratagigisadocatakakatakatakata Luka!"

My incredible Papa

Mother and groom.

The Thompson Brood. Dave, you were the only one missing and you were missed! At every single moment. I wish so badly that you could have been there. God bless you for remaining faithful to the calling you have received.

----------------------------------*-----------------------------------
From this line down, all pictures were taken by the lovely Gracia Garcia Smith.
Thanks for sharing them Grace!

We showered them with birdseed as they kissed. Why? I don't know, but it was fun!

Two families united.

the beaming couple.

Salsa dancing it up. In a Gazebo no less. You guys are great dancers!

The Wee experiences his first fireworks. He loved them.

The End
And the Beginning.

Ahem...

2010-09-10T09:09:00.000-07:00

Well, ahm. So much for promising pictures soon. The trouble is, I don't know how to download them onto my parents' computer and can't edit them to my desired effect. So, dearest friend, reader, family, you will have to wait. But not too long. I am bittersweetly able to say that I will be home late Monday night and will try my utmost best to post my pictures sometime on Tuesday. But my fingers are crossed on that one.

For now you can endure my musings. Luka is teething. Way too many teeth are coming in at once, in my opinion. Let's just say the past couple of days have been...challenging. He has been screaming during his "nap time" for the past ten minutes and my nerves are being grated as I type. I joked to my sister-in-law Marisha the other day that I am a great mom when Luka is being a good, sweet happy baby. When he is not, however, picture me as someone resembling a bit of Cruella Deville, sans the black and white hair. Although it may turn white sometime soon. I don't do well with screams. It is a fact of my life and I am trying very hard to remain calm, joyful and peaceful during those moments. Is that even possible? Can someone out there please encourage me and tell me that it has happened to them? But only if it has really happened to you. Don't just say it to make me feel good. If it's not possible than that will make me feel a lot better too, because then I will know that I am just a plain old human being with faults that are normal. Sigh. I am asking God to do a work in me and to build up patience into my heart. Oh how I wish he would hurry! Hah.

Well, I can't imagine you came here wishing to hear a frazzled mother dish about the daily struggles of parenting, so I will bid you adieu and wish you a scream free, beautiful day. Ta ta now.

Il est bon d'être avec la famille

2010-09-06T12:54:00.000-07:00

It is good to be with family.

It is also good to have consistently clean feet...even when it rains!

It is wonderful to not always sweat.

It is lovely to snuggle under a down comforter when the A/C is on at night.

Shopping. I love to shop in America.

Money. I need money to shop in America.

Sales! Yard sales! Mall sales! Thrift stores! All are great inventions.

Wild Cherry Pepsi: Mmmmmm.

The Wee One loves his cousins.

The Wee speaks more English now.

Breeeeeeeze....oh how I love it.

It is nice to step out of the shower and to not immediately start sweating.

It is not good to be without ones' husband.

Air conditioning makes me cold. Very, very cold.

Done:

Experience a delightful wedding

Play with cute nieces

Eat delicious homemade food

Eat delicious junk food: check

Have a blast with family and friends

Catch up on a few movies

Take the Wee to slide and swing for the first time at a park

Left to do:

Shop. = ]

Catch up on more movies

See my grandparents!

Eat raspberries

Miss my Handsome even more

The Wee and I are having a funtastic time. It really could only be better if Jason were with us. And David and Hanzi too (Brother and Sis). I am so grateful to God for giving us this gift to come and rest, share with loved ones, and have a lot of fun. I am so blessed and grateful. For now I am only posting a few pictures of some of what has taken place, but not the wedding. Yet. I don't have many pictures of the event because I was part of the bridal party but soon I will post what I have. And now I am off to have some more fun!

The cousins!

Mo-ma Loving on her grandbabies.

Nessy Wessy

The Groom

Papo and Danny

My pretty Momma

Mark. He is one of the sweetest men this world has to offer.

Haaaa! Steve and Anessa. Apple doesn't fall far from the tree....does it?

Lovely couple

The bride and her in-laws

Danny and moi

The kite man.

Why we are excited:

2010-08-28T09:39:00.000-07:00

Because after over a year of dreaming, planning, saving and wishing time would fly, I am going to see my familyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!! Danny is getting marriiiiiieeeeed! Squeeeeeeee!!!!!!! This really, really is a dream come true and tomorrow, my trip will be set in motion and after a long (probably insane) day of traveling, I will be filling my arms with loved ones, talking way too loud and fast, switching back and forth from Spanish to English without even realizing it, and smiling a lot. A lot. = ] I have waited and waited and waited and waited, with the thought ever in the back of my mind that at some point I would be seeing family, and now, it is time. Time to go. Time to see. Time to enjoy.

Thank you to everyone who sent well wishes for our health, who prayed for us and stood in the gap for us. We are all better. Yesterday was rough for me, but today, excitement is the best medicine. Luka and I are sporting a mean cough, but are supposedly not contagious anymore and our energies are slowly returning. He is clinging a little less and playing a little more, which means I have finally had a chance to rest a bit and pack and all that. So. Off on our journey we go! We leave this afternoon for the Big City, stay the night and fly out tomorrow morning. Pray that Luka sleeps every single minute on the plane...for four hours. Plays sweetly in the airport for some more hours. Then sleeps every single minute on the plane for even more hours. Yeah. Pray. I am on my own this time!

Love you all! I'll write again when i can. XOXOXOXO

The Wee One? Laid back? Nooo...

That boy! About gave me a heart attack.

He points to his belly button button now when asked where it is. He responds to the same question in English and Spanish.

Where's your belly button?
Adonde está tu ombligo?

Don't press too hard, your belly will surely pop

He looks like a monkey! Haha.

Never mind, today was even WORSE...

2010-08-26T12:51:00.000-07:00

Weeeell. Jason is home. And he is sick. Very very sick. He ate something that was bad, apparently, at the airport during his trip home and the poor guy can't even keep water down. So rather than have the restful day that I so much needed to get better myself, this morning we went to a clinic as early as it would open and had Jason hooked up to an Iv. I had to leave him there, rush to the store to get him some makings for soup, then rush to the house to get Luka's things and more soup makings, then rush to the cafe to put Luka down for a nap, then open the cafe, then make the soup, so that Jason could take it home (a taxi friend of ours brought him home). Luka took a great nap. At noon we went home and I attempted to make lunch while Luka clung to my skirt and screamed at me for 40 minutes. Needless to say, I wasn't very successful in making lunch, not at all successful in getting him to eat it, and more than ready to drop him off at the sitters. He has gotten into his head that if I am not holding him 100% of the time, the end of the world has truly come. Aaaaaaaagh! I would not be surprised at all if when I wake up tomorrow morning my hair is white, my eyes are dazed and I'm drooling. Somebody halp meh!

* No, but seriously, please pray for us. Luka and I have a long trip to take on Sunday and I will need every ounce of strength to make it through the day...but more on that later...

Never mind, today was aweful...

2010-08-25T08:59:00.000-07:00

Did I call it or what? I had a feeling things wouldn't go perfectly smoothly the whole time Jason was gone. It just couldn't. Haha. The short version? Luka and I both got sick with a cold flu and were both running fevers and weighed down with body aches. Bleeeeh. The first day I felt fine other than my nose running about as fast as our shower leaks. It dripped all day long and if I could have I would have just plugged my nostrils with toilet paper, but I didn't think the café customers would be very appreciative. When I picked Luka up that evening after closing, He was running a high fever and had wanted only to be held all day. Didn't want to play, didn't want to move. Just be held. Great. Here I am feeling like death and all Luka wants is to be held. But poor buddy. It was good that we were sick together because I at least knew exactly how he was feeling. So we snuggled a lot and I prayed a lot that the Lord would heal us quickly. Jason come hommme, was about all my brain could come up with.
Yesterday Luka was a little better but I just kept getting worse and worse and finally had to close early and sleep off the aches. Luka is perfectly fine now, thank God. I am still wheezing and hacking and sniffling but at least the aches are gone and my eyes don't look so racoonish.

So to think of happier things, I will share with you a frivolity. Things I would really never be able to buy but admire. Enjoy dreaming with me.

Our summers, well most of the year really, but especially our summers, are so hot here that a nice lightweight cotton dress is all I ever want to wear. Unfortunately, I am having a frustrating time finding any affordable ones that aren't so terribly short, for heavens' sake! Are you with me ladies?! I mean, I am a mother after all and have to bend over half the day to either pick up the Wee or the millions of things he drops during the day, and I don't exactly desire to reveal myself to the world. But the trend right now is super duper short. No thank you. Something like this simple green beauty, however, yes please. It's a handmade dress that I found at etsy.com

Or how about this cute thing?

And especially this one! Gaaaah! I love it!

A lovely little set of makeup by Paula Dorf.

This has got to be the most comfortable looking hammock I have ever seen. It's probably a good thing that I don't own one because I may never get off of it. A good book and a comfy hammock. Aaahhh.

How about pulling one of these lovelies out onto the beach? Or under the shade of a mango tree with a tall, cold glass of lemonade? Yes, and yes.

I can almost feel the softness of this creamy delight. B E A U T I F U L

Why I would even look at these considering they would sink in the mud the instant I left the porch is beyond me. But they're so pretty. Swoon!

And lastly, this shampoo (and its conditioner). It is bath and body works Eucalyptus and Spearmint shampoo and it is divine...my oh my is it nice.

My Love is coming home tonight and I am so excited!

A Wee bit Inappropriate

2010-08-22T20:44:00.000-07:00

Jason is gone. My man. My handsome love. My favorite friend. He is in Ecuador for a week translating for a friend who is visiting an orphanage and a dingy prison. He'll be back, and soon, but in the meantime Luka and I are left to hold down the fort. This means I have to run the internet café all by my lonesome self...and that I have a babysitter, because the one day I tried working without one, I spent 89% of the time running after Luka...who was always headed to the road. Where cars fly by. Not exactly the best setting for friendly customer service is it? So a while back Jason and I decided that if it was ever a one man show at the café, Luka would have a sitter. I devised a plan. I have a friend (you know who you are ~~Ellen~~) who once laughed at my "Oh Luka will nap while I work" theories saying that I was forever the ultimate optimist and that it would probably never go the way I dreamed it would go. She was somewhat right then. But not at all right this time. Hah! The plan was that I would go early to the cafe, put Luka down for a nap in the upstairs apartment in his pack-n-play, and that he would sleep through the whole morning shift. Then I would do the usual "Closed for Lunch" so that we could go home to eat, drop him off at the sitters, where he would be a perfect angel and not cry when I left him, and then pick up a happy, fed, sleepy baby in the evening. Not only have I described my strategy, I described reality. I have prayed and asked God to bless me in this, and He has! Everything has worked like clockwork every day so far (yeah, come back tomorrow where you will most likely see the words "never mind today was awful") and Luka really has been an angel. He sleeps through the entire morning shift....and blah blah blah.....
So what is a Wee bit Inappropriate about all this, you may ask? Sorry I have taken so long to get to it. I get a wee bit distracted, apparently. What I am trying to get to is that the other day when I was changing a rather stinky diaper of Luka's he looked solemnly up at me, raised his eyebrows and whispered...."Caca." Excuse me, little Wee?!?! Say what? No. I mean, don't say it again. But where have you gotten this word from? Certainly not your Momma. Jason do you say "caca" to Luka? No. Well maybe once, but not really. No, no, Wee one. Poo, poo. Not Ca Ca.

You may not think it's a big deal, but the country I come from, "caca" is the equivalent of "crap" and while I use the word crap occasionally in my adult life, I do not expect my 17 month old to include it in his current vocabulary of 5 whole words. The country I currently live in, I have observed, uses "caca" liberally with small children in any situation that might involve something dirty or germy. Picture it this way: Your baby reaches for food that is on the floor. You say, "No! Crap! It's crap!" Your baby picks up a muddy ball, you yell, "That's crap! Let go of it!" Doesn't sound very appropriate, does it? Not to me, anyway. I prefer, "Eww, that's gross, baby. Put it down." And he usually obliges. Welllll. He's been at the sitters, right? Where there are other children. Ok? So?....They say "caca" to him. All. Day. Long. Because there are germs and mud everywhere. Now Luka says "caca." All. Day. Long. ~~Well crap~~. Ew gross.

There are no bath tubs to be had in houses here, so a mini pool in the shower its is!

Kissy, kissy.

Happy to be clean. This Wee One loves bath-splash-time.

Whatcha think of my new molar, huh?

And now for the cream...

2010-08-19T20:55:00.000-07:00

...or the chocolate, rather. Since Lindsey requested the "secret" brownie recipe, I will oblige. But only if you let me in on your secret blog Lindsey! I don't even know which Lindsey you are! I know several Lindseys. You may e-mail me your inclusion at catrachela AT yahoo DOT com. Haha.

Delicious SUPER SIMPLE Brownies

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup flour
1/3 cup natural cocoa (unsweetened)
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking powder
1 stick melted butter
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla (real vanilla, please)

First melt stick of butter on low heat.
Then mix dry ingredients.
Add cooled, melted butter.
Add slightly beaten eggs.
Add vanilla.
Pour into greased pan (I make them for the cafe and so I bake them in silicone muffin pans, which makes it a perfect, even 1 serving, eye-pleasing size. Silicone pans do not have to be greased which is lovely)
Bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes or when brownies are firm after being lightly tapped with your finger.

* You can add nuts if you like, or chopped chocolate sprinkled on top. Or whatever floats your boat or pleases your taste buds.
** These brownies are not good for your body in any way, but are great for your happiness. Yes indeed.

Cooking Class á la Moi

2010-08-18T09:19:00.000-07:00

Tuesday nights. On Tuesday nights we typically have a little gathering at Café Perica that consists of coffee, some sort of pastry, a good dose of laughter, shared experiences, and the best part of all, spending time with God and getting to know Him better through his word. There are usually just a few of us. It rains most of the time, dissuading some from being able to come due to landslides and such. Last night I was getting supper ready to take early to the cafe so that we could eat before the gathering. I prayed that God would bless our time and that whether anyone came or not, we would have a good time and that He would be glorified. I arrived at the café only to learn that Jason had been trying to get through to me (we are having phone issues. Pffffff) to let me know that no one was going to be able to come. One of the local boys was there just hanging out and we asked him if he wanted to try some of what I had made. He said sure, took a few bites of the Honduran baleadas I had made and promptly asked me how I had made them. That is not a typical question for a kid from around these parts. Most would just say if they liked it or not and be done with it. I told him how I'd made them and noticed that he seemed to be memorizing the ingredients I was listing off. He said, "Jason says you are like a chef." (God bless you Jason, XOXOX) I scoffed at the notion and said, "I just like to cook." Jason then informed me that Dolla (it's his nickname and for the life of me I can't remember what his real name is) wanted to study to be a professional chef. This kid is probably 11 or 12 years old and that kind of vocational resolve is rare around these parts, especially in a kid. My eyes lit up as my brain turned on with a bright idea. I was going to be making brownies that night to sell the next day at the café and asked Dolla if he wanted to come over and learn how to make them. I made him shake my hand and promise that he would not share the "secret" recipe (that I found online) with anyone. He said, "Not even a couple of people?" No Dolla, not even a couple. I told him that he could make them for anyone he wanted to make them for, but just not to spread the recipe around town. Haha! Gotta keep the business going, you know. And our customers love our brownies.
Anyways, I led my first cooking class and had so much fun doing it. Dolla meticulously wrote down all of the instructions and played with Jason and Luka while we waited for the cocoa yumminess to to rise to perfection. I wrote John 3:16 at the bottom of his recipe in hopes that he would begin to gather glimpses of His Creator.

So nobody came to our little gathering, but come to think of it, God answered my prayer in His own unique way. We had a good time and He was glorified.

A handmade homemade Baleada. Oh my taste buds...

Luka helped...licking any chocolate he possibly could.
And let's linger on the position of his fingers, shall we? They reach over that counter now. Scary predicament.

The "Chefs"

Oh yummm.

What's it's really all about.

Birthday Bow Out

2010-08-14T22:07:00.000-07:00

Remember my mention of the Birthday Marathon? Well my birthday is the last one of this season's string of birthdays and so we have ended with a big bang. In case you forgot my fascination for my birthday, allow me to refresh your memory. It's ridiculous. I know. But I can't apologize because it's true and that is that. I hope that I will forever have that giddy feeling when I wake up on the morning of my birthday, that it will be a grand day. *

I'm so spoiled rotten by my husband and the Wee that it's near being considered a crime. Here is a taste of what my 26th birthday was like:

I woke up to find that Jason was gone and that Luka had become a ninja and crawled out of bed without waking me up and was roaming around the house. I quickly assessed the state of the house and was surprised to note that nothing was out of place or otherwise destroyed. Luka's first present for me. I played with him and waited around for a little while for Jason to return from his mysterious absence, waited some more and then gave up and started prepping for breakfast. I was going to make blackberry waffles. I had only gotten as far as sifting the flour when Jason showed up with a "Happy Birthday!" and a bag full of breakfast and two iced mochas. Wheeeee! We sat down to eat our delicious breakfast burritos and Jason announced that this was the extent of his cooking abilities (he ~~won't~~ can't cook). I laughed and enjoyed it just as much as if he would have cooked it himself.
After breakfast Jason made me hide inside the house while he set up Luka's gift to me on the porch. He gave me a beautiful purple plant! So pretty!
He then informed me that I was to show up at the internet café at 12:15 with Luka and everything that Luka would need for the rest of the day. Hmmm....ok then. Imagine the wheels turning in my head trying to figure out what was next. I never would have guessed what was coming...
We showed up at the café and what did I find? Jason had set up the table and placed small plates of nuts at each place setting. He then proceeded to bring plate after lovely plate of an assortment of tapas (fancy finger foods) set out very artistically and topped off with tropical flowers. Nuts, my favorite cheeses, fruits, crackers and smoothies. It was delicious! The kids that live by the cafe had seen him set everything up and their heads kept popping up around the windows trying to see how our date progressed. We shared the fare with them, of course and they were very sweet and gave me wishes of a happy day.
Jason had arranged for Luka to be kept by a babysitter for the rest of the day, giving me a chance to do whatever I wanted. Whatever I wanted? What is this concept??? I had forgotten it existed. The truth is, I had no idea what to do with myself and so I simply relaxed at the house, gave myself a manicure and pedicure, talked with friends and family and read the dozens of well wishes that I received from loved ones on facebook (and responded to each one...I figure, if someone took the time to love on me, the least I can do is love on them back). It was bliss.
My final instruction for the day was to be ready at 6:20. So I curled my hair and dressed up for fun's sake and was ready more like at 6:26. What? I am Honduran after all...the land of the late. Six minutes late is not that bad. Trust me.
Jason took me to our favorite little restaurant, La Fogata, which some good friends of ours own, and we ate and talked on a private little terrace that is on the second floor of their hotel. So cozy and tucked away. So fun.
As we went back down to the restaurant to pay and say goodbye to our friends, Patricia, the owner surprised me and brought out a big cake that she had made while we ate our dinner. It was delicious and we sat and talked with them for another hour, the whole time glancing nervously at our watches (well, Jason's watch because I don't own one and don't want to own one...Honduran, remember?) knowing that we were late, waaay late for picking Luka up from the babysitter. We finally pulled ourselves away to get him. The sitter was nice but looked about ready to drop, which Luka did on the short ride home.

The day was bliss. It was fun and I was surrounded by love and a deep sense that I am truly, deeply blessed by God. I really couldn't ask for more. Well, one of these would be nice, but that is beside the point. Thank you God for a beautiful life, and thank you friends and family who have given me your love. A happy birthday, indeed.

Oh the burst of flavors!

Sigh...what a romantic man. XOXOX

I know, I had no makeup on. Don't judge!

A man got his car stuck in front of our driveway and there was no one else around to help him out, so I donned my super rain boots on and pushed him out. This was the result.

Opening my present. Aaaaand could my mouth be any bigger? It almost looks like the The Rolling Stones icon.

I can't tell you what my present is because it is a secret...that will be revealed in due time. But it makes me very happy.

Felipe and Patricia at La Fogata. Love them! And their food. It's incredible. If you ever come visit us, we will surely go there.

It may look funny, but it was delicious! M.m.mm.

* Birthday fact: It always, always, for as far back as I can remember, rains on my birthday. No matter what country I am in or what season it is in that country, it will always rain. It may be a drizzle, it may be a downpour, but the sky breaks down. Why so sad sky? It's a happy day!

A Wee Bit Soapy

2010-08-09T11:36:00.000-07:00

Luka discovered Jason washing our car and decided to lend a sudsy hand. He toddled over to the bucket, scooped out the suds and babbled away at Jason while he "helped." When I came onto this scene my heart melted to about the consistency of the water pouring out of the hose. How do you go so fast from cooing baby to helping Dad wash the car? I don't get it and I don't like it but I'll take it....since I have to. But only because I have to. Hmph.

Well. Ok. I guess it is nice to not have to carry him all of the time...or make all of that special mushy baby food every day. And it's pretty darn cute when he runs up to me with a huge grin and my flip flops in his grimy little fist wanting to make sure my feet are cared for. But he grows too fast. Siiiiigh....

Smear smear smearsmear

He made sure the car didn't roll away.

Is this right Dad?

Don't you worry Momma. I mean business. This car will be clean.

Mah two handsomes.
= )

Rise and Shine

2010-08-06T20:58:00.000-07:00

If you care to know what a typical morning looks like for us, here is a little peek. The only untypical aspect of this particular morning was that Jason was asleep for all of the events that take place in the pictures. On a true typical morning, one where Luka wakes up earlier than he should for decency's sake, Jason gets up to get him and plays with him until I get up. We have learned that this arrangement makes for a much, much happier version of me for the remainder of the day. The other unspoken arrangement we have is that if Luka wakes up during the night or even wee hours of the morning, I am the one to get up and coax him back into dreamy land. This arrangement makes for a much much happier version of Jason for the next day. We like it that way. It works for us.

Bananas to tide him over while I make his breakfast. He loves bananas! Can't you tell?

I love it when he stuffs his cheeks

It's all gone ma! I need more.

Wait, what's this?

Cherios??? What happened to the bananas?!?! (I had no bananas left)

I will put this Cherio in my mouth, but have you know that I am none too happy about it (he ate them all)

Mean while, I cook his breakfast. Whole organic oats, chopped apple, water, raw sugar, cinnamon, some bubbling action and viola. Delicious wholesome breakfast.

He drinks some juice.

Then he plays with his juice

Finally, breakfast. Who needs a spoon when fingers work so well?
We sing a prayer of thanks to God for blessing our lives with food. "Por este pan, por este don...."

Thanks mama. I like it.

On to our breakfast. Jason doesn't like a browned omelet, so I cook it on the lowest heat possible. I like putting green onions, finely chopped bell pepper, some turkey and a sprinkle of cheese in it right before I do the flip.

Ah yes. Just right.

Good morning!
(or Mahnen!)

Starving Mute

2010-08-04T21:58:00.001-07:00

Wellp. I'm finally on the mend from ~~feeling like I should curl up and die~~ strep throat. It has been a long, agonizing week but I am thankful for six things:

A caring husband who believed me when I cried "It hurts!"
A perceptive 1 year old who would come into my room, climb up on my bed and be content to simply cuddle and smile at me.
Antibiotics.
Directors who gift me throat lozenges.
A baby sitter who cared for the Wee One while I laid in bed wishing I didn't have to lay in bed and feel like death.
The ability to eat and drink again...and feel almost normalbutthatwouldbesevenandIsaidsix.

For three days I ate and drank almost nothing. Swallowing was torture. On the second day I cried through forcing myself to drink three cups of tea throughout the day just to stay hydrated. I was so hungry, and I still had to make food for Jason and Luka, but I couldn't eat one bite of it. Every time I opened the fridge I squelched the urge to scarf something down, anything. Or to even just have a glass of water. Who knew drinking water could hurt so much?

The most awkward part of all was not being able to speak. Yes. Speaking hurt. A lot. And so I didn't. Luka and I got along just fine. I just just grunted and pointed and he responded perfectly, probably wondering what took me so long to learn his language, for goodness sake. With big people, grunting and pointing awarded me only funny looks and less cooperation. Imagine that. After a whole day of silence between Jason and me (in which he could not shake the feeling that I was mad at him. Hah! Poor guy) we both sat on the bed, each on a computer clacking away at e-mails and whatnot. I signed into my skype account and started texting him all of the things I had wanted to say that day. Finally we could talk! I was half hoping he would forget I was in the room and text me back so that I could laugh at him, but he's too good for me. He just responded out loud. Boo. = ]

Now I am better. My throat is less sore and I have had three meals today and was able to chug down a full glass of water all at once. Life is good. And so is God for healing me. Thank you to everyone who prayed for me! You all fill my heart with love and joy.

The pictures I am posting tonight have nothing to do with my being sick, but everything to do with taking advantage of a team-less evening a week or so ago and going to the beach with great friends for a sunset picnic. It was lovely. Just lovely. Why don't we do beautiful things like these more often? But that night, at least, we did.

The Papas

Fanny and Me. She's my pal

Fun Erin

Happy Heather

Gettin' gritty

We tried doing a piggy-back...

...but it didn't work so well, so this is what you get.

We got to see a little rainbow.

A Wee buddy

A Friendly Weekend

2010-08-01T23:03:00.000-07:00

It is official. I am now a resident of the country we live in. We packed up our car, drove to the Big Capital City and stayed with some dear friends overnight in order that we would make my very "prompt" appointment with Immigration the following morning.

Derrik and Julie. The couple that we stayed with are very good friends of ours and here is our story: Once upon the time when Julie and I wore pigtails and hopped down the almond tree path to school, we met in first grade. Probably before that, really, but we shared first grade together. She was one of my favorite friends because she was always so kind and sweet. My favor of her had nothing to do with the fact that she and her sisters had a huge, real, life size doll house behind their home filled with dolls and toys as far as my little eyes could see, or that they had an electric toy car, the first one I had ever seen (Julie would let me drive it too, that's the kind of awesome friend she was). That had nothing to do with my favor. Nope, nope. We were tight. We were friends. And we were gonna be friends forever.

Except then we had to move away. Far, far away. To a different continent even. Not that it mattered much that I was the one moving away, because Julie and her family moved away also, and we were separated even further than before. Our lives were over, it seemed. But on that glorious day when Julie's mom sent my Momma a letter, my mom announced that there was something in the envelope for me, too. It was a picture! Drawn by the cute hand of none other than Julie. I raced to get my drawing gear and carefully drew my own picture, folded it "neatly" and then probably badgered my mom for several days to write her friend back (which she was obviously going to do anyway) so that I could send my picture to my long lost friend. And that was all it took. From then on we became the best of pen pals you ever saw. Sometimes we even wrote two letters a week. We wrote to each other through the trials of caring for our first pets, we wrote each other our first cursive letters (boy those are hard to read!), we wrote about our countries, our hobbies, we sent each other stickers, photographs, secrets, she wrote her heart out about her mother's cancer, I shared about the loss of my rabbit (does not compare at all). We bragged about our growing skills, our grades, our grand accomplishments. We shared our beliefs and thoughts about our faith in God. And then we grew up. After about age sixteen, the amount of letters dwindled and eventually just disappeared. I don't know if either of us really know why, but the letters just stopped. I could suggest a thousand different reasons why it happened, but the truth is I simply don't know. Maybe we were just too old. Maybe there was so much going on in our lives (school, boys, clothes, music, outings...) that it seemed like a letter wouldn't do much justice to describing ourselves anymore. Maybe we had different close friends....So many maybes. It doesn't really matter. After ten faithful years of writing, the letters ceased to be written and we moved on with our lives.

When I was on my way to college, my mom handed me a sticky note with an address she had gotten from Julie's Mom of where Julie was going to college...something about she was studying nursing. I got excited at the prospect of getting in touch with her, but in the process of moving and discovering the wonders of collegiate life the sticky note stuck itself to something that walked off and was nowhere to be found. I did not forget though. I looked her up. For about four years I name searched her on google, myspace, facebook, and hifive. I looked up her sisters, her parents, anyone I thought might have contact with her and every time came up with nothing. Then, at the end of 2008 I got an e-mail. From Julie! She had heard from her her sister that I was a friend of a mutual friend on facebook and that she should join and look me up. At first I had no idea who the girl on facebook was that had added me. Her name was not familiar and her profile picture was too obscure to make out. In her e-mail she signed with her middle name and I realized she had married and changed her last name and the sun shone through the clouds and I shouted with joy because we had finally found each other. And the most bizarre part of all? We are living in the SAME country. One that neither one of us had ever lived in before. She lives in the capital and I live on the southern coast, but visits are possible and we enjoy them every time. We both confessed that we kept each others' letters and that one of our favorite and fondest memories of our childhood was our unwavering correspondence. Thanks Julie, for those ten awesome years and for always hosting us so kindly when we come for a visit.

Now. The other part of our weekend is that we have some other great friends that live near the Big Capital City who have two little boys, one whom is slightly older than Luka, who we met for lunch at ~~McJunk~~ McDonalds after my Immigration appointment. Being that we do not have any fast food joints where we live, Luka had his first play pen/happy meal experience, and as most kids do, he loved it. His favorite part was the ketchup cup. He drank it down, and then sucked as much of the sauce as he could off of the cup. If we would have let him, he would have eaten the cup as well. It was so much fun to watch our boys run around together and to catch up on life happenings. Thank you Redcay family for the fun and for Luka's happy meal!

p.s. Julie's husband Derrik and Jason have hit it off nicely, which adds to our delight, and Julie's baby girl Emma and Luka seem tolerant of each other which adds even more to our fun. = ]

The buddies, Luka and Tito

Two thumbs up on the ketchup!

Ah yes. Success.

Strep.

2010-07-28T11:24:00.000-07:00

I am in sweltering noon heat and I am cold. Sometimes shivering and always tugging at the sheets around me. My head feels like it is a large rock that wants to fall over anywhere I am for a rest. My eyes feel like they need to be removed and there must have been dozens of butterflies that hatched out of their cocoons in my stomach overnight. My skin wants contact with absolutely nothing, but if appeased, I get old. All I want is some fruit and my Mamma to stroke my hair and tell me she'll take care of me. Yes. I have strep. It has been going around slowly. I thought I had escaped the beast, since all of the people I know that have gotten it have been over it for a little while now. But last night I knew. I was getting sick and it was coming fast and it was going to be bad.

Jason has been awesome. This morning he had to go work the café and suggested I take Luka to a nanny and get some meds from the pharmacy. The problem with that plan is it meant i had to make breakfast for Luka, feed, him, change him and lift him. A lot. I tried and failed and all it took was a phone call and Jason got someone else to run the café so that he could take care of Luka. These are the moments in life that it would be nice to have family close by to call on for help. Welp. I guess that is one of the sacrifices we face as missionaries.

I know I'll get better, but please pray for me because we have our last team coming in on Friday and there is a lot of prep work that I am a part of and I am supposed to be heading up the kitchen for when they are here. Strep for dessert, anyone?

A Wee Kicker

2010-07-23T23:31:00.000-07:00

Luka likes to play with balls. All day long. Fine by me, as long as he's happy. Ask me again in 10 years when I need him to take out the trash and he "forgets" because he was kicking the ball around if it's still fine by me and well...I'll cross that bridge when I hesitantly get to it. But for now, enjoy this treat:

A slight correction: The video says it was "directed by Jason Smith" but this is not so. 100% made by yours truly with no desire to go to all of the trouble it would be to fix it. But if I could add Best Supporting Husband, his name would be under that title. = )

Also, the blog cuts off the right section of the video, so if you want the full view version, click here.

Birthday Central

2010-07-23T09:35:00.000-07:00

There are many, many birthdays in the Thompson family right around now. To help celebrate, I have tweaked "Happy Birthday" just a tad....you know, with a more personalized ring to it.

For Steve, whose life we celebrated yesterday:

"Happy birthday to a Pest
who thinks he's the best.
You think you're so funny,
and the truth is you are."

For Dave, whose life we celebrate today:

"Happy birthday to Dave
who knows how to save.
You would think he is stingy,
but he gives it away.

Ha ha! I love you guys and thank God for the Kingdom devoted men you have become. I really couldn't ask for better brothers. All four of my brothers have been one of the few constant joys of my life. Los quiero mucho Cheles! Feliz cumpleaños!!!

Try, try, fail.

2010-07-21T20:56:00.000-07:00

I tried to post tonight, but I have nothing. No pictures, no stories, no thoughts, no energy. I'm crashing and I'm crashing hard from all of the activities of the year and am sorry but will have to leave this sorry little blog at that. Worry not. This is temporary. "It'll pass soon enough, and most likely sooner than it should, no doubt." And if you can be the first person to tell me what movie that line comes from, I'll call you and we can have a fun little chat, you and I (email me your number to catrachela AT yahoo DOT com).

Girlie Day

2010-07-19T12:48:00.000-07:00

Was it really only a week ago? It feels like ages ago in my weary mind and body, but with most people gone for a few days, we, the girls of ATC summer 2010 had a blissful girls day out. I had almost forgotten what that term even meant. Being that I don't have many close girlie friends here, I haven't had many girls days out since we moved here. Especially not since Luka decided to join our world. So we dropped the Wee off at a trusted friend's house, and fled to a nearby hotel and pool to laze the afternoon away. We kicked up our painted toes on the lounge chairs, sipped on some fruity drinks, and gloried in the peace. Several toucans decided to sing their wistful song to us throughout the day and show off their heavy bright beaks.
While the three interns (Christine, Erin, and Heather) chose to bask in the sun and dip in the pool, Joy and I opted to sit in the shade of the red table umbrella and snicker at the interns' conversations and different reactions to the lush beauty around us. When I say different, I mean different. Here are a few examples:

Erin: Guys, this is the best day I have had in Costa Rica. I mean, a POOL! And the suuun. LOOK! It hasn't even been ten minutes and I already have a tan line. This is awesome. (all this said with a beaming smile, dramatic hand motions, big black sunglasses, long flowing blond hair, and carefully pedicured toes)

Heather: Do you think it would make the owners mad if I did a bomb jump in tha pool? And look at ma feet! I just scrubbed em on the pool floor. They all smooth now. All you need is some good concrete to make your heels smooth. (all this said with a heavy southern accent, bright white smile and energetic posture)

Christine: I feel so relaxed. Thank you God for this sun and this day. I needed this. Isn't God awesome to bless us like this? (all this said with a sweet, semi girlish, semi laid back, relaxed expression)

Joy and I have decided we could publish a smashing successful book by just writing verbatim what these girls say and do. The differences between them are a hilarity to sit back and watch. Popcorn, anyone?

I am tired. So, so tired. But I am grateful that in the midst of all of the busy chaos going on around us, we were able to break away for a small time to rest and laugh.

The view gave us fair warning that our sunny bliss was about to be a curl up and read time

Party's over

Don't cry over spilled...

2010-07-13T12:51:00.000-07:00

...vinegar? So far Luka has made huge messes out of a FULL bottle of olive oil, a carton of 18 eggs, at least two whole rolls of toilet paper (and he's well into his 3rd) torn up bags of tea, sticking his hands down his dirty diaper, finger nail polish, and the truth is...more than I even want to remember...And now? Yes now. He has added a full bottle of ~~very expensive delicious tasting~~ balsamic vinegar to his mess list. I cannot for the life of me remember where we got that vinegar, other than to remember that someone gave it to us. I cherished it. I rationed it. And now it's gone...down the drain after being sopped up with a towel, washed down by a rag, scooted across under the shelf it seeped under, and scrubbed some more. Jason came home minutes after it happened and said while walking towards the kitchen, "Dinner smells awesome." It was the vinegar. Yes, it was so awesome that it smelled heavenly. It was. Was. Sigh.

What Ma? It's just stinky 'ole vinegar?

And in other news, the morning I was going to take Luka to the local clinic to get his 1 year and three months vaccines, he woke up in such a "cheerful" mood that I canceled my plans. He was teething and he was grumpy, and there was no way I was going to subject him to five horrible shots. Well, apparently, there was a way. And this is how it went:

A few days earlier I had called the clinic to make an appointment for the shots. The man that answered assured me that I needed no appointment and simply needed to show up. I never said my name. I never said Luka's name. He recognized my voice (sound like we live in a small town?) and proceeded to tell the nurse man that Luka needed his vaccines. So, the morning that I was in no way going to take Luka to the clinic, the clinic came to me. We were enjoying a pleasant breakfast on our porch, when the nurse man showed up, on his motorcycle no less, with a cooler full of shots. He said, "Is this Luka's house?" My heart sank at the sight of him for Luka's poor little sake. There was no escaping the shots now.

Just another day in the jungle, folks...where nurses show up at your doorstep, uninvited, to administer pain and terror in Wee little Ones.

After the first shot, it took me, the nurse and Jason to hold Luka down.

Awww. Look at the tears...poor little guy. = (

Point and shoot...well, sort of.

2010-07-09T19:12:00.001-07:00

I have been trying my hand at Photography. The confession I have to make is that I know absolutely nothing about what I am doing, as far as what all of the bells and whistles are on my camera. Some gracious, real photographers have tried to give me some pointers, and while I smile and pretend I have total comprehension of what they're saying and and that I understand what an ISO something something is, all I really know is to point and shoot. I look for an interesting angle, one that attempts to capture the real story, and click. A little bit of tweaking with iphoto and viola! A picture. Here are some bits and pieces of three different shoots I have done.

Tready and Rebbeca's Engagement

The Carty Family at their Fun and Best

Tready and Becca Become One

Jason took this picture. It's one of my favorites!

e

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Milliscreaming Sleep

2010-07-04T10:56:00.000-07:00

I'm tired. Bone tired. Sometimes I look over my blog and realize that based on what I post, it may seem to you that we spend most of our time at waterfalls, beaches, pools, zip lines, restaurants...you know. Playing.
Allow me to set the record straight. I post about such things simply because during those few occasions we happen to have a camera and time to snap a few shots. Oh, we work. We work hard. Granted, there are some months that are slow, but that is only because it rains every minute of every day, discouraging much productive activity. This is not one of those months. No indeed. We are here to serve people and serve them well and we thank God for that opportunity. Over the past two months we have been hosting people at the Refuge back to back, well, overlapping, actually, and I have been overseeing the kitchen. Not a very daunting task right? Unless you factor in that we have no stable electricity, which means that we have no refrigeration, which means that all of the perishables must be purchased every day, which means that I have to go to the hot grocery store almost every day, which means that I have to drag Luka there with me too, which means that the whole time we're there he'll be begging for one of the balls in the large ball bin, which means that I'll hand one to him, which means that he'll be throwing it all over the store, which means that I'll be re-stacking things on the shelves, which means that I'll leave the store red faced and embarrassed hoping that please please Lord don't let me forget anything because I don't want to do that again, even though I know I'll have to go again tomorrow but please, no more of that today. And are we REALLY hoping to have another child? Or two? Please Don't let them be twins Lord! Because if they are, I quit, my job, my calling, motherhood and life in general.

I have also been spending the night on the mountain a lot lately, you know, just to make some logistics easier and to keeps things organized as much as possible. This was working out great. Until last night. Oooooh, last night. Sigh. A team came in last night and brought children with them. One of the little girls is two and needed a pack-n-play to sleep in. Being that our pack-n-play was already on the mountain for Luka, I let the Refuge borrow it for the little girl to sleep in. I knew I was going to be spending the night last night because I was cooking dinner for 27 people. I knew our sleeping arrangements were maxed out and that the only place for us to sleep was on a mattress on one of the bunk room floors. I thought Luka would just lay down like a perfect child and sleep peacefully. Exactly what was I thinking? Not only was Luka completely ecstatic about the fact that he got to sleep in a big bed with Momma all night, every time the girl in the bed next to us turned a page to her brightly clip lit book did he jump up and giggle. It. Took. Forever. For him to fall asleep. He did though, eventually. And so did I. Blissfully. Deeply. And then? My eyes popped open. What is this? Many, many, many of those things you see in that picture up there joined us in our bed. All night. All over us. Yeah.

Luka woke up for good at 5:37 a.m.

Yeah.

He also screamed at me and the kitchen staff for 40 minutes straight while we cooked breakfast for 24 people.

Yes.

Bone tired.

Grill Face

2010-07-02T10:33:00.000-07:00

The Wee One has taken it upon himself to scare me to death. I think that has become his newest trick. Once upon the day that Jason was away on a trip and Luka and I were holding down the fort, the Wee began throwing a fit on no substantial foundation. As is our custom on such occasions, I took him to his room, placed him in his crib, and shut the door, giving him a minute to cool down so that we could address the tantrum in a more civilized fashion. During that minute, his wailing stopped abruptly, then came back full force but with a different tone. A very, very different tone. Wondering what had happened, I tried poking my head into his room only to find something blocking the door...it was Luka. Whattt??!?! My heart stopped and my mind spun trying to piece together what had happened.

Luka had some strange lines on his forehead.
He was out of the crib so he obviously got out somehow.
There was a round wet spot on the mat close to his crib
His head was sweaty from crying...

He fell out and hit forehead first! You can imagine my dismay and my probing fingers checking to see if anything was broken or if he had any other injuries. He screamed for a while. Cried pitifully for another while. Clung to me for most of the morning, took a nap, clung a little more, then pretty much bounced back into normal Wee mode, happy and kicking a ball around. With lines on his face, of course. Perfectly centered on his forehead. Perfectly vertical lines. Perfectly healthy. Praise God! All of the "could haves" make me shudder, but we are grateful that he got up with no more than a scratch and a bruise. I've been observing the Wee carefully in his crib since the fall. He hasn't attempted any more escapes. Any ideas why?

I made the mistake of asking Luka, "How's your grill?" and commenting on how Luka's forehead resembles the grill of a car, or even just a plain grill. Well. Unfortunately. It stuck. Everyone calls him Grill-Face now. The poor Wee! The lines are fading and soon all will be well with the world and the whole episode forgotten....

This is the mat of impact. Hence the lines on his forehead.

And in other news, Luka is learning to feed himself with utensils now. He insists.

Repeat after me...

2010-06-25T09:43:00.001-07:00

"Sarah is the best." Again. "Sarah is the best."

Why yes, thank you. Jason came in late from a trip the night before father's day, crashed on the bed and slept heavy as an elephant through the early morning, giving me a chance to sneak around the kitchen quietly while making him a gourmet breakfast. See?
And that is why I am the best. Well. At least for making father's day breakfast-in-bed. Luka stirred at some point, waddled around the kitchen while I put the finishing touches on Jason's tray, begged for a waffle to ~~crumble all over the floor~~ munch on, and then proudly followed me into our room to present our offering of love and admiration. Feliz dia Papá!!!

Hangover?

2010-06-22T11:24:00.000-07:00

Taka experienced her first hangover today. I went out on the porch one afternoon and found her in this state. Haha!

This generation of Tiki and Taka aren't as friendly as the past one. They are slooooooooowly getting used to us, but tend to dash into their tunnel as soon as they see any movement. The one time we decided to take the tunnel out in hopes that their being exposed would take away their escape rout, making them like us more, was an epic fail. That was they day (two days after Jason and Luka had gifted me the birds) that Tiki frantically looked for a way out...and found it. He squeezed through an area of the bamboo sticks that was wider than the rest and found his freedom. The catch? Taka was too fat to fit through and was left behind...sulking and abandoned. I had a feeling she was none too happy about it, taking into account her silent, miffed posture. Jason was livid. Livid. We had only had the birds for two days and now one was gone. I reminded him that they are called "African Love Birds" for a reason, and that although Taka might be mad at Tiki for leaving her behind, he would most likely show up again, with his head tucked under his wing in shame at leaving her behind. Sure enough, at 4:42 a.m. no less, I heard Taka screeching out her reprimands and Tiki responding from a distance....but somewhere in the yard, at least. I watched him several times that morning flying around, trying to figure out how to return without being pounced on. I figured he would be completely repentant of his folly with the first growl of his stomach (as most men are, no?) and would eventually come back looking for food. And so I set up a trap. Another small cage with a mound of seeds, the door propped open by a rolled up piece of paper, with a string attached and pulled all the way across the porch, through the window, behind the bamboo blind, where observation would not be detected. Sure enough, he came back hungry, but in his desperation of trying to peck at the seeds dangling off of the sides of the big cage, he failed to see the mound of seeds in the little cage. At this point, Jason and I were switching posts, him at home, me at the café, and so he took over our little scheme. He put the little cage down on the ground with a trail of seed leading up to a ramp, leading into the cage. Tiki fell for it, Jason pulled my super string, and we had him back. Once restored to his home, I noted with interest that Taka preened and fed herself for the remainder of the day, without a glance in Tiki's direction.

The moment after the camera clicked.

Back in the tunnel, at a safe distance.

A Wee bit extreme

2010-06-19T15:18:00.001-07:00

Luka has taken puddle jumping to a new level. To give the poor rained in boy a break from the indoors before it starts raining again, I put his rain boots on him and watched adoringly as he discovered the fun of causing little splashes in a little puddle. Babies are so sweet, aren't they? So cute and cuddly and snuggly and clea....whoa! Very quickly my dreamy bubble popped when I my ears picked up on the little splishes turning into large splashes. Luka decided that little puddles are for babies. But not for Wees! He was deep into the mac daddy of puddles. The forbidden puddle. I dashed inside to get the camera and somehow kept it still enough through my laughing to capture the following fun:

Whoa! That was close!

Ok. I can do this.

Uhh...uuuuuuh...

Whuaaapppshshshs!

Maaaah?!

Lets recap this one again. The essence of capturing a "moment."

wondering...

2010-06-18T21:15:00.000-07:00

Sooo. I've been wondering: Who is the person that is reading my blog all the way from South Africa? Hum? Huh? More importantly, who is it that I might know that is, oh my goodness, actually AT the games?!?! This information is vital, so please reveal yourself in the comment box. I'm wondering so hard that I even included a picture of my wondering.

Where has she gone, you say?

2010-06-17T22:31:00.000-07:00

Oh. Were you coming here expecting some witty, informative, or even entertaining masterpiece of a post? Whelll. I am sorry to disappoint you. The boring truth is...I am tired to the very marrow of my bones. And instead of snoozing, I find myself here trying to write what I know I should but can't make myself think deeply enough to do. Yaaaaawn...
Summing it all up:

* Honduras lost. Unlike most of my fair weathered friends on silly facebook, I still love them and am proud of them for participating in none other than THE World Cup. I'll see you at 12:30 sharp on Monday, mi bello pais, wearing your colors and cheering you on again, just like I did Wednesday at 5:30 a.m. (ok, maybe I hit snooze and it was more like 5:47 a.m. but I'm not confirming that comment).

* Luka picked up a brand new unopened bottle of highly priced olive oil. Within the seconds it took me to react and reach for him, he dropped the bottle, which shattered all over the kitchen floor and left a lake of oil oozing every which way. After securing Luka's feet well away from the glass, we stared at the mess trying to figure out the best way to attempt cleaning it and....the lights went out........yeah. Did I say tired to the marrow of my bones? Oh. Maybe I really meant that every cell in my body is on the verge of retiring.

* The GOP girls are leaving in two days and I am already feeling sadness at the thought of their absence. They are incredible girls! So much fun!

* Father's day is coming up and I am attempting the coordination of a special treat for the amazing (and handsome) father of my Wee One.

* Dad, wish I could make you a gourmet breakfast in bed on Sunday!

* There. I typed something. Now come the pictures.

I told you I might paint my toes with the flag. And I did.

A Wee Helper

Why did we lose, Momma?

Lets go play!

Let's see....who should I pass it to?

Hey baby!

How's the do?

Practicing his passes

Good job buddy!

Being neighborly .
Hey Nacho!

This thing won't go Ma.

Push faster Nacho!

Not too happy about our loss

Off to new beginnings...and games.

Waka Waka, eh! eh!

2010-06-14T12:17:00.000-07:00

Yes. If the sound of the incessant horns are welcome to your ears, if the rumbling of the stadium under your feet, if the excitement runs through your very veins, quickening your pulse, and your heart swells with pride because your country is taking part, then you know what Waka Waka comes from....THE WORLD CUP!!!!! The games have begun. And on Wednesday? Honduras plaaaaays!!!! For the first time in 28 years in the cup. Now that, has meaning. Monumental meaning! I may even have to engage in some face painting...or at least my toes. Honduras. Is. Playing. The. World. Cup.

And you know what else? They play the last game of the schedule, too. The phrase "They save the best for last" just took on a new meaning. VAMOS CATRACHOOOOS!!!!! Waka Waka, Eh! Eh!

Hello. Goodbye.

2010-06-13T16:48:00.000-07:00

I will be on the mountain tonight without the Wee One (FREEEEEE!!!!!!!) who will be under the awesome care of his larger photocopy. Mah boys get some one on one time and I wish I could be a fly on the wall to watch that progression, but I wouldn't trade one break night to be a fly. No sirree. I'll remain my freshly self manicured self and sleep sound,y. G'night!

Four years of....

2010-06-10T10:37:00.000-07:00

....marriage. I can't say four years of bliss, because if you are married you would immediately call me out on my bluff. And if you are not married, but hoping you someday you will be, you can't say nobody told you how it really is, because marriage, at least from my most likely flawed perspective, is some of the following: realizing the deepest ugly parts of your heart that you didn't even know existed...and they will reveal themselves in due time. Realizing that hey, you really are a self-centered being that wants things to be or go a certain way, and when you add another person to your neat little mix who has his/her own ideas of how things should be or go, whell! That's just rude. Learning that the ways you want your spouse to show love to you may not be the way your spouse shows love. Learning how your beloved expresses love so that when your perfect pair expresses his or herself, you can see it, receive it and appreciate it. Learning to express your own love to your loved one in a way the he or she receives love, while still holding true to yourself and expressing yourself naturally. How about a mix of both, I say? Staring at dirty underwear rumpled on the floor and choosing to turn your flared nostrils the other way and not take offense...or sometimes even put your cute little ole' self aside and stoop low to pick up said dirty underwear off the floor, and maybe even wash it, dry it, fold it, and put it back neatly in your beloved's drawer, all the while knowing you will probably see it dirty and rumpled on the floor again. Learning that you really, really have no idea how to c-o-m-m-u-n-i-c-a-t-e what you feel and think in a way that is not offensive or taken totally differently than what you really think and feel. Sigh.
Despair not unmarried ones! There is another quality to marriage that you can also not say no one told you about: The fact that you are loved. The belief that no matter what, through thick and thin, opting out is not an option. As hard as it is to haggle out your differences, at the end of the day, and even sometimes late into the night, you are forgiven and still loved. There are still arms that want to hold you. There are still eyes that enjoy seeing you. There is still a heart that skips a beat when thinking of you.

Jason. I. Love. You. Plain and simple. Thank you for sharing these past four years with me. Our marriage is a tapestry. Some of the threads are hard to push through, but it is the brightly colored ones, the ones that have taken care, skill and a lot of love that make the final picture a beautiful one. Happy anniversary!

I'm ba-aaack

2010-06-06T15:16:00.000-07:00

Well how do you do? I'm fine thank you. Back home very tired but with a heart full of fresh new and endearing memories and some good laughs. This year's group of GOP girls are amazing! All of them have been amazing, (and no, that is not a disclaimer, it's true) but spending more time with these girls than with the past groups, I have had a blast. Coming home was bittersweet for me. I am ready for a little break from the Big Kitchen and for some time with my amazing husband, but am sad to end my daily time with the girls. They are having such a blast, and it is fun to watch and be a part of. By far my favorite parts of the week were the moments spent with Ellen. She cracks me up with about every other sentence that spills out of her mouth, and Luka enjoyed her funny antics as well. Our first morning there when Luka woke up and saw that he was playing with Ellen's hair and not mine, he promptly expressed his shock with an ear-splitting wail. Haha. Well, good morning to you too, bud. Well. I am back, and still busy as could be with the week's menus and grocery shopping and such, but hommmme. Sigh.

This path gives you a good workout going up. If my legs aren't stronger for it, I am disappointed. I did huff and puff a little less each time I went up.

Don Lalo's plantation. The small plants in a row are beans, the low trees to the left are coffee, and the patch on the upper right is some sort of squash, with plantains scattered around.

Sweet baby monkey

Emily stacked the tupperware like this herself. Too funny

A "bit" misty

That cat. I once liked him but now I don't. He scratches at my clothes when I cook, romps all over the kitchen shelves, and sleeps on our freshly laundered dish towels. No. No. Sir Cat. Ugh. Shoo.

Emmy and Fanny at breakfast

Helping out with the chores

The girls

Partners in crime. >= )

Sweet Ellen and Christine

A God worthy of praise

If you needed a smile, here is your reason

Little Miss Priss Emily, wearing her momma's new high heels.

The time has come

2010-05-29T09:58:00.001-07:00

Well. Now is the time. I will be cooking up a feast (or feasts) up on the mountain all week with one of my favorite people....Ellen DiMaria, and therefore will not be posting anything this week. I tried to pre-write my posts to have Jason periodically put them on the blog, but alas, time would not permit. I'm still in the whirlwind of getting things ready for the Girls discipleship group that arrived tonight, and I'm sorry to say that I am already tired before it has all even officially begun. Ugh. Pray for me. I need a good ole dose of strength. So, enjoy the following. I'm sorry. I know it may not be 100% appropriate, but I just couldn't resist. It is too funny! THAT BOY!

He picked it out and put it on, while I watched in horror/amazement/stifling giggles.

Ah yes, that's about right.

Ntaaaaah. I love dirty clothesssss

The Wee's journey begins

2010-05-29T09:51:00.000-07:00

Behold, I got the afternoon off and I am taking this time to post. I know, right? Here I have been telling you I would not post, I would not post, and yet you looked anyway, and I posted! Just goes to show how unpredictable even the things predicted can be on this here blog.
The Wee has begun his journey...of wandering. Once upon a time one month ago, I could let Luka play for hours on the porch, an area well controlled of harmful items and in which he knew well his boundaries. We had an arrangement, the Wee and I. He would toddle around the porch, staring at the chickens that clucked by or digging around in the potted plants, while I dashed around between the house and the porch doing the usual house/toy pickups or whatever little house wifey things I do. Always checking on him every few seconds, of course, so don't panic. I never had to worry about him leaving the porch, because he never did. Until once upon a time two weeks ago when things got quiet and I called his name....nothing. I called again....nothing...hmmmm. So I ran outside only to discover that the Wee had disregarded our arrangement and decided his journey of exploration had officially begun. He was all the way across the lawn headed decidedly to the neighbors house and there was nothing to going to stop his plan....not even my "Luuukaaaaaa." Was he really being neighborly? Nope. No. He looked at the neighbor, wobbled right past him without so much as a "badaldadusch" and went straight for the neighbor baby's bright green bounce ball. He promptly picked it up and wobbled back. Passed me without so much as a "madostoow" , dropped the ball and headed down the road, for as far as I would allow him. When I caught up to him and turned him back in the direction of our home, he spun right around me and headed back down the road. Only this time his friend Breiner joined him.

Ah, Wee One. There is no rest for the now weary. I have not stopped following him around since. My poor eyes, and feet and soul....

some like it cold...

2010-05-28T14:11:00.001-07:00

Every once in a while we get one of thooose days. You know. One of those days in a parent's life where if you hear one more "aeaeagh" out of your Wee One you think you might just rather bang your head against a stone wall for hours on end. No matter how many smiles, how many attempts of provoking a giggle, how many "Can you be sweets?", how many games, distracting toys, walks outdoors, goofy faces, silly songs, dancing around like a fool, offering treats, stern faces, "Please stops", "Okay that's enough nows", tickles, bouncing, flouncing tries at making the child happy, you may just maybe get this face in return...many many times. Or perhaps all day long.

God please help me!

Aeagh

ghaaagh!

Eaeaeaeaeaegh

ghuuu

hnughoo

Wuuuuooo

Welcome to a part of my world.

p.s. Christian, who commented on "Luka Leon": Welcome to the blog and thank you for following our journey! Out of sheer curiosity, how did you find this little corner of the www?

In on your level

2010-05-25T22:25:00.000-07:00

Oh the lengths parents will go to to make their kids happy. Or at least confused. Or to try to get a grumpy sleeper to laugh...or at least crack a smile. Or even just neutralize a frown...or something.