Funky Restaurant

Well, it seems that I am on a blogging roll, so there is not need to stop now.  I have loads of photos that need to be blogged because this is the only journal I keep.

I mentioned before that our trip to Cusco was interesting.  We landed, dropped off our bags at the hotel and then asked the guide to take us to a nice restaurant, but one that is also kid-friendly.  We were thinking along the lines of a play place or somewhere that they will give you a cup of crayons.  A place where we wouldn't intereup other diners, but still get a good meal.

They obviously were not on the same page. I wish that you could feel the old worn cushions that engulfed your thighs and the see the look on my mom's face when we walked in.  Classic.

Stuffed animals were everywhere.  They had to move them out of the seats that we were offered.  There was even a strage beanie baby sewn onto the toilet seat cover.  They insisted that the place was pretty new (that could be relative), but everything had seen much better days.

The bar was filled with colorful glass vases, many handblown.

There was even window seating for a nice afternoon.

An huka pipes at the end of the bar. What?  So this is when I began to think that this was not a child's place at all, but more of a get high and have an Alice in Wonderland experience kind of place.  However they did have brochure for children's parties.  

And the beloved check box.  Our bill came nicely nestled in this little box and our change was returned the same way.  What a perfectly strange ending to this perfectly strange dining experience.  

However, they did serve us a decent quinoa soup.

Machu Picchu

Nina and Papa came to visit for the couple of weeks at the end of February.  The whole visit is a little fuzzy because I was on pain meds dealing with a major tooth abscess.  We took a great trip to Machu Picchu.  Most trips have a little something or other unexpected, but this was a trip loaded with gliches.  I think that I might need an return trip.  Time will tell...

As for the ruins, they are more magnificent and breathtaking than any photo can capture.  It was totally worth the trip.

If you are interested in our 4 minute video recapping most of the trip, click here.

First Day of School - March 8, 2011

In an attempt to catch up a bit, I have a few sets of photos to add.

This was Sophia's first day of preschool and Peyton's first day of Kindergarten.  She will start again in August on the American school calendar year.

She managed to stick a small flower up her nose just as I took the picture.

2 months later, she really loves going to school.

I thought that this Kinder would be pretty laid back as it is in the preschool.  But as it turns out,  they are serious and have something to prove. :)  Peyton is learning cursive everyday (I think that 5 is a little young, but it can't hurt, right?) and is really starting to read in spanish.  She brings home 40-60 of homework everyday.  Crazy.  The playdoh was misleading. lol

Petting Zoo

Feb 18, 2011

Sophia was in heaven.  She would pick up a chick, put it in her basket and then tip it just enough that the chick would open it's wings just in time to fall back onto to hay.

Sophia doesn't ever get tired of animals.  This was pure joy on her face. 

Driving the wagon like grandpa in Nauvoo

Abe has had many opporturtunities to ride quads, but this was Peyton's first.  She loved it.  Next time we might need to find her a helmet. 

A special thanks to my friend Ivanna who knows this city inside and out.  She knows where all the gems are hidden throughout the city.

  

Confession

I love living overseas.  I love to see my children learn a new language.  I love access to an International School Private education that I could never afford if we lived in the States.  I love all of the people that we meet from around the world and learning about their life experiences.  I love living in a rent-free house.  I love that the only utility bill I ever see is for the phone.  I love serving the Peruvian people and the real assistance that I can give.

And without pointing out all of the difficulties (all of the benefits come at a hefty price), I miss decorating my own home the most.  I browse DIY home decorating sites and I long for the day when I can really have a house that I love.  One where I never think about the exit date and do not have to ask myself if a purchase is really worth the amount of time that I will be able to enjoy it.

And sadly, I think that I long for this because it just isn't in the cards - maybe ever.  Am I really going to move every 2 years for the rest our working life?  If I had to hedge my bets, my chips would be on yes. And most days that feels exciting and others, it just feels like I left so much behind.  We serve our country because we love it and I wouldn't mind getting to enjoy it someday. :)

Just sayin'.

The Help

I have tried to write a post about this very posts for years, but have never been able to adequately put it into words.

Bloom is a great blog written by women who discuss toddlers and everything else related to the topic.  As the regular contributors are off for a short time on "maternity leave", they have asked one of their sister-in-laws to contribute who is living as an expat in Chile.

Today is Liz's first entry and it obviously struck a chord.  I will put it all into words myself one day, but for now, read this. 

MUST. HAVE. THIS.

When we actually live in a house that we own again one day, I must have this door:

What is not to love? I mean seriously? Original and adds so much character.  

Living with loaned furniture is nice when you have 3 little monsters running around, but when we head back to the States, I never, ever want to see another piece of Queen Anne furniture by Drexel Heritage as long as I live.  Don't get me wrong, it is nice... for my grandma's house.

Yep, I am 30.

My super sweet husband wanted this birthday to be memorable.  We don't normally do much for each other because our birthdays are a few days apart, just as the dust has settled from the holidays.

Steve made this video to play at the wonderful surprise party he threw for me last night.  He hired caterers, created centerpeices of candles, mirrors and fresh flower bouquets for each of the tables outside and managed to draw in a good crowd without me knowing.  He prepared for weeks in advance and paid for everything in cash so that I would not be suspicious.  in the midst of the excitement, I never took any photos, but someone filmed my entrance.

When I celebrated my 20th birthday in Oberlin, Ohio, I never in my wildest dreams thought that this is where we would be.  But if the truth be known, this life and this man are far better than I could have even dreamt of.

And a very happy 33rd birthday to the man who made me feel so special.

I take it all back

every single last snarky comment that I have ever made about The Office.  And yes, there have been quite a few.

We started from the beginning and I just can't get enough.  It gets really good in the 3rd and 4th seasons! Seriously, I laugh just thinking about it.  The key was the character development. What a great comedy!

Santa Maria

We took advantage of the American holiday and and headed to the beach with friends from our expat ward, while all of the Peruvians were at work.  Nearly all of the expats families in our ward either work or serve in the church or embassy.  It truly is a fantastic bunch and a blessing for all of us to have such a great group.

Santa Maria is 45 minutes away and has a lifeguard. I was completely impressed. I am sure that it is mayhem on the weekends during the summer, but we had beach front parking and public restrooms that were decent (in a third world country kind of way).

I left my camera at home so that I had one less thing to juggle, but I am grateful that someone else brought theirs. Maybe next time we should consider taking the photos when we arrive instead of when we are packing out.

Just For the Record

Yesterday really did happen.

All for a little bit of Ace

Scenerio:

• The small wholesale market has your $162 for a year's supply of laundry detergent that they say they have in the backroom.  
• You patiently wait for more than an hour for them to bring it from a neighboring vendor (surprise!) before they refuse to give you a refund 
• They tell you for the 15th time that it is in transit and will be "just one more little minute." 
• You tell them you really have to leave and they need to go get it themselves - instead of sitting there staring at you.  
• Time is up and the kids finish camp in 8 minutes - 10 minutes away.  

What does one do???

Solution:

• Start filling your car with product from the store that equals the promised goods, even if it is in smaller quanity bags while the shopkeeper is waving their arms insisting that you just can't do that.  

Yep, they finally got the point and the Tide equivalent miraculously appears in the arms of the shopkeeper who went to get it themselves while you were ransacking their store. Should have been done 30 minutes sooner.

Man, oh man, you sure do have to have a good sense of humor to survive living in a third world country!

Brought to you proudly by:   Today's Latin American Moment

Super Easy Muffins

15 oz or 3 1/2 cups of this:

plus this:

=

24 super moist and delicious muffins with 86 calories each.

I hear that this is fantastic too:

and has a few less calories than carrot. :)

Try any mix.  They all work.

Thanks Cherilyn!

Happy 2011!

We finished out 2010 with italian sodas, cheese grits, steak (are you at all surprised?), chocolate, games and great company.  It seems like years ago that we were celebrating in Argentina, packing and anticipating our trip around Cape Horn.  It is hard to believe that it was only a year ago and yet, I blinked and 2010 was gone.  

2011 resolutions are posted right here on my screen to look at each and every day.  My reminder to be just a little bit better.  One of those goals includes blogging regularly, so you might just hear from me a little more often. 

Happy New Year!  It really will be a great one!

Today I am grateful for...

Extended Family

Seriously, we are really blessed by each and every person in these photos. That is 28 outside of our nuclear family.  Heavenly Father knew exactly what he was doing when He created families and made them central to his plan for each of us.  Read more here.

235th Birthday Marine Ball

I am grateful for

and all of those who risk their lives for our own individuals freedoms.  

(Half of our Embassy Marine Guard Detachment)

(photo stolen from a friend)

Our table companions Raul and Grace

 Jim and Cherilyn

 Breanna and Cherilyn

Last night we attended the 235th Marine Birthday Ball.  It was a great night with our new friends here in Peru.  This is an annual festivity planned and organized by the Marines themselves.  The keynote speaker was Kevin Hermening, who was the youngest American held in captivity for 444 days in the U.S. Embassy Iran from 1979-1981.  In was an honor to hear his story.

I toted around the beastly camera, forgot to take photos of friends and then stuffed it under the table to spend the last couple of hours dancing.  Even Steve surprised himself and joined in the fun!

Today I am grateful to be a 

Stay-At-Home Mom.

I don't always feel this way and often wonder what it would be like to go to work and if I might be more fulfilled.  I always dreamed of law school and/or business school.  I never imagined that I would be home raising 3 young children.  But right now, there is no where else in the world I would rather be...  and I mean it.  

Now we are off to teach Abe's class how to make his favorite cookies - Snickerdoodles!

Today I am grateful for my 

Health

To Run.

To Walk.

To Bear Children.

To Play.

To Breath.

Happy Birthday Grandpa Rich.

Today 

I am grateful for

God's Beauty.

God's beauty 

in the flowers and the trees.

In the mountains and the rocks.  

In sand.  

In the Faces of His Children.

Rich and Poor.

Healthy and Weak.

Young and Old. 

He Lives.

Choosing Joy

So for the first time in months, I actually feel like blogging.  I thought that I was going to go private, and I still may, but for now I am here... until I figure out how I will proceed.

It is November.  In this house, it is a month of birthdays and gratitude.

So for the entire month, I am going to join many others in the blogging world and record some of the reasons I am THANKFUL.

Today

 I am grateful for 

FREE AGENCY 

and my ability to

 Choose Joy.