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.

Day 2 of the Packout

...and I am tired.

...and I am sad.

...and I am excited for a new adventure to begin.

La Despedida de Abe

Abe class threw a great going away party for Abe and I.  Nearly all of his classmates (27) and most of their moms came to big us farewell.  Unfortunately, I only took these three photos which do no justice to the great afternoon.  The kids gifted Abe a beautifully handcrafted silver belt buckle with an additional belt so that he can use it for many years.  

It was a joy and privilege to know these wonderful Argentine women.  Thanks for all of you kindness and support! 

After the party, Abe brought a few of his best friends to the house for his first pajama party.  He had been talking about it for weeks.  This photo was right before I dropped them off the following morning at a birthday party.  He truly misses his classmates and these great boys.

Our Last Visitor

My sister made a last-minute trip to see us here in Buenos Aires, just in the nick of time.  I love that I get a small vacation when people visit and it is always nice to take a break from our standard routine and experience what the city has to offer. 

Grand Canyon

We made an over night trip to the Grand Canyon while we were in Phoenix with my in-laws.  We had a great time hiking to Oh-Ahh Point.

We stayed in Williams about an hour from the Canyon.  It was such a great little town right on Route 66.  There was a street gun show and a Wild West town replica.  

More photos to come...

Random

• We have a house in Lima and more importantly, it should be ready when we arrive.  Steve has seen it and thinks it will be great for us.    I am a big fan of the location in relation to the temple (2 mi.), school (10 blocks) and SUNSHINE!  
• We are having trouble finding a place for Abe at the school, but are hopeful.  However, the admissions director is not as optimistic.  Think happy thoughts, right?
• Buying a car has turned out to be a much bigger deal than we had anticipated.  I might just save this for a post of it's own.  International moves are tricky.
• The movers will be here bright and early on Monday morning and will drive the truck away on Wed.
• Abe's going away party is today and 4 boys coming over for a slumber party afterwards.
• Organization for the packers is coming together.  
• Only 7 more nights in this house... How has 2.5 years flown by so fast? 
• Man, I will miss this third floor.  We really have spent 80% of our waking hours up here and I love the sunshine from the 3 large windows!

Cristi

The coolest little sister

anyone could ask for

has come to Buenos Aires

for a last-minute visit

before we move.  

and that

MAKES. ME. HAPPY!