Friday, August 31, 2012
Saturday, August 25, 2012
a visit from cheryl and the gang
Today we had a great visit from friends from Leon. Cheryl is a missionary who works with children who have special medical cases. She is who Griffin (Jhoselin's brother) lives with :) Although she has come to visit bringing a kid or two with her, this is the first time the whole group has come. They made a special trip to spend time here in El Crucero with us. I know our kids had a blast and I'm pretty sure hers did too!Plus we got to see the continued miracle that is Griffin. If I hadn't been there when we first found him, I would never ever believe it was the same little boy. He is walking like a champ, and has even started saying a couple words.
Griffin and I
Cheryl with Ruby and Griffin
Jhoselin and her little brother (they finally are looking a little more alike!)
Stefani and Yelka (you can't find many cuter than these two :)
Everyone eating lunch
New friends make for beautiful days.
Saturday, August 18, 2012
the ruby angel
Today I felt helpless. I think it must be what a mother of a little baby feels like when her baby is crying and she just doesn't have the slightest idea what they want. . .
Ruby was so upset today :( She just kept crying and crying and moving around uncomfortably without allowing herself to be consoled. Usually I like to think I am pretty good at communicating with her and knowing what she wants or needs. I may not always be able to make her happy, but at least I feel better knowing why she's upset. Today was different though. She doesn't have a fever. She ate dinner, so she doesn't appear to have a sore throat. She's not constipated, she wasn't rubbing her stomach like she does when it hurts, she couldn't point out anything else to show me that it hurt, I just felt so helpless.
Yes, at times she can throw her fits and tantrums, but this type of an attitude from her was so rare. I just wanted to cry along with her! We just sat in the chair, her burying her head into my chest crying and crying. . . In the end she wanted to get into her bed which she did, and fell asleep almost immediately (also pretty uncharacteristic of her). So I still haven't arrived at any conclusions about why she was acting like that, but at least now she is peacefully sleeping!
I just keep praying she will feel better. She loves church so I would hate to see her not feel up to going tomorrow. please keep her in your prayers too!
Ruby was so upset today :( She just kept crying and crying and moving around uncomfortably without allowing herself to be consoled. Usually I like to think I am pretty good at communicating with her and knowing what she wants or needs. I may not always be able to make her happy, but at least I feel better knowing why she's upset. Today was different though. She doesn't have a fever. She ate dinner, so she doesn't appear to have a sore throat. She's not constipated, she wasn't rubbing her stomach like she does when it hurts, she couldn't point out anything else to show me that it hurt, I just felt so helpless.
Yes, at times she can throw her fits and tantrums, but this type of an attitude from her was so rare. I just wanted to cry along with her! We just sat in the chair, her burying her head into my chest crying and crying. . . In the end she wanted to get into her bed which she did, and fell asleep almost immediately (also pretty uncharacteristic of her). So I still haven't arrived at any conclusions about why she was acting like that, but at least now she is peacefully sleeping!
I just keep praying she will feel better. She loves church so I would hate to see her not feel up to going tomorrow. please keep her in your prayers too!
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
chichicaste
this is it!
pretty gross huh. just imagine all those thorny guys getting stuck in your fingers. . . not fun.
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| Taken from here |
Saturday, August 11, 2012
new experiences
i had two new experiences yesterday. one good, one not so good
first for the not so good. . . chichicaste have you heard of it? Its kind of like a caterpillar, well, not like one. . . it is one. Its a big gross green one. The couple we have found in the yard have been maybe 3-4 inches long and as big around as maybe a penny or a nicke. Ya, so big and gross. But that's not even the worst part!
They have spikey thorns! Kind of like a porcupine, but in a much smaller version. We found out about this unfortunate creature when Solimar in the process of climbing the tree, accidentally grabbed hold of one! OUCH. So her three fingers were filled with these little hair like thorns that BURN. Fortunately with a little chewing gum and some cold water, she came out of it fairly unharmed. I wish I would have taken a picture to share though, if we find another one I will.
second the surprisingly good! Pelibuey Bone Soup. Pelibuey is this unique breed of sheep/goat thing. I guess its essentially a special kind of sheep that has no hair. Anyways, we got one to eat while I was back in the states in June so I had not had the pleasure of trying it. . . But last night I did! Dona Mayra (our cook) made soup out of the bones, and I might have to say it was quite delicious. I was surprised by how much I like the meat (maybe because for whatever odd reason I was expecting it to resemble iguana) but it was good, like beef I guess.
So I guess even after 2 years (this month marks my 2 year anniversary of living in Nicaragua yikes!) there are still an infinite number of things I have not experienced in this dear country.
first for the not so good. . . chichicaste have you heard of it? Its kind of like a caterpillar, well, not like one. . . it is one. Its a big gross green one. The couple we have found in the yard have been maybe 3-4 inches long and as big around as maybe a penny or a nicke. Ya, so big and gross. But that's not even the worst part!
They have spikey thorns! Kind of like a porcupine, but in a much smaller version. We found out about this unfortunate creature when Solimar in the process of climbing the tree, accidentally grabbed hold of one! OUCH. So her three fingers were filled with these little hair like thorns that BURN. Fortunately with a little chewing gum and some cold water, she came out of it fairly unharmed. I wish I would have taken a picture to share though, if we find another one I will.
second the surprisingly good! Pelibuey Bone Soup. Pelibuey is this unique breed of sheep/goat thing. I guess its essentially a special kind of sheep that has no hair. Anyways, we got one to eat while I was back in the states in June so I had not had the pleasure of trying it. . . But last night I did! Dona Mayra (our cook) made soup out of the bones, and I might have to say it was quite delicious. I was surprised by how much I like the meat (maybe because for whatever odd reason I was expecting it to resemble iguana) but it was good, like beef I guess.
So I guess even after 2 years (this month marks my 2 year anniversary of living in Nicaragua yikes!) there are still an infinite number of things I have not experienced in this dear country.
Saturday, August 4, 2012
a beautiful night
Last night was great. I mean really really great.
It wasn't great because we did anything out of the ordinary. It wasn't great because of any special visitors. It was great because it was just us, and everyone was happy :)
As I was taking in the evening, it hit me for the first time- something I know must be one of the most extreme joys of parenthood. That extreme joy that you can't really understand until you experience it. It is that joy that comes from seeing your kids, the ones that you have spent so much time and emotion pouring into, so content and so happy. I sat tonight watching all my kids, and I was so at peace. I was so happy because they were all so happy.
And who knew all this joy could come from one's backyard! Who knew that for a good couple hours you could entertain 14 kids between 3 and 17 years old with only a swing set, trees, and an 8 ft. guard wall.
It was a beautiful evening. Between the full moon and outside lights, the yard was well illuminated. After dinner Camille and I took the little ones outside to play for a while, and the older ones happened to follow (you read that correctly, based on their own desire, they wanted to be in the same place as all their little siblings :) So I made the most of it, settled myself into the lawn chair that I frequently occupy while we are outside, and just took in all the laughter and happiness that filled that space.
So how to put into words such happiness that radiates from a fun night, I don't know how; or how to express the way I compared the night to one like I would experience back home in the States: a cool fall night that my family would have taken advantage of to grill out and have a fire in the pit, I can only try.
The only thing I can tell you is that nights like this are sent as a gift from God. He sends them to show a little glimpse of how Heaven must be; pure joy.
It wasn't great because we did anything out of the ordinary. It wasn't great because of any special visitors. It was great because it was just us, and everyone was happy :)
As I was taking in the evening, it hit me for the first time- something I know must be one of the most extreme joys of parenthood. That extreme joy that you can't really understand until you experience it. It is that joy that comes from seeing your kids, the ones that you have spent so much time and emotion pouring into, so content and so happy. I sat tonight watching all my kids, and I was so at peace. I was so happy because they were all so happy.
And who knew all this joy could come from one's backyard! Who knew that for a good couple hours you could entertain 14 kids between 3 and 17 years old with only a swing set, trees, and an 8 ft. guard wall.
It was a beautiful evening. Between the full moon and outside lights, the yard was well illuminated. After dinner Camille and I took the little ones outside to play for a while, and the older ones happened to follow (you read that correctly, based on their own desire, they wanted to be in the same place as all their little siblings :) So I made the most of it, settled myself into the lawn chair that I frequently occupy while we are outside, and just took in all the laughter and happiness that filled that space.
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| The big kids sitting on wall |
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| If you look hard enough you can see 10 of the 14 :) |
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| Tree climbing may not be the best pass time for someone who is blind, but she loves it. . . |
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| Her favorite place |
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| They're getting so big! |
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| Samari and I |
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| Camille and Leito |
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| Playing the HA game! AH so great :) |
The only thing I can tell you is that nights like this are sent as a gift from God. He sends them to show a little glimpse of how Heaven must be; pure joy.
Thursday, August 2, 2012
the sun
God answered our prayers. Yesterday in our morning group prayer, we specifically prayed for the sun. We prayed that God would give us a little break from the cold drizzly weather we were having and just let the sun peak through for a little bit. And wouldn't you know it, but He answered, and the answer wasn't 'wait.' It was YES and NOW.
Today we woke up and there was sun. and we went to class, and there was sun, and then we ate lunch and the sun stayed, then the kids took a nap, and it was still shining brightly when they woke up, and now its nearly dinner time, and the sun is still warming us like it has all day. It has been a heavenly day.
Here is some picture proof that the day was gloriously sunny and probably a good 25 degrees warmer than it has been the last few weeks.
Thank you LORD for answered prayers.
Today we woke up and there was sun. and we went to class, and there was sun, and then we ate lunch and the sun stayed, then the kids took a nap, and it was still shining brightly when they woke up, and now its nearly dinner time, and the sun is still warming us like it has all day. It has been a heavenly day.
Here is some picture proof that the day was gloriously sunny and probably a good 25 degrees warmer than it has been the last few weeks.
Laundry got done.
And all my children were in much better moods :)
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