Granada and the Masaya Volcano

Chase and Julie made it here safe and sound! We were/are so excited they got here! They are so fun and we love having them here!

They got in late Friday night and then on Saturday we were off!

We drove to a really fun, quaint town called Granada. It's off of Lake Nicaragua and has some really fun old Spanish architecture. We ate breakfast at Kathy's Waffle House, which was surprisingly wonderful!

We then went on a boat tour of Lake Nicaragua. The lake has over 300 tiny islands that people will build anything from a dirt floor house to a mansion on.

In the distance is Volcano Momotombo - which is an active volcano.

There's also one tiny island that had 2 different types of monkeys on it. Out boat guide thought it would be cool if a monkey got in our boat. But I'm of the opinion that I don't need a monkey that close to me!

We then drove to Masaya Volcano. It was a pretty cool experience. We hiked up to the top of 2 different volcanos and learned about them. We also went on a tour of 2 different caves filled with a gajillion bats. I think everyone should be proud of me for getting rather close to bats.

We clearly looked awesome the entire time!

At the end of our hike/tour, our guide took us to the edge of the volcano and we could see the reflection of the lava (so basically a red glow). It was pretty cool! All of us had the same thought -- that in the states, they would never let you do this - which it made it even cooler!

It was a wondeful day, filled with fun family and memories!

Up til now..

I have gotten a bit behind in blogging, so I wanted to share what we have been up to! Last week was our first full week of school. It was a long week and we were both a little excited to have a weekend. I just talked with my mom and she said everyone in the states had a 3 day weekend because of Martin Luther King Day. For some reason, we don't get that day off!

So now a little update...

We were blessed to get an IKEA gift card for Christmas, so I bought some fun things before we came back. I"m trying to make our little apartment a bit more homey and us. (Is that how you spelly homey?) Here's some pics of our new and improved bedroom.

Some fun IKEA mirrors

These are our wall art! Really just some big ole stickers. They're kind of weird, but fun too!

And a fun lamp!

David's mom gave us some seeds right before we left and he has planted most of them. It makes him way excited. So if you come visit us, you'll get home grown jalepenos, cilantro, basil, and green onions! And the joy of seeing us!

(if you look closely, you'll see some little tiny buds!)

And last but not least, a belly shots Do I look bigger? I feel like I just look big and not really pregnant?! I have been feeling the baby more and more these days, which is the coolest.

Double the Russells, Double the Fun!

We are so, beyond excited that some more Russells are coming here to Nicaragua! Chase and Julie will get in on Friday of this week and stay for over week! How fun is that!

We feel really blessed that they would take time out of their busy lives to visit us! Blessed doesn't really describe how we feel, I need a better word. So happy, thrilled, thankful, giddy, jump-up-and-down excited - all wrapped into one!

We will be missing one other Russell, but she will be coming as soon as her gimp leg is better! We will miss her though and wish she could be here!

(She's the one in the middle)

Nicaragua, Pregnancy, and Feet

This is my fat swollen feet. The moment our plane landed here in Nicaragua my feet and ankles got so swollen. I have 4 more months until I deliver. 4 more months. This could be bad. I feel like if I accidently poke my feet, a big gush of water would come out. Or what if my skin can't hold all the fluid and they just bust open. Not good.

Just thought I would share.

We're Back

We made it back, safe and sound to Nicaragua this past Saturday. We had a wonderful, restful, refreshing time back in Dallas. It was hard to leave, but once we got here we were excited to be back. David and I were talking about different it was coming here this time versus the first time we came. The first time we came here, I was so overwhelmed. I can remember sitting just starring not knowing what to think. The first couple of days were so hard. We had no friends, no computer, no telephones, no food. I thought we were going to die here! (At times, I can be a bit dramatic) Needless to say, we are so thankful that retrurning to Nicaragua this time has been lots easier!

While in Dallas, we were able to have so much fun. We spent time with family and friends, ate WAY too much, watched TV, went to Target and Half-Price Books, had a wonderful Chrismas and Baby Shower!!! It was great!

Here are a few pics from our time home.

Opening presents on Christmas morning

Just us!

We are getting ready to start our second semester here. We are full of excitement and anxiousness. We really desire for the Lord to mature and grow us this semester, we desire to love our students more deeply, to live righteously, to be joyful in circumstances. We are also excited and anxious to meet our baby! There is much you can be praying for and we desire your prayers more than anything else!