Breech

Currently, Russell baby #2 is in the breech position. :( Sad, I know.

Our hopes are to be able to have a natural delivery and not a C-section. However, with having a prior C-section and with this baby being in the wrong position - it's not looking good.

So this is my plea that you would pray for this baby to turn. I would love to be able try to deliver naturally and the recovery from a C-section is a beating.

We know that the Lord is sovereign and He can do whatever He wants. So we trust whatever happens is good and in His plan.

That is all. :)

Christmas Time in Nicaland...

So, this has been our first Christmas to be away from family. Ever. David and I have the blessing of our families living about 10 minutes from each other. So, for the past 7 years we have always been able to see both sides during Christmas and even on Christmas day.

This Christmas is our first not to see either side! It's been a little weird and lonely. We miss seeing all of our friends, going to the candle light service at our church, having an awesome Christmas Eve at the Rushing's, and enjoying Christmas day with our families. We also miss the cold - or at least a change in the temperature (we all know Dallas could be in the 40's or maybe 79 during Christmas). We miss being able to wear jeans and sweaters! We miss hot chocolate. There's just something about Christmas time in the States, with your family, that is so special.

With that being said, we have also enjoyed our time here. We've tried our best to start some fun Christmas traditions. We had delicious home-made cinnamon rolls (yeah, I'm tootin' my own horn)on Christmas day. We've also been able to make some delicious Christmas cookies! This year we have a tree and a fair amount of Christmas decorations! Our family was kind and sent down gifts at Thanksgiving, so we had fun presents to open too! It's also been wonderful to have David home all day (except for today - he's sliding down a volcano at the moment). It's wonderful to not get so wrapped up in the comercialism, busyness, and materialism that is so prevalent in the States. A side benefit is that the weather here is fairly nice - like I slept under a sheet AND a duvet last night!

Here are some pics of what we've been doing...


Beckett helping with the cinnamon rolls.



And here they are!



Opening presents!





My sweet boys! We went to a cute town about 2 hours north of Managua, where there are pine trees, and it's a little cold! Look, they're wearing pants!


Hanging out with my friend Alicia in her Daddy's car!

Boy or Girl

So this is a test to see how many people are still reading our little blog!! :) It could just be 3 (Orell, Tracy, and my mom)!

David and I are notorious for being last minute. An example of this is, we currently have NO names picked out for our upcoming baby. Like, not a 1. It's terrible, I know. It's just the way we are. (I was never the girl that had my future children's names memorized in high school - just not me!) It doesn't bother us; however, I do think it bothers some of the relatives. :)

So in about a month or so, we'll be adding another Russellsprout to our family and I want to know...

BOY?

or

GIRL?

Let the voting begin!

Opps, Sorry!

So, it's been a while. Sorry. I blame the pregnancy and the transition of Beckett taking 2 naps, to only 1 nap. Time during the 1 nap is valuable - it's time for me to cook or to spend time with the Lord or to write an email or to take a nap myself!! So blogging got pushed aside.

But, I'm back!

So what's been going on since I've been gone? Lots! Actually I can't think of what I wrote about last and when it was, so I'll just give you some of the highlights. In bullet form!

-Woodcreek, our home church, sent a group of ladies to work with House of Hope. This group of ladies was awesome, mature, fun, and super-servants. They were able to speak hope into the lives of many women that live or are associated with House of Hope.
When your home church comes to where you live, regardless if you know them all or not, it's like family visiting. So we felt honored and blessed that they were here.

2 sweet girls living at House of Hope


-At the end of October, Beckett and I made a short trip home to Dallas. We went because we won't be able to come home at Christmas time because our second baby is due in January and we went to go see our friends, the Lilley's, new baby! Exciting and fun times were had by all!
Beckett went to a pumpkin patch, fed some crazy goats, went to our church's fall festival and was extremely spoiled by all 4 grandparents!
I ate some delicious food, spent time with my mom, searched and found all Beckett's old clothes, and went to Target and Walmart numerous times! Fun times for me too! Plus I got to hang out with sweet baby Evie Claire Lilley!



-In November, a lot of the Russells came for Thanksgiving. This time it really was family coming to visit. We went to Laguna de Apoyo ( a gorgeous lake set in a crater of a volcano) and just hung out and visited. Again, fun, fun!


Ok, so that was just a brief wrap up of our life while I was away - not blogging!

Baby Lilley!

I don't really know all the details, but ALL the Nica Russells are so excited to have Baby Lilley in our world!

Way to go Jon and Sami!

Can't wait to mee her!

Woodcreek Women!

On Sunday, a group of ultra cool women from our church is coming here! Woohoo!

They will be working with House of Hope - a ministry that help women and kids ( you read that right) in prostitution or sex trafficking. They have been diligently praying for the women they will be working with and I am really excited to see how the Lord works in this trip!

I've stated this over and over -but it means the world to us that our home church comes to Nicaragua. When we first moved here, we knew there was so much need in this country. We are so thankful that our church in the states would come here and serve in a variety of ways (at House of Hope, at One by One ministries, thru Living Water). We know that there are million places in the world that have many, many needs. We are beyond blessed that Woodcreek Church would come to where we are! It makes our hearts happy!

7 years

(on our honeymoon, 2003)

Around this time 7 years ago, I was receiving a call from my soon-to-be-husband. I was busy getting my hair done, applying the 5th layer of mascara, and chatting with my closest girl friends. He was calling to tell me that he felt sick. Not just a cold sick, but I'm about to throw-up sick. And when David throws-up it is bad. Real bad.


(Christmas, 2004)

I remember thinking, I hope I see him at the end of the aisle.


(Crested Butte, 2005)

But really I had no doubts. I knew that he loved me. I knew that he already made his mind up about me - that he was going to stick with me forever. I knew he would be there.


(Jeremy and Michelle's wedding, 2006)

I'm so thankful he was there. The best decesion of my life was to marry him.


(Puerto Rico, 2007, one of the top 2 favorite vacations ever!)

I've heard of the saying "The Seven Year Itch" - meaning that around 7 years of marriage you start to get bored and want out. Praise the Lord that is not us! That's not to say we haven't had our really hard times. But I am thankful that God has protected our marriage, kept us united, and increased our love.


(1st semester in Nicaragua, 2008)

It's been 7 years since we vowed before the Lord to stay together. It feels like so much more (in a good way). We have done so much. We've started with only a couch and a bed and slowly we have built our lives together. Now we live in Nicaragua with 1 awesome baby and another one coming!


(1st week with Beckett!, 2009)

Seriously, praise be to the Lord for the blessing of David!


(Summer, 2010)

17 months

Today my love is 17 months old! He is growing and changing so much it's kind of hard to believe! He is our joy and a blessing from the Lord. We thank God every night for him and pray for him to grow to be a passionate man for Jesus.

Here's what he's got going on!

-He can say - hot (ha), no, 2, hi, bye, Dada, Chase (Cha), cheese (don't you just love him?), Joanna (Jo), please (peez) and probably some others I'm not thinking of. When asked to say 'Mama', he responds with 'Dada'. Not sure what that means!

-He can speed walk that almost is a run.

-He can climb onto the couch and just yesterday he climbed onto the kitchen chair.

-He does a super fun spin move.

-He will give hugs and kisses!

-He says hi to anyone and everyone, especially people in the grocery store.

-He loves the dirt, mud, rocks, leaves. Anything that has to do with being outside and getting dirty

-Lucky for me he also LOVES bath time!

-He is fairly obedient (he can bring you items or put the away)! :)

-He loves to put things in random spots. I have a bathroom drawer that is full of toys, shoes, necklaces and on and on.

-He greatly enjoys putting on other peoples shoes and attempting to walk around.

-He has 12 teeth.

-He loves to play hiding games or run and get you!

I'm sure there is a ton I am missing. You'll just have to come here and see for yourself!


(working on his car)



(looking at the cows. yes, we have cows in our little apartment complex!)

Jo's the Bomb.com

Yeah, I said it and it's true.

We got to watch Joanna play volleyball yesterday and it was so fun!

A couple things.

1. She's pretty awesome.
2. She starts.
3. She's can spike it.
4. She's got an awesome overhand serve.

Here are some pics - courtesy of Paul, because I was busy holding/chasing a toddler!



About to get an ace! Seriously, I would say, she's one of the best servers on the team.



The 'ready position'. Ignore that guy in the foreground of the picture.



Her fans (minus Paul)! Chase and Julie apparently were really into the game! I apparently was excited about the icecream we found!



Beckett exploring!

Way to go Joanna!

Domestic Me

Prior to living in Nicaragua, I cooked approximately 4 times in my life. Well, not really, but I didn't cook all that often. David and I would cook together or he would cook.
I know, I married well.
AND, get this? He did ALL the grocery shopping. He even cut coupons. I know, I know - you're jealous and wish you had such a great husband. Sorry, he's taken.
Anyways, since living in Nicaragua, I am growing and learning in my culinary skills. For many reasons. 1. I am now at home all day and he is working all day. Only makes sense for me to cook and go to the store. 2. The grocery stores here are great, but they don't have tons of pre-made foods. For examples: no cut&slice cookies, no frozen pie crusts, no meals in a bag.
So all this to say, I am becoming more domestic! Who knew I had it in me???
This is what I did yesterday.

It started like this - all sticky and gooey and full of this magical stuff, yeast.



Grew to be like this. Yeast, I tell you, amazing stuff!



And then this


And then turned to bread. Which we promptly ate!



And then later on, I made lasagna! My sister-in-law Erin, makes the best lasagna. Ever. It wasn't Erin's lasagna, but I think it was pretty good!

So yeah, I am slowly, but surely becoming more domestic!

And, I hate to admit it, but I kind of like it!


On a completely different note, we liked to send a birthday shout out to this guy! We love you Hudson! Happy 1st birthday!

Gig 'em!

He bleeds maroon.



Waiting for Dad, looking out our window.

Independence Day

I love Nicaraguan Independence Day for several reasons.

1. We (meaning David, but me too) get 3 1/2 days off school, resulting in a 5 day weekend. Ahhhh, glorious, I tell you!

2. I always learn something about Nicaragua that I didn't previously know.

3. Nicaraguan dances are tons of fun to watch! Especially if your cute husband is involved.

So every year NCA puts on a huge Independence Day Celebration. The day begins with the 4th-6th graders reenacting some sort of scene from Nicarguan history. Horses are brought it, machetes are out, and guns are fired. Such fun

While this is happening, the 7th-12th graders are frantically putting together their tent. The theme for this year, was Nicaraguan art. So each grade has a tent that they must decorate somehow revolving around Nicaraguan art. For example, the Seniors decorated their tent to look like a common market here. They had hammocks, paintings, jewelry - everything that you could find in a market. They also must do a short presentation to the other grades, administrators, and teachers. The class with the most impressive tent and presentation wins a pizza party!

And then after this, comes the DANCING!! Oh, it's so fun (and hot!)! Every class gets a chance to shake their hips! It's pure greatness! Apparently though, you must be born Nicaraguan to really dance well here. Just saying!

And last but not least is the feast! No Independence Day would be complete without carne asada, gallo pinto, tostadas, and queso! So good!

I love this time of year!



The soccer field full of tents.



The Senior class.


Beckett was there to offer moral support and climb through the palm branches.


9th grade's theme was all about Nicaraguan money.


The chapel/cafeteria/all purpose area decorated for the special day!



World's cutest little girl, Lola.



High school girls dance. On the left, in red, is our pediatrician's daughter. We love them!



These are my 1st graders, who are now 3rd graders. Weird how that happens!



Check out these dresses!



Here's my cute husband. Yeah, he's got a machete in his hands - don't mess with him!



And the finale!



I'm at the akward stage of pregnacy - just looking sort of plump and thick. I know it's obnoxious to say, but I just have to. Pregnancy is weird - you can't really control how you look. That is all, done with my rant.

So there you have it. Nicaraguan Indpendence Day 2010.

Our Newest Russell

Here she/he is!

That's the head. If you look hard you can see the eye sockets, nasal cavity, mouth, and chin!


And here's her/his arm. I know it's just a arm, but I think it's a super cute arm!



Yes, we officially decided we aren't going to find out. Sorry, you'll just have to wait, like the rest of us!

Ohhhhhh, how we love surprises!

What do you think? Will Beckett have a brother or a sister?

Power - My Friend and Foe

When the power is on, life is awesome. I mean awesome. We have fans galore, light everywhere, Beckett can start off his nap with a little bit of A/C. It's glorious. When the power is on - it's my best friend.

However, when the power is cut off, we are not friends. We are enemies. I hate the power - or lack of. It's incredibly still, you can't see a darn thing, and my sweet baby is hot in his crib.

I know I being dramatic. And it's not really that bad. It doesn't go off too much and usually not for a long time.

Last night it went off for 4 hours. 4. Hours. From 5PM to 9PM. Right smack in the middle of cooking dinner, putting Beckett to sleep, cleaning up. Last night me and the power were mortal foes.

I took a shower by candlelight. It looked like this.



This was our room. Good pictures, huh?



And this me, so sad that it was hot and sticky and dark. (with a flash, of course)



This ends my rant. I am done with the drama. I will choose to be thankful for the times we do have power, which is most of the time! :)

Junior/Senior Retreat Time

Joanna (David and Chase's youngest sister) is living with us this semester. -- Not sure if I told the wide web this important piece of information.-- She is studying this semester at NCA as a junior.

I'm real impressed that she would leave the comforts of American life - air conditioning, mom's cooking, good friends- to live in Nicaragua for 1/2 a year. Especially as a 16 year old. She's having to adjust to living with a baby, people speaking Spanish all day, having limited privacy, etc. So yeah, I'm impressed with her.

But that's not what this post is about.

Every year at the beginning of school, the junior and seniors go on a Spiritual Leadership Retreat. They leave on a Wednesday afternoon and return Friday afternoon. So it is in the middle of the school week - meaning they get to skip their classes. I think it's great that NCA puts such a high emphasis on building leadership skills and maturing in faith. So much so, that they are willing to have their student miss classes.

This year, because Joanna is a junior she got to go as well! She said it was good!And everyone knows that when you go on retreats, hiking trips, mission trips that you bond with people and get to truly know them. So I'm thankful she had this time!

Here are some pics of her time there.


Jo in the pool!


Every good retreat has to involve some sort of nasty dare. This one was blending up a McDonald's happy meal.


The victims of the dare.


Soccer must be played - we're in Nicaragua for crying out loud


Worship time. We have some really talented students here that can lead their fellow students in worshipping the Lord.


Just a cool shot of Danni spending time in the Word.