He's gone from this:
To this!
(that's not me walking with him, just fyi!)
(and can I just say, how cute his shoes are!)
Crazy stuff!
Oh, how we love him!
(Even though, he's screaming his head off with David right now!)
Friday, April 30, 2010
Oh, how the time flies!
In about an hour, we are having Beckett's 1 year old birthday (if the rains stay away!) I can hardly believe he is one!
He's gone from this:
To this!
(that's not me walking with him, just fyi!)
(and can I just say, how cute his shoes are!)
Crazy stuff!
Oh, how we love him!
(Even though, he's screaming his head off with David right now!)
He's gone from this:
To this!
(that's not me walking with him, just fyi!)
(and can I just say, how cute his shoes are!)
Crazy stuff!
Oh, how we love him!
(Even though, he's screaming his head off with David right now!)
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Thankful Thursday
My list continues...
5. The rain. The past 3-4 weeks have been oh so hot. Like, burn-your-face-off hot. Like, sweating-in-your-bed-at-2-am hot. Like, I'm-pretty-sure-we-live-on-the-surface-of-the-sun hot. You get my point? And on top of all that, it's humid as all get out. Ugh, a gross combination. However this week it rained!! Praise the Lord! I'm not letting myself believe it's the rainy season quite yet. But the change in temperature is awesome! So yeah, I'm SOOOO thankful for the rain!
(I realize I am being a bit dramatic!)
6. Sermons online. I do a weekly Bible study with some girls that live in our apartment complex. Recently we have been listening to a sermon series by a pastor in Amarillo. How cool is it that I can be in Nicaragua and yet hear truth from a man in Amarillo, Texas?
7. Friends here. For a while, I didn't want to make friends here. Sounds crazy, huh? But I'm weird like that. I was thinking that I have great (and by great I mean the best ever) friends in Dallas. And I just didn't want to have to make the effort to meet people and pursue them and have to be vulnerable around them. I kind of hate that. So, I didn't. However, David knows me better than that, and didn't let me just hole up in our house and not make any friends. So slowly we have begun to make some really good friends. I am so thankful for that. I'm also thankful for my husband who pushed/pushes me.
8. Survivor on Thursday nights. We don't have a TV (I can be a TVaholic), but I do love the show Survivor. For a while we were watching Survivor online, which was good, but not the best. Now, though, we get to watch it every Thursday night at the Dalke's (our next door neighbors)! It's greatness. We, the other Russells, the Dalke's, and the Normans all watch. At the beginning of the season, we choose who will be the ultimate winner ( I choose Colby, by the way. How could I not coose a good ole boy from Texas? And he's still in it!) It's so fun and I look forward to Thursday nights every week!
I have much to be thankful for!!!
5. The rain. The past 3-4 weeks have been oh so hot. Like, burn-your-face-off hot. Like, sweating-in-your-bed-at-2-am hot. Like, I'm-pretty-sure-we-live-on-the-surface-of-the-sun hot. You get my point? And on top of all that, it's humid as all get out. Ugh, a gross combination. However this week it rained!! Praise the Lord! I'm not letting myself believe it's the rainy season quite yet. But the change in temperature is awesome! So yeah, I'm SOOOO thankful for the rain!
(I realize I am being a bit dramatic!)
6. Sermons online. I do a weekly Bible study with some girls that live in our apartment complex. Recently we have been listening to a sermon series by a pastor in Amarillo. How cool is it that I can be in Nicaragua and yet hear truth from a man in Amarillo, Texas?
7. Friends here. For a while, I didn't want to make friends here. Sounds crazy, huh? But I'm weird like that. I was thinking that I have great (and by great I mean the best ever) friends in Dallas. And I just didn't want to have to make the effort to meet people and pursue them and have to be vulnerable around them. I kind of hate that. So, I didn't. However, David knows me better than that, and didn't let me just hole up in our house and not make any friends. So slowly we have begun to make some really good friends. I am so thankful for that. I'm also thankful for my husband who pushed/pushes me.
8. Survivor on Thursday nights. We don't have a TV (I can be a TVaholic), but I do love the show Survivor. For a while we were watching Survivor online, which was good, but not the best. Now, though, we get to watch it every Thursday night at the Dalke's (our next door neighbors)! It's greatness. We, the other Russells, the Dalke's, and the Normans all watch. At the beginning of the season, we choose who will be the ultimate winner ( I choose Colby, by the way. How could I not coose a good ole boy from Texas? And he's still in it!) It's so fun and I look forward to Thursday nights every week!
I have much to be thankful for!!!
Saturday, April 24, 2010
The cutting of the hairs
Before:
(Not quite sure what sort of smile I'm doing here! Maybe it's more of a I-hate-my-thin-yucky-hair-smile)
After:
So, I got my haircut. I won't lie, I like it! I have a thing for chopping my hair off. I just like to do it. Not that I'm SO drastic in my hairstyles! But there's something super fun about having yucky lifeless hair (the before) and then getting a fun short style (the after!)
(Not quite sure what sort of smile I'm doing here! Maybe it's more of a I-hate-my-thin-yucky-hair-smile)
After:
So, I got my haircut. I won't lie, I like it! I have a thing for chopping my hair off. I just like to do it. Not that I'm SO drastic in my hairstyles! But there's something super fun about having yucky lifeless hair (the before) and then getting a fun short style (the after!)
Friday, April 23, 2010
Sen10r Presentations
The 2009-2010 school year is fast coming to an end. The closer we get to the end of the year, the more there seems to be to do. There is tests to give, final exams to make, college recommendation to write - the list could go on and on.
One of the things that NCA does at the end of every year is Senior Presentations. This year there are 18 seniors at NCA. At Senior Presentations, each senior gives a 5 minute talk about their life and future plans. It's fasinating! They all come from such different places - Korea, Canada, Bolivia, the States, Costa Rica, and of course Nicaragua! And they are all going to different colleges - Dordt College in Iowa, Loyola in New Orleans, Ave Maria in Managua and many more.
The graduating class of 2010!
This is Hwa Mak and Marcelo. Hwa Mak is a missionary kid from Korea. He's been at NCA all his life - 14 years. He is one of those kids that always, ALWAYS smiles. Hwa Mak is going to go to college in China. One of the reasons he said he is going there is because he wants to learn Mandarian. Apparently, Korean, English, and Spanish is not enough. Marcelo is going to college at Dordt to study business. His desire is to return to Nicaragua and be an ethical businessman. I was impressed by his desire to serve his country.
This is Xavier (not a senior), Daniella, Paola, and Kathy. Daniella is the grandaughter of one of the former Presidents of Nicaraguan. She will be going to school in Massachusetts studying English and journalism. Paola is the valedictorian and she's also awesome! She thought about going to Texas A&M for a while and that makes her even more awesome! However she's going to Calvin College in Michigan. Her desire is to learn more about ministry and someday be a missionary herself. I know she will do greats things! Kathy is also a super cool girl! She translated last year for the Woodcreek 20's group. She's going to Ave Maria, here in Nicaragua. After college her hope is to stay in Nicaragua and impact her country by her faith and ethics.
This is the Henzler family. Sue is a senior this year and will be going to Bible college in Greece! How cool is that?!!? This is such a neat family that has 2 really cool kids!
Ok, that is all! Hope this was a tad bit interesting to you!
One of the things that NCA does at the end of every year is Senior Presentations. This year there are 18 seniors at NCA. At Senior Presentations, each senior gives a 5 minute talk about their life and future plans. It's fasinating! They all come from such different places - Korea, Canada, Bolivia, the States, Costa Rica, and of course Nicaragua! And they are all going to different colleges - Dordt College in Iowa, Loyola in New Orleans, Ave Maria in Managua and many more.
The graduating class of 2010!
This is Hwa Mak and Marcelo. Hwa Mak is a missionary kid from Korea. He's been at NCA all his life - 14 years. He is one of those kids that always, ALWAYS smiles. Hwa Mak is going to go to college in China. One of the reasons he said he is going there is because he wants to learn Mandarian. Apparently, Korean, English, and Spanish is not enough. Marcelo is going to college at Dordt to study business. His desire is to return to Nicaragua and be an ethical businessman. I was impressed by his desire to serve his country.
This is Xavier (not a senior), Daniella, Paola, and Kathy. Daniella is the grandaughter of one of the former Presidents of Nicaraguan. She will be going to school in Massachusetts studying English and journalism. Paola is the valedictorian and she's also awesome! She thought about going to Texas A&M for a while and that makes her even more awesome! However she's going to Calvin College in Michigan. Her desire is to learn more about ministry and someday be a missionary herself. I know she will do greats things! Kathy is also a super cool girl! She translated last year for the Woodcreek 20's group. She's going to Ave Maria, here in Nicaragua. After college her hope is to stay in Nicaragua and impact her country by her faith and ethics.
This is the Henzler family. Sue is a senior this year and will be going to Bible college in Greece! How cool is that?!!? This is such a neat family that has 2 really cool kids!
Ok, that is all! Hope this was a tad bit interesting to you!
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Thankful Thursdays
I feel like I've seen this on other people's blog so I've decided to copy them.
Yep, that's what I do - I'm a copier. Every once in a while I have my own creative idea, but typically I've stole it from someone else. When those rare moments happen and I've done something completely original, David ususally says, "Did you just think of that? Good job Babe!"
No idea why I'm telling you this.
So, Thankful Thursdays it is! I feel like, no I know, that when you are thankful, you can't be complainy or bratty or grumpy. And I have much to be thankful for.
Here's the beginning of my list...
1. A fantastic community that we live in. When we first moved here, we were both working all the live long day! Seriously, that's all we did. So we knew the teachers, but not much of anyone else. Being home this year means that I'm home all day (if that wasn't clear) and I've been able to meet all our fun neighbors. They are great. Seriously they are all wonderful. And I know the Lord has blessed us because of them.
2. American food here. That may sound silly, but it's true. David and I were just laughing about how we brought down (by we, I mean he) all these different condiments - bbq sauce, mustard, spicy red sauce. We thought we would be eating rice and beans and corn tortillas for every meal. When we finally got here and walked into a grocery store, we were in awe. They don't have everything or quite the variety, but they do have enough!
3. Beckett He makes me so happy! We love him, love him. He brings us tons of joy!
4. Axion What is that you ask? Well, it's dish soap, of course. Silly you! I just really like the smell of it.
That's my list for this Thursday.
Stay tuned for more editions of Thankful Thursdays!
That was so cheesy, I could hardly type it.
Yep, that's what I do - I'm a copier. Every once in a while I have my own creative idea, but typically I've stole it from someone else. When those rare moments happen and I've done something completely original, David ususally says, "Did you just think of that? Good job Babe!"
No idea why I'm telling you this.
So, Thankful Thursdays it is! I feel like, no I know, that when you are thankful, you can't be complainy or bratty or grumpy. And I have much to be thankful for.
Here's the beginning of my list...
1. A fantastic community that we live in. When we first moved here, we were both working all the live long day! Seriously, that's all we did. So we knew the teachers, but not much of anyone else. Being home this year means that I'm home all day (if that wasn't clear) and I've been able to meet all our fun neighbors. They are great. Seriously they are all wonderful. And I know the Lord has blessed us because of them.
2. American food here. That may sound silly, but it's true. David and I were just laughing about how we brought down (by we, I mean he) all these different condiments - bbq sauce, mustard, spicy red sauce. We thought we would be eating rice and beans and corn tortillas for every meal. When we finally got here and walked into a grocery store, we were in awe. They don't have everything or quite the variety, but they do have enough!
3. Beckett He makes me so happy! We love him, love him. He brings us tons of joy!
4. Axion What is that you ask? Well, it's dish soap, of course. Silly you! I just really like the smell of it.
That's my list for this Thursday.
Stay tuned for more editions of Thankful Thursdays!
That was so cheesy, I could hardly type it.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Thursday, April 15, 2010
NCA festival
Ok, I know you have been waiting and waiting. So here it is, the long overdue blog about NCA's festival. Can you hardly contain yourself???
In March, NCA had their annual festival (well, there wasn't one last year, but up til then it was annual.). It's kind of like a carnival in the states. My elementary school would have one every year at least. I remember thinking it was way cool. I digress.
The festival is cool for a couple reasons. 1. It's a great way to have the community surrounding the school come out. 2. This year all the funds raised went to support efforts in Haiti. 3. What's not cool about climbing walls and huge bounce houses??
Sweet Julie getting her face painted. Julie was one of my students last year and she is beyond sweet! I love her tons!
There was definitely some Ultimate Frisbee being played.
No festival is complete without a climbing wall!
Nica-style dunk tank! You know, whatever works! :)
David spent some time in jail! (Thanks to his dad and brother!)
Each teacher was in charge of an activity. David's was the pour-ice water-on-someone's-head game. Here is Zavala warming up Vidal after he was the victim of a bucket full of ice water! (I think this is way cute! Not sure if they would agree though!)
I was in charge of organizing people who wanted to sell their crafts. One lady made these really cool pictures of Nicaraguan women.
There you go!! Now you know about NCA's festival and you can rest easy! :)
In March, NCA had their annual festival (well, there wasn't one last year, but up til then it was annual.). It's kind of like a carnival in the states. My elementary school would have one every year at least. I remember thinking it was way cool. I digress.
The festival is cool for a couple reasons. 1. It's a great way to have the community surrounding the school come out. 2. This year all the funds raised went to support efforts in Haiti. 3. What's not cool about climbing walls and huge bounce houses??
Sweet Julie getting her face painted. Julie was one of my students last year and she is beyond sweet! I love her tons!
There was definitely some Ultimate Frisbee being played.
No festival is complete without a climbing wall!
Nica-style dunk tank! You know, whatever works! :)
David spent some time in jail! (Thanks to his dad and brother!)
Each teacher was in charge of an activity. David's was the pour-ice water-on-someone's-head game. Here is Zavala warming up Vidal after he was the victim of a bucket full of ice water! (I think this is way cute! Not sure if they would agree though!)
I was in charge of organizing people who wanted to sell their crafts. One lady made these really cool pictures of Nicaraguan women.
There you go!! Now you know about NCA's festival and you can rest easy! :)
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Basically for the Grandparents
Recently I have been a little video camera happy. Which is strange for me. I'm usually the person, that forgets her camera or possibly I'm the one that takes NO pictures on a trip to China. So what I'm saying is - I'm not a camera person.
However, I have had a change of heart, and I'm trying to take more pictures and videos!
And what do I take videos and pictures of? Well that would be the sweet little guy I get to spend my days with!
He's become a mover and a shaker these past days! Which has been fun to tape!
His newest trick is....
[Please ignore the fact that our bed is unmade and that fact that I said "Fancypants". Who says that???]
I do realize that this video is probably not all the cool for 99.8% of you out there, but this is for the other .2%! Namely - Linda, Tracy and Orell! :)
Hope you enjoy!
However, I have had a change of heart, and I'm trying to take more pictures and videos!
And what do I take videos and pictures of? Well that would be the sweet little guy I get to spend my days with!
He's become a mover and a shaker these past days! Which has been fun to tape!
His newest trick is....
[Please ignore the fact that our bed is unmade and that fact that I said "Fancypants". Who says that???]
I do realize that this video is probably not all the cool for 99.8% of you out there, but this is for the other .2%! Namely - Linda, Tracy and Orell! :)
Hope you enjoy!
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Easter in Nicaragua
Holidays are always kind of hard here. There is not all the commercialism that you have in the states. Which don't get me wrong, is great! There are no Easter bunnies everywhere or eggs or chocolate bunnies. However, because there is a lack of all that, holidays seem to sneak up on you. All of a sudden it's Palm Sunday and I didn't even realize it!
If I'm honest with myself, I do miss some of the hype of holidays. It's just what I'm used to, what's comfortable. So I miss that. But mainly, what I miss is family. I miss eating dinner at my mom's house. Or playing games with everyone at the Russell's. I miss how Woodcreek does Church on Easter. I miss the familiar songs we sing. I miss seeing my friends on that special day.
Although, it's a bit hard, it's also good (the story of my life here in Nicaragua). I felt like both David and I could really focus on Jesus. We were thankful for Him and his sacrifice.
Not quite sure where I'm going with this post!
It was fun to have our 1st Easter with Beckett! (However, he was a bit crabby. And by a bit, I mean REALLY crabby). He wore his super cute overalls from his Lolli (don't have a picture, sorry!)! He also opened up a small little Easter basket from my mom.
The basket prior to openning.
Mid-openning
You would think I would have a post opening. But you are wrong! :)
So there you have Easter 2010 in Nicalandia!
If I'm honest with myself, I do miss some of the hype of holidays. It's just what I'm used to, what's comfortable. So I miss that. But mainly, what I miss is family. I miss eating dinner at my mom's house. Or playing games with everyone at the Russell's. I miss how Woodcreek does Church on Easter. I miss the familiar songs we sing. I miss seeing my friends on that special day.
Although, it's a bit hard, it's also good (the story of my life here in Nicaragua). I felt like both David and I could really focus on Jesus. We were thankful for Him and his sacrifice.
Not quite sure where I'm going with this post!
It was fun to have our 1st Easter with Beckett! (However, he was a bit crabby. And by a bit, I mean REALLY crabby). He wore his super cute overalls from his Lolli (don't have a picture, sorry!)! He also opened up a small little Easter basket from my mom.
The basket prior to openning.
Mid-openning
You would think I would have a post opening. But you are wrong! :)
So there you have Easter 2010 in Nicalandia!
Saturday, April 3, 2010
11 months
Our sweet baby boy is 11 months old (as of yesterday)! Insanity, I tell you!
He is such a fun, sweet baby! And we are so thankful to the Lord for him. He brings us joy that we never could have imagined. He reminds us of the love the Father has for His children. He blesses us beyond reason!
11 months has been so fun. I feel like from about 6 months on, he's been on the fast track of development. Here's what he's doing...
-He has 6 teeth now -He can crawl like a mad man
-He can walk while holding your hands (sometimes even just one hand! I know, I know, advanced)
-He can cruise (walking holding on to the side of the couch)
-He can wave
-He can point at things
-He loves to eat! (and now is eating more adultish foods)
-He can sort of clap (well, not really, but he's getting there!)
-He still nurses 4 times a day (working on the weaning thing though!)
-He can say 'da da'. Not sure yet if he's babbling or calling for David. I like to think the latter.
-He is a ladies man and loves to flirt! Not so sure about random guys, though.
-As always, being so stinkin adorable!!
Just watch
He is such a fun, sweet baby! And we are so thankful to the Lord for him. He brings us joy that we never could have imagined. He reminds us of the love the Father has for His children. He blesses us beyond reason!
11 months has been so fun. I feel like from about 6 months on, he's been on the fast track of development. Here's what he's doing...
-He has 6 teeth now -He can crawl like a mad man
-He can walk while holding your hands (sometimes even just one hand! I know, I know, advanced)
-He can cruise (walking holding on to the side of the couch)
-He can wave
-He can point at things
-He loves to eat! (and now is eating more adultish foods)
-He can sort of clap (well, not really, but he's getting there!)
-He still nurses 4 times a day (working on the weaning thing though!)
-He can say 'da da'. Not sure yet if he's babbling or calling for David. I like to think the latter.
-He is a ladies man and loves to flirt! Not so sure about random guys, though.
-As always, being so stinkin adorable!!
Just watch
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Right Now
This is where we are for Semana Santa (basically Spring Break here.)
Campo Alegria is a super cool camp that host kids from all over Nicaragua. They have kids from some of the poorest areas and then love on them all week. They have a zip line, a huge water slide, and a super sweet lake. A very cool ministry!
They also have this super sweet guest house - that we are staying in FOR FREE. Jealous?
This is what I'm looking at right now.
Yeah, that's a volcano - in the middle of the lake. And there's waves. Who's heard of a lake with waves? Crazy cool! If you would have asked me 5 years ago what my life would be like, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have said - "Yeah, I'm on Lake Nicaragua looking at a massive volcano with my sweet baby in my arms." Interesting how God takes you to places you would never imagine!
This is a lot of what we are doing.
Also a bit of this.
Don't worry, he was on for about 37 seconds.
Very fun vacation!
Campo Alegria is a super cool camp that host kids from all over Nicaragua. They have kids from some of the poorest areas and then love on them all week. They have a zip line, a huge water slide, and a super sweet lake. A very cool ministry!
They also have this super sweet guest house - that we are staying in FOR FREE. Jealous?
This is what I'm looking at right now.
Yeah, that's a volcano - in the middle of the lake. And there's waves. Who's heard of a lake with waves? Crazy cool! If you would have asked me 5 years ago what my life would be like, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have said - "Yeah, I'm on Lake Nicaragua looking at a massive volcano with my sweet baby in my arms." Interesting how God takes you to places you would never imagine!
This is a lot of what we are doing.
Also a bit of this.
Don't worry, he was on for about 37 seconds.
Very fun vacation!
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