Christmas Thoughts

This year was the first Christmas that we've spent with family in 5 years.  Joel is the only one of the kids who remembers having this kind of holiday with the cousins or the grandmas and grandpas.

And it was Elena's first Christmas ever.  Pretty special.

I admit, it was daunting thinking of all the hustle and bustle of the North American run-away-consumerism holiday.  Having Christmas in the cold and dark instead of the humid and the heat, or at least the fog was something to get used to too.

But it was a good Christmas.  We spent a lot of time with our family and a few things that the kids said were, "Wow!  I didn't know that our family was so much fun" and "This is just lovely, oh so lovely" and "Grandma is probably the best cook in the entire universe".  It warmed my heart to see our kids participating in family traditions and truly understanding the meaning of Christmas.

A few times however, my heart ached a bit, remembering last Christmas and where we were at.  I remember so clearly that I was feeling huge and hot and sweaty and tired.  I remember being excited about the prospect of having a real Bolivian Christmas dinner with our friends and being utterly moved by the emotion of welcoming Jesus' birth by tears and hugs and kisses and of course metric tonnes of fire crackers at the stroke of midnight.

Our Christmas here was with family, last year it was with dear friends
This year we ate turkey, last year we ate pork and chicken and beef
This year at the stroke of midnight all was quiet....
This year we bundled up, all 6 of us, last year we sweated, just the 5 of us

Both holidays have significant meaning for us.  Even though they have been so different, we count ourselves rich to be able to have those experiences.  And more than the presents (which by the way were appreciated!) we had another opportunity to make memories.

What She Wanted for Christmas

We teased Kezia that this Christmas she probably wouldn't be getting her two front teeth since they just fell out around her birthday.  Her Uncle Wendell told her that it was months before he ever got his front teeth and Kezia got to thinking maybe she'd never have front teeth again!     Grandma put on the record with the famous song and she just loved to sing along, especially since no one else could relate so closely to the singer.  Well, at least one of the girls got front teeth in time for the holidays.

Stayed tuned for more Christmas pictures to see what she got instead.....

A Tidbit from God

Praise be to the God....the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.  2 Cor. 1:3-4

I have become more keenly aware how things and people are so interconnected.  I have realized that doors that close for us, may mean they are opening up somewhere else for someone else.  Sometimes God keeps us from things because of what is happening over there and it has very little to do with us.  Sometimes God has us walk through situations not for our own good or lesson, but for someone else.  Maybe the things I'm learning are not for me.  So these things that I have been learning this year, where will I use them to bless someone else?

Doors and Eyes are Opened

My soul, my soul magnifies the Lord

My soul magnifies the Lord

He has done great things for me

Great things for me

We have sung this song by C. Tomlin a number of times in church during this advent season.  I love it.  And as we sing it, tears come to my eyes.  Because whether we are feeling like praising Him or not, it's so powerful to remember that he has done great things for us.  Even in the loneliness we feel, the wondering-where-in-the-world-am-I-going?! phase, we know that God is amazing.  It's not dependent on our circumstances or our feelings, but in his sovereign awesomeness.


We have waited patiently and he has in his own amazing way has provided for us.  Another God sighting...are you ready for this?


I have been substitute teaching for a school division, but because I've been pretty new, I haven't been called very many times.  So you can imagine my surprise to get an email from the superintendent asking if I would be interested in a half time term position.  Would I?!  I responded that I was and was told the interview would be the following week.


Long story short.  I went in nervous, wondering if I was just the extra and not even a real candidate.  The interview went quite well and I was asked to wait outside while they talked.  Five minutes later they offered me the job.  I could hardly believe it.


So after Christmas I will be working afternoons teaching Math and Social Studies at one of the middle schools in the area.  I'm so excited.  And floored.  I didn't apply.  Didn't do a cold call, didn't put in my name to principals in the area.  This was totally a God-thing.  Nothing I did got me the interview or the job.  And for that, I am so utterly thankful.


And another one?


Doors are opening up in unexpected places for Carl.  Seriously, it's just amazing.


Thank you Lord.
Thank you Lord.
Thank you Lord.


Through it all I've learned a very important lesson.  It's not in the circumstances that we praise our Heavenly Father.  It's not in the situations whether we seek His will or not.  He always provides, He's always on time.  He's always good.  Regardless of what is happening around us.  


This something that I want to take with me into 2012.  Because who knows what is ahead of us....

11 Months Old

Elena has had a very busy  month.  December is usually busy, isn't it?  Well, to start off the month, she showed us how she can roll her R's.  Yes, she is our latina.  Another physical milestone is she has gotten really good at climbing down the stairs.  That's a relief (but even so, we got a gate).  Elena has also shown interest in dolls and likes to hold them and pat their back.  She also learned how to go from a squatting position to standing up, without holding on to anything!  And the lil' gal even took 2 steps while trying to get from one couch to the chair.  Will she be walking before her first birthday?!  We shall see.....

This month we realized that she understands and responds to her name.  It's pretty cool.  She also understand us if we say No and pull her away from a) the stairs b) the Christmas tree c) the cords under the desk d) books up at Grandma's e) the recycle bin  f) the garbage can.....  Elena also has a fake laugh that she does if she realizes she might have an audience.  And when Elena is amused, especially by small people, she has a great laugh.

Elena has been developing into a very busy child.  It's difficult to have her in a restaurant, church, a concert or anything for more than 5 minutes.  She's not interested in staying still at all.  So she doesn't go on very many social outings where sitting is involved because she'd much rather be crawling around and pulling stuff down or crawling under chairs or squawking etc.

She makes an oooo face and kissy lips too.  One word for that: hilarious.

Elena did not want to share a bath with her cousin Titus.  It's not like he's an unfriendly guy, but the large white tub upstairs was a bit foreign to her.  She loves her little sink bath downstairs.

Elena had her first Christmas and was very entertaining to watch.  She got the hang of opening presents, and then proceeded to suck on all the wrapping paper.  We had to point out to her the toy that was within the package.  She loves turkey and sweet potato (especially with marshamallows) is a huge hit.

Just yesterday it seemed that when I waved to her and she waved back, she said what sounded like Bye-Bye.  Of course I heard her speak because I'm her mother and think she is utterly brilliant :).  But maybe she'll say a few words in the next while that everyone will understand.

Oh and her two top teeth finally did come.  It was like the side one took a break while the other pearly whites emerged.  She wasn't too cranky, but now with those chiclets, has a very different look.

Elena is changed and growing so fast, we can hardly keep up.  It's almost time to start planning her first birthday party.  Wow.

Christmas Blessings

From our Family to Yours

Grandma's Sense of Humour