Tres Años (Three Years-Feb. 29th....)

Are you sure?!? Sometimes it seems like yesterday, & sometimes it seems he’s always been w/ us.

Feb. 29th, 2008, we flew home from Guatemala w/ Nat.

Because it’s such a cool date (Leap Day, & all that), that’s the date we picked for our “Natty Day.”

We actually got custody of him Feb. 23rd of that year, but I always wanted a something to celebrate on that day. I know, I know, there’s probably a few of you who are thinking, “Yeah, just try having a birthday on that then!”

We have fairly simple celebrations for these special days around here. Guatemalan food for supper tomorrow & some “Tres Leches“ cake for dessert.

Here’s one of our favorites recipes from the Guatemalan cookbook “False Tongues & Sunday Bread.” Served up w/ some homemade tortillas……& the memories come flooding back.


P.S. I'm afraid I don't have any recent pics of him by himself. Life has been crazy lately! Check out my previous post, though-cause he sure is cute in that family snapshot!!!

All in All.....

My birthday has been fairly painless......How could it be tough, when each day I am so blessed by those around me?!?

Random......(& "Happy Birthday" to me).

Ok....this might end up being a rather corny blog post.

But.....today is my 4oth Birthday.

& I'm not sure what to think.

Life here at our house has been so busy!
We have our house on the market! (Yeah-thought we'd never be ready)
***But in all that craziness, I haven't had time to process the fact that I'm 4 decades old***

I was wondering what advise any of you, my bloggy friends, might have for me. Especially if you have blazed this trail (good thing I paid attention-I just wote "trial" instead of "trail!")

My biggest gift is for sure my family.....just wish I had a picture of Dave w/ the kiddos, but this will have to do.

Oh, my!!! 40 is just around the corner!!!

So, happy B-day to me! (In a few weeks!) & I'm taking a little bloggy break!

This is EXCITING!!!

Anyone who knows our family IRL can attest that this doesn't happen often:

Yes, the two of them are SHARING my phone. &, in all honesty, it is happening more & more that they are PLAYING together instead of just fighting......ahhhh there is hope for the future!!!

P.S. I did kinda follow the theme.....because even though there are no real "besos" here, there is a bit of love growing!!! Yeah!!

School Days.....w/ Ana

Now, I know that Ruthie (at age 4 ½) is technically still too young for school, but she was begging to start.

I wasn’t really excited about starting in on her already-just want to give her (& I) a bit more time to get used to the idea!

But, what’s a mom to do when the child continues to plead day in & day out to “do school like Ana?”

So a few months ago, I had the brilliant idea (if I do say so myself-& I can-it’s my blog!!) of letting Ana take over & teach her little sister.

I wondered if it would work, quite honestly. Ruthie is so fiercely independent that I wasn’t sure Ana COULD teach her.

But it has worked amazingly well. Both the girls look forward to it every day.

& who wouldn’t……when Ana lines up such creative activities?




What fun ideas do you have for letting your “olders” teach your “littles?” (Even if you don’t homeschool, I know a lot of you have great ideas!!)

A Love Affair Began 4 Years Ago….

You’re probably thinking it was w/ our new daughter.

& yes, it was-but it was also w/ the Guatemalan fast food chain Pollo Campero!!

Yummy fried chicken!!

& guess what?!

Downtown Disney just opened one!!!

Dave was in Orlando on business last week & brought us back some……

We celebrated his birthday the day he got back-w/ a meal from Pollo Campero-that he brought home as part of his carry-on luggage! Yummy!

We took pics to document it, but they didn’t turn out.

BUT….since I love a good look back, I found these pictures of our last trip to PC in Guatemala. (Feb. ’08)

(Remember, my sister was able to go with us when we picked up Nat?!)

(Can I just say-Ana looks so different now w/ glasses & braces!)

FFF...."Abrazos!" (Hugs!)

We have one person in this family who is extremely “touchy/feely.”

& it ain’t me.

Yes, I know I’m the mom, & I probably should be handing out hugs & kisses & cuddles like they were candy…..

But, in reality……I’d be happiest if you don’t touch me!

If we meet & you give me a hug, I’ll probably forgive you! Probably.

Because oneof our kids has really stretched me in this area. (& I have learned it’s not so bad).

Since I took custody of Ruthie in Guatemala City 4 years ago, I have had daily (sometimes moment-by-moment) work in this area of my life.

& really, I needed it.

So…..here is my little cuddle-bunny w/ her big sis-after Ana helped her put together several puzzles earlier this week.

What are some areas you have changed in….areas your kids have helped you become a better person?

Moving On to the Family Room....

This is *mostly* what our family room will look like on a day that we have a showing. This is an actual picture from Tues. night! Hopefully, it will pretty much stay like this to make cleaning for a showing easier.

On a side note-it has been sooooo cold here!! On one of my friend's FB page, she posted that it was warmer in Antartica! (granted, I think it's summer there-but, still!) & we still have no snow! Ridiculous!