Life finds us today:

• Grateful for a personal and intimate God who speaks to us thourgh even the little things of every day life!
• We are car-less. Our van that didn't pass inspection and needs to be fixed. Ben left early to drop it off and there is no knowing when it will be ready.
• I am holding (and shaking, and bouncing, and nursing, and anything that will work) a little tiny one who seems to be having gas troubles in her tummy. So far my morning has been devoted to trying to ease the pain... my poor baby!
• We are considering a trip to Guatemala early December! Today I am looking for affordable tickets... pray we find them!
• I don't know if we'll be able to do our grocery shopping today because of the car, and that also may affect some other shopping that needed to happen... we'll see how that goes.
• Elena has been receiving lately hand-me-downs from a little girl in our church. We are very grateful for nice and good clothes that have pretty much set us up for this next season. We are only left to buy her a few long sleeved shirts. Ahhh, yeah and also to find someone to share in some of the blessing... we got around 10 pairs of shoes that (as much as I love shoes) we don't need that many!
• Realizing afresh that He is our All in All, our source of everything and a loving Father in whom is our every hope!

She

...is reaching for toys already. She has discovered her hands! Can you believe it? My little Adriana is 3 months old!

 

Home

Finally, it feels like we're stopping at home. We haven't gone too far for too long, but we've gone so much it certainly feels like an awful lot of time. And so, we try and pick up where we left:

*Christmas cards are here! We order them so early so as to make sure we can timely send those that are headed to Guatemala.

*Elena is now sleeping in her very own bedroom!!! And to add to the success, she is sleeping in her very own toddler bed!

*I had the best sleep last night than I had had in a while. I was in bed by 10.30 (unheard of in this house!), Adriana slept well in her basket until about 3 a.m. when she nursed and very satisfied (to my surprise) stayed back in the basket until around 5.30!! And Elena didn't fall off her little bed or woke up until 6.45 a.m.! So, it is 8.30 a.m. and we are all dressed and have already eaten breakfast!

*Yesterday we walked out of church with a new car seat for Adriana, a bag of clothes for Elena and a sleeper couch (well, this one we still have to go pick up but it was offered to us at church)! I am a very happy wife as I look forward to upgrading our furniture a bit. When we got married we kept an old couch Ben had gotten from someone a while back. It is big and comfy, but rather old and dirty and it's not in so great shape anymore. In moving downstairs we inherited Grandma L's couch that had been sitting at Mom and Dad L's who kindly passed it on to us. However, we were still looking forward to get a sleeper as we were looking ahead at having my family come spend Christmas with us (and all the guests we receive throughout the rest of the year!)... now we have it! As for my family coming for the Holidays, well we're not sure anymore, but, that's another story and I'll share it with you later.

Transformations

So, I know it isn't so clear, but this is the BEFORE picture (you know, back a few months ago when this room was our living room).












and this is the AFTER picture (pardon the blue tape still on the trim). As you may recall (or not), this is becoming our girls' bedroom. Sooo exciting!!!!






 

Here I am...

Exhausted from a very busy and long week but looking forward to the rest of this season as we now figure out life with two babes on our own. Now that the eager arms of "Pita" (long story, but that's what Elena calls my mom) we are trying to discover new distractions to keep our little ones entertained while life needs to happen. If you must know, I am only able to sit here for a few minutes now because Adriana finally fell asleep on the carrier where I'm holding her and Elena is enjoying her "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse". I could fill this post with all the little details of the days that have past, which are many, but I don't want to bore you so I'll just say that we have been reminded afresh of God's personal and intimate care for each one of us. Not only have we seen Him work miracles as my brother, Josue, was returning from a missions trip to Europe (another long story that I'll share some other time), but in the midst of all this busy-ness. After a very emotional Monday and Tuesday I really, really wanted to get prayer during ministry time. It was one of those times when I couldn't really sit through the message because of two exhausted little girls who needed a break and my only request to the Lord at that point was "I am just hungry to be hungry". But so it happened that my husband had the same urgency for prayer and we both came up together. It turned out that God gave us such an amazing word that came in such a timely fashion. God spoke of so many things that brought refreshment and encouragement to our hearts. He is so intimate and so personal! I can't say it enough. I hate to leave you with nothing but ramblings about these past few days but it just so happens that that's exactly how I feel right now... I feel I'm just rambling through it all, but as I sort things out I'll be back and try to share something more substantial.

Dedication

It was Adriana's dedication, but Elena managed to charm the audience (and cameras)... Adriana didn't mind though!

Our little family as Pastor Jim prepared to pray for us.
Adriana didn't really like the whole thing... there was only one thing she was interested in: eating!
but we still enjoyed it all! 

The gift of interpreting

Those pics. I posted yesterday are not showing on my blog... Go figure! Here I was so happy thinking you'd see them and alas this thing is throwing fits at me again! Oh well, I'll give it a try on another day that finds me more patient =0)

As to my title... these are the days when I feel as though I desperately need the gift of interpreting tongues as my sweet little girl comes up with a new word each day. You know, she enrolls in these ellaborate convesations that make her look so cute but unless you have followed every single one of her little steps you probably will have no clue as to what she's talking about. Then add to that the "bilingual" element and you first have to try and figure out the language and then what she might be trying to say. It is so comical! Especially when she has been gifted with both her parents' ability to talk anyone's ears off! How amazing to see her evolve into this little person who has stories to tell and questions to ask! And I can only pray that I am perceptive enough to know what she means!

where we've been and where we're going

• We dedicated Adriana on Sunday at church and decided to "kill two birds with one stone" and although our "house" is still far from perfect we had an Open House after church. It was amazing!!! It was the first time we hosted SO MANY people in OUR VERY OWN house! I loved it! We are still exhausted, especially because the days of food preping began around Wednesday considering the very little times I get to do these kinds of chores. Between the daily to-do's, baby feeding times and the attention that Elena requires, unless I cook from 10 p.m. till midnight, nothing really would've gotten done. We had fun though, I really like having people over.
• We don't really live close enough to our "shopping" places to run to the store at any time, so we do our shopping every other Monday. Yesterday was our shopping day and we also met with our friends, the Falcos who tagged along with us to a few different stores. We are so grateful for their friendship! It is really so good to just "hang" knowing there are absolutely no expectations but that of being yourselves as tired or sick as you may feel =0) We love them!
• At church, we're getting ready for a weekend of special meetings. This morning we had a prayer meeting which will be followed by more tonight, tomorrow morning and tomorrow night.
• After that, on Thursday, we will take my mom for a foliage drive around the Adirondacks as she has never seen the beauty of the fall in full "bloom". That is pretty much our last real outing so we are kind of doing her "send-off" day. We'll start with breakfast at a nice diner about an hour from here, then a couple hours of driving up into the mountains, maybe a picnic up there and then we'll head back home for a special dinner.
• The weekend will have us busy with morning and evening meetings that will go up until Wednesday, so in the middle of those meetings we'll say good by to my Mom and start praying for their making it up this way for Christmas.
• Here are some pics. of the dedication...

Take my moments

"Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee.

Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Take my hands, and let them move at the impulse of Thy love.

Take my feet, and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee."

My moments and my days... all that came to mind was the numerous times we've been addressing "obedience" issues with Elena and those little battles that I know I need to win but feel extremely tired and overwhelmed to do it. Oh how we need Him!!!

My mom leaves a week from tomorrow, I am nervous and anxious as I look ahead at not having her help around. I am going to miss her help and how wonderful it has been to walk away from the little messes of everyday life only to have them "magically" disappear! She has helped us so much! But more than anything I'm sad because I will miss her, her company, and her friendship.

Projects ahead and behind

Today the "cable guy" comes to set the downstairs up for our computer, TV and phone. That should free up the girls bedroom-to-be and we'll start working on it. Of course, my mom and Ben worked late last night and early this morning to finish painting the room where we're setting all that up. The only problem is that I like the way that room looks much, much better than our living room and am trying to convince Ben of painting it the same colors soon! He is good to me. Our past few nights have been rather long... we are fighting colds, even little Adriana is all stuffed up! Oh well! The days are looking beautiful outside and next week we'll take my mom for a "leaf-watching" drive as she has never seen the fall before. I have so much more to write, but hardly any time or energy, so pray for us, bear with me and don't forget me!

2 months

Adriana is two months old today. Our day began at 4.30 a.m. when two little girls woke up. The "littlest" was happy to nurse and snuggle to go back to sleep while the other one was "done" sleeping. She had her cup of milk and we kept her in bed with us to no avail. Needless to say, she needed more sleep than she got last night (as it seems we all did!). We spent the morning visiting cousins, then we ran errands and didn't make it home until about 3.30 p.m. We were all spent! Want to guess what we did the rest of the afternoon? NAP!!

Ben couldn't resist the "moment"
(notice Elena's "bee-bee" napping with us)

Let photos do for the moment...

*Edit*

When and how did this happen? They are growing so quickly!!! Just about a week and a half ago Elena's fingertips would barely brush the banister of our staris. She couldn't even dream of turning the shower "on". Yesterday I was coming downstais with her and was speechless to see her hold on to the banister without any difficulty. Later on I was giving her a bath and while I turned to get the soap I heard the water running again! Every day she attempts new words that make us guess and scratch our heads while we figure out what she's trying to say. In the meantime, Adriana is happily smiling back at us and starting to "coo" (sp?). I'm afraid to blink and miss something!

I don't really have time to post, so enjoy this pics. while I get back on track!

We learned how to use the fork and knife...

the challenge now is to transfer this wonderful skill

to the table at meal times!

Grateful!

• Grateful for the freedom of worshipping without fear.
• Grateful for having enjoyed amazingly perfect weather for 28 years of my life.
• Grateful for having grown up wrapped in the colors and beauty of Spring.
• Grateful for all the history that paved the way for the establishment of my family and my life.
• Grateful for a country that though not perfect was the wonderful setting of my childhood and part of my adult life.
• Grateful for 185 years of independence!

Can it get any worse?

• Kept reminding myself of a specific date to remember a birthday... the day came and went and I never realized what date it was! So technically, I forgot the birthday!
• Kept telling myself to send a card to a young mother from church that I hadn't seen since before Adriana was born. I wanted to send a note of encouragement to let her know she was in my heart. Sure enough, I stumbled upon her in town!
• Going over all my "decorative" stuff that was put away while I had room to display it I found a wedding gift I was supposed to have sent a year ago!!!
• I still have sitting in my room some souvenirs I brought from Guatemala in January, I haven't mailed them...
• I can't figure out how to make the sewing machine work and now I have all the unfinished nursing blankets I started. These were intended as gifts and some for myself.

Instead of being on top of things I sometimes think things are on top of me! Is it possible to forget something else?

On another note, I am excited to know that very dear friends of ours are expecting their second baby!

A Milestone?

It is public knowledge that I am no baker. It wasn´t exactly a part of my life growing up. I learned how to cook, but save for a couple of cakes here and there that was it. I also come from a home of very picky eaters and where dessert was very rarely on our table. Of course, I married someone who likes to have dessert and I live in a world where everybody bakes for everything. So soon after getting married I was determined: I shall conquer baking! Out of embarrassment I won´t tell you how many batches of cookies have remained uneaten in our home but today I mastered my first batch of brownies made from scratch! I can´t tell you how thrilled I was when we tried them and they actually tasted good! I know, it is silly... but I am happy!

Pics. from camping trip

Bannon and Elena, she took to trying to imitate what he did.

The Moores

My tired girl

Two little cousins playing together

wearing the matching fleeces their "Maama" gave them

Pheww!!

Long fun days! Last week we had some family vacation time and went here for a couple days. We "camped" on their cabins with Dad and Mom L. who hosted us in their cabin and with her family who were staying in the next cabin. Then on Friday, we joined our youth group on their outing here. Of course, my mom and I just walked around at our own pace and took Elena to the kiddie rides that she could do, while all of the big guys (my husband included b/c he was one of the chaperones) did all the fast and exciting rides. The whole week was a very welcomed break from the non-routine we have been having, especially because it just happened to be my 6th week after having Adriana. Now, I have been very, very spoiled! My mom has been here really watching over me and making me take it easy these 6 weeks. The way I see it, this past week was the best way to close my "forced vacation". Now I look ahead at a very long list of projects I want to get done but the good news is I can do it myself! I am not required to lay low and take it easy anymore. So hopefully by the end of this week the two apartments will be finally "integrated" and we´ll be completely "spread" out through both floors in more of a house fashion. Home will feel like home!

Final good bys

First of all, before I forget: to all those who have spaces on MSN, the new changes they´ve done to the sites don´t let me leave comments, but do know that I´ve read you and once I figure out how to post comments again I´ll be letting you know.
I can´t tell you just how many times I´ve sat and began writing to be cut short by a baby who wants to nurse again or a little girl that demands my attention, so I´d better be quick this time!

Moving here I find myself constantly coming to terms with the fact that there will be many loved ones and acquaintances that I´ve left behind whom I´ll probably never see again. No final good bys, no seeing them pass on from this life. It is hard... it was hard when I´ve heard about two of my primary school teachers who passed away within a week or so from each other though I hadn´t seen them in years. It was even harder these past few weeks as we waited to hear about my 93-year-old grandmother who has been dealing with pneumonia and going in and out of critical moments that we´ve all thought could´ve been the last. She´s much better now I´m told. But today what lingers in my heart is how hard it is to show my love and support to those left behind by their loved ones.

The mother of a dear uncle passed away yesterday... my brother was kind enough to call us once he got to the funeral home and both my mom and I were able to talk to him. But how do you attempt to bring comfort to someone who can´t see you? How and what do you say when usually it is the warmth of the embrace that soothes? I know he knows we love him. I know he knows we´d be by his side if we could yet we are left with the coldness of a crackling telephone connection that won´t let us see into each other´s eyes or hold in a silent embrace that would speak so much more than words... that is one I didn´t see coming and my how tough it is!!

My little girls

Three + weeks...

It has been a bit over three weeks since we got home. Some days I feel full of energy and projects and ready to take on this place and finally make it "home", some other days I would be the happiest just sleeping! I don't think I'm loosing more sleep than I lost with Elena, the big difference is that I can't bring myself to "sleep when my baby sleeps" as I did the first time around because I have a darling little girl who needs me too and I rather be awake for her than missing out on her day because of catching some z's. So, here I am... trying to make the best of what I have before me, living one day at a time.

On my days of energy nothing seems to phase me, on my tired days anything and everything can. One of the things I find myself dealing with this time is the usual question posed, mostly by strangers: "Is she a good baby?" What is one supposed to answer? "oh, no... she's awful, she wakes me up when I'd like to sleep" Are you kidding me? A baby does what a baby is supposed to do... some sleep a little longer, some cry a little less but I do not think you can label them of "good" or "bad" because of that. Now, I know there is probably nothing ill meant by the question, but it really gets to me... some days more than others. At any rate, regardless how little sleep I may get, regardless how long my baby may cry and regardless how little my babies like slings, swings, carriers and any other contraption designed to hold them while mom does something else, I always think they are a wonderful, awesome blessing and I never grow tired of admiring and loving them... I think I'm biased!