National Anthem

Here in Paraguay the National anthem is sung at school like the Americans say the Pledge of Alligence (not sure how to spell this right now, sorry). The kids are taught to stand up straight with their arms down to the side. One is supposed to be face forward and very serious. During our school program last week celebrating our 200 yr. Independence Day. I happened to look over to my right where the pre-school group was standing. Some movements distracted me from the solemness of the National Anthem.

Sorry...I just had to break the rules of respect for the National Anthem and film this!

I told Edson that we could laugh about it this time...but he cannot EVER do this again during the National Anthem.

Coloring the Dog...

I bought Edson some colored chalk the other day and all of a sudden noticed that "Parche" was now a colorful, rainbow dog.

He had so much fun coloring the dog and we all thought it was so creative and funny.

He spent at least an hour on his masterpiece!

Mommy, I'm scared of the rain!

"Mommy, I'm scared of the rain!"

Edson got out of bed at 6:20am. It was raining really hard and the usual thunder and lightning as well. I said, "go back to bed. there's nothing to be scared of. you NEED to go back to sleep."

My words were just NOT comforting to him. "No, come with me" he insisted.

I was...kind of...busy...you know, looking for a certain recipe on the internet...

But...I got up and took him to my bed to cuddle with him.

We watched, together, the "blue and purple explosions" of lightning and hugged each other even more when we heard the thunder. He was safe and satisfied. Somebody big was protecting him from this scary storm.

While I was waiting for him to fall back asleep, I started thanking God for hugging me, protecting me and keeping ME safe and satisfied througout all my life's storms. How many times have I gone to God begging for His presence to stay with me and comfort me.

He's NEVER too busy to hear me call. He's NEVER too ocuppied.

Edson teaches me so much about God's love and grace.

Another wedding

Our friend, Marlene, recently got married to a man from Haiti. She wanted a ring-bearer and asked Edson to walk in with her relative. Things started out good. Check out his shirt in one of the last pictures. :)

Pre-school

These four year olds are just so cute!!!

back to family...

Our Big Day!

Today is our Big Day! Edson is going to Pre-school! We are so excited! He couldn't sleep last night talking about it. We have bags full of supplies that the teacher asked for! (I wonder if they are even going to use it all?) All this week he has been sleeping in since pre-school is in the afternoon...no naps for ever more!

His teacher is Noemí...he says No-me-í...which sounds kind of funny in Spanish.

I am always wondering if HE is going to cry or if I am. ;)

One Left!

Well, after 1 1/2 months, the little puppies started chewing on everything...even my front door.

Oscar took four to San Pedro on Monday. Sasha had 9...2 died.

One white one had blue eyes and one black one had one blue eye and one black eye.

We are down to just ONE LEFT!

More of Edson

An Unexpected Guest

Yesterday our friend, Juan Carlos, called and told me that he was in town and wanted to talk to Oscar. He said that he would be here around 11 am, so I told him that we would plan on having him for lunch.

I was busy finishing up lunch, setting the table, and wondering where Juan Carlos was. It was getting close to noon.

All of a sudden, Edson came running into the kitchen, breathless and pulling my clothes hard. "Mom", he said, "Jesus is here...Come quick and look...Jesus is here!" I didn't think that Juan Carlos resembled Jesus, but when I finally walked out. I saw that he brought a friend (whose name was also Juan Carlos) who actually DID look like a modern-day Jesus (long hair-full, fluffy beard).

Both men stayed for lunch and Edson asked to pray before eating. Oscar started right in with the prayer and when he was done, Edson just broke into tears...He wanted to pray for "Jesus". He felt soooo bad that Oscar didn't let him. He sat across from "Jesus" but he made sure that he had water, food, and what ever else he needed. He actually thought this was Jesus.

The "Jesus" Juan Carlos left, and our friend stayed for the afternoon.

After Edson's nap, he came down and said, "mom, where's Jesus?" I said, "Edson that wasn't Jesus. That was Juan Carlos' friend." He still wasn't convinced.

At prayer time, before going to bed. Edson prayed once more: "Thank you...Jesus...for the visit today..."

...I am beginning to believe that maybe it just WAS Jesus!

November 15th

Edson's Birthday

We wanted to share this special moment of Edson's birthday with you. The kids are some friends from church.

The candle "four" is backwards to the video because he wanted it looking at HIM! (Check out that watermelon in the backround!)

Friends

Last month we went to Chaco, Argentina to visit some friends. They invited Oscar to a Youth Retreat. Argentina had a holiday weekend, but we didn't. I let the kids skip school on Monday. I can't believe I did that...we NEVER skip school. Anyway, we had a great weekend. Now, our kids are friends with our friends kids. Isn't that cool?

1. Edson and Mildren

2. Gaby and Brian

3. Gaby, Brian, Brandon

4. Brian and Brandon

Como Papá...Just Like Dad

Edson has been picking clothes that closely resemble his dad's styles. He even stands to pose and show us that he actually DOES look like his dad. He wants a belt, shoes and all. I try to tell him that he doesn't have to LOOK just like "papá", but he keeps insisting.

It all got me thinking...do I want to look like my (Heavenly Father) Dad just as much as he wants to look like his (earthly) dad? Does it really matter to me THAT much...insisting on dressing like my Father? Am I trying THAT hard to be just like Him?

...are you?

My big brothers are at it again...

Brandon thought this was wonderful!

Look Dad...I'm Strong!

Where do you think he gets this idea from? His brothers or his dad? Pretty good for a three year old, huh?

Good Friends

Mauricio...Mauri is one of Edson's good friends. They were born 10 days apart, both in November. They are quite the opposite in just about everything...hair, eyes, and personality, but they are good friends!

This picture was taken Saturday night at church. One of Edson's favorite spots is here, in this Ficus tree. From here, he can see the volleyball or soccer games without anyone bothering him. When I can't spot him (at night) in the playground area or in the hallways...he is usually here, in the Ficus.

Edson's Pictures

Edson has been into drawing and coloring lately. This is last night's version of "mom and dad" and cars. After a while he said that he decided that the bottom picture was not cars, it was teeth! (Then he showed me his teeth and growled like a big bear growl and ready to attack.) Yeah, That's what it was supposed to be! Huge teeth!

Edson...

It's been awhile...here are some pictures of Edson!

Still...very passionate about books.

"There are Two Aunt Marlenes"

On thursdays I go to a meeting at school and leave Edson at Marlene's house. Ever since he was born he goes there on Thursday mornings. She is Pastor Dario's wife and their kids and our kids are best friends for life! It is like a second home to Edson (and Brandon and Gaby).
At church the other day, Marlene was sitting with her identical twin sister, Elena. He doesn't spend much time with Elena because she lives farther away, and we just do so much more with Marlene's family. We were eating lunch at a table near by and Edson was finishing up and looking around. He spotted Marlene and started saying to himself..."There are two Aunt Marlenes...there are two Aunt Marlenes". Finally, some of us at the table started listening to what he was really saying and we all started laughing.
They do actually look alike and if you don't know them well, you could easily get them mixed up. Their kids used to go to the same school. Elena's kids are all older, but every once in a while someone would meet up with one or the other twin and start talking to her about school activities...and it was really the other person...do you know what I mean? Elena used to work at the snack bar at CPA and knew just about everyone at school. Sometimes people would go up to Marlene and start talking to her about the snack bar, money for their kids, what they should buy, etc. and Marlene is like, "ummm what are you talking about?..."
Once you get to know them you can really see how very different they are, but to a three year old (and many others)..."there are two Aunt Marlenes".

I feel safe and secure knowing that God can tell us all apart...there are no two "Aunt Marlenes".
Psalm 139: 1-6 (NIV)
1 O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O LORD.
5 You hem me in—behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.

A Quick Trip to San Pedro