School Pictures

This is what my kids do...

11 Days

Wow! It's been 11 days since I posted last! Before you ask...I will tell you that I have been VERY BUSY! I have had several roles here, SUPER MOM (doing all the jobs that moms do all the time, plus helping the 10th graders with a spaghetti meal, plus, dealing with a 2 1/2 year old, plus getting everyone up at 5:15 am...), SUPER DAD (doing all the jobs that the dad or husbands do...well, my husband, anyway, really does a lot!), SUPER TEACHER (doing double shifts with meetings, etc. at school since Oscar wasn't here, plus...going through some very difficult decisions at school!), SUPER HOSTESS (fixing meals for about 15 people every day for a whole month trying to prepare a variety of American and Paraguayan foods), SUPER FAN (standing on the sidelines at soccer and volley ball games screaming for the "Adonai" winning team...in the cold and the rain).

Well, today, my adrenaline is low. Oscar's back. Things are getting back to normal. I have been soooo busy the past month that today I don't even feel like cooking.

I'm resting up today and maybe tomorrow. I have a lot coming up this weekend...a couple more soccer and volley ball games, a women's meeting, a youth activity, another spaghetti fund raiser...I'm thankful that Oscar is back to help split the responsabilities!

I'll get back into the blogging routine, again, soon!

Skype

Last night Oscar and i were talking on Skype. We seemed so near and clear. We could have been just rooms apart...but no, it was miles and miles! The saddest part of the conversation was when Edson picked up on his dad's voice and came running to the computer. He looked all around, saw Oscar's image on the video screen and said "Upa, papá, upa! (Hold me, daddy, hold me!) Awww, I don't know who was more nostalgic...Oscar or Edson.

Friendship Day

Today is DÍA DEL AMIGO. Friend's day or Friendship Day. In Paraguay, July 30 is one of the biggest and happiest days of the year...made especially to congratulate and encourage friends.
This morning on our way to school at 6:15 am, there were people already out with fresh flowers selling for a $1. The stores last night were FILLED with people buying last minute trinckets for todays festivities. You may be included in about 3 or 4 gift exchanges and are expected to bring a small gift. "Friends" show up from just about everywhere with cute little dollar bargains. I have learned to carry a bag of gifts around...for all my friends. Sometimes you become embarrased when "your friend" hands you a gift and you did not prepare one for them! Last night I made 34 little chocolates with handwritten notes of thanks and appreciation to our whole staff at school. I also prepared special baggies of goodies for my "friends" that need/expect a gift also.
Friendship Day, Gift Day, Appreciation Day...something similar to Valentine's Day, maybe, in the States. So....to all my FRIENDS...HAPPY DAY!
We appreciate your love and prayers, your gifts and encouragement. God Bless you, my friend!

Iguazu Falls

Iguazu Falls...Always beautiful! Two weeks ago my kids went with a group from Canada and this past week I went with my friends from Tremont, IL and my niece...Laurel. My boys told us that it was a waste of time...there were only trickles of water. Hmmm, some trickles! I don't think that these falls could ever be "just trickles".

I have, maybe, thousands of pictures of these falls, but every time I go, I find another beautiful sight that makes one more beautiful picture.

VEGETABLE SOUP!

One of our family favorites, and a soup many Paraguayan families eat...

It's really called Squash Soup here.

It's easy. You put all the vegetables in a pot and boil it down. Add salt. When the vegetables are tender, puré them in the blender. Add milk and "farmer's cheese". It's great!

We had it today with empanadas!