Peru 2011

Well, I finally made it back down to Peru...and boy, was it worth it. From the moment I came back from Peru in 2006 I knew I would go back...and I finally did! Amazing how different a trip can be when you go to the same place...and this one was even better.
We went with a group of 26 from church to Chilca, Peru - back to Hannah's Home. It's an orphanage that now houses 10 kids. To be back down there and to experience that again was precious. I think instead of going through the day to day, I want to share what I have taken back or been most impacted by.
I think the number one thing that struck me that week was something internal. I have always asked God to speak loud. To make HImself very clear and known - in decisions and life in general. I think what struck me in Peru is that I used that as a pretty lazy excuse to not have to dig for Him on my own. Of course God speaks loud. Of course He makes Himself known. And when He does, that's amazing. But for me, in that moment, I just felt like God was saying, "Nope, for YOU, I'm in the quiet moments." That doesn't allow me to just wait for Him to speak loud. It forces me to seek Him out and find out what He has for me. It was a good realization - one that I want to continue to work on.
God speaks to me through kids. That's where I see God's face; where I can really see Him at work. I've been called to work with kids and I'm using my gifts to do so. I love that. So I think it was also cool to just see the little orphans' faces. They are precious, loved, fun, and full of potential. Milagros (who I'll talk about later) even remembered me from 5 years ago! How touching is that?!
One of the days, we marched in Peru's Flag Day Parade. It is one of the biggest days of the year. The kids practice for 4 hours a day for 3-4 weeks. We practiced to make it right - so as not to make fools out of ourselves. It was such an honor to march for Hannah's Home. When we got to the grandstands and municipality, the entire crowd came to their feet, cheered, and thanked us for marching in the parade. I had to pep-talk myself to hold it together - it was just one of those powerful moments where you feel proud, humbled, nervous, and filled with joy at the same moment. It was an honor to represent Hannah's and the United States.
During one of the VBS days, I was making shapes with a little girl using sidewalk chalk. She didn't want to talk or even look at me. So I just kept drawing. Finally, she took her piece of chalk and started to draw exactly what I did and a big smile came across her face. In that moment, all I could think of was, "Be imitators of Christ." Powerful moment.
There are a couple women who stay at the orphanage and help with the kids each day. Dalia and Karen are precious women who are the perfect examples of pure service. To see their love, commitment, dedication, consistency, and affection towards the children was beautiful to see. One night, we gave all the women and girls manicures and pedicures - to make them feel special. I was working on Karen's nails when she looked at me and through a translator said, "No one has ever taken the time to do this for me. This feels so special. You are Christ's hands and feet, coming from afar. Thank you." Tears streaming down my face, I just hugged her and told her that she deserved it and God was smiling down at her for all she has done with her life. A very cool moment to be a part of.
There were 100 more moments that I want to treasure forever. The beach and Ocean Devotion time. The dolphins, The daycare with tons of little kids. The church service on the last day - amazing worship. My roommates - Mary and Alyssa. The bus rides - the scary moments and the good conversation. Having a note from Matt and Siena to open each day. The translators - Jasmin and Mirari (their stories are so powerful). The food. Milagros. Chicken foot soup. Foot washing. Calling home and hearing Siena say "Momma". Etc.
It was a very special trip. I'm thankful for the opportunity, the adventure, the friendships, the conversations. I know I'll be back there again soon. Until then...

Playing on the beach with the kids the first day. The waves were huge and our toes just needed a dip! Fun!
Just one of those moments.
A sweet little boy in the daycare we went to.
Our sweet, precious Milagros.
Painting Karen's nails. A blessing.
Mila painting my nails.
My Peruvian match! One of the only children down there with curly hair!!
Karen and Dalia. Servants at heart.
Mirari.
Jasmin.
Some of my favorites - Mandy and Mary.

PS. I did miss Siena. However, she was in wonderful hands with her Daddy, I was in a place I knew I was supposed to be, I was having a wonderful time...it was a great chance for me to prove to myself that I can be away and it's good for everyone. (I will say one night when I called home, I heard Siena crying in the background. Matt put the phone up to her ear and she stopped crying and said, "Momma? Momma? Peru? Airplane? Helpin' kids?" "Yes, baby, Momma's helping kids right now. I love you and I can't wait to kiss your sweet face." "I love you, Momma." That's a conversation I'll hold onto for a while...)

Cole!!

(drum roll, please)
Introducing...our sweet new puppy, Cole!

Matt and I have always wanted to be a dog family. We both grew up with dogs and knew that's what we wanted for our kids too. Siena has only confirmed that that's just what we need. :) She is obsessed with dogs and can't keep her hands off any dog she comes into contact with.

So, when a friend from school sent out an email to the staff about free black lab puppies, we investigated. A wonderful man living out on a farm in Lone Jack owned male and female purebred labs. They had a litter of puppies, and instead of selling them for money, he just wanted to find good homes for them.

We took Siena out to see the puppies on Sunday afternoon. Of course the puppies were absolutely adorable. However, I think both Matt and I were more impressed with the mom and dad. They were both on the property, both super sweet dogs with great disposition, and both of them not too big. They licked all over Siena and were sweet as can be. If they were any indication of what their puppies will be like, we've got a great thing coming.

Before we went to see the puppies, we told ourselves we would not leave with a puppy. And we didn't. We went home, talked about it a lot, talked logistics, pros and cons, all of it. After a few final things came together, we went out Monday afternoon (Memorial Day) to pick out a puppy.

There were 4 males puppies left and all of them identical and adorable. We ended up picking out Cole because he was the littlest and also one of the 2 that paid the most attention to us when we came to play. He pounced around a little bit, showed some love, but also cuddled too. We took him home to Siena, who was very surprised to see her very own puppy at her house!!

For some reason, Siena thought the puppy's name was Huggie. Not sure where that came from or why she kept calling him that, but we'll give Cole the middle name of Huggie...not a very manly lab name. Now she's got it...his name is "Cold." :)

Cole has been great! He's just like a newborn...plays hard for 20 minutes or so and then is wore out and has to take a nap. Siena loves him to pieces and he just puts up with the neck "hug" strangulation, squishing when she wants to sit right by him, and the constant in-your-face contact. The perfect puppy for an almost 2-year-old.

It makes me smile to think that Cole might very well be the dog that Siena has when she's in high school. He is such a sweet dog. (Please remind me of the sweetness when he's going through chewing stages and figuring out his big, awkward body.) We love our little COLE! :)

To Siena, this is a hug. To Cole, this is...well, what his hugs will be like from now on.

Cole's first bath.
Exhausted after the first day with his new family.

Signs of Summer...

Okay, it's SO close to summer, we can taste it around here! Yes, we're still in school, and yes, sometimes I'm still wearing gloves and scarves (well, maybe not that bad, but kinda)! But it's close...I can just feel it! On a Sunday afternoon, we took full advantage of the wonderfulness that was: a glimpse of what our summer days will soon look like...

Siena loves watermelon, or as she would say, "moh-en". She is not the neatest watermelon eater, but boy, does she love it...even the drips of melon clear down her stomach!
Another fun summer activity: "boh bubboh" (blow bubbles)!
You know it's summertime when the shades are on, the suit is on, and the knees have band-aids on them...nothing beats playing outside, even a few falls and "ouchies".
Daddy and "Shee-ena". (Just recently, Siena has decided not to call herself Nah-Nah anymore. It's kind of sad to think she might be getting old enough to get her name right!)



Our backyard in nothing to speak of. But the one perk: a tiny strawberry patch that has managed to live, regardless of the lack of "green thumbness" on my part. They must be able to live in the desert if I haven't killed it yet! We got to show Siena unripe berries and the importance of patience. They don't taste very good when they're yellow! It'll be fun to check on them every few days...and hope the bugs don't get to the berries before we do! :)
Siena got her baby ring from Matt's parents when she was first born. I have held on to it and now is the perfect time for her to wear it. She's into jewelry right now and (most importantly), it fits on her finger without her being able to take it off on her own! I think it looks so darling on her chubby little finger.
Why not end the beautiful afternoon with beautiful piggies! Siena sat in her chair and played with grapes in her cup of water. I used her distractions to get my brush on her nails. She loves having "paint on her toes"! (It inspired me to fix my toes too!)

The finished product! This is also a great place to comment on her LOVE for Elmo! We found these beauties at a garage sale and she doesn't want to ever take them off! She calls them her "Elmo flippy floppies" and they are best friends! Too cute!

Oh, the days when I can do this all day every day can't come soon enough! Siena, Momma and Daddy will be done soon!! CanNOT wait!! :)

Chick-a-dee.

Today I thought it would be fun to bring Siena up to school to see some little creatures down the hall. First grade hatched some baby chicks...perfect opportunity to introduce Siena to some new animals! Didn't know if they would freak her out, but it was worth a try! She LOVED the baby chick! We took the little guy out of the box and put him on the ground. He didn't stay there for long! Siena had him wrapped up in her little fingers and was holding him - and actually quite gently! She didn't want to let him go and they instantly became best friends. Well, my guess was it was a one-way relationship. I'm sure the chick did not feel the same way as she did about him! Ha! :) Siena gave plenty of kisses and hugs to the little fellow and loved the experience. I did too Sweet.

Momma's Day!

Dear Siena,

You are one of the most precious gifts I have been given in this life. You and your daddy are blessings I thank God for all the time. Today, you made my day so special and I am so thankful for you! Without you, I don't get to celebrate a day like today - thanks!! :)

Thanks for breakfast! You know toast and cereal are always good in the morning. I think you snatched a few bites on the way to bringing me my food, but I'll share with you any time. Yum! You also noticed that Momma is liking coffee a little more these days, so thanks for getting the darling coffee mug with Daddy. It's super cute and I'll use it a lot! The little knit mug warmer will be perfect for those hot cups of coffee! And you know that things have been stressful at school and I am so excited to get my professional massage! What a treat - I know you and Daddy like to pamper me. I appreciate it.

But you want to know what the best part of my day was? It was spending it with you and Daddy. Sure, I loved going to lunch with your Grandma and Grandpa and Great Grandma and I loved seeing friends at church. I really loved being able to pick out a pair of shoes too. But the best part was spending the day with you!! That's the best gift you could ever give me. (That, and when you take a really great nap...I love that too!) So thanks for "scooping" with me and playing outside. That's my favorite!

While we were outside, Daddy took some really great photos of us. They are great "memory catchers" and I love to have those to always be able to look back on our times together. You and I sure do have fun together! I plan to have many, many more of those moments!

Siena, you're my little angel. I love you with all my heart. Thank you for making my Mother's Day wonderful and for making me the happiest, luckiest Momma out there. You're my little love. Don't you EVER forget that.

Love,

Momma

Park Play Date

The weather has been so hit or miss lately that we took advantage of a nice day! We went to the Grain Valley park to play with a little friend! Matt was gone at a track meet all day Friday and Saturday in St. Louis. Gianna's daddy was at the same track meet, so Kate and I decided to get out of the house for a little bit with the girls and enjoy the pretty weather! The girls had fun swinging, blowing bubbles, going down the slides, and running and giggling. "Gee-auhna" and Siena had fun!! Two coaches wives have to stick together!! :)




Siena brought along her Cookie, Elmo, and Big Bird animals to the park in a little bowl. She made sure they also got all the perks of the park: swinging, crawling through tunnels, and of course, each of them got a crash course in being thrown down the slide. They were good sports.


After a weekend away from Daddy, it was very obvious that Siena is not a fan. She was all out of sorts! Saturday she didn't want to take a nap...not super unusual. Then, after I put her down to sleep Saturday night, I think she realized she didn't get her kiss goodnight from Daddy - she was not happy! She ended up crying herself to sleep...poor thing! Then, when Siena woke up first thing on Sunday morning, I took her back into our bed to get a few more winks of sleep. We're both half asleep, I walk back into our room, and she perks up and says, "Daddy's home!" Then, at church, she didn't want to go into the nursery...apparently hadn't caught up on her Daddy time yet. So, she taught KidsQuest with us today. :) After the day with both her Momma and Daddy, I think she's good! She went to sleep just fine...happy to have her Daddy home. Me too!! :)