15-month checkup

Mia Grace had her 15-month checkup just a couple of weeks ago.  She is growing like a weed, and the doctor was very happy with her progress.  She only gained 1/2 pound in 3 months, but she grew a whole inch!  I’ve been so excited that she is learning sign language, but it made me cry at this doctor’s visit when she turned and started signing help while screaming at the top of her lungs while the doctor was giving her shot!  Here are a few pictures of her in her cute gown (but none of the shots!).

 

FUTURE DOCTOR?????  :-)

Birthday Beach Trip

This past weekend, the Rodriguez family loaded up and headed to the beach to celebrate my (Jennifer’s) birthday on Sunday.  I told Luis that the only thing I wanted for my birthday was a trip to the beach with some friends, and so that’s what I got.  The friends that went with us are very special to us.  Rosa keeps Mia in the mornings while I head to the office, and Mia absolutely adores her and her family.  Rosa’s husband, Christian, recovers furniture for a living and has made all of our mattresses for us.  Their two kids, Rey & Rosani, are precious and love Mia as if she were their own sister.  Some friends of ours loaned us a gorgeous condo on the beach, and we had a fantastic time.  It was only the 2nd time they had EVER been to the beach in their lives, and their first chance to overnight there.  Rosa told me this morning that an overnight trip to the beach was something they had "only ever dreamed of" and thanked us profusely for helping to "make their dream a reality."  They were enthralled with all of the technology in the apartment...dishwasher, toaster, electric coffee maker, microwave, and a self-igniting stove!  The big hit of the weekend was microwave popcorn....they all stood around the microwave to watch it pop!  Enjoy the pictures!!

The Nuñez Family checking out the gorgeous view from our porch.

Mia Grace enjoying the jacuzzi (it wasn’t hot).  She LOVES water!!

The view from the side of the jacuzzi.

Playing in the ocean

AWWWW…..

Mia Grace & her daddy walking down to the ocean together.

    Mia Grace waiting on the water to wash up on her feet!  Did I mention that she LOVES water????

wwwooooooo!!!!  There’s the water!!!

Worn out after a long day of playing, Mia lies down and says, ”Ni, Ni.”

Easter 2009

Miss Cutie in her Easter dress :-)

She was much more interested in her coke bottle than her Easter bag.

 

 

Kid’s Camp 2009

Every February, we have the privilege of hosting a team from Varsity Bible Church in Canada who, in turn, hosts a 3-day camp for the students at our TEARS School.  This camp is an opportunity for these children to get away from their barrio for several days and play games, swim, and learn more about Jesus.  For the past 3 years, I’ve been on the sidelines of camp.  In 2006, I was the TEARS team coordinator, so I was busy doing the details of the Canada team that was here.  In 2007, I had a nasty case of bronchitis and was unable to help out at all.  And, of course, in 2008, I was giving birth to Mia Grace while the camp was happening!  This year, I was THRILLED to be able to participate.  At first,  I wasn’t so hyped up on being a counselor (of 4th grade girls, nonetheless), but it turned out to be an extremely fun group of girls who made me laugh a lot.

Now, being a counselor comes with some “perks,”  which basically means that you get tortured unnecessarily.  Ok, it’s necessary in order to keep the kids happy.  My “tortures” over the 3 days were as follows:

1)  A contest to see how many marshmallows I could put in my mouth and still say the word “CHEVERISIMO,” which means “really cool” in Spanish  (4th place)

2)  Digging for treasure in a mud pit

3)  A cake eating contest, in which I promptly gagged on the first bite and almost threw up un front of the entire crowd  (last place)

4)  A carnival on the last night, in which the kids could play games and earn money.  They used their money to buy a chance at “vengeance” on their counselors by throwing flour or oatmeal on them or putting them in a dunking booth.  My sweet girls didn’t want vengeance but plenty of the little boys did!!

I’d like to interject a side note that the water in the dunking booth was FREEZING cold.  I know we are on a tropical island, but it does get cold here, and February is one of the coldest months for us.  Not to mention we were in the mountains, which is automatically 15-20 degrees cooler….AND it was at night, so you can shave off another 10 degrees or so….AND the water was from a well, so you can shave off another like 50 (ok, maybe 10 but it felt like 50) degrees!!!  I’m telling you, it was COLD!!!!  And I should also add that it was my dear, sweet hubby that paid for the above “dunking.”  So sweet…..

Our teaching theme for the weekend was on storing your treasure in heaven because “where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”  The kids enjoyed treasure-hunting pirates that visited us during each session to teach us.

All in all, it was a fantastic weekend full of fun and learning and growing deeper in our walks with Jesus!!  Many thanks to the Canadian group that invested so much time and money in planning and pulling off this event.

One Year Doctor’s Visit

Mia went on the 19th of February for her one-year visit to the pediatrician.  We love our pediatrician here.  He is fun-loving, down-to-earth, and he speaks English!!  Mia is the only one that isn’t too fond of him, but that probably has something to do with the fact that he’s given her a shot every time she’s seen him.   This was a special visit because she got to wear a gown for the first time…so cute!!  She weathered her shot well, and got a sucker for being a good sport.

I LOVE Windows Live Writer

A couple of weeks ago, a friend of mine recommended Windows Live Writer as an easier way to write and post blogs, as well as inserting and formatting pictures.  This is my 3rd post using Windows Live Writer, and I have to say that I LOVE it!  It’s easy to download and extremely easy to use.  During the installation process, you type in your blog address, and it automatically links the program to your blog address.  It has a ton of great features that are easy to use (much easier than blogger, in my opinion) and can add much life to your blog.  Thank goodness for updated technology!!  woohoo!!  Go here to download it and try it out, and let me know what you think of it!

Mia’s First Birthday

We were so excited to have Memommy and Grandma Barb here for Mia’s first birthday party on February 10th.  Mia started walking just a week before her birthday, so she was toddling all over the place and playing all day long.  We spent the morning preparing everything.  It was an Elmo theme, and Grandma Barb brought all things necessary to make an Elmo cake!

 

The final product was beautiful, and all of the kids at the party loved it!

Mia spent the morning sporting her Elmo 1st birthday hat.

And after lunch, all of the guests began to arrive.  We invited friends from the barrio and played games like musical plates and pin the tail on the donkey.  Even Mia got in on the game fun (with a little help, of course!)

Last but not least, we enjoyed the cake……especially the birthday girl.  Yum, Yum!!!

Even now, 3 months later, it is hard to believe that a year has already passed.  Mia grows more every day and gets smarter and smarter!  We love you, special girl!  Thanks for bringing so much joy and so many smiles into our lives!

Back Up and Running Again!!

Finally, Finally, Finally!!  The internet is back up and running (although a bit slowly), and I can try once again to update on all that has been happening with us this year.  Stay posted for pictures of Mia’s first birthday party and more!