Thursday, December 28, 2006

Christmas at our House

Poinsetta brought home by Clint






Dining Room Corner
Outside lights. Notice the Hammocks on the balcony!So nice and warm and christmasy! Hanging outside in the tropical , balmy weather! Oh Yeah!!

Family Favorites

Made by my own sister's hands!
The stockings are hung on the stair way , with care, as there is no chimney anywhere!!


More oldie goldies!

Mini Nativity Scenes


Precious Moments Tea Set given to me by my Sisiter-in-law.




Indian Gourd Nativity Scene

Friday, December 22, 2006

TWO HOURS!!!

Josh will be here in TWO hours!

Thursday, December 21, 2006

'Tis the Season to be busy....

It started last Friday with Jewels Banquet.They had about 100 teens! The teens ourcampground and had a formal banquet followed by all night games and such. They slept a few hours and then headed to the pool for the day. She got in just in time on Saturday to head to choir practice.
Sunday was a busy church day with extra choir practice for Jewel's adult choir, teen choir, and Ladies ensamble. Jayde had practicefor her childrens choir and stayed to practice her solo as well.
Monday we had a missionary luncheon and a gift exchange with all the MK's. (miissionary kids). Jayde got a Cardenales hat, Jewel got a bracelet, and Josh even got 3 deluxe chocalate bars. Eventho he wasn't here yet.
Monday night was the college and careers banquet at which Clint was speaking and Jewel was serving so.. everyone got home to bed around 1:30 am. We had about 100.
Tuesday was the adult banquet, Clint and I had made ceasar dressing for the Monday banquet, about 2 gallons. We had to make over 5 gallons and fry the bacon and grate cheese! Please , I never want to see garlic again!! We had 450 adults. once again, Jewel seved tables and her choir sang a short version of the cantata planned for Sunday. We had another late night.
Wednesday, I stayed home because, well I couldn't get out of bed. The old back, dont you know! So i didn't do much but the others had church and practices and....
I was feeling some better this morning but had only slept about 3 hours last night. Even so I figured I better get the groceries for Christmas bought before the stores ran out of everything.Already, we have no sugar and nuts in the stores and some other staples HOWEVER since I had bought up food in case of violence during the elections, we are all set!! Yeah!
I got home about 11 and could hardly walk, so Clint ordered me to bed. I woke up at 4:00!!!!!Good sleep and feel somewhat better. I think I am getting some arthritis mainly in my back, but have been having alot of pain in my knee and annkle, too.
Jayde had her SS christmas party, once again at the pool. Tht must seem odd to you all up north, but Cristmas without swimming would be like... Christams without snow????
Then Jewel hd volleyball practice for the womans church league. the tournaments are in January. Now Clint and the girls went over to help eat my sister-n-laws birthday cake. I still dont feel like sitting too long and want to rest up for JOSH. he gets in tomorrow. We are SO excited!
Tomorrow Josh arrives and we will take him out for Killers, the famouse steak subs here that Jackie posted the recipe for once.
Saturday we will bake and bake. Sunday is church and all the choir specials and Clint is preaching in the evening service. we will spend the day, Lord willing also celebrating the first Birthday of alitlle MK, Emma. Eating traditional venezuelan Christmas foods. Hallacas, pan de jamon, ensalada de gallina. Yummo!
On the 25th my in-laws are coming over toeat with us . we are having ham and all the fixins'.2 americanballplayers are coming also, and a single missionary who is from Ireland. He said he would bring something traditional Irish eat. I asked , "what?" He said, "potatoes" So Nigel is doing the potatoes if he can come.
Sorry this is long and rambling but thats how I feel right now, kind of scattered brained!
Love you all and have a very Merry Christmas! excuse the typos! cant get everything to work right and have sat too long for now.

Sunday, December 17, 2006

LeLe made my day!

I downloaded videos of LeLe in Paraguay and it brought back so many memories of her mother when she was that age. And then I creid becuase I am missing out on this cute age of hers. I dont normally cry, but I did today. So, then I gave myself a pep talk about how good I have it! I mean I have a vonage phone, email, videos, my BLOG! What a great day to live in if one has to be seperated from loved ones! No more pity parties!So, I feel better counting my blessings and besides.... Josh is coming home in 5 days!!!

Thursday, December 14, 2006

For my bi-cultural familia!! This is a favorito of the season!!

THE TEX-MEX VERSION OF "THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS"
Jim and Nita Lee (Dec. 1972)
'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the casa,
Not a creature ws stirring -- Caramba! Que pasa?
Los ninos were tucked away in their camas,
Some in long underwear, some in pijamas,
While hanging the stockings with mucho cuidado
In hopes that old Santa would feel obligado
To bring all children, both buenos and malos,
A nice batch of dulces and other regalos.
Outside in the yard there arose such a grito
That I jumped to my feet like a fightened cabrito.
I ran to the window and looked out afuera,
And who in the world do you think that it era?
Saint Nick in a sleigh and a big red sombrero
Came dashing along like a crazy bombero.
And pulling his sleigh instead of venados
Were eight little burros approaching volados.
I watched as they came and this quaint little hombre
Was shouting and whistling and calling by nombre:
"Ay Pancho, ay Pepe, ay Cuco, ay Beto,
Ay Chato, ay Chopo, Macuco, y Nieto!"
Then standing erect with his hands on his pecho
He flew to the top of our very own techo.
With his round little belly like a bowl of jalea,
He struggled to squeeze down our old chiminea,
Then huffing and puffing at last in our sala,
With soot smeared all over his red suit de gala,
He filled all the stockings with lovely regalos --
For none of the ninos had been very malos.
Then chuckling aloud, seeming very contento,
He turned like a flash and was gone like the viento.
And I heard him exclaim, and this is verdad,
Merry Christmas to all, and Feliz Navidad!

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

Happy Birthday, Shane!!!

I cant get my picture to upload, but this is for you , Shane!

S: sweet as can be

H:handsome and then some

A: awesome

N:nice, too

E:Excellent, in all ways

R:really, really fun to be with

I:intellegente,dont we know

O:only one of his kind

S:Silly, just the way we like

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

Life Goes On

We have all been a bit depressed around here, so we decided to put up our tree. We can only be encouraged when we remember , God loves us, sent His son to be our Savior, and will come for us at the appointed time. The girls did most of the work on the tree and Clint and I did the outside lights. This is the largest tree we aver have had. we inherited it used from some other americans who left Venezuela. Clint and I went out looking for lights and it took almost the whole day. But, hey thats socialism for you! (oops! I let that slip)