Despite all the difficulties we were able to give medicine and care to 3144 people in 5 days.  We heard some incredible stories and gave medicine, food, clothing, sandals, and even the boxes containing these things to people who needed them.  We treated scabies, lice, arethemia, diabetes, asthma, STDs, colds, aching bones, rashes, terrible coughs, and more.

I was deeply affected by the standard of living these people deal with.  Shacks made of metal siding, with no windows or doors, holes in the ceiling and walls, and a dirt floor.  Most of them had open cooking fires inside their homes. Even with the beans and rice we gave them, they probably wouldn't have lunch. 

I had to see the doctor when we got back and all it took was a phone call and I had an appointment the next day.  My daughter gets to choose what she wants on her sandwich and my son wears good diapers, not underwear because I don't have diapers.  We live in a comfortable home, where we can keep the bugs out easily and we aren't causing asthma in our kids whenever we cook.  We really do have so much to be thankful for.  We take so many things for granted.  It's terrible how demanding we can be when we have to wait in line at the bank machine to take our money out.  These people waited all day just to see a doctor!  There is no bank holding their money, although I'm pretty sure they'd wait all day for that, too.

I am so grateful for the chance to go and share God's love with these struggling people.  I couldn't really speak a whole lot to them so I made sure I smiled at every person who handed me their prescription sheet.  And you know what?  Every one smiled back at me.  It's a universal way to communicate. 

So I'm sending a smile to each and every person who reads this.  I hope it brightens your day as it does mine.

I'll try to post some photos in the near future.  I've taken so many it may take a while to sort through them all.  Stay tuned!

This morning in church they commissioned us, which means we stood at the front while elders and our friends stood around us, laying their hands on us, to pray for us.  Wow, what an experience!  It brought me to tears, in fact my eyes are welling up a bit as I type this.  To be surrounded by our friends and church leaders, knowing that they will be praying for us and thinking of us now and while we're gone.  I felt so supported.  I love our church so much! 

Well, this afternoon is probably my last chance to make some cards and maybe do some scrapbooking, so I'd better get at it.  Think of us, pray for us.  We'll be back November 2.  I'll be sure to blog about it, when I get a chance.

Hugs everyone!

This is what Arianna did yesterday after church.  She quietly got out her paper and markers and sat at the kitchen table while I was in the living room keeping an eye on Nathaniel and my hubby and mother-in-law were making lunch.  Chris came in to the living room and said, "Did you know our daughter can write her name?"  She didn't stop there, and only needed help with the capital N.  We haven't really sat down with her and written out everyone's names and had her trace them or anything like that, just exposed her to the letters in books and on the computer.  I was completely floored!

Woah.  Wait a second.  I'm sure there's nothing to keep me from being on the list and there's probably nothing to keep me from being called to the courthouse.  It's a little scary.  But I guess if that is something I'm asked to do, I will do it, with grace and pride. 

I never thought I would get this letter.  I wonder what will happen...

He started really walking yesterday and has been practicing like crazy today, just in time for his birthday.  We went out for supper and gave him some ice cream for the first time.  Great reactions!!  A fun time.

My life is so good.  God is so good.

I thought I'd post a link to the blog from the last medical mission trip so you would have an idea of what I'm about to do.  www.ftccanadateams.blogspot.com

Now they're all awake, so I'd better go.  Lots to do today.

Nathaniel is going to be a year old on Saturday!! That year just flew right by.  Does time speed up when you have more kids?  It sure seems that way.  He's a little monkey, that one, climbing on everything, but he doesn't fall, thank goodness.  I just can't keep him off things like Daddy's chair.  It's impossible, unless I did nothing other than follow him around all day.  He took his first steps on Sunday and is starting to babble like he is actually saying things.  It's the cutest thing.  He looks me right in the eye and tells me something.  Oh how I wish I knew what he was thinking.  Right now he's upstairs sleeping while his big sister is at preschool.  Yes, Arianna is in preschool and loving it!  She talks my ear off at home, always asking questions.  What is this, Mommy?  What are you doing, Mommy?  Why are doing that, Mommy?  And telling stories and singing songs and dancing, she loves dancing.  It really amazes me.  She goes to preschool two mornings a week for about 2 hours, today being her fourth day.  Her teacher told me she did really well with Show and Tell on Tuesday and is beginning to talk to the other kids.  Yay!  She is a wonderful big sister, adores her baby brother, except when he pulls her hair or gets into toys she's trying to play with.  They have what she calls "hand time" in the car.  She calls out, "Hand time!" and then reaches out her hand to him and he grabs it.  If I had a camera in the car and could turn around and take a photo while driving, I would.  It warms my heart everytime.

My mother-in-law is arriving tomorrow and I'm looking forward to it so much.  She'll be staying with us until the second week of November.  We get along wonderfully!  She's staying long enough to babysit the kids while Chris and I go on a medical mission trip to Nicaragua.  We're flying out on my birthday, Oct. 25, and coming home the next Sunday.  This is a trip that, if you remember, my husband has gone on a couple times already.  The last one was in February.  This time I'm going, too.  Can't wait!

Well, I'd better get some work done.  I've got to wake Nathaniel in an hour to go pick up Arianna.  I hope you are all doing well!  I miss Minti, gotta get on here more often...

Here's a new photo:

Also, as of today, Nathaniel is weaned.  He was starting to show signs that he was ready and I was having to fight him a bit to stay latched so I figured it was time.  It's a bit sad, that I nursed him for the last time yesterday morning, but it also wasn't very pleasant for me anymore.  So although it is all bitter sweet, I am content and happy that Daddy can feed him now, too.  I even got to sleep in this morning since Chris is on holidays.  Such a nice treat!

I will post a couple photos soon.

I do still check in here from time to time, so just because I haven't written a blog or commented on others' blogs doesn't mean I don't still think of you.

I hope all is well with all my dear friends here.  Sending hugs to all of you!

Happy Birthday, my favourite girl.

I can't imagine what his wife is going through, his son, who will never really remember his dad.  It makes me grateful for my husband and children.

There was a fire in downtown Bowmanville this past week.  A number of businesses and apartments were destroyed.  It makes me grateful for my house and the things we have.

Another shift at GM (local automotive plant) was cut.  1,000 people lost their jobs and the trickle-down effect will cause 100s more in job losses.  It makes me grateful for my husband's job, where there is a shortage of pharmacists.  He could probably pick where he wanted to work.

I am so richly blessed.  Thank you, Lord, for showering me with your blessings.  May I never take them for granted!

Anyway, there's a quick update.

Oh and I'm so excited, our tulips are blooming!! Spring is here!

Arianna is now almost 3 years old.  We started potty training her in November and we're not any closer than we were back then.  It's taking forever!  She has also decided that it's time for tantrums and boy is that fun.  It isn't all bad, though.  She's starting to have imaginary friends and it's so funny watching and listening to her play with them.  She has such an imagination, always pretending to be all sorts of things and, of course, Mommy has to play along.

Nathaniel is growing like a weed.  At his 6-month (Yup, he's 6 months old already!) check-up he weighed in at 16lbs and he's 27" long.  He's nursing really well, no more problems there.  Yay!  But we do have problems elsewhere.  He has an allergy to rice cereal, of all things.  His face gets all red and blotchy, with little white bumps like hives.  The worst reaction even went down his neck.  Right now we are waiting to see a pediatrician and we watch him like crazy after every meal.  This allergy didn't surface until at least a week on the rice cereal.  So far, he hasn't reacted to oatmeal cereal, which is the only other thing he's eaten at this point.  We'll have to see what the pediatrician says.  He's rolling all over the place and can get himself where he wants to go in a combination roll/pull forward motion.  It's fun to watch him; although now we have to work extra hard to keep Arianna's small toys away from him.

I'm keeping busy with these two and church activities as well as my Close To My Heart business.  Our house is buzzing!  It's great even though it can be tiring sometimes.  I do miss everyone here and I wish I had more time to spend on Minti.  I still think about all my friends here, even if I'm not on to leave you notes in your lounges.

Sending hugs to everyone!

What do you think?

This is fun, thanks for the tag!

Here are the rules for this tag.

1. Link to the person that tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself.
4. Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.
5. Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.

6 things, hmmm...

1. I can type one-handed as I am right now, with baby in my lap.  Sorta slow with lots of mistakes, but I'm getting better.
2. My camp counsellor nickname: Rusty for my red hair.  When I became program director I also became Polkaroo because I'd just pop up unannounced at different activities.  In fact there are still kids who don't know my real name.
3. I have a twin brother and a younger sister, both of whom I get along with really well, always have.
4. I watch way too much TV, usually while I'm doing something else.
5. I've been known to pretend I'm fishing off the step into our living room, with Arianna of course.
6. I'm addicted to Parking Wars on Facebook!

I'm tagging: marlena, exquisite-flower, libby24, leisha, tinker79, allyp

It has been a crazy month to say the least. Just after the new year, we found out that my aunt took her own life. It was shocking, but not surprising since she'd been struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts for over a year. I wasn't particularly close to her but I have fond memories of her from when I was young. I was a flower girl in her wedding to my uncle and have spent some extended time at their house as a kid. It was a sad week.

Chris is now back at work and with that came the adjustment of being home on my own with two kids. Arianna has missed him more on some days and, of course, demands more of my attention. We also started potty training about a month before Chris went back to work, hoping that she'd be mostly trained by now. No such luck. She still only goes when we put her on after a meal and even then only about half the time. I know we'll get there eventually, but it's taking a long time.

Nathaniel is doing well, up to 14 lbs 10 oz and 26" now. He's a big boy at 4 months! He still doesn't have a regular schedule that I can count on. He is sleeping through the night, but wakes up anywhere from 7:00-8:30, so sometimes I get my shower in and well, sometimes not. He's a happy baby, very vocal and lots of fun. He's learned to roll onto his tummy, which he enjoys doing a lot. Only problem is he can't figure out how to get onto his back again and so gets upset, needing Mommy to come to his rescue.

I am getting very busy with my Close to My Heart business and I'm loving it. It's tons of fun and I'm even making some money now!

Chris is going to Guatamala the end of February for another Medical Mission. He'll be gone 8 days, so that means we're going to stay with Opa and Oma for a few days. We'll all miss him, but I'm proud of him for doing this again. I might even go with him to Nicaragua in October!

I'd go on, but I really need to get some work done. We've had our ups and downs but generally things are going well.

Here's an updated photo: