Behold!

My kids teach me many things, but the lessons that make me cry are the best ones. In February we (the kids and I) took a little trip to Utah. We got a screaming deal on tickets and D was working horrendous hours--it was a great time to be gone. I made the mistake of snapping some photos on the plane--because I ended up leaving my camera there. I didn't realize until the next day, and although I called the Southwest office in Salt Lake incessantly, nobody picked up. I tried again the next day. Somebody finally answered, and I gave her the description of the camera and the flight number and time, and she said, "After 24 hours, any lost and found items are sent to corporate in Texas." Ugh!

I called the Texas office and gave a detailed description, saying that the camera wasn't worth a whole lot. Just a crappy digital point and shoot camera in a breastmilk storage bag with a few batteries. All I wanted back was the memory card.

I was in agony because before the trip, I stupidly neglected to download the photos. Aside from a few Halloween photos, I hadn't downloaded anything for over five months--autumn, Christmas, playing in the snow, Pip's birthday--it was all gone. I was really broken up about it. I told the kids and we started praying that somehow we would get our camera back. We mentioned it in every prayer.

Nothing turned up for the 10 days I was gone, and I called Southwest corporate again when we returned to Michigan. They said sometimes it could take up to a few weeks. Well, the weeks went by, and we kept praying, but still no news of our camera. I was really starting to lose hope. The kids still mentioned it in prayers, especially Pip. A month passed, and then two. Our camera was gone, and with it all those precious photos. I mourned their loss and the fact that I could never visually review those memories.

Then one day, I found a box on the front porch. I wasn't expecting a package--what could it be? Suddenly I saw "Southwest Airlines" tape on it. I burst into tears and thought, "Really? Could it be?" I tore open the box and behold! The black Similac bag with our camera inside, and inside that, the memory card that held a record of our lives the past half year. Oh, how I wept for joy! And then I realized that, although I had lost hope of ever getting our camera back, my kids had not. Pip had mentioned the camera in every prayer. It had never even occurred to him that we might not find it. When I told them through my tears that our camera was found, they just looked at me as if to say, "Well, of course it was. We prayed about it, didn't we?" Behold, the faith of a child!

My Sunbeam

 My Squeak was one of the youngest kids at church and it was the big day where all the kids, ages 3-12 sing and speak in front of the whole congregation. I was so proud! Despite her young age, she knew all the songs by heart. She knew them so well, in fact, that she has taught them all to Pip and he sings many of them too. We're so amazed at her sharp mind and her ability to remember things.


D and I watched our little Sunbeam from the audience in wonder. During the entire 45 or so minutes, she looked all over the place except for at us. She yawned a few dozen times. She hung her arms over the ledge of the raised stand where she was sitting. She looked at the little kids to the left and to the right. And she sang nothing except for about five words of the very last verse of the very last song. WELL! There's always a surprise, I guess. My kids just never cease to amaze me!!

 We like going to the parks to enjoy the beautiful fall. I also like to avoid unpacking toys, to keep life simple.

 This is Tio Mike. He brought his lovely family (including my lovely sis-in-law Shelly) to visit. We had so much fun! We hope they visit again!!

 He was getting some serious air on this little bike but my slow camera couldn't quite capture it.

 Squeak and Pip loved playing with "las primas"--we have a fabulous backyard!

 I spent some time with the kids at a local orchard and pumpkin patch. We had a lot of fun. We sure miss the family orchard though!!

Famous Squeak

We have an artist friend who wanted to paint Squeak for her upcoming show. You can view the painting here: "Night Time Butterflies." I love it! I can't wait to see it in real life (tonight!).

So, who wants to donate to the "purchase Squeak's painting" fund???

My Favorite Little People

Squeak has become quite maternal with her job as big sis!


The jury's still out about those eyes...


And that baby tub--Squeak thinks it's so fun to take a bath in it because it belongs to Pip.


Wrestling in the crib--it's the funnest part of bedtime!


Squeak was never in love with the Exersaucer as a baby--she got bored within a few minutes. But now she puts herself in it. I love how she's trying to spoon feed Pip from the Exersaucer.


Every day we thank the Lord for our fun, happy kids. They are such a delight! I'm grateful for the things I'm able to learn from them. Hopefully I can teach them a little something too.

The Princess is Two!

I'm so good at doing late posts! I started this one almost a month ago and I still haven't posted it. The photos are out of order to make it more exciting! I didn't make Squeak a birthday cake this year because she was really constipated, so I decided to make a special "pan de mono" (whole wheat bread that looks--sort of--like a monkey) and serve it with fruit preserves. Mmm, lots of fiber and also very healthy. It was such a hit, I don't know if I'll ever make her a cake again!! She's STILL asking for "mas pan de mono" almost daily. What a girl!

Squeak on her Birth Day

A birthday run for La Squeak
(I LOVE the double jogger!!!)

Pip enjoyed the consumption of the "pan de mono" from the sidelines

Pan de mono
She was so excited about her monkey bread instead of a cake!

Baby Squeak

"Silla de Pip"

Family Hike

Squeak's Blessing

My baby turned two a month ago. She has brought us so much joy these past two years, and she has been a great companion for me. She is also a sweet big sister and she makes all of us (including Pip) giggle with her antics.

Here are some of her favorite things:

Favorite shape: estrella--she notices them everywhere and constantly points them out to me
Favorite color: azul! (I haven't had much luck teaching her most of the other colors because when I ask her what color somthing is, she almost always responds, "azul!")
Favorite food: banana, cheese, yogurt, peas, bread, milk, grapes, all fruits.... well, she loves food
Favorite thing to wear: it's a toss-up between her flip flops and her wild butterfly skirt
Favorite letter: "A"--she also notices them everywhere and constantly points them out to me
Favorite animals: mono, moma (mariposa), pajaro, gato, perro. She also likes hormigas (we've recently had an ant infestation and she squeals with delight when she sees one crawling across the table or floor)

Favorite little friend: Emma

Favorite toy: toys have almost no appeal when Mama's around, but she does enjoy her little kitchen, on loan from cousin Sara

Favorite book: probably Libro de Mono (that's "Hug" or "Good Night, Gorilla")

Favorite comfort object: "Mo"--that's what she named my Care Bear that I gave her for Christmas