This stuff really does happen

Beth’s first attempt at making brownies on her own was more-or-less successful. However I did notice a LARGE quantity of baking powder missing from the container. These brownies were so double-acting they continued the chemical reaction in your mouth. Her next attempt went much better. Hopefully you will get a good idea from the picture – Gabe’s Lego box was infested with termites. He was cleaning off his shelf looking for his wallet and instead found lots of other dirt and creatures. The wallet has yet to be found . . .actually we are pretty sure our house help has taken it, along with several other things . . . .Gabe’s shoes were also stolen last week. Frustrating!! The kid’s bathroom is back in one piece but lacks a working light and paint – but otherwise is in good shape. I have no before pictures but these “during” pictures should give a good idea.

Is it really like they say?

So Gavin comes into my room tonight with a pretty serious look on his face, which for the family comedian, caught my attention. “Mom,” he begins, “Is life really as hard without Daddy as everyone says it is?” It was cute and very sincere. He has heard many many people ask where his dad is this week. Most respond with friendly pity for me being home “all alone” with 5 kids. I assured him that we were going to be just fine while daddy was gone – but that we NEED our daddy and life is much more fun with Daddy, but not to worry. I really like all of my kids so being “stuck” at home with them is actually my preference. We certainly need him, but we know he is where he needs to be right now and he can rest easy knowing his family will be just fine while he’s away . . . but he can’t go away without us again. :0)

Oh, where is my hubby you ask? Why he is in Arequipa getting an intensive brush up on his Spanish. He is studying hard and enjoying the new malls and coffe shops build over the past 14 months since we left there. The kids and I are busy with school and keeping up on the spider webs and dust in our house (you seriously need to sweep the whole house every day) since our helper sprained her ankle last weekend. Christian was able to visit Gaston and Sara on his way to Arequipa (it’s really not on the way but . . ) They are going through some very difficult times. Please pray for them.

Right before Christian left the back of our house had to be torn off to get to some pipes that were leaking into our bed room. Turned out the leaks were in two separate places and we needed to rip apart the shower are well. (Construction here is a bit different and our pipes were buried in concrete). Since the wall was down we had it put back together a little differently and opened up the bathroom a bit more with one huge window across the top. Unfortunately I forgot to a before picture but I did get a “during” picture . . .I will post that later. I am glad it was back together before he left . . all it needs now is paint.