Valentines' Day in Belmopan

Last year on Valentine's Day, we had just arrived in Belmopan, just moved into an apartment, were dealing with just learning how to live in this new country.  Figuring out when our shipment from the states was coming, where it would go...so many details.  So much newness.  There was not time to worry about making cute cards with the kids...in fact, I did not have any of my stuff at that point...we were still living out of suitcases (remember the year of living in suitcases:)).

So, this year, I was happy to pick up a little special candy for the family, and make valentines with Erika and Tori.  There is a story there, too.  Lee had a meeting at Bullfrog that night with the Foursquare ministers, so the girls and I had all our crafty supplies all over the kitchen table, the house was kind of a mess, we were in our jammies...just enjoying a quiet evening...when Lee called.  They couldn't meet at Bullfrog...so they were coming here....NOW.  Oh my, talk about kicking into overdrive...all the kids and I hurriedly starting picking up, sweeping, wiping down the bathroom, etc...  But then we finished making them in our bedroom.  I am thankful we have a large bedroom with a tile floor.  

Valentines Day, I was given a very special gift from a friend, Francine, and her church in California.  She will be conducting a Bible Study on Biblical Womanhood via conference over the Internet.  So, I get to participate.  Just in time, I received the three books on Friday.  I am so enjoying this study, even though I am only on the third lesson.  So, Tuesdays, I will meet with women in California and Texas, and we will discuss what God is showing us.  And potentially, I may eventually be able to do this here with the women in Belize.  Tori will join us on the third book, which is on Purity.  I feel very blessed that they would want to include me and minister to me in this way.

So, for Valentine's Day, we enjoyed a bag of conversation hearts...

Erika enjoyed waking up that morning to candy lying beside her bed.  Good day to start her morning...she was so happy...

Lee and I snuck away for a much needed kid-free lunch...it was so nice and QUIET...

My Valentine of 20+ years...I love him:)

Josh and I spent some of the afternoon playing Phase 10...nice to have time with just him...

That evening, we had a special dinner and then played Chicken Foot....I know I look horrible...but Valentines Day is still a real life day of laundry, dishes, homeschool...and by the end of the hot sweaty day, this is what you get:)  (Dont worry, I dressed up for our lunch date).

My Goofy family did not want pictures...but I know the grandmas still like to see us in all our silliness...

And Lee, who would have rather played Risk or Monopoly, ended up really enjoying Chicken Foot, which is good, because it was something Erika could play too...

Some have referred to Valentines Day as Singles Awareness Day.  I am reminded today of how blessed I am to have an amazing husband and three children that bring joy and laughter into my life.  Valentines should not be about spending a lot of money...but about spending time with those you love.  Because spending time is more valuable than anything.  Sure, Lee and I both had a million things we could have been doing last night, but one day our kids will be grown up and gone...we must enjoy them now.  And each other as well.

Hope you had a special day with the people in your life you love:)

Belize City

This morning, we had to wake up at 4:45, so if some of this does not make sense...please forgive me.

Wini had to take her ACT and the person she was originally going to go with ended up not going.  The only place to take it is Belize City.

So, this morning, the whole family, plus two more, headed to Belize City.  We left Belmopan at 6 am, wanting to allow if we got lost, weather, etc.  I had the van loaded with snacks, water, extra clothes for Erika if needed, a blankie.  Having a couple extra kids along was awesome for Josh and Tori.

The ride there was pretty mellow.  I think Wini is the only one who slept.  Everyone just enjoyed each other.  Erika enjoyed looking out the window.  A van ride is just soothing like that.  Especially because here, at $6US/gal, we don't leave town all that much.  When we do, it is a fun day.  It was neat, actually, to start out in the dark, watch the sun rise, and kind of watch Belize "wake up".  Being Friday night last night, it was not like a week day morning, but I was really surprised how many people were up, going about their business as we passed all the little villages on the way.

We arrived in Belize City around 7:30 am, and the city was quiet...not much going on.  We stopped to get Wini a drink to take in and then got her settled at the college, for her test.

Now, we had over an hour to wait until the Museum opened.  We asked our local Belizean kids what to do.  We ended up at a brand new playground right along the sea.  What a blast and so beautiful a morning.  Erika thoroughly enjoyed playing (and so did the big kids).  I wish we had something like this closer to home that I could take her to.

And here are a couple that Tori took:

Then we headed to the Belize Museum, built in the former prison of Belize.  It was a beautiful and very interesting museum.  Today was their 10th anniversary, so we got in free...since we live in Belize:)  One room, upstairs, was air-conditioned, so the older kids stopped their tour there and just hung out.

After we were there for about an hour and a half (and suprisingly, we were the only people visiting while we were there), we headed to Mirab.  I remember going to this store 11 years ago, when Lee and I first came to Belize.  It was right up the street from our hotel.  But going today, for me, was major culture shock.  So many American products (majorly expensive, mind you), it was almost overstimulating for my brain.  It was kind of like a JCPenny, or store similar to that.  It really hit me, that when I go to the states in a few months, I may feel even more overwhelmed.  It was beautiful and clean and had so many nice things.  A year ago, I would have loved this store, but today, it just made my head hurt.  Like I really didn't even want to shop there.  It was a weird experience for me.  I looked at the beautiful household items...and they were just not practical for my life anymore.  I realized, while in this store, how much  my views on spending have changed...and just that shopping for me has become more about necessities than being frivilous.

Anyways, by now, because of getting up so early, we headed to Jamborees.  Another American style place.  We were the first customers of the day, I think, but again, it was because we woke up so early.  We all enjoyed a nice lunch, fairly clean restrooms, and Erika got to play some more on the amazing playground.

We got a to-go lunch and headed to pick up Wini, and head home.  By now (12:30), Lee and I were exhausted and needed to rest.  I was actually worried Lee may fall asleep, but he did great.  We stopped at this grocery store, that I absolutely do not like, right outside of Belize City to get another drink to keep Lee awake.  We sent Josh and Trey in, and just had people coming up, asking for money, etc.  It was a little scary and I was happy to get all our ducks back in the van and be on our way.

So, this was our day.  I think I really need a nap now, after I load the pics.  Then I will finish preparing everything that needs to be done for tomorrow.

The First Half of our Week in Pictures

Miss Cutie Pants in her new jeans from Memaw...she looked so big on Sunday

Levi came in so happy on Sunday...Daddy is setting up for worship...hugging Erika and Tori...had to get some pics

I know I take too many pics, but she is adorable...after church, the headband long  gone

This is real life...but how can I tell them to put them away...typically wait over an hour...but its okay, cause its one day I dont have to cook:)

After church, after lunch, we went over to visit baby Eden, fresh from being born Saturday morning.  She is precious, just like mom and dad.

Just had to include this...Stormie takes protecting the house seriously.  When she is tied up, she sleeps, but when she is loose, she is on guard, alerting us to everything:)  She is getting spayed tomorrow...praying all goes well...

Wendy does Storytime in a village named Las Flores.  Erika and I joined her on Wednesday.  She had a smaller crowd, but it was such a neat experience.  Erika loved being a helper and loved being with all the other children.  Hoping we can go once in a while.

Last night was one of our best leadership meetings ever, I think.  And now, we are preparing for Thursday night.  Can't believe tomorrow is already Friday...hope I can rest a little because we have a busy weekend ahead.

Wow, what a morning

Two blogs in one day...sorry...

This morning, after breakfast, we headed to pick up our shipment from Lee's family and a family in Lee's moms church.  We have been waiting and waiting, knowing they were coming.  But today was the day:)

As we were driving, I just kind of thought about how my perspective has changed since living here a year.  When we first moved here, I would fervently pray for protection on the highways, especially around some spots, like "Dead Man's Curve".  Lee said they save a lot of money not have a wall there to keep the cars from going over...they never have to repair the wall that way.  UGH...

Anyway, I realized how much more relaxed I am now on these highways...it is my way of life.  And how I love the rides...it just doesn't take that much to entertain me now.  It is the simple things like a nice drive with my whole family, just enjoying the beautiful day.

The other thing I noticed is that things that used to be different or strange compared to the US, no longer phase me.  Like the Mennonite buggy we passed.  Just a way of life.  Homes that noone could possibly live in...now I know people who live in homes like that...that are my friends.  I see things differently now.

We got to the store and one box was still on the truck...so we waited and waited and finally they let Lee and Josh go on the truck and get it....

loaded up and headed home with three happy kids

this may just look like groceries to you...but you have no idea...what a blessing to get all these special things!!!  Even a case of Dr. Pepper.

The kids had so much fun (and so did we) opening all the gifts...Erika was the last...slowest, opening and savoring each gift.  She was so thankful for her own special toothpaste, toothbrushes and sanitizers...it was so cute...

her reaction upon her last gift...a desperately wanted Laptop like the big kids...

She said, I knew it...I just knew my memaw would get me a laptop:)

and I have soooo much reading to do now...cannot wait...they all look so good, dont know which one to start first