Sleepy Time

The only ones up are Lisette and I. We're staying in Miami until John arrives a little later this week. Seems we are catching up on sleep lost while in Navarre! I've been sleeping like a baby these last two nights, maybe it has something to do with the calmness of Juan and Carmen's house!

The plan had been to fly out last night to La Paz but then John was going to have to leave us in Bolivia to come here for a conference on Thursday and Friday so yesterday morning I suggested to him that we stay put and wait for him here. He had meetings he couldn't miss this morning so we only would have had a few days to spend with him before he left, some filled with meetings and potential altitude sickness. He was too sad at the idea of not seeing us this morning at first so the idea was shelved. Then he called later and said, sure, stay put. So we are.

We went to see "Madagascar 2" yet again yesterday with Cuqui (John's sister), her kiddos and Carmen...laughed just as much the second time around! Then hung out here with the cousins and after they left, Nicole took a nap while Lisette and I zipped over to a Chinese restaurant for take out. Yum!

Happy Birthday Jake!!!!!

My baby is double digits. I have no more single digit children. That's not fair. The great thing is he's wonderful and intelligent and loving and sensitive and beautiful. The best thing is he's a momma's boy. I'm planning on keeping him that way.

This morning, John called before Jake was awake and didn't want to disturb him. Shortly thereafter, Jake woke up and wondered over to my bed with a nose bleed. Once we got that under control, I called John at work so he could wish our baby a happy birthday. John is more than a little upset that he couldn't be with him on his birthday. Funny, it's always been John who was away for birthdays, holidays, vacations and unfortunately it was our turn this year.

Jake got lots of calls from family, got to skip school and hang out with his friend who was allowed to skip too. Hope that teacher isn't reading this! :-) We celebrated with going to see "Madagascar 2" - hilarious! - pizza at home, with a home baked chocolate cake for dessert. Great day all round. But the best part was a surprise visit from John's brother Jorge and his wife, Rosie, daughter, Miranda and two sons, Jonathan and Manuel!! Manuel's only 10 months old and it was our first time meeting him! What a fabulous gift!!

Tonight, Jake's sleeping over at his friend's, Lisette hanging out at Dylan's and Nicole has a houseful of friends over to watch scary movies - though they all went on a beach walk right now...peace and quiet!

Time Running Out

I am sooooo excited about getting back to Bolivia but now I'm facing having to leave my wonderful friends here in Florida. Ya just can't win, ya know?

Today I got a bunch of stuff done. I delivered cookies to the high school for the girls' Spanish class, returned the small rental car for a minivan so our luggage will fit, got my hair cut, took Jake to hang out with his friend and went to see "The Duchess" with Nicola. Tonight, Lisette went to see Dylan's band play in the "Battle of the Bands" while Nicole went to the boys' Varsity Soccer game.

So busy day, busy evening and now I'm tired. 'Night! :-)

The Continuation of Our Species

Rather impossible to think of it in those terms when you find out you're going to be a Great Aunt Shelley!!! My sister is definitely not thinking, just feeling - and that's positively the best way to approach grandparenthood...what a rush!

I couldn't be happier for Nick and Natasha, and I'm beyond thrilled for Kim. I have a feeling 2010 is going to be a very, very good year!

It's time for me to stop using exclamation points...but it is a rather exclamatory (is that a word) day.

After my wake up call (thank you Nick - great way to wake up) I spent the morning preparing for and then watching our express shipment get packed. It's supposed to arrive by December 1st. We'll see.

This afternoon was an early release for Jake, I picked him up along with my friend's daughter Katrina. I then picked up Katrina's sister Elena at their house, took Elena to her orthodontic appointment and then took the bunch of them out for lunch.

Tonight was Jake's last Hapkido class before our return to La Paz. It was a good class. His classmates did 10 push-ups in his honour. Fortunately (unfortunately, according to Jake) he had to do 21 push-ups for two other birthday hapkido troopers.

The girls spent the evening out with friends. Nicole's home now but Lisette isn't expected quite yet. Jake's tucked into bed. We're halfway packed, at least. I'm going to a Great Aunt. :-)

Election Tuesday

Barack Obama just won the presidency of the United States. Stunning! What an amazing day in the history of this country...it says a lot of how far this young country has come in just my lifetime. I'm very proud of my adopted home, we are an amazing nation. Perhaps this election will take us farther than we can even imagine today, inside and outside of our borders.

It's been exciting to watch Lisette's involvement and attention to the political machine especially over the last 10 months or so. Next time around, she'll be one of our young voters and she'll take the responsibility with intelligence and compassion.

John called a few minutes ago. He had spent the evening at the Ambassador's residence which the Embassy had turned into an Election Central, full of TVs and political analysts...a wonderful show of our democratic process. He was excited with how well it was put together for the international community that showed up.

So now our "new age" will begin. Keeping the faith. God Bless the USA.

Sunday, Sun Day

It was a gorgeous day today! Sunny and mid-70s so Jake and I had a perfect walk on the beach.

First of all, I took a sleeping pill last night and had the best sleep I've had in ages. It was much needed but I still feel unsettled and it's truly making me unhappy.

This morning, we skipped church (shame) and enjoyed the extra hour the time change allowed for. Nicole and Xandra were dropped off at around 10:30 by Amanda with my "granddaughter" Nicanda (thank you Dr. Build-a-Bear!)

Lunch was out at the beach. Delicious burgers for the kids and fish sticks for me. All the better reason for a healthy walk down the beach afterward. My stomach was very unhappy with me. Skipping church doesn't go well with gluttony. Double jeopardy.

This afternoon I got a call from John's parents. Good news in the form of his mom...she'll be home when we fly through Miami so we'll get the chance to spend time with her. Juan will be out of town and we thought she'd be with him. That cheered me! :-)

Bringing Up the Rear

We'll be some of the last people to return to La Paz from the Embassy...bummer. I believe most families have already gotten back.

John won the costume contest at the Halloween party at the Marine House last night. No surprise there, he does make the very best pirate! Looking forward to seeing the t-shirt he won, help him drink his beer and party like it's 2008 at the Marine BBQ after we get home.

I didn't sleep well last night, was up way too early for my taste this morning but otherwise it was a very good day. Grabbed some groceries, had the car washed during lunch, got Lisette her hairspray so she'd be gorgeous for the Homecoming Dance (was there ever a doubt, really?) and delivered Nicole and Xandra to their sleepovers. Jake and I just hung out this evening, watching TV and having a nap (me).

Lisette should be home shortly and I'll cuddle up with some Ambien to ensure a better snooze.