tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59443786834894684422024-03-05T05:42:28.385-05:00Siguiendo Mi CatrachoLife in Honduras for this mother of 10 (8 of my own plus 2 step children) isn't always easy, but I try to look at it in the best possible way. With a smile. Stop by and visit often and read up on how I am dealing with living in a 3rd world country keeping a smile on my face and humor in my heart.
"I can do everything through him who gives me strength." - Philippians 4:13Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10257412678589423826noreply@blogger.comBlogger199125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944378683489468442.post-21283341879219533692017-07-31T13:34:00.001-04:002017-07-31T13:34:12.773-04:00As PromisedIt is going to take some time to get back into writing mode, so these next few blogs may end up awkward, LOL. Plus, my life is so chaotic right now between homeschooling 4 of the 6, working, and taking classes (One class alone is 30-50 hours homework a week), and just life in general. Throw in barreling towards menopause at break-neck speed, and I end up all over the place. So forgive me in advance.<br />
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Today is the first day back at school for my homeschoolers, so I am trying to set up a schedule with who gets the computer when and so on and so forth. So I just real quick wanted to post some pics of the family. I still don't have pictures of all the kids on my laptop, but I will post updates of Gisela (and Osmar Lenin), Andre, and Sendy later this week.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKp4zv8OX8Wtt_81vmjSEdxHZdGDNdH2VQdPDptUoUPAKeWxV7wJe8Gy9wCAQ2H_tJPJpfVQFWcH7snTnxjyYxsiKaV5OOb5Upfy3ZnBy3gPbL5CQ3WMc5WUradTgyKvUQcp6j2Q0Mx44/s1600/20160103_210052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKp4zv8OX8Wtt_81vmjSEdxHZdGDNdH2VQdPDptUoUPAKeWxV7wJe8Gy9wCAQ2H_tJPJpfVQFWcH7snTnxjyYxsiKaV5OOb5Upfy3ZnBy3gPbL5CQ3WMc5WUradTgyKvUQcp6j2Q0Mx44/s320/20160103_210052.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids and my (then 93 yr old - now 95!! - grandfather) late December 2015<br />when we were in Florida for my Grandmothers funeral.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmb0nhh-ouVSX_UGWT7PNpkx8jebNnQGKrB1DOa1ZVaN5kicyMWDMPW7DYfxb0iHYWm2ArV7L9BjSVuuSYiSwQm2EE_X5oWWWcNp5LCBSpouYkc9plESXABR5zG8y3ojsKtmh4aqBP_sA/s1600/PhotoGrid_1470672694939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmb0nhh-ouVSX_UGWT7PNpkx8jebNnQGKrB1DOa1ZVaN5kicyMWDMPW7DYfxb0iHYWm2ArV7L9BjSVuuSYiSwQm2EE_X5oWWWcNp5LCBSpouYkc9plESXABR5zG8y3ojsKtmh4aqBP_sA/s200/PhotoGrid_1470672694939.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a look how they changed that I made last year.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1XB9Ssv3BAUt71-nIcQ9XFpcUt1lqmLYqpgPmIZY8DRlCeROC5QYg-O-R8hLg3FztwA5ga4ufNnNNdAAGu4hjcMYB4gSWW1uE4i5tus9LveSgb5IGq5jZcMlXGHcB1EoTxj-5L5zhYl4/s1600/DSC_3923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1XB9Ssv3BAUt71-nIcQ9XFpcUt1lqmLYqpgPmIZY8DRlCeROC5QYg-O-R8hLg3FztwA5ga4ufNnNNdAAGu4hjcMYB4gSWW1uE4i5tus9LveSgb5IGq5jZcMlXGHcB1EoTxj-5L5zhYl4/s320/DSC_3923.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The youngest six in October 2016.<br />New pics will be done in September!!</td></tr>
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These kids drive me nuts, but I wouldn't have it any other way. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcLSe1PhRhAjKtjqcoJSdz8a20NBBEgEqDAEW3xuTaafnEbPogOd3is_DXPtEG0zLE3doYt6jvuwMbGX6-joEx8gVteMQadF2TXaCC6Iro-MDNT_TBnOjgYdNR_b4C_p4hP_hW4jz1upI/s1600/halloween+pumpkin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcLSe1PhRhAjKtjqcoJSdz8a20NBBEgEqDAEW3xuTaafnEbPogOd3is_DXPtEG0zLE3doYt6jvuwMbGX6-joEx8gVteMQadF2TXaCC6Iro-MDNT_TBnOjgYdNR_b4C_p4hP_hW4jz1upI/s200/halloween+pumpkin.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girls.<br />Isa, Mickey, Lana, and Ari.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ZsnjTnSJ1xF4c4NSqnrOMWeSFzqvhMy8UWHRRdcf2gK6DVy4LH2I_vvGsVX8qbGgY1ratVTsnI3doNbTc6Ibf7ceiqeySLTo7Ax2bSqG3AVx5LCrUoKBqXdO5TZgefWJl75khgJqzYg/s1600/boys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ZsnjTnSJ1xF4c4NSqnrOMWeSFzqvhMy8UWHRRdcf2gK6DVy4LH2I_vvGsVX8qbGgY1ratVTsnI3doNbTc6Ibf7ceiqeySLTo7Ax2bSqG3AVx5LCrUoKBqXdO5TZgefWJl75khgJqzYg/s320/boys.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boys.<br />Levi, Isaac, and Johan.</td></tr>
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In the picture above of the boys, that curly headed monster is my bubbs Isaac. That is Jordan's son. There are no words to describe the love that I have for that boy. As I sat here thinking of how to describe it, there really is no words to describe a grandmothers love. It is different than a mothers love. My favorite thing to do is just spend time with him. Well, when he isn't acting like a brat. Those days my favorite thing to do is send him home with his momma. LOL.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-5CYHuKbJYY3uDQhrD27l-Xk6xAJFzoGEFNTWnnKb7-23nYMn0wbw3tKAUrDOBSfXSFwYh61R0TUgLOfITmitTo_PbNPgdHRRmdhVOIa3EkffASjEcY5jCz-my43aTPFCplWLLp41JN4/s1600/20170113_155302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-5CYHuKbJYY3uDQhrD27l-Xk6xAJFzoGEFNTWnnKb7-23nYMn0wbw3tKAUrDOBSfXSFwYh61R0TUgLOfITmitTo_PbNPgdHRRmdhVOIa3EkffASjEcY5jCz-my43aTPFCplWLLp41JN4/s320/20170113_155302.jpg" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whenever I went to do my schoolwork<br />This is what would happen. He<br />wanted to see what I was doing.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjLSgTcmbb4mxXXM8iWZZZ07vk3cur2Tlh55xRG0OTcPFVF6WQL245XpIxiDZWdpbC5RaY2wkwNDcf8tDIW_-STs_r3gaHPR1Kvu_oqbCeVFBgjgc2cIwDOg0z4ho-Gwe7Gfqv-NkudDE/s1600/20170713_132605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjLSgTcmbb4mxXXM8iWZZZ07vk3cur2Tlh55xRG0OTcPFVF6WQL245XpIxiDZWdpbC5RaY2wkwNDcf8tDIW_-STs_r3gaHPR1Kvu_oqbCeVFBgjgc2cIwDOg0z4ho-Gwe7Gfqv-NkudDE/s320/20170713_132605.jpg" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking at Indio Lempira on his shirt that GiGi (me)<br />brought him back from Honduras.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggsgnQmE2eB5u7DCdYwttli0uhBFTYnp7u9MO_ZAzbnjyFk4L6NWDRezKoFyOeFCO8hHCEBcPaQDrOD3fqkMxNjOT16GyJVY8A7JPN9XFQgn9tfkbaiIcxMHKIwICCw15p7mtQ71VXvKs/s1600/Snapchat-2107943347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggsgnQmE2eB5u7DCdYwttli0uhBFTYnp7u9MO_ZAzbnjyFk4L6NWDRezKoFyOeFCO8hHCEBcPaQDrOD3fqkMxNjOT16GyJVY8A7JPN9XFQgn9tfkbaiIcxMHKIwICCw15p7mtQ71VXvKs/s320/Snapchat-2107943347.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We love our snapchat sessions.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD7153ibRbeODOudDVDP36x4o8UjDJEjUYs9-UVjJnKIk0qRoEr1oCIHMgUaxHMSM39gqC8u_ompJWkhjqTgpl7y-1gafG39_eZGpJ_yIMEF0hC8B7anLxqJl5omdZ69jk_8-k4fd5M5Y/s1600/20543218_10159201649175014_1035583886_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD7153ibRbeODOudDVDP36x4o8UjDJEjUYs9-UVjJnKIk0qRoEr1oCIHMgUaxHMSM39gqC8u_ompJWkhjqTgpl7y-1gafG39_eZGpJ_yIMEF0hC8B7anLxqJl5omdZ69jk_8-k4fd5M5Y/s320/20543218_10159201649175014_1035583886_o.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite face. Ever. </td></tr>
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I guess if I am talking about my bubbs, I have to talk about his momma, LOL. Jordan is almost 20, and doing great. She is getting married this Friday to an awesome guy who I love, and who I am so happy to have join our family. He is so good for Jordan. She is somewhat high-strung, and he calms her down. He puts up with her moods, and loves her and loves Isaac. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWF6l8s8tLUXfaBZygCzmi0vxPdA0Vxl_siKfC3NHmPhiqcxpCT1LH-RH7Olw4-W3LPaiizzc6qUorkZ1eZhw-yVnyY93sX27-nB7_jEN1gCl6duhF5DU6KNR1kCfdS8QMD5JOTBgOJiw/s1600/20170717_173001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWF6l8s8tLUXfaBZygCzmi0vxPdA0Vxl_siKfC3NHmPhiqcxpCT1LH-RH7Olw4-W3LPaiizzc6qUorkZ1eZhw-yVnyY93sX27-nB7_jEN1gCl6duhF5DU6KNR1kCfdS8QMD5JOTBgOJiw/s320/20170717_173001.jpg" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rey after she said yes!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy6Uv5mVGByWZV6sNV-X9KDhUCHTek_Ox273KqARDDgo3mFoINWYtkhgrQWlwqjwp-aCpebqkIZmWasUhL34-C78YyGLcCEbmkycDV6PEQyWUb9Jga76EpFcjLhuI07fifrr5zMPsRy_g/s1600/20170717_183926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy6Uv5mVGByWZV6sNV-X9KDhUCHTek_Ox273KqARDDgo3mFoINWYtkhgrQWlwqjwp-aCpebqkIZmWasUhL34-C78YyGLcCEbmkycDV6PEQyWUb9Jga76EpFcjLhuI07fifrr5zMPsRy_g/s320/20170717_183926.jpg" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jordan and Rey.<br />I love them both.</td></tr>
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My greatest wish is to have all my kids in one single picture. I don't know if that will ever happen. But until then, I have to be content with randomly pasting the faces of everyone that is missing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjca6PzgZbAAWMWAGLfyvIt-7YJGvCpqTyfaBlTLGFGt1m9lu7PzUYMe2a6pJmVfhPoAwu2u-fbInCB9Qm-NsNGgituu3C7vX5YDgyx176ERhnnCOldPDKcEqsquY9pLdN6D9BUvswv1uc/s1600/PicsArt_11-30-09.04.54.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1440" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjca6PzgZbAAWMWAGLfyvIt-7YJGvCpqTyfaBlTLGFGt1m9lu7PzUYMe2a6pJmVfhPoAwu2u-fbInCB9Qm-NsNGgituu3C7vX5YDgyx176ERhnnCOldPDKcEqsquY9pLdN6D9BUvswv1uc/s400/PicsArt_11-30-09.04.54.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All the kids in 1 single picture.</td></tr>
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The kids aren't the only ones who have changed. I too have made a big change. All my life I have been fat. Not overweight, fat. The last few years in Honduras, as my ankle got worse and worse, I pretty much sat and did nothing all day. As in, I moved only to go to the bathroom, go from couch to hammock, to bed, type of did nothing. I will say though, my years in Honduras, with the exception of a short time that I randomly lost 60 pounds, my weight stayed somewhat constant. My average weight was 330, with it fluctuating between 320 and 340 at times. I had decided that since my medical insurance covered weight loss surgery, I was going to have a gastric sleeve done. I knew I had to do 6 months of supervised diet with the doctor, so I arrived October 10th, and by October 20th I had already seen the doctor for my first visit. I found out I was pre-diabetic, and my starting weight was 344 lbs. It took me until March though to get an appointment at John Hopkins Bariatric Clinic. By then I had managed to get to 325ish. The surgeon gave me the huge list of things that had to be done beforehand, and due to my arthritis and medications I am on, she wasn't sure if I was a candidate or not. One thing she said was, she wanted me to lose 50 pounds total. So I had another 35 pounds to go, before she would even consider me. I was upset because it had taken me sooooo long to lose those 20ish pounds, all I could think of was it'll be until next year before I get below 300. In my mind I was NEVER going to get to where I need to be to have surgery. My thought was - If I could lose the 50 pounds that easily, I wouldn't even be here, I'd be at home doing it.<br />
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But I took the papers, went home and kept on keeping on. I steadily lost a few pounds a month, and come May, after I had my first surgery to fuse my wrist, I went off prednisone.<br />
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Going off prednisone helped a bit, and even though the weight still came off slowly, it picked up a little bit. Then something just clicked. Losing the weight became - not really easy, but not so hard. My thought of - if I could lose that 50 pound so easy, I wouldn't be here to begin with, well that became true. I decided that I was going to do this myself for as long as it was working, and not go through the weight loss surgery. I mean this past year I have had 5 surgeries on my hands and feet, if I can save me another surgery then Im down, LOL.<br />
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As of this morning, I am down 105.8 pounds, and have less than 50 pounds to get to my goal weight. I haven't been for the last month due to car issues and my 2 week trip to Honduras, but I have been going to the gym as well. From someone who hates exercise, I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE going to the gym. I still hate cardio. I do 15 minutes of cardio on the bike to get my heart rate up, then I go for the weights. Never thought I would say it, but going there makes me feel good, it makes me happy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVjPw_E7IMaS40EThuHUhSlftrv4LphIlghaykjedc4CkWHAZu-Zlaks-EqqKDqpPYVK4xlaoooBvZuWX8OvDRgeFbY-pQYaWgZ_0etMLj17YpRiV7WE2xpEdgiLTbGQyxG4E9kHE_98s/s1600/20160101_104810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVjPw_E7IMaS40EThuHUhSlftrv4LphIlghaykjedc4CkWHAZu-Zlaks-EqqKDqpPYVK4xlaoooBvZuWX8OvDRgeFbY-pQYaWgZ_0etMLj17YpRiV7WE2xpEdgiLTbGQyxG4E9kHE_98s/s320/20160101_104810.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was me when we were in FL for my grandmothers funeral.<br />December 2015/Jan 216.<br />I was huge. I knew it, and had already decided to make a change.</td></tr>
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My poor grandfather in the picture above. Squished between me and my brothers. Not one of us were small.<br />
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Below is a picture of me beside Andre, on the day of my grandmothers funeral. I had lost like 10 pounds by then. Although you couldn't tell. The right half is me trying on a dress I ordered for Jordans wedding. That picture was taken yesterday.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeqKpUxsH0ltAJnJ3o_oRHF-wCTylZQvDuNe94kAXN4Va3KwpzIovfRTuar9skJpSm_QF_rAsriongstqxux1OAvwKZhJ9xhO2W10Hw9-VvlyMq0npXCIodRfReHJi8w8gp8U4pR4rJO0/s1600/20542759_10159201653590014_454300246_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeqKpUxsH0ltAJnJ3o_oRHF-wCTylZQvDuNe94kAXN4Va3KwpzIovfRTuar9skJpSm_QF_rAsriongstqxux1OAvwKZhJ9xhO2W10Hw9-VvlyMq0npXCIodRfReHJi8w8gp8U4pR4rJO0/s320/20542759_10159201653590014_454300246_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Mondays is weigh in day for me, and I took a moment to look at my achievement that I have done the last 18ish months. I almost never give myself recognition of what I have accomplished. I downplay it. I mean, when I hit goals, I post about it on FB and Instagram, but then I forget about it. But looking for pictures of the kids, I found these pictures, and it kind of shocked me. I mean I *know* that Im smaller, but seeing these pictures is always a *WOW* type of thing.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgac_uh7NnI64oyvinicpSP0es_meetz8NJBTxr_9MjccX0XYoqunDAS0gVySjWaVsNGRUBXXN6WAq4fejLS3Zvqr4f-EI4xaq06Tv-9itx2YVKqPThrzxoEqe3LzZUMCC-qt1_g-pJPmA/s1600/20536038_10159201655670014_1725109127_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgac_uh7NnI64oyvinicpSP0es_meetz8NJBTxr_9MjccX0XYoqunDAS0gVySjWaVsNGRUBXXN6WAq4fejLS3Zvqr4f-EI4xaq06Tv-9itx2YVKqPThrzxoEqe3LzZUMCC-qt1_g-pJPmA/s400/20536038_10159201655670014_1725109127_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The goal progress is for my current goal. I would put 20 pound goals at a time.<br />This last goal though was a big one, and my last one. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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One thing about the picture above, the progress chart shows me that while I have had ups, the trend was down. It also shows that I have stuck with it, and that I am doing it. That I can do it. (This will be another blog, but since coming back, I have been working on reminding myself that I *AM* worth it. Because my life was on pause before hand. I didn't believe that I was worthy of much. Thanks to God though, I remember. I KNOW that I am.)Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10257412678589423826noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944378683489468442.post-21445263830942117262017-07-27T22:31:00.003-04:002017-07-27T22:32:25.140-04:00Updates and Future PlansHey you all!<br />
Its been awhile. I had the best intentions of writing on a regular, or at least a semi-regular basis, but you know what the saying says... The road to hell is paved with good intentions.<br />
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*****SORRY AHEAD OF TIME FOR SO MUCH WORDS, AND NO PICTURES*****</div>
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So let me catch you up with whats been happening in my life these past few years, and what is in the works for the next year or so.<br />
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First, the kids. They are all growing up so quick. I will post pictures in a different post. (They are all on my phone, I have to transfer them to my computer.)<br />
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Gisela graduated from university with a degree in , and also had a little boy. My first grandchild. She is now working in a company as a quality control manager. Using her education. Which, in Honduras, is not an easy thing to do.<br />
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Andre is is the Army and is married. He has been in the Army for almost 4 years, and married for about a year and a half. They had a baby boy last September, Caleb. However, he was born very ill and only lived for four days. They are expecting another boy this September, Aiden.<br />
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Sendy is in Honduras, together with his girlfriend of forever. Seriously, forever, because I can barely remember a time that they weren't together. They are doing well. He graduated as an electrician. He and a nephew of mine, who also studied electricity are starting a business together. While he is waiting for business to pick up, he is also working for a palm oil lard plant.<br />
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Jordan is doing well as well. She had my second grandson Isaac, in November 2015, While I love all my grandkids, him and I have a closer bond because I have been there since day 1. He is the one I teach all of the bad stuff too, LOL. She graduated from Steiner Institute of Esthetics last year, and is now a liscensed esthetician. She also has met an awesome person and she and him are getting married next week.<br />
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Micaella is now almost 15, almost as tall as me and her father and is my big helper at home. She is the one that I count on to take control when Im not here. She is one of the 4 that are being homeschooled, and her plan is to finish everything in time to graduate before she turns 17. She is in 10th grade classes now, so she will more than likely do it.<br />
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Victoria (Isa) is almost 14, loves to draw and this is her first year back at being homeschooled. She is my helper when it comes to Isaac. She is his favorite aunt, and they are almost always found together.<br />
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Johan is 12 now. He just got back from spending a month with his dad in Honduras, and didn't want to come back. He is also homeschooled, and he is the one that gives me the hardest time with getting school work done. Its like pulling teeth.<br />
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Jolani (Lana) just turned 11. This will be her first year being homeschooled as well. She asked me if she could be, and when I asked her why she said "Last year I let me friends influence me into not making the right choices. I think next year in middle school there will be harder choices. I don't want to be tempted to make the wrong choices, so I think I want to be homeschooled." What a mature way to look at things when you are 11 years old.<br />
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Arles (Levi) is my Andre Jr. I am dealing with so many things that I have already dealt with, with Andre. At this point, when things happen, Im just like - whatever. I realized with Andre, freaking out over things didn't change anything. So Im saving my freaking out for major things. Like when its 2 hours past bedtime and kids are still up and talking and playing, LOL.<br />
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Ari is also my Andre Jr, but in a different way. She is so super smart. She is one of those smart people that just know stuff. Next year she is going into the GT classes at school. She is also little miss sass. Im trying to curb that, because it is borderline brat. And sometimes over the line brat. But its a fine line. Her personality is that of an older woman. She acts like an older woman, and in an 8 year old, that comes across as a brat. No one might be asking her opinion, but she will freely offer it to whatever you are talking about.<br />
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All my kids though are loving, good kids. In general they listen, and they are respectful. It makes my heart happy to hear how much people and teachers love them, and the compliments that I get on their behavior.<br />
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Now, onto the plan for the next year.<br />
So, you guys know that I am here in the states. Come October, I will have been here for 2 years. I came because I needed surgeries and medical stuff that I couldn't get in Honduras, but I also came because I needed to have space between my husband and myself. There are changes that he needed to make, and never made the effort. Thats not true. He made an effort, but not a big one. He never expected me to leave though either. Him and I had issues for a long time, and I was always there to help him, support him, to never let him hit rock bottom. When he knew I was leaving, and as the day came closer, it started to hit him, but still he didn't get it. He would say he was going to miss us, but that this was better for the kids education, and for me. But because he hadn't got it yet, not once did he ask me to stay. My intention when I came was never to divorce him. It still isn't. We have been discussing how to fix us, and changes that needed to be made, the immigration paper process that we are doing and the time limit on them, etc.<br />
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Well in June, Johan went to Honduras with my in-laws to spend the month with his dad. I went down in July for a little over a week. In the days before I left, he kept asking me not to go. To please stay.<br />
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During that time, him and I continued our discussion and came up with a plan of things. A plan of our family being together once again. It will be easily another 3 to 4 years for immigration to approve his papers, but there are other steps that we need to do in these 3 to 4 years, but we don't have the money to do it. He talked about coming here illegally again, because his children do need him. Levi especially right now needs his father here to take charge, and not just me. But I don't want him to take that risk with his life, nor with the papers. If he got caught, its see ya later USA forever. So the plan we have right now is in January, I will take the 6 (not so) little kids to Honduras. I will stay a few weeks, then come back and work for 6 months. I will then go back to Honduras, and begin a 3 month rotation schedule. Spend 3 months in Honduras, come back to the states and work for 3 months. That cycle will repeat itself until I am tired of it, or until his papers come through. If we finish the immigration process, and he is denied or whatever, then we will re-evaluate what we will be doing.<br />
Those plans those are contingent on him doing certain things, before we even buy the tickets. But knowing what life is waiting for me there, this time I will be more prepared. A garden will be going in soon, so that it will be producing before I get there. We will again have animals, but there will be some for family food, and some to be butchered to be sold. We also have an acre of fruit trees going in so that within a year of me going, they will be producing, and that is income. We have some palm trees - the kind that make palm oil, not like what you see in Florida or California. The trees are already producing, but by next spring, they will be producing enough to bring in some money as well. So over the next year, I will be once again planning my move to Honduras. This time with more knowledge about what I will need vs want. What I can get there, and the prices of things. What I can do without. So, I have set an alarm on my phone so that each week I will write a post. Hopefully I can get some calm time in the middle of this chaos that is my life.<br />
<br />Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10257412678589423826noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944378683489468442.post-70273149606557664572017-03-17T12:24:00.001-04:002017-03-17T12:24:20.640-04:00Thinking about blogging again...<div>
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You know, it has been so long since I was able to sit down and blog on a daily basis. Or at least on a couple of times a week basis. Moving to Honduras, I got out of practice of writing. For awhile I was writing blogs in a notebook, but then by the time I got to the states to put those blogs on here, it just didn't seem as funny, or as important anymore, so they never went up, and the hand written part went to the trash. And then it became a "Why bother, if I am not even going to post it." type of thing.<br />
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However, as most of you know, I am back in the states. And have been for 17 months now. My life has a crap ton going on, as well as almost nothing going on, all at the same time. So I thought, what better time than now to add blogging back to my life, lol.<br />
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The blog is no longer about following my husband to Honduras, well, because I'm back lol. It will be my daily life, dealing with the US immigration, trying to get him here, and just things of that nature. For those of you who don't know, I am pretty much an open book - and I say what I mean and feel. So you never know what I may even post on here.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944378683489468442.post-18403340918741643882014-10-16T16:30:00.000-04:002014-10-20T17:11:48.429-04:00Stream of Consiousness for Black Hawk Down<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWImqj9wXFqc9CYgmcfDIIQnwF7-vUmsJH3zQvQHg7u8AX6QTFiOrTcg3vfMNlmkkO_slnG6kjgs5RybodLINWNXX1-Qlo9TGM_XwZWYCCGWEYHNizMx-JmWfUlUA01FbqhFPAFHHTJFw/s1600/onesheet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWImqj9wXFqc9CYgmcfDIIQnwF7-vUmsJH3zQvQHg7u8AX6QTFiOrTcg3vfMNlmkkO_slnG6kjgs5RybodLINWNXX1-Qlo9TGM_XwZWYCCGWEYHNizMx-JmWfUlUA01FbqhFPAFHHTJFw/s1600/onesheet.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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While watching the movie Black Hawk Down my mind was all
over the place. So many thoughts brought on because of the movie, were bouncing
around, running into and over each other, I wasn’t able to just relax and watch
the movie. So I grabbed a pen and paper, and wrote down my thoughts as they
came to me. It was interesting to go back and look at my thoughts and reactions
after the movie was done. I think I might do this again with other movies.</div>
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Here we go…<o:p></o:p></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">This whole thing happened 21 years ago.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Idealism and the US are not the best mix. It’s too
hard to choose who to help. As much as we would like to, we can’t help
everyone.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">HA! I love it. Yurel is the dude from the movie
Tigerland. (Another good movie by the way).</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Orlando Bloom is way <a href="http://www.blogcdn.com/blog.moviefone.com/media/2006/10/2006_potc_dead_man_chest_029-(4).jpg" target="_blank">sexier on apirate ship</a> than as a <a href="http://lebeauleblog.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/bloom-blackhawk.jpg" target="_blank">soldier</a>, (where is still sexy) but is 10 times sexier as a soldier than he
was in <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ktppbEEpRdM/ToUHCah4UII/AAAAAAAAHMk/Yn3gxpx8YiQ/s1600/LordOTRingsFellowship_244Pyxurz.jpg" target="_blank">The Fellowship of the Rings/ The Hobbit</a>, LOL.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="http://derekwinnert.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/10-2.jpg" target="_blank">Josh Hartnett</a> is sexy as heck man.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Premonitions have got to screw with your head
don’t you think. You are sent to do a job. A job that you have been trained
for. And then you get this feeling. I would think it would undermine your
confidence. But even if it didn’t, would that premonition help you or hurt you?
Do you become more careful and extra vigilant, or does fear take over without
you even know it, and you over think something and then make mistakes?</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">As a mother in general, a mother to a child in
the military, to know what the parents/wives of some of these soldiers are
about to hear, it breaks my heart.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">B</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">lack Hawk Down! Black Hawk Down! The whole
mission for the day can be summed up into 2 words. Cluster Fuck.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Where did the guns and ammo that Aidid’s
militia, and the market place venders, where did they originally come from? How
did they end up in the hands of these people? Is this another the US will use
the bad guys to help further their (the US) plans, train them, heavily arm them
etc., and then when they are finished let them go about their lives, only to
have to come back and deal with them as enemies at a later date??</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Above all else, remember you are in God’s hands.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">I understand the WHAT and the WHY they are doing
this, but man this is such an unnecessary loss of life.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Where is Chalk 4? They are six blocks away from
the crash site. Well they need to haul ass. WTH?? That pisses me off!!! Let’s
see, you are at the JOC watching this on a screen. They are on the ground
taking fire, not out for a leisurely stroll. They are working their way to the
crash site as best as they can. So shut the hell up about hauling ass. You
don’t like how fast they are moving, get in there and do it yourself. Let’s see
how fast you get to the crash site.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">It’s horrible that is happened, but I would
think when it is all said and done, while grateful that you survived, it would
have to be embarrassing to come so close to death because you missed the rope
and basically fell from the helicopter.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Humvee’s need better protection for the one
manning the guns. I wonder if they have been changed.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Those *F*ers in the chopper giving directions to
the crash site really need to be fired. If I was relying on them to give me
directions, they are above me looking down, and they are telling me what they
are telling these other guys, I swear I would want to be the crap out of them
if we all lived.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Two snipers VOLUNTEERING to secure the crash
site for super bird 64, and it was denied. They know the risks they are taking.
Instead they were told help is on the way. Not sure how long it would take to
get help, but it was on its way. (It took hours by the way.) So, thanks but no
thanks. (Eventually they were allowed in, and died, but in doing so they saved
Michael Durant.)</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Even with all of the destruction in this place,
there is beauty. You have the beaches and waterfront, but also man made beauty.
The hanging metal work caught my eye. Even falling apart after being in a
building that had been basically bombed, it still was so pretty. (Yes I know it
was a film version of the events, but still)</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">I love the lone donkey. He was probably one of
my favorite parts of the movie because it was so random. I wonder if that
really happened in real life.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">I understand why they are broken down at boot
camp/basic training. It’s to be brought back up – but as a team. To take orders
without questions. If they weren’t taught that, you would hear “*F* that – I’m
outta here!” all the time.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">How was this raid ever a good idea? I’m not
talking about the actual raid, the objective of the raid. I’m talking about how
was this plan put in place, and everyone looked over it and said, oh yeah this
looks like a good idea. Send in this amount of people to do A, B and C.
Everyone else in the city, armed with basically the same weapons as us, is
going to get scared and let us take a bunch of people with no retaliation. Was
it arrogance or what? There had to have been a better plan.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="http://famousface.us/wp-content/gallery/eric-bana/eric-bana.jpg" target="_blank">Kilo 11 (Hoot</a>). Dude. I could eat you with a spoon. YUM.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Since they didn’t tell anyone else that they
were going in, and now they need help like yesterday, and the guy in JOC is
angry, because 10</span><sup style="text-indent: -0.25in;">th</sup><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> mountain said they weren’t in the know, they
weren’t ready with back up, so it would take a couple of hours. The need help
NOW!!! Um, ever heard this saying? Poor planning on your part does not
constitute an emergency on mine. (Even if you are the all mighty U.S of A.) I
think that fits this situation dead on.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">I could never be a doctor or nurse. I couldn’t
handle it.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">It’s never ok to lie. What about to those who
are dying. Telling them that they are ok. They are going to make it. Just to
keep them calm. Is it ok then, to give them some peace?</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Why do I choose the loooooong movies to watch
late at night?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Why do I choose to drink a BIG glass of tea during
the looooooooooong movies?</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">I really, really, really have to pee. But I
really, really, REALLY don’t want to have to hit pause. I hope I can make it
and not pee myself.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">It’s got to be hard for the medics to see them
die. (I know it’s hard for everyone, but especially hard for the medics).
Knowing they couldn’t do it. They couldn’t save them. It isn’t their fault, but
I bet they feel that way. Especially in a war zone out in the field, not back
at base. Their survivor guilt must be HUGE.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">How many times did these guys think Why the *F*
am I here, why the *F* are we here. (Not in Somalia, but on this raid.)</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">NSA = No Shit Assessment. I love that.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">These damn beetle bug things that keep crashing
into me are starting to tick me off.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">The vehicles are full. Get on the roof. ??? How
is that even remotely ok? So they are going to use the vehicles as cover, and
what do they do? Drive off and leave them on foot to find their own way. No
cover, no ammo, nothing. I’m sorry, you’ve been out here 15 hours or so,
fighting for your life basically the entire time, but you are going to have to
find your own way back to us. After all, no one gets left behind, and all of
that.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Surreal = the Pakistan guys with white towels
over one arm and trays of water in the other offering you a glass of ice cold
water.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">HEY! I saw his eyes move. Dead men’s eyes DON’T
move.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">In this SNAFU over 1000 Somalis died. 19
Americans died.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Michael Durant who was captured was released
after 11 days.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">I wonder what the surviving troops think about
this. I wonder what the families of the dead think about this.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">What ever happened to Hoot (Kilo 11)?</span></li>
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Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10257412678589423826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944378683489468442.post-79953203782094808932014-02-09T22:40:00.002-05:002014-02-09T23:29:42.904-05:00Its hard being a motherI know that a lot of people talk about the hard work it is being a mother. But to me, I don't think it is. Its a lot of stuff, it's never ending, but it isn't hard. I have ten children. Eight of them my own. Eight of them raised from birth. Its been an adventure, but for me it's been easy being a mom. And don't get me wrong, I know that other people have different experiences that I do, and I am not bashing them, or anything else by any means. This is just my opinion on my reality. So please take no offense.<br />
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Note though, I said I don't think it is hard <i>work</i> being a mother. It is hard to <i>be</i> a mother. There is a difference there, you see. As a mother, you give and sacrifice and do all that you can for your children. You go without so that your children can 'go with'. But even that is part of your everyday life as a mother. And to me, even that isn't hard.<br />
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What is hard is when your children are in pain, or are hurting in any way, shape or form. But especially when they are hurting on the inside. When their hearts are in pain. That's when being a mother gets hard. This past year or so I have had to let go, watch one of my daughters cry, more than once, over the lack of responsibility of her father, seen other of my children cry for various reasons, due to lack of understanding, or due to hurtful things said by other children. That is when it gets hard.<br />
<br />
The most recent was Friday. The kids called, and I told Mickey Happy Birthday, because two days earlier, she had just celebrated her 11th birthday. I was sad because I wasn't there for her birthday, and when I talked to her, she sounded really sad. It broke my heart, and when she started to cry and tell me that she missed me, I just wanted to curl up in a ball. My baby girl was crying, and I was the cause of the pain. It didn't matter that it couldn't be helped, it still broke my heart.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo7rBElE311XZWuYvNfI5e32MaFou_qlLIQfm1XZFTdDMRYFo4cXdHwLvWeuJDGlfplr60YW1Thyz836KytE_WyJgkeDZpyMy1Cutc_Ahto5EZDfyRoRdJyozjqrvMPnWqt7Zkfl-9-dQ/s1600/mickey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo7rBElE311XZWuYvNfI5e32MaFou_qlLIQfm1XZFTdDMRYFo4cXdHwLvWeuJDGlfplr60YW1Thyz836KytE_WyJgkeDZpyMy1Cutc_Ahto5EZDfyRoRdJyozjqrvMPnWqt7Zkfl-9-dQ/s1600/mickey.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Micaella, December 10, 2014</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
A few weeks ago when after Andre left for boot camp, I was watching videos online of boot camp, and I cried. I didn't want some person in my sons face screaming at him. I cried because, while I know it is a necessary part of military training, someone was in my sons face. And I'm not there to scream back at this person. (Andre would die of embarrassment if I was, and did that lol)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZ0ZszdcfKfSG3hqD2z5wH0OQJvqbrWX6WbyvPoldSNZrnf4W_m6vefXbvj8VfjTQZmj2d8fmaYQW5dVFQEtKse2n-N2CG0dHDigsp2s9J44Jz4E1pv5PSZl_evZQgQ8YUNxab0MARmA/s1600/andre+in+the+chow+line.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZ0ZszdcfKfSG3hqD2z5wH0OQJvqbrWX6WbyvPoldSNZrnf4W_m6vefXbvj8VfjTQZmj2d8fmaYQW5dVFQEtKse2n-N2CG0dHDigsp2s9J44Jz4E1pv5PSZl_evZQgQ8YUNxab0MARmA/s1600/andre+in+the+chow+line.jpg" height="199" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Andre, 3rd from left, in the chow line during basic</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This past year other of my children have cried because some other kids have hurt their feelings, or their father said or did something to hurt their hearts, and as a mom, you feel that hurt, magnified 100 times. That's what is hard about being a mother.<br />
<br />
All you can do though is give them a hug, and give them the tools they need to deal with this hurt. This world is a hurtful place. And at some point you have to let the kids go. You have to have faith that you have taught them the right way to act and the right way to react to something. You have to have faith that everything you have instilled in them these past 18 plus years will override the negative influences of the world around them. You have to be able to take a step back and let those children go where they feel they need to go, and do what they feel they need to do. Hardest of all, you have to be able to let your children make mistakes. Let your children learn life the hard way sometimes. You can give them advice, but in the end the decision is theirs, and they are the ones who have to live with the consequences. You can be there for them when they need you, (as a mother, you are there for them always, are you not?) you can comfort them and you can support them always, and unconditionally. That really is what being a mother is all about.<br />
<br />
That's a lot of what God does for us. He raises you in the faith and teaches you the right way to act and react, he gives you the tools you need to make the correct choices, but in the end, all of the choices you make, they are yours to make. He allows you to make your decisions, and allows you to live with and deal with the consequences. But he is also there for you when you need him, (he is there for you always) he comforts you and supports you always, and unconditionally.
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10257412678589423826noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944378683489468442.post-28956922690700029232014-02-03T17:11:00.003-05:002014-02-03T17:11:50.664-05:00America the BeautifulAs soon as I saw this commercial, I got it right away. I knew as soon as I saw this commercial there was going to be controversy.<br />
<br />
This country has 313.9 million people living in it. In those 313.9 million people, there are people from all over the world. We all know this. America is known as the melting pot. Remember? That means that everyone's cultures come together in this country. It doesn't mean when you move to America you become a 'Stepford Wife' of the person next to you. When you move to America, you keep your culture, your history, your language (although not as much as the generations go on). Yes English is the national language. But it isnt the only language.<br />
<br />
Coca Cola is showcasing what is best about America. Our diversity. Its the same song all the way through, just translated. How beautiful is that, someone took enough time and care to learn the song in their native language. That is a compliment.<br />
<br />
For such an all inclusive country, we have a long long way to go.<br />
<br />
Well done Coca Cola, well done. Beautiful commercial, beautiful meaning.<br />
<br />
<c><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/RrvcnbSoz-c" width="560"></iframe></c>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10257412678589423826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944378683489468442.post-88964426082803120832014-02-03T15:32:00.003-05:002014-02-03T15:32:42.274-05:00Opening my heartSomething I<a href="http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/girlfriends/words-can-captivate-your-man-girlfriends-in-god-february-3-2014.html?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=fbpage&utm_campaign=cpupdate" target="_blank"> read</a> today really struck my heart. It seems a lot of things on Facebook has had to deal with marriage, and they are things that speak to me. And they are things that *I* can do to make a difference in my own relationship.<br />
<br />
Almost 4 years ago I left Honduras and come to the US to work to help make money because of my husbands accident. 3 1/2 years ago I went back home for what was supposed to be a two week vacation and to surprise my husband for his birthday. I never made it back. I didn't come back for two reasons. The first was I just couldn't be away from my family anymore. While I was here in the states I cried every night. EVERY. SINGLE. NIGHT. My family is my life.<br />
<br />
The second reason was a lot harder to deal with. While I was in the states working, my husband was with someone else. Then when I got back, three days later, we got into a huge argument, (and I do mean huge) and we separated. He left, he moved right up the street, and the kids stayed with me. My stepson has lived with me since then as well.<br />
<br />
Since then we have had our issues, we've had out fights, and we have had our own things to deal with, but through it all, I still love my husband. My husband drives me crazy and makes me so mad, and sometimes I just want to wring his neck, but I still love him. I still believe that he is the man that God has intended for me.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivLjqH5XuFBsPmosaKOuWswlZgp4-3VX1M2kTgzi8p6JWOyoQkluZksep0mFgOXAs0kCqXr-mbnmJvdS3uDE125mfp3X7bTTx_T7-vbrNpMC5wRQ31flSq6aKls7R9DIOrktiZabBonuc/s1600/lale+and+ari1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivLjqH5XuFBsPmosaKOuWswlZgp4-3VX1M2kTgzi8p6JWOyoQkluZksep0mFgOXAs0kCqXr-mbnmJvdS3uDE125mfp3X7bTTx_T7-vbrNpMC5wRQ31flSq6aKls7R9DIOrktiZabBonuc/s1600/lale+and+ari1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ari and Lale at the airport</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
For the longest time I have done any and everything I could do to help him out, and make his life easier. Because I love him. But recently, not so much. I know that love isn't all about giving someone what they want. Love sometimes involves the word no. not just sometimes, many times it involves the word no. And that is ok. When I tell my children no, usually there is a reason, and I say no because I love them. I want what is best for them. Sometimes they have to work for what they want. Here lately, I have begun to do that for my husband. And its hard. Its easier to say no to the children because they are learning, when it is your spouse, they are your partner. What one has, the other one has.<br />
<br />
Wait, you say. You are separated, so why do you even care. Why do you bother. When I got married to Lale, I told him ahead of time, this is a forever thing. Make sure you know before we do this because this is what it means to me. And I mean it. This man is my husband. And I am his <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+31%3A10-31&version=ESV" target="_blank">wife</a>.<br />
<br />
Its not ok, but he is forgiven. How can I not forgive him. How many times has God forgiven me? How many times more will God forgive me? So what right do I have not to forgive someone?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF-S_i6EU042xrTJT4R0-UNxdF-tOEgADc19iAza0ipH-UD2AHpiGdOLBVBSadJ84b1JKzD36WJvJAarCVo5FR2TbmL_TEkCrJ0mg2H6W_H88_FWBecsF0gAeHSpdnPoIYavu82wvyVho/s1600/lale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF-S_i6EU042xrTJT4R0-UNxdF-tOEgADc19iAza0ipH-UD2AHpiGdOLBVBSadJ84b1JKzD36WJvJAarCVo5FR2TbmL_TEkCrJ0mg2H6W_H88_FWBecsF0gAeHSpdnPoIYavu82wvyVho/s1600/lale.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lale, Christmas morning at our house</td></tr>
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I am not perfect, and in all of this I played my own part of it. When we were arguing I told him to take his $h!t and get out, and don't come back. I didn't mean it. I said it out of anger. And he left. He said some things too, but the point is, we both are at fault. So is the girl who knew he was married and decided to sleep with my husband. she too is at fault. I don't love her, so the forgiveness is a bit harder. I have forgiven her. By forgiving her, the anger doesn't go away, the hurt doesn't go away. And forgiveness isn't a one time thing. Its something that sometimes has to be done over, and over and over again. Sometimes I ask God why do I have to forgive her - again. The forgiveness though, it isn't for her. Or for anyone else, its only for me. But not forgiving someone, all that does is cause bitterness to well in me. I've read somewhere that not forgiving someone is like drinking poison to punish someone else.<br />
<br />
In my heart I believe that we will eventually work our mess out, and we will be back together. There are some lessons that I obviously still have to learn from this, as well as some lessons that he has to learn. In the meantime, I will continue to love this man, and be the best wife that I can. I will continue to pray for him, and for us.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVigRQk_b5tQeL2JVz4TnswMhUtBaw23_FCESh1EGtZ2kAKRVqjkbdti6jHBml4_5ljcidbJqZ6KAa_UNltYXDVrE-WRPfdePUOYYoCM7c2UVt3MoarSqiTWrp1frYqsmBlhrs9frh6AE/s1600/lale+and+ari.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVigRQk_b5tQeL2JVz4TnswMhUtBaw23_FCESh1EGtZ2kAKRVqjkbdti6jHBml4_5ljcidbJqZ6KAa_UNltYXDVrE-WRPfdePUOYYoCM7c2UVt3MoarSqiTWrp1frYqsmBlhrs9frh6AE/s1600/lale+and+ari.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ari giving her Papi a kiss good-bye at the airport</td></tr>
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<br />Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10257412678589423826noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944378683489468442.post-49116021105092473212014-01-31T12:07:00.004-05:002014-01-31T12:07:51.797-05:00Love - On a Plate<div class="MsoNormal">
I am not always a very lovey dovey person. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I say I love you,
and I’ll hug a person, but the way I show my love for someone is buying doing
things for them. And my favorite way to say I love you is with food. I love to
cook a lot of food, both in quantity, as well as a lot of different food. Im
funny like that. I like to plan a big dinner or something, and stress out, and
work my butt off, and freak out. That’s my favorite way to say I love you. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyways, Andre is shipping out to basic, and he can’t leave without me cooking
for him. But cooking for him, my style. I planned this huge menu and invited a
bunch of people over for a going away type dinner. And I may be in pain, and I
may get stressed out, but it is all to let Andre know that I love him. To
remind him of what he means to me. Of how special he is to me. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This boy has
caused me so many heartaches, and so many tears. But he has also caused me to
laugh so much that I have almost peed myself. Every one of my children are
special to me. But he was my first. He was my practice baby, lol. When he was a
baby, I took him everywhere with me. I remember at the hospital, he was eating
about an ounce or so of formula at each feeding, which is normal, and his first
feeding at home he ate the 4 ounces and cried for more. I freaked out. I asked
mom what was wrong with him. I said in the hospital he only was eating 1 ounce
at a time, and he just finished 4 ounces and cried for more. His first feeding
home he ended up eating 5 ounces. At 5 days old he was eating 8 ounces every 3
hours, and at 8 days he was eating 8 ounces with cereal every 3 ½ – 4 hours. If
it didn’t have cereal he was eating 8 ounces every 2 hours. At his 2 week check
up he was almost double his body weight. (He weighed 9lbs 2oz at birth, and at
2 weeks he was 16lbs) the boy loved to eat. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Actually I should say loves to eat.
That is something he never outgrew. In his 18 years he has challenged me, and
changed me. I am proud of who he is, and who he has become. He has grown into
the awesome man that I saw and imagined way back when. It breaks my heart to
say good bye, to let him go. But it is time for him to spread his wings. And
the ARMY is the perfect place for him to do that. When you leave the hospital,
they don’t give you a handbook that tells you to be ready for the heartache and
hurt that your heart goes through as your child grows. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They don’t tell you how
hard it is to watch them grow, and watch them make mistakes. You know that
those mistakes are the ones that end up transforming them into the adults they
were meant to be, but that knowledge doesn’t make it any easier. They don’t
tell you how much it hurts to let them go, how strong the mothers bond is. They
don’t tell you how your whole being fills with pride and love and happiness
when you look at your child, and it’s the same pride and love that happiness
that makes it so hard to let them go. They don’t prepare you for whats to come.
They don’t tell you though that as they grow, the relationship between child
and parent changes and becomes even more special. And that change in the
relationship makes all the pain worthwhile.</div>
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10257412678589423826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944378683489468442.post-17520067286797876562014-01-31T12:02:00.000-05:002014-01-31T12:02:55.935-05:00New Year, New Adventures<div class="MsoNormal">
Its been awhile since I have posted, and I have missed it.
It used to be that blogging was my way to decompress. To vent. My way to work
through whatever was floating around in my head. Then I moved here and blogging
was really no longer an option. And when I was in the states, so many other
things were going on that I didn’t really have the time anymore to blog, and
more than that I had gotten out of the habit of blogging. Plus I felt that
since so much time had passed, I felt like what I wanted to say wasn’t relevant
or important anymore. But after dealing
with so much stuff recently, I have decided to pick up pen and paper – so to
speak – and clear my mind again.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
First though, lets catch up. It’s been a couple of years
since I have updated anything here, and with so many people in this family, a
lot has been going on. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gisela, now 19, just finished her second year of University
in Honduras. She is doing really well – she always has done well in school.
This year is going to be an exciting year for her, as she has a lot going on.
At the end of May she is due to have a baby. (I’m going to be a grandma!!) Mid June she has an appointment with the U.S. Embassy for a visa as the university partners
with two different universities in the states and they U.S. universities invite
students from Gisela’s university to come and visit for two weeks, and she was
lucky enough, and her grades are high enough, that she was invited to join. If
all goes well, she will be heading off for the tour in October. (there are no pictures of Gisela, because when she was on her break from University and at the house, we didn't have batteries for the camera :( </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoLWvroKEzQrzXC2w1Axoxeaix8Am5uhXcd-sb3ZF-a8HJZ88o8Z4wr3v6RRa850recYTWtNS44sO_aMPesihwoCvM7GRSXY1Ne3bNoRBNazPFlAZ6YmzNhchko0IWZWj-NWz3umj5xeg/s1600/1546314_3844591609786_453149689_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoLWvroKEzQrzXC2w1Axoxeaix8Am5uhXcd-sb3ZF-a8HJZ88o8Z4wr3v6RRa850recYTWtNS44sO_aMPesihwoCvM7GRSXY1Ne3bNoRBNazPFlAZ6YmzNhchko0IWZWj-NWz3umj5xeg/s1600/1546314_3844591609786_453149689_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The day Andre left for Basic. I'm 5'11" tall, <br />and he towers over me</i>.</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Andre is now technically an adult. Last year he turned 18.
Its hard to believe that so much time has passed. I remember when I found out I
was pregnant with him, and now I am saying good-bye to him and sending him out
to be a useful contributor to society. Its funny to see how he has grown. He
now towers over me. At 6’4” + he is finally beginning to grow into his feet. (a
size 15/16 if you can believe it!) This past year he has also started to fill
out, and he is no longer that long thin stick, lol. Last year we went to the Army recruiting
office and talked to the recruiter, and we were told that because he was
homeschooled, but not under an umbrella school, his diploma wouldn’t be
accepted for the Army, so Andre took his GED and passed with no problem at all.
When we went back with his GED paperwork a different recruiter told us that
since he was homeschooled overseas his homeschool diploma was sufficient, but
because he took his GED, the GED over-ruled the diploma, and now he would have
to have 15 college credits before he would be able to sign up for the Army. He
decided to take classes during the summer session. For those of you who don’t
know they take a normal college class and cram everything into 6 weeks. The
same amount of work is expected, the same homework is assigned, everything the
same as the usual 3 – 4 month college class except that you have way less time
to do it in. Anyway, Andre was awesome, he took a full load of 15 credits – 5
classes – during the 1 summer session and came away with four4 A’s and one B. I
wasn’t surprised though, he is, and always has been a super intelligent
person. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Andre and my 91 yr old grandfather.</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguR3dNHtxZh66p9-0KD1n4ybF77TfeJD_tvqIGIn75wktW0psUuN9AvrKoOw7W-Tss2V0MD3GO8kXZT0sSyMLL9EjkNsMhZWqW_iHB4DUPOnv0tFgn1d1rm4wK9ZQ_p396FmBpzuQylAI/s1600/102_1475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguR3dNHtxZh66p9-0KD1n4ybF77TfeJD_tvqIGIn75wktW0psUuN9AvrKoOw7W-Tss2V0MD3GO8kXZT0sSyMLL9EjkNsMhZWqW_iHB4DUPOnv0tFgn1d1rm4wK9ZQ_p396FmBpzuQylAI/s1600/102_1475.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Jordan and Mickey</i></td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Jordan just turned 16, and is at the ago of trying to figure
out what she wants to do with herself and her future. For the longest time she
wanted to be a nurse, and we have been trying to work towards that with her
schooling, but she has recently decided that she wants to drop out of school.
Not sure why, she just says because she wants to (she’s homeschooled). Im not
freaking out, and doing my best not to nag. I told her that it is her life and
the final decision is up to her, because ultimately it will be her that is
affected by that decision, but if that’s what she chooses to do, that’s on her.
However by allowing her to do that, she will have to study for her GED and take
her GED sometime in the next two years. So when it is time to purchase school
books for the younger kids, it looks like I will be getting GED test prep books
as well. I am disappointed, but there is only so much I can do. She will not be
sitting at home watching tv all day though, as this year I will be working away
from home 6 days a week, and she will be in charge at home for part of the
time, and running our store (for minimum wage) until I get home in the evening.
Im trying to figure out what interests her enough that she would be willing to
take some type of classes to further her education in some way shape or form.
Some type of vocational school something. To me, education is important, and
learning is something that you should never stop doing. </div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKybFK8X3SW5_M9qVH4vFzi36-5Npo5cEAN5PB39ZiIhiHeCx-c9f5rSZMmZYPWbTFIMBU-x2FJrv5zwAFDW9BitkhcGQrAgru5SBhZBqKlP6eT02uy3ysYvn7T303Euj-CQMEKLNXkC4/s1600/102_1501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKybFK8X3SW5_M9qVH4vFzi36-5Npo5cEAN5PB39ZiIhiHeCx-c9f5rSZMmZYPWbTFIMBU-x2FJrv5zwAFDW9BitkhcGQrAgru5SBhZBqKlP6eT02uy3ysYvn7T303Euj-CQMEKLNXkC4/s1600/102_1501.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sendy and I hanging out, out back.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sendy will be 18 in March, and he is entering his final year
of high school. He is another one who I am proud of. He could have dropped out
– he stopped going for a year in 2011, switched schools and started back in
2012 – but he didn’t. He found something he really likes and wanted to learn,
and he will graduate this November. (Schools here run from February to
November.) This past year was his first year with no ‘notas rojas’ – failing
grades – and I am so proud of him. Every year since he came to live with me he
has always had at least one failing grade each quarter. Usually multiple, but
with the exception of two classes, he has been able to at least have a passing
grade in each class. (the two classes he failed, he took the equivalent to
summer school and passed) But this past year there was no failing grade on his
report card at the end of the year. Once he switched schools and began studying
electricity, his grades have improved with each report card. I told him that
this final year I want him to not have any grade below a 75%, and he just
laughed at me, but said he would try. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The younger six are still the younger six. Mickey is almost
11, and Isa just turned 10. Johan is almost 9. Lana is 7, Levi is 6 and Ari is
almost 5. They each are so funny, and its fun to watch them grow up and grow
into their personalities. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBBhfqMlZpInhW_uZ7f81E1cKi1s_3Jh8n_75l9uZCbX9p6cGiDkMzaa9hLuT2rMqwHB4TU1FEYM4TSvRCmbtnUxIvPPAUK52-mUWiKQpPLwsKAwC-Mcv8oeuvyhHyDzxUYa8E3S2cF50/s1600/102_1640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBBhfqMlZpInhW_uZ7f81E1cKi1s_3Jh8n_75l9uZCbX9p6cGiDkMzaa9hLuT2rMqwHB4TU1FEYM4TSvRCmbtnUxIvPPAUK52-mUWiKQpPLwsKAwC-Mcv8oeuvyhHyDzxUYa8E3S2cF50/s1600/102_1640.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The younger six. I will never get a picture<br /> with all normal faces and smiles, lol</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5mVJfzSAAMvC6M3xsVrBOnpv1c5ecQXclo-Dglot1nG5NlCVsb9dzM8t88dN2zN6NqxQtR2Ue42mIZPGhgaiIFZWzfnD7iI9C-XMZ9k3lfImdADyP0VILsT0m3V9Luw7cvsKgR4vq8wc/s1600/102_1593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5mVJfzSAAMvC6M3xsVrBOnpv1c5ecQXclo-Dglot1nG5NlCVsb9dzM8t88dN2zN6NqxQtR2Ue42mIZPGhgaiIFZWzfnD7iI9C-XMZ9k3lfImdADyP0VILsT0m3V9Luw7cvsKgR4vq8wc/s1600/102_1593.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Mickey.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mickey has finally started to become interested in
being more girly girlish, much to Jordan’s delight. But she doesn’t know what
to make of herself. She will dress up, and do her hair, then be embarrassed
because she isn’t used to being girly. I do my best to encourage it, because I
know she wants to be more girly, but I myself am more comfortable in old shorts
and a tank top, no make up and just grunging around. I want Mickey to be
comfortable. Schoolwise, Mickey is doing
well. I do a mixture of schooling. I do some unschooling, where they learn
different concepts by doing everyday type of things. Mickey will be working in
our store later this year as well. She is like another Andre, so many things
come easy to her, and she learns things quickly and loves to learn. I can
explain a concept to her and Isa, and she will get it right away, then explain
it to Isa and help her understand it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh06HbQC1AvWia6KErGykxaZ8kNd6l2reC_bFi-cPrqrz1VPl7FVTzsZ19WyOYk-LxHVZJHEHrLR8y8edIzOkYSlB9o08s9M4emOycQLjZS2hEJbpQBFLaN4vQOusXA7pi6nphQYxGbPl0/s1600/102_1675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh06HbQC1AvWia6KErGykxaZ8kNd6l2reC_bFi-cPrqrz1VPl7FVTzsZ19WyOYk-LxHVZJHEHrLR8y8edIzOkYSlB9o08s9M4emOycQLjZS2hEJbpQBFLaN4vQOusXA7pi6nphQYxGbPl0/s1600/102_1675.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Mickey and Isa</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4BiVxeo_eOAuLqphHKJlomQWe_Prf0g_GCSsyq_hWZWHMioQ-pLVXsOWS7bRjSGk18tHEnvvlPZFfHMhZdM5KCmbLi8txveC3vPU1kG1bPqs2AI7PVnplwX6_aSQqQ03k5CFDZ8cyJiI/s1600/102_1615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4BiVxeo_eOAuLqphHKJlomQWe_Prf0g_GCSsyq_hWZWHMioQ-pLVXsOWS7bRjSGk18tHEnvvlPZFfHMhZdM5KCmbLi8txveC3vPU1kG1bPqs2AI7PVnplwX6_aSQqQ03k5CFDZ8cyJiI/s1600/102_1615.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Isa</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Isa is still Isa. She is such a goofball. You never know
what will come out of Isa’s mouth, and what is floating around in that head of
hers. Isa worries though. She worries about things that one normally wouldn’t
worry about. And by worry I don’t mean a passing worry, I mean like a neurotic
type of worry. She said she would never get on a plane because she found out
that if a plane crashes, the likely hood of surviving a plane crash is low. But
when we explained that one is more likely to be in a vehicle crash than in a
plane crash, she said she would never get on the bus or in a car again because
that now scares her. And she was being serious. So we have to be careful in
what we say to her, and how we say it because she takes everything to heart. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSpeb6nl2ZwKiUvUrpSJNa248CO7O-XKz4aafURkvIwvsm_sJuajan4cPdIS-rKltwmimGg25p1UCn-gPZVUoY5C9YkWF9RRQc_ZRw-ZIeLrx1AnYI8ak9R1NUVS39od-WmlbAvhkE_IE/s1600/102_1672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSpeb6nl2ZwKiUvUrpSJNa248CO7O-XKz4aafURkvIwvsm_sJuajan4cPdIS-rKltwmimGg25p1UCn-gPZVUoY5C9YkWF9RRQc_ZRw-ZIeLrx1AnYI8ak9R1NUVS39od-WmlbAvhkE_IE/s1600/102_1672.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Johan in borrowed boots</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Johan is Johan. He is such a daddy’s boy. If he can pass the
day with his dad, working along side of him in whatever his dad is doing, he is
happy. If daddy is up the mountain cutting grass with a machete, he wants to be
right there with him. If he is fixing a fence, Johan is there with his own
hammer and nails. If he is building a house, or mixing cement, that’s where you
will find Johan. Johan knows how many shovelfuls of sand needs to be mixed in
with the cement, and how to mix in the water. Johan would prefer to be working
with his father than to be at home doing schoolwork. So I try to work around
that. When his dad is doing woodwork – making doors and stuff, Johan is right
there learning how to measure and cut and everything else. Then at home he is
taught in the evening, and Isa and Mickey fill him in on what they learned that
day as well.</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKccUop15kKVuv4A0ELx0PP_2X0d__mQaABnRmyHIt2Dg9MJWowk5Gb59Fv1pvbWtlmM4SfVUnYsNBtMT9nF-C5k9II4Md-uHaYfNlKtbNjMFAFGjP8JDrp6pZWFHuYttlaeGJFW782k4/s1600/102_1659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKccUop15kKVuv4A0ELx0PP_2X0d__mQaABnRmyHIt2Dg9MJWowk5Gb59Fv1pvbWtlmM4SfVUnYsNBtMT9nF-C5k9II4Md-uHaYfNlKtbNjMFAFGjP8JDrp6pZWFHuYttlaeGJFW782k4/s1600/102_1659.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Lana and Isa</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lana is my little model. She loves to have her picture taken
and loves to sing and dance. She is very smart, but is funny about some things.
When she was learning to read, she recognized so many sight words, then when we
began reading books, all of that went out of the window. She began to sound out
each and every word she came across. EVEN sight words. EVEN if she just read
the word a few words ago. In that aspect, I suck as a teacher, because I don’t
have the patience. I get frustrated because I just want to yell at her and say
‘You know these words, you don’t have to sound them out. Why are you sounding
them out?!?!’ I have said that actually. But I don’t have the patience. I let
it go, and let her sit there and read to herself, and tune an ear to her to
check on what she is saying. She does really well with writing words
phonetically, and reading the TV menu. She can scroll through and read
everything that is on and that is coming on with no problem. So I just keep on
keeping on in that aspect, and pray that I’m doing enough. I also have her read
to Ari and Levi.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZqV7MtqRrQrdzxZ1QwJ4u9jg5nNA3MKOxvMrvFua_DGG1p97x1LsJnBo28QPqP1bqUlM2B5yQHAz6oG60PavLJ8yCkhtASUFt_uaLJTXGELeDFXlCwfJJewKVfyf4HW3scjcTPFGKNb4/s1600/102_1660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZqV7MtqRrQrdzxZ1QwJ4u9jg5nNA3MKOxvMrvFua_DGG1p97x1LsJnBo28QPqP1bqUlM2B5yQHAz6oG60PavLJ8yCkhtASUFt_uaLJTXGELeDFXlCwfJJewKVfyf4HW3scjcTPFGKNb4/s1600/102_1660.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Lana and Isa</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZGaruj5QoJqn2A_WYVnLh6QNfeNAlgF697_TPUZP0hHYK0DrdiXUEJeJcs4NLmtxvvz9T0dVNcAaFtSSG6p3ecmcjB2CkHkVNTOGn8dUug6CTPeU_JnlHLSQIt7VtbqLsNh8utj1-q3c/s1600/102_1643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZGaruj5QoJqn2A_WYVnLh6QNfeNAlgF697_TPUZP0hHYK0DrdiXUEJeJcs4NLmtxvvz9T0dVNcAaFtSSG6p3ecmcjB2CkHkVNTOGn8dUug6CTPeU_JnlHLSQIt7VtbqLsNh8utj1-q3c/s1600/102_1643.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Johan and Levi</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Levi is a typical kindergarten just turned 6 year old boy.
Levi likes to learn, he knows his letters and numbers and all the sounds of the
letters. He knows how to write them and if I am right there, he can sound out a
word. But I have to point to each letter. He hates to go and work. In that way,
he is the total opposite of Johan. When the kids all have to go out and bring
in firewood, he goes out, hides and cries. If he goes to work with Johan and
his dad, Johan and Lale are working while Levi is busy playing. If Levi could
just sit at my side and love on me all day, he would gladly do that. Levi is a
total Momma’s boy. He is a cuddle bear, and love bug. Its nice in some ways,
but in other ways its annoying, frustrating and Im not sure how to deal with
it. (for example, I taught the kids how to play a modified version of kickball,
and he was touched with the ball, so he was out, and then it was his turn to
kick again, and he couldn’t continue to play unless he had a hug and kiss from
me. Once he got a hug and kiss from Mommy, all was right with his world and he
was able to play again.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTBfwmftvG18mtLl8j2UEjunB9zj3J0A8kkab8VizXrUAHq_hrl26-Jcoqj2HT3lZYAnyYoRG9x6isEoYa9Uo4g9HnxEdqTtyf_McNnAaEyLuaU6RMGNFqtW_ZUKrjdx9eYl3Uj9kxVK0/s1600/102_1607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTBfwmftvG18mtLl8j2UEjunB9zj3J0A8kkab8VizXrUAHq_hrl26-Jcoqj2HT3lZYAnyYoRG9x6isEoYa9Uo4g9HnxEdqTtyf_McNnAaEyLuaU6RMGNFqtW_ZUKrjdx9eYl3Uj9kxVK0/s1600/102_1607.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Johan and Levi</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj30COEXamZYJE9NlumHfqh6uMiWzM-rLnoMaq8-WX9_TCai8tt-7I0NDcUFYxdy21KE4DmvfJ3GFqEZejk6xtYAylS45xTgISGvEZ3SOZSdRBXwXfuuDWvQ1lRnwghM-Sykgxi8zdeDHE/s1600/102_1609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj30COEXamZYJE9NlumHfqh6uMiWzM-rLnoMaq8-WX9_TCai8tt-7I0NDcUFYxdy21KE4DmvfJ3GFqEZejk6xtYAylS45xTgISGvEZ3SOZSdRBXwXfuuDWvQ1lRnwghM-Sykgxi8zdeDHE/s1600/102_1609.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Johan and Ari. One of my<br /> favorite pictures of Ari</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ari is almost 5, and she swears she is almost 25. Ari is a
spitfire. Always has been, and always will. She is going to be an awesome boss
of some business someday. Or an awesome drill instructor. She told me that she
and I and her Nana (my mom) we were the bosses of everyone. She told Jordan to
do something one day, and Jordan said, ‘Be quiet Ari, your not my mother’ and
Ari said “I am to your mother and you will do what I say.’ That pretty much
describes Ari, lol. She also like Andre, smart wise, but even more so than him.
At two she recognized 30 different names of family members, and then when you
showed her the alphabet you could point to the G and she would say G is for
Gisela and Gloria. Or you could say show me Jordan, and she would point to the
J and say this is for Jordan and also for Johan and Jennifer. Now at 4 – almost
5 – she knows more than Levi as far as the letters and sounds. If you tell her
a simple word (by simple I mean a word where there are no hidden sounds when
you say the word)she will go through the word and can spell it with no problem.
She loves words, and loves school work. She is working on the 1<sup>st</sup>
grade level with Levi. I just have to explain one time how to do something and
she just gets it. Like Mickey, she is always asking for more homework to do.
And when I don’t give her something, she will get out a notebook, pull a book
down off the bookshelf and will copy the book onto the notebook.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3rUiq4iJmBNlFVOFPDy0WvrcNwxBTDd1Wp8T_NriRu8nag3KIOUsIAsSlQK8bbRM0mS0nJSUgCVe05M8eo7y27OicWwh0FF7fKdhc8apyCIjGptjd9UO9axIzMSWTSOM0NN8YNc2iq38/s1600/102_1652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3rUiq4iJmBNlFVOFPDy0WvrcNwxBTDd1Wp8T_NriRu8nag3KIOUsIAsSlQK8bbRM0mS0nJSUgCVe05M8eo7y27OicWwh0FF7fKdhc8apyCIjGptjd9UO9axIzMSWTSOM0NN8YNc2iq38/s1600/102_1652.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Ari and Lana</i></td></tr>
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These past few years for me have been hard. Ive been dealing
with some things, and it hasn’t been easy. I’ve been letting life drive, while
I just sit back and watch the view. That isn’t any way to live. Life is a gift
from God. He didn’t give us this gift for us to not use it. Sometimes auto
pilot is an ok thing to do, but only for short distances, you know. I needed
the time to sort of go on auto pilot, but I forgot to take back over, and auto
pilot became a habit.</div>
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On top of the issues I have been trying to deal with in my
life, I also have to deal with arthritis. Many of you know that I have bad
arthritis in my hands. I also have it in my feet, in my back, in my shoulders,
my neck, my elbows, wrists, and my fingers. My left ankle has no cartilidge in
it. It is all bone on bone. If I spend more than 15 minutes on it, it swells
up, and I can’t walk. That’s 15 minutes standing or walking. My elbows are so
bad that I can’t straighten out my arms. When I sit my upper arm on the table,
my wrist/hand sits up at about a 45 degree angle. I can pull on my hands and
separate my wrist from my arm, and have it sit (very painfully I might add) off
center and not be able to move it. One of things I am hoping for, when I move
back to the states is to be able to try Enbrel, or a medication along those
lines. They aren’t available in Honduras. Right now I take 5 different
medications (2 are for high blood pressure that I have because of my arthritis
medications) each day as well as shots as needed. (Andre, Jordan, Mickey, Isa,
Johan and my mom all give me shots, lol. It used to be just Jordan, but she
wasn’t here one time and I needed a shot and I woke up Andre, and the first
time he gave me a shot, he was mostly asleep)
Anyways, with me dealing with the arthritis, Jordan now does the
shopping. I write the list and what not and send her down to go shopping, so I
rarely leave my house. Jordan has said that I have become a hermit. And I
really have in so many ways. I don’t like to deal with people anymore. I don’t
know if that is just me getting older, or what. But even when I am at my moms
house, I don’t want to go out and see people. People annoy me. But I am forcing
myself out of that habit.</div>
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This year is really going to be a year of changes for me. I
have opened a ESL school, and will be teaching a total of 12 classes a week. 2
per day 6 days a week. In the two hours between classes I will be doing
tutoring if anyone needs it. Also in April, construction will begin on a
pulperia, which is sort of like a local corner store type place, at my house. I
am planning for it to be ready and up and running by the end of June/early
July. Jordan will be in charge of that during the day and Mickey will run it
some days too. Ill take over once I get home from class. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-jJYXXZAcTAsbeiqvoKNIbo6BUkdJOLvh1PUONo_fB7boscbyWIEPB7AT8b4a7c96Busn25pjWqNDHvyWfGH6Pgj1sYtyFufi8a0O7tT0Zvuqh5e0Woc9nYO11akG3ses6wh8KlYDWow/s1600/1522148_10153751930390014_926079031_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-jJYXXZAcTAsbeiqvoKNIbo6BUkdJOLvh1PUONo_fB7boscbyWIEPB7AT8b4a7c96Busn25pjWqNDHvyWfGH6Pgj1sYtyFufi8a0O7tT0Zvuqh5e0Woc9nYO11akG3ses6wh8KlYDWow/s1600/1522148_10153751930390014_926079031_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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This January I also have begun the paperwork for Sendy,
Gisela and Lale. I haven’t done it before now because with Lale, I have to wait
10 years before he even qualifies to apply for the hardship waiver to the ban.
(Because he was captured by immigration the first time he went to the states,
he had an order of deportation placed on him. He went back to Honduras in 2003,
then went back to the states illegally in 2004, so even though he wasn’t
captured the second time, the fact that he entered the U.S. illegally twice, he
has a 20 year ban. But after 10 years we are eligible to apply for a waiver for
the ban.) This will be his 7<sup>th</sup> year in Honduras, so I am able to
begin the paperwork. Before I can file for the waiver, I have to file an I130,
and that takes 1 ½ - 2 years for it to go through, which brings us to his 9<sup>th</sup>
year or so out of the country, then I can file the waiver, which will take
another 1 ½ - 2 years or so to come up for review, which takes us to right
around the 10 year mark. I had to wait to apply for Sendy and Gisela because I
had to apply for all three at the same time. They may be able to get their
paperwork done and be able to move to the states before I can take care of
Lale’s papers. The good thing though is that once I am in the states, I can get
disability, and that will help my hardship case.</div>
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Another thing that looks like will be happening is that we
may be moving back to the states full time sometime in 2015. I have had the
land for sale for awhile, but not actively trying to sell it. Andre had asked
me not to sell the land because he wanted to have a place to go to in Honduras.
I explained to him that in order for me to be able to move back to the states,
I would need to sell the house and land, otherwise there would be no way I
would be able to afford to move back. He then found out that the Army has a
loan program to buy a house. His way of thinking is that for the next year
while he is in basic and AIT he will save most of his paycheck for a down
payment, then in early 2015 he will apply for a loan and buy the land and house
from me, and I can purchase a house in the states to live there full time. I
told Andre that he may change his mind, and if he does, and he no longer wants
to buy the house, that that is ok, its not an obligation. After being in the
Army for a year or more, he may not want to live here, or whatever. So either
until he buys the house, or tells me he is no longer interested in it, I am
holding the land for him. The little
kids are excited and hopes he buys the house – for a couple of reasons. 1 – so
that they can be back in the states, land of Olive Garden, Dominoes and Publix,
lol and 2 – so that when we come back to Honduras to visit, our house will
always be here for us.</div>
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10257412678589423826noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944378683489468442.post-18572675147333960612012-07-22T11:28:00.000-04:002012-07-22T11:28:24.811-04:00More than once in a year?? How'd that happen??Well miracles do happen. <br />
<br />
I just wanted to post an update and let everyone know that I am in the US for a couple of days. Any guesses what Im doing? Well lets see, I have been dress shopping with Jordan for her quinceanera dress. Her father is throwing her a party in Guatemala this December. I can't believe that she will be 15 already. I also was talking to the Army and Marine recruiter for Andre. After December he can sign up for either one with their delayed entrance program, and will be shipping out to boot camp probably January 2014.<br />
<br />
Oh yeah, and house hunting. <br />
<br />
Thats right, looking for a place to come back to. I head home on Wednesday and begin the proces of selling my land and house. My wish is to be back here before Christmas to spend time with my Grandparents, because at 86 and 90, they dont have many Christmases left. The only problem is, do you know how hard it is to find a house that has enough bedrooms and space for everyone? Especially in Florida?<br />
<br />
I found one house that was in a nice neighborhood, but the house was horrible. It had a pool that needs a new liner and was filled with green water and tadpoles, a "pool house" that smelled like mold and mildew, a hot tub that didnt work, needed a new roof, unven floor in a section of the house that they built on - without a permit. It needs alot of work.<br />
<br />
Then I found a beautiful house that I love and would move in, in a heartbeat, and was informed that the neighborhood is really rough and supposedly even the police dont like to go in that area after dark. Is there anyway to pick up the two houses and move them - put the nice house in the nice neighborhood, and the crappy house in the crappy neighborhood?<br />
<br />
The kids are all growing like weeds and are excited about the prospect of moving back to the US. If I dont sell before then, I will be back in January and will update with pictures and stuff.Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10257412678589423826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944378683489468442.post-38572012254121691352012-01-28T01:05:00.000-05:002012-01-28T01:05:13.889-05:00Has it really been almost a year?I was looking for a certain post tonight to show a friend something, and somehow got lost in my blog. I was reading all my old posts, and I realy miss this blog.<br />
<br />
I wish that there was internet signal where I live. Everyday passes and there is so much that I could blog about. But if I wait until I get to a signal, it isnt blog worthy to me anymore. <br />
*sigh*<br />
In a place where I dont have many *real* friends - because *real* friends are hard to come by here - my blog friends are those who I connect with. Those that I vent to. And I miss you all.Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10257412678589423826noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944378683489468442.post-5139442334196095152011-02-25T09:09:00.000-05:002011-02-25T09:09:25.034-05:00Huh?When I was the the US working this past year, I left my computer at home. I mean really, why would I have the need to bring a desktop back and forth to America? So I left the computer in my room, stored away so that nothing would happen to it, and left specific instructions to not to touch it. Anyone. Not even my husband.<br />
<br />
A bit after I came home I decided to hook the computer up in my room so that I could watch DVD's. As I pulled the computer out of storage I knew that it hadn't been left alone as the monitor had lots of beautiful crayon drawings on it, and the CPU had some scratches on it. But no biggie I thought, the monitor can be cleaned, and hopefully the scratches aren't due to it being dropped. So I set it up, and it turned on perfectly, and I breathed a sigh of relief. That is until I went to put in my passcode to log on. My keyboard is messed up. In my passcode for my computer i have to type the number 0. Well in both the number pad as well as the numbers across the top the 0 wasnt working. Great, I thought. A new keyboad has to be bought. And from there, it was pushed to the back of my mind. Every once in a while it would work its way back to the front, but in general I kept it hidden.<br />
<br />
Then I knew I had to get a new one in order to be able to get online. So less than a week after moving down here, I bought my new keyboard. Now this keyboard is special It has Skype buttons and a microphone and speakers and who knows what else in it. So I set the keyboard up, installed the program and then sat down to read the user manual. <br />
<br />
<br />
The user manual comes in Spanish, Portuguese and English. I started to read it in English, but had to switch over to the Spanish instructions. Why? Let me give you some examples of what the user manual says in English.<br />
<br />
<ul><li>open the controller but no any control on the interface about 10 seconds.</li>
<li>This driver is professional for skype if you need this use set chat you must need install this driver for used</li>
<li>if no equipment be install to computer no keyboard set computer icon no green set light grey</li>
<li>keyboard is support headset a audio and micorphone if you have need used keyboard for in the office of personal very information insert the two jack to jack of keyboard s left side</li>
<li>you can skype to your friend or others non need sets by your need.</li>
<li>if you feel sound is less or your chat friend feeling that mean is you need nearness especially let your mouth to nearness</li>
<li>micorphone of the keyboard middle bottom side</li>
</ul>And spelling errors are intentional. This is exactly how it is in my user manual.Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10257412678589423826noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944378683489468442.post-43380000140864246312011-02-24T22:02:00.000-05:002011-02-24T22:02:00.020-05:00Exchanging one thing for another...Since moving here I have been wishing for cell phone signal, and internet signal, but its just been that. A wish. Now that I have cell phone signal, and internet capabilities, I am wishing that I didn't. Sort of.<br />
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Let me back up and explain. We have a truck that has been a faithful transportation for the last three years. When I say faithful transportation I mean that it has always been working. Not in great shape, but it at least got us from point A (our house) to points BCDEF (two different high schools, a elementary school, a kinder, and my mother in laws house) and back. And it has always gotten good gas mileage, and general there hasnt been many complaints. I was even nice and let it have a rest for almost a school years worth when we bought the other truck. (the one that got smashed by a Dole truck) We would take it out a couple of times a week, but no heavy work. Just for a stroll around the city, to the river to let it look at the water and get a bath, you know, little things like that. I will say though, that anytime we had a bit of extra money the truck knew. Something always went wrong with the truck, and it usually cost within $15 of the amount extra that we had. But it has always been reliable. Until now. Something has gone horribly wrong with the truck, (something in the computer/fuel injector area) and to take everyone to and from school - three trips a day because Jordan has class in the afternoon - now would cost me $80 a day in gas. Where as before it would have cost me $4ish per day. I dont know about you, but I dont have $80/day to stick in the gas tank. I dont even have $80/day in general. So I am renting a house near all the kids schools. The cost of the rent for this huge house is slightly shy of $160/month. So its a nuch better deal.<br />
<br />
But in saving money on gas, and being able to get online, and talk on the phone I am giving up alot. In my house we have running water 98% of the time, and it has awesome pressure. I have my 3 pilas. I have space to hang up the clothes to dry. I can turn on the faucet and have cold water to drink. In the house that we are renting there is more space. It has 5 bedrooms, 2 living rooms, a dining room, kitchen and two bathrooms. It also has 2 pilas. What it doesn't have is water 60% of the time. And when it does have water, there is no pressure. In the two bathrooms there are two showers. Little itty bitty things, but two of them anyways. In one, when you turn it on to take a shower the water comes out in drops. Really in drops. In the other shower, when the water comes out, it goes straight across and hits the wall behind you about 3-4 inches above your head. (there isnt a shower head, just a faucet that opens out, not down) And the water isnt good to drink. At all. The only thing it is good for is washing clothes, and washing dishes. There is not much space to hang up the clothes, and for a family with 9 kids in the house, you need space. And the two pilas that it has, combined it holds not even 1/4 of the amount of water as the main pila at my house holds. It holds maybe 1/2 of the amount of water as the middle pila at my house does.<br />
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How do we bathe, you might ask, seeing as how the showers dont work worth didly? Well at the pila of couse. At first it took some getting used to because the pila is on the side of the house, facing the road. And how can you bathe (well) without taking off your clothes? Especially facing the road, and you can see everyone that passes by, and the houses near you as well. Well as you can see from this picture, you can see everyone, but no one can see you. Can you tell that I am bathing here?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTw9BggfMsUDBHzN164pLPc_Qe44_vx0elyPvor2nIYbefJU44yFf_seuC4rAE9HRYM796hoJ0qdN7ZeU6UhW2_coMHjogYiE9rWv1o2CxlP8NNeNtoG6fx7UfhBRcksikEq9LPjA8e3w/s1600/240220111615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTw9BggfMsUDBHzN164pLPc_Qe44_vx0elyPvor2nIYbefJU44yFf_seuC4rAE9HRYM796hoJ0qdN7ZeU6UhW2_coMHjogYiE9rWv1o2CxlP8NNeNtoG6fx7UfhBRcksikEq9LPjA8e3w/s320/240220111615.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">can you see me there? no? well how about in this one...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQDNCHBUScBya7dsMEJZAb67FewE0cCUnNO-U-0h8cEr84sh7e9vbdpCLZqugq7wXVba5lOC31igr5Ima79NofzkTitSKjJ2XHdaicVCmWXMakiH7ZsR_Am4xdjwKB7Vy71Es1HQ6oL-Q/s320/240220111616.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">After I realized all you could see was my eyes and forehead, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">I realized I could bathe the day away with no worries.</span> </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinE3ni1hHZPjwZ3bmEzuZl-KWCIx45Slvc-PRk6zVvopIgVrFhLFTqKSXd8hyv6M_1h2mpdg8anbkBl3FhV8a_a_npjsdaq51WW_RdLeRoYZWXFervIulALsTRHm-PGclF2u9X8BXEUC4/s1600/240220111617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinE3ni1hHZPjwZ3bmEzuZl-KWCIx45Slvc-PRk6zVvopIgVrFhLFTqKSXd8hyv6M_1h2mpdg8anbkBl3FhV8a_a_npjsdaq51WW_RdLeRoYZWXFervIulALsTRHm-PGclF2u9X8BXEUC4/s320/240220111617.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">And this is what I get to look at while I take a bath. Nothing like a mountain view.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">How many of you are that lucky :)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>And its hot. At my house, because its up the mountain, it is much cooler. Here, it is so dag on hot. I hate it. But I can see and talk to my mom, and brothers and other family and friends in the US. (skype!!) And when you arent in your own house, it just feels weird. But the kids can sleep a bit more and can play with their cousins in the afternoon. So its all about exchange, and compromise. While I am here I will enjoy the benefits, and deal with the drawbacks, because I know it isnt permanent. Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10257412678589423826noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944378683489468442.post-54593447819795877252011-02-23T18:34:00.000-05:002011-02-23T18:34:51.794-05:00And Im Up...After a couple of days fighting with getting my modem operational, I am now online. Yes!! I am setting up my skype right now as I type, then from there I have a list of blogs to write out and post. So keep an eye out this week for at least 3 new blog posts. <br />
<br />
Who knew that being able to get online from the computer, and not the cell would make you feel so free?Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10257412678589423826noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944378683489468442.post-9627113491522194112011-02-20T23:32:00.000-05:002011-02-20T23:32:51.590-05:00Updates Coming Soon!!Due to a car malfunction we are temporarily staying where there is internet service availability. So sometime within the next week/10 days I will be getting a modem (and a new keyboard as mine broke) and I will be updating. Internet service and time to blog, I wont know what to do with myself, LOL. See you soon!Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10257412678589423826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944378683489468442.post-77537002344840045382011-01-23T00:05:00.000-05:002011-01-23T00:05:57.373-05:00Time FliesI sit here and think about how fast the time has flown. Three years ago I was excited because I had my moving date to move to Honduras. And while so much as happened in that time period, it still doesn't feel like it has been three years. It seems like yesterday almost. <br />
<br />
On this trip back to the US, I was able to visit with my grandparents, whom I haven't seen in those three years, and since 06 I have only seen a few times. I am so thankful for the time I have spent with them during this trip. They truely are very special people, anyone and everyone who has met them can tell you the same thing. I am so blessed to have them as my grandparents. I miss not being near them as I was growing up. I miss just being with them, feeling the love and warmth that radiates from these two wonderful people. I wish that they were able to travel to Honduras so that my younger children could have wonderful memories of them before my grandparents pass. Its hard to believe that they are closing in on 90 years - both of them. This past November they celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary. I love it.<br />
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<br />
<center><a href="http://s230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/?action=view&current=1011101206.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/1011101206.jpg" /></a></center><center> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">My Grandmother</span></center><center><a href="http://s230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/?action=view&current=1011101231.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/1011101231.jpg" /></a></center><center><span style="font-size: xx-small;">My Grandfather</span></center><br />
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Another thing I noticed on this trip up north is how much my children have grown. I can't believe that in 3 years my oldest will be an adult. I now have to look UP when I look Andre in the face, and Sendy is right behind him. Am I really old enough to have a child that old, that grown? <br />
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<br />
<center><a href="http://s230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/?action=view&current=281220101375.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/281220101375.jpg" /></a></center><center><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Sendy</span></center><center><br />
<a href="http://s230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/?action=view&current=060120111482-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/060120111482-1.jpg" /></a></center><center><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Andre - the only way he will let me take his picture</span></center><br />
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<center><a href="http://s230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/?action=view&current=131220101254.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/131220101254.jpg" /></a></center><center><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Jordan</span></center><center> </center><br />
In these past three years, Jordan too has grown and changed. She has always been a beautiful person, but she is growing into an even more beautiful child with each passing day. Dont get me wrong, we still have to deal with the normal 13 yr old drama and hormonal issues, but in general she is a great child. And hormonal or not, she has a great heart.<br />
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<center><a href="http://s230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/?action=view&current=051120101013.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/051120101013.jpg" /></a></center><center><span style="font-size: xx-small;">All the kids except Gisela</span></center><center> </center><br />
All of the kids, just looking at pictures of them over the past three years, they have al grown and changed so much, it blows my mind. They drive me crazy each and every day, but I wouldn't have it any other way. They each are so much alike, yet so different. I enjoy watching them grow and watch their personalities blossom. I can't believe that this school year all of my children, with the exception of Ari will be in school of some sort. And next February Ari will be joining her brothers and sisters, and I will be at home all alone. <br />
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<center><a href="http://s230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/?action=view&current=030120111421-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/030120111421-1.jpg" /></a></center><center><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Ari and Levi</span></center><center> </center><br />
Out of all the kids, Levi and Ari have been the most fun to watch. <br />
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<center><a href="http://s230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/?action=view&current=211220101323.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/211220101323.jpg" /></a></center><center><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Levi, with his mohawk</span></center><center> </center><br />
It has been said that Levi is my favorite. And it really isnt true because there is no favorite. As any mom will tell you, you love them all the same amount, only different. And I am no exception. Levi however has been the most fun out of all of the children. Everything, from his laid back attitude, to the easiness that he sheds a tear, to how attached he is to me (by the way, did you know that in the Bible it says that the name Levi means attached? That couldn't be a more accurate description of my boy, LOL). Levi has just been fun. <br />
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<center><a href="http://s230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/?action=view&current=12092010472.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/12092010472.jpg" /></a></center><center><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Thats a cut off piece pants leg</span></center><center><br />
<a href="http://s230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/?action=view&current=040120111435-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/040120111435-1.jpg" /></a></center><center><span style="font-size: xx-small;">He found my eye mask one night and this is how I found him sleeping.</span></center><center> </center><br />
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As Ari's personality has emerged she too has been tons of laughs. And I will admit, because her personality is what it is, I have let her get away with more than I have allowed the rest of the kids to get away with. Ari is Miss Priss. Miss Bossy. She isn't quite two years old yet ,and she loves to tell everyone what to do, and how to do it. She has no problem getting a spoon, or a broom, or if she can find nothing else, her hand and spanking whoever she feels needs it. She will follow behind one of the kids (usually it is Levi that she is harrassing) and tell them dont do this, dont do that, and if for some reason that other child does it, she will say (insert said childs name) POW POW. Then that child will get smacked. I know I am going to have to put a stop to it because she is borderline brat, (and sometimes she is capital letters BRAT) and I have raised my kids to act better than that, but it just makes me smile.<br />
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<center><a href="http://s230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/?action=view&current=09092010371.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/09092010371.jpg" /></a></center><center><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Miss Priss/Attitude!</span><br />
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<a href="http://s230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/?action=view&current=11092010424.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/11092010424.jpg" /></a></center><center><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Her Albert Einstein hair.</span></center><center> </center><center><a href="http://s230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/?action=view&current=11102010710.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/11102010710.jpg" /></a></center><center><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Her sweet side - yes she does have one.</span></center><br />
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Mickey is my little (or not so little now - I can't believe she is in a size 10/12 already) tomboy. She prefers jeans to dresses (like her mom!) and has no problem sticking up for herself or for her sister. And she has alot of spunk too. In our neighborhood there are two sisters that always pass by our house, and there is always yelling of names between those two sisters and Mickey and Isa. (I love to listen to them - they insult eachother by saying in spanish 'toad soup, toad soup, you are toad soup') <br />
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<center><a href="http://s230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/?action=view&current=31102010887-002.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/31102010887-002.jpg" /></a></center><center><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Mickey and Papi</span></center><center> </center><br />
One day there was some physical fighting between them, and I sent my children over to the other ids house to apologize. I sent Sendy with them to make sure they did as I said. When they came home, Sendy was laughing and I asked him if Mickey and Isa apologized. He said yeah, that Mickey went up to the little girls and said "My mom said I have to say I am sorry. Well I am sorry that you are stupid and an idiot!" Thats my Mickey, LOL.<br />
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<center><a href="http://s230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/?action=view&current=02112010931.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/02112010931.jpg" /></a></center><center><span style="font-size: xx-small;">My Mickey.</span></center><center><br />
<a href="http://s230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/?action=view&current=29082010246.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/29082010246.jpg" /></a></center><center><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Two beauties. Isa (left) and Mickey (right).</span></center>Lana and Isa are the two who are more calm. Although they are not calm by any means. Isa is the second meanest kid of the bunch, after Ari (who when another child is crying will walk up to them, point in there face and say HA HA, HA HA, HA HA - see what I mean about capital BRAT). But Isa is slick about it, and she gives the impression that she is the innocent one. She is one who is very smart, but spends alot of time with her head in the clouds. Which gives the impression that she isnt that smart. She will fool you that way. <br />
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<center><a href="http://s230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/?action=view&current=12092010456.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/12092010456.jpg" /></a></center><center><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Isa and Lana. My girlie girls.</span></center><center> </center><br />
Lana is just Lana. She is hardheaded, but she is so loveable. Sometimes I feel bad for her, because of her personality, she gets lost in the shuffle alot. The other kids will make themselves be seen and heard, but Lana is content to sit back and let the world go on. I have to make sure that I carve out special one on one time with her. <br />
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And Johan, what can I say about my Johan. He is his daddy's boy. Anything that Papi is doing, he wants to do. Anytime he sees his Papi getting ready to go up the mountain, or go to work, there is Johan dressed in work clothes and work boots quietly waiting for permission to go. I feel so bad for him when he is told no because he so wants to go, and if he is told no, his heart just breaks and he ends up sobbing. And its that sobbing that makes me want to just pick him up and love on him all day. He is a good boy, but he is going to give me a hard way to go. He is so handsome, he has eyelashes to die for, he loves to flirt and loves the women. He prefers to work with his Papi than go to school, and getting him to do his homework can be aknock down drag out fight. But he loves to help, and will do just about anything that you ask him too. And he is always ready with a hug and a kiss for his mother. What more can I ask for?<br />
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<center><a href="http://s230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/?action=view&current=31102010888.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/31102010888.jpg" /></a></center><center><span style="font-size: xx-small;">His favorite place to be - with Papi.</span></center><center> </center><center><a href="http://s230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/?action=view&current=17102010773.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/17102010773.jpg" /></a></center><center><span style="font-size: xx-small;">After a day of working outside with Papi and his brothers.</span></center><br />
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Last, but certainly not least is Gisela. She to has grown and become such a wonderful and beautiful young woman. She is full of life and beauty and goodness, LOL. This year she graduates and will be able to begin teaching next school year. We are going to try to get her the plaza for the school in our neighborhood, and if we succeed, then she will come and live with us as well. That can only be good things for both us, as well as the neighborhood. Then maybe the local children might have a chance to actually learn something.<br />
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<center><a href="http://s230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/?action=view&current=21112010431.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/21112010431.jpg" /></a></center><center><span style="font-size: xx-small;">At the River behind our house.</span></center><center><br />
<a href="http://s230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/?action=view&current=21112010451.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/21112010451.jpg" /></a></center><center><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Gisela and Papi. We love it when she visits.</span></center><center> </center><center><a href="http://s230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/?action=view&current=Gise147.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/Gise147.jpg" /></a></center><center><span style="font-size: xx-small;">And again, my beautiful daughter. Maybe not by blood, but certainly by heart.</span></center><br />
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The Lord has blessed me more than I deserve, and more than I can imagine to be surrounded by so many people that I love, and that love me.<br />
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I truely am blessed.Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10257412678589423826noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944378683489468442.post-48556319894059653252011-01-20T22:03:00.000-05:002011-01-20T22:03:27.184-05:00My PilaI do apologize for not having the post up by last Saturday as promised. However there was some drama going on (isnt there always?) and I had to deal with that instead of posting this post. For a couple of days I removed my blog, and while I did put it back on again as you can see, it is under lock and key so to speak, LOL. <br />
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Now, an update on my last post... Everyone is doing well at home, and they have "fixed" the bridge with dirt until the rainy season is over with and they can actually fix it right.<br />
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Ever since I moved to Honduras, I have been asking for a pila. Whats that you say? A pila (pronounced PEE-la) is a large cement water holding area used for washing clothes, or holding water for when there is no water, etc. etc. Having a pila is a big responsibility that comes with pila etiquite as well. <br />
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When you have a pila, or are at someone elses pila you do not stick your hand in there. If you need to get water out of the pila you use a clean pana (plastic bowl) to get what you need out. It must be cleaned at minimum every week (although at our house every 2 days seems to be about right, LOL). It is just a big responsibility, LOL.<br />
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So anyways, for 3 years I have been asking for a pila, and was always told, later. Well I decided to pitch a fit and get my pila. I had already had an area picked out for my pila, and knew what I wanted, and when I told my husband, he looked at me and said no. No? What do you mean no? We have enough blocks to make it, all I need to get is cement and rebar. No, he said. I want to put it here (a totally different place - a place that I wanted to turn into a bedroom), and I want to do this, and this and this. Whatever I said, just make my pila. I should have stood my ground. 4 months, and who knows how much money later I now have 3 pilas, and a "laundry" room. Which isnt finished. Although I do have my back porch, which is about 60% finished. (there is no floor other than dirt - which is ALWAYS nice when you have as many kids as I do, and animals, and when it rains as much as it does where I live. My kitchen floor is ALWAYS spotless, LOL.)<br />
The pilas technically arent finished yet because there is no faucet on any of the three, but the hose reaches, so thats ok. Here are some progression pitctures of the back area/laundry room progress, and even some pila pictures as well. The three pilas are for this... the small one is for washing mops, boots, feet and the like. The middle one is for soaking clothes - either in bleach or soap or whatever, and the big one is for clothes washing etc. etc.<br />
Can I tell you I love my pila. I love my laundry room, I just wish it was complete.<br />
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I tried to fix the pictures so that they ran in order, but either my computer/internet or slide.com was giving me a hard time and wouldnt let me. So if you watch all the pictures, you can sort of see the progression, but in a time warp sequence. So sorry.<br />
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<div style="text-align: left; width: 240px;"><a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=ph&id=3098476543679184399&map=1" target="_blank"><img border="0" ismap="ismap" src="http://widget-0f.slide.com/p1/3098476543679184399/bb_t000_v000_s0ph_f00/images/xslide1.gif" /></a> <a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=ph&id=3098476543679184399&map=2" target="_blank"><img border="0" ismap="ismap" src="http://widget-0f.slide.com/p2/3098476543679184399/bb_t000_v000_s0ph_f00/images/xslide2.gif" /></a> <a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=ph&id=3098476543679184399&map=F" target="_blank"><img border="0" ismap="ismap" src="http://widget-0f.slide.com/p4/3098476543679184399/bb_t000_v000_s0ph_f00/images/xslide42.gif" /></a></div></div></center>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10257412678589423826noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944378683489468442.post-1476668880651550412011-01-13T23:44:00.000-05:002011-01-13T23:44:28.008-05:00Washed Out BridgeSUPRISE!!! A new post.<br />
While I am working on a new post that is about my life and me and what not, it has come to my attention that it has been raining - ok monsooning, if thats a word - for a couple of days near where I live in Honduras (I am in the US for 2 weeks, just got here Monday) and that a <a href="http://www.laprensa.hn/Sintesis/Lo-ultimo/Ediciones/2011/01/13/Noticias/Honduras-Lluvias-destruye-puente-en-Tocoa">bridge near my house</a> was washed out earlier today. And that the Army was evacuating people from the area that I live. I haven't heard from anyone at my house, so I am going to assume that no news is good news, and just ask for prayers for safety for my family and surrounding families as well.<br />
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I will be back with another post that I have been working on by Saturday.<br />
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Thank You.Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10257412678589423826noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944378683489468442.post-63054498985162072802010-08-15T11:32:00.001-04:002010-08-15T11:33:40.242-04:00Two weeksI am sitting here on the couch, waiting for my arthritis medicine to kick in, just thinking back over the past. The past in general, and the past four months in particular. Can you believe its been almost four months since I came back to the US? When I am in the day to day of it all, it feels like each day is dragging by, and that the end of my time here will NEVER come to an end. But as I sit here, I realize that in all reality it has flown by. <br />
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Two days from right now, I will be in Honduras.Two days from later in the evening I will be where I want to be, where I need to be. Back with my family. The plan in me coming here was for me to come and work until December, and do what I could do as far as paying the debt, and from there we would figure it out, because I wasn't staying past Deccember. Then I had the oportunity to take a little girl to Honduras to meet her grandparents and brothers and sisters (because her parents aren't able to travel due to lack of papers). So I was happy because that meant I could take two weeks and visit with my kids and my husband. Then the mother of the child realized she couldn't part with the baby, not even for two weeks. So that ended that. But I had already bought my ticket, since I could get it cheap. That meant I still was able to take a two week vacation and visit with my family.<br />
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Two weeks to look at this..<br />
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<center><a href="http://s230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/?action=view&current=03272010466-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/03272010466-1.jpg" /></a></center><br />
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Now, I dont know if Im going to take a two week vacation. I am hoping that I can make my husband see that nothing good is coming out of me being here. On the debt, we owe two people. One person we owe almost $4000, and the other almost $10000. Well last week the one that we owe the $4000 to came by the house and told Lale that he had to pay within 10 days because they wanted to buy some cows. <br />
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With me being here, we haven't been able to save anything for paying the debt. For multiple reasons. One because anytime we have anything extra to save it ends up being spent on something I need here (BP machine, and some medications), or something goes wrong with the truck there, or someone is sick. Ari spent close to 5 days in the hospital with pneumonia last month. And it doesnt help that my husband isn't the best at running a household with 9 children in it as far as buying food for the month etc. etc. He tries, but he has never had to do it, its always been my job. So while he is getting a bit better, more money is still being spent per month than should be. (which all of this to me says that God is saying we have to figure out how to do this TOGETHER. As in both of us there, or both of us here).<br />
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When I talked to him yesterday he told me he was able to sell some of our cows to pay L53,000 of the L70,000 that we owe the one person. That still leaves us L17,000 short (about $900). But its better than nothing. The other person we owe will wait until I get my taxes done in January, then let me make payments for the rest of the year, so we dont have to worry about that debt.<br />
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Anyway, all of this blah, blah, blahing to say that me being here has done nothing to help. And it is just me missing time with my family. I told Lale that I dont want to come back, and that when I get there we can talk about it. If after talking about it, we decide that I do need to come back to the US, well then I will. It would be for three months more, thats it. And that will pass quickly. And I can do it. But Im hoping I dont have to.Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10257412678589423826noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944378683489468442.post-27896463553427520642010-08-11T23:44:00.003-04:002010-08-12T02:13:26.248-04:00Its all becoming clearer now...I remember the day that I first stepped on Central American soil. It was Feb. 2001, and it was in Gautemala. Back then I went to meet my then in laws, (my then husband and I were still married, but had been seperated for almost 3 years) and as soon as I arrived where they live (Girones - about 10 minutes from the El Salvador border) I felt at home. I felt like I was where I was supposed to be. And to be honest, if I had brought Andre with me when I had gone, I probably wouldn't have gone back to the US. Really, thats how I felt.<br /><br />At some point around the same time I had come across a website, <a href="http://casadelosangeles.org/">THIS</a> website, quite by accident, and as I clicked through it, I just cried. The tears rolled down my face, and I got a heaviness on my heart of this is something along the lines of what I am supposed to be doing.<br /><br />After my three weeks in Guatemala, I came back home, and my life got back to what it was before I went. Later that year I met Lale, and I remember showing him the website, and trying to explain to him what I had felt (and still do now, 9 years later) whenever I looked at the website. Like it was a calling. And I told him - before I even knew we would get married etc. etc. - that if we were ever to move to Honduras (and there was NO talk about it back then) that I would want to do something like this. He agreed it would be a good thing, and that is as far as it has gone.<br /><br />Now fast forward 9 years, and I haven't done anything in regards to this feeling. I have still had the feelings of wanting to do SOMETHING to help out the people in my area, but the question is what? Something along the lines of Casa De Los Angeles really wont work for where I am. And I realy dont have a clue as to where I would start.<br /><br />Another thing, my children all go to public schools - not in the aldea where we live because thats just not an option for me, but to better schools close by - but I am not happy with the schooling there. For many reasons. One is the lack of days. Meaning that they miss alot of school due to teachers on strike, teachers not coming to school, etc. etc. Another is being how they are taught. Everything is memorization. And thats it. And it isnt everyones teacher that I have issues with, because Mickeys teacher I am happy with. The little kids pre K/K teacher is awesome. Jordans school, which is supposedly the best in the area, well it is sort of ok. Isa's teacher I dont like, and Sendy's school SUCKS. But they are my kids, which for them is a good thing. I know what a good thing an education is. I know how important it is. So I work with my kids. I give them suplemental teaching to keep them up to par with their age/grade in the US.<br /><br />I have been looking for stuff for the kids to use when I go back. Then it slowly dawned on me. It became more clear. What I think I am supposed to be doing. In the last week or so, it has all cemented in my head, where it makes sense. i just have to sit down and work it out on paper.<br /><br />What am I talking about you say? It is how I hope to be able to make a difference.<br /><br />Where we live, if the teachers come three times a week, thats alot. And class there only lasts four hours at the most. And honestly, alot of the kids dont even go - or when they do, they arent taught/dont learn. I have had alot of people ask me to teach them english as well. And thats where it began to fall into place.<br /><br />I am able to help the children where we live to see what a great thing an education is. I am able to help them by bringing them into my "class" so to speak as I am teaching my children. I can make time 4 times a week to help them, under the guise of teaching them english (so that the older kids can benefit as well as the younger kids) and I can show them how to think for themselves. How to do critical thinking. I can have manipulatives and can show them how to do math, and how to apply it to there everyday life.<br /><br />It just feels right. And it does tie into the whole Casa De Los Angeles theme. They have a program for street kids/orphans. They teach them a useful education. They teach the mothers useful skills and help families to be able to grow and better themselves and become self sufficient. And that is sort of what I am going to be doing. By bringing in these children who WANT to learn, one by one I will be giving them a useful education, giving them useful skills. So that hopefully as they grow up and have children, they will want more for their kids. They wont settle. And even if I only make a change in two other children from where I live, that is two more people who can eventually pay it forward, and those two can become four, who then become eight, who then can become sixteen and so on and so on. Because I am living there, it will be a long term thing. It isnt a short term come in, do this, and go home type of thing. So I am hoping that it will be helpful. My children also will be a major part of this. Not only will they be learning as well, but they will be teaching these other children what they know.<br /><br />I am hoping over the next few days I can get a <a href="http://unobyuno.blogspot.com/">blog</a> set up for this project, so that I can post, if nothing more, monthly updates. I would love to be able to have it set up and running as soon as I go home (Im going home on TUESDAY!!! and hopefully its to stay), but I know that isnt possible. I know that this is something that is going to have to take time to get everything that I need set up. My goal is to have it starting in February when the Honduran school terms begin again. Or earlier if possible. But we will see. It is all in Gods hands because He knows what needs to be done.<br /><br /><div align="center">*~*~*~*~*Here is the <a href="http://unobyuno.blogspot.com/">link to the blog</a> if you are interested.*~*~*~*~*</div>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10257412678589423826noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944378683489468442.post-90218709046394686472010-07-22T12:12:00.002-04:002010-07-22T13:18:14.392-04:00Being able to laugh at yourself, and my trip to TegucigalpaWhat I am about to share with you is personal, but it shows you how in order to live in Honduras, you have to be able to LAUGH at everything. Even things that arent funny at the time. You especially have to be able to laugh at yourself.<br /><br />It was January 22 this year that I arrived back in Honduras. Since I havent gotten my residency yet, I came in on a 90 day tourist visa. That meant that my visa expired on April 22. Mine, Andre's and Jordan's. So I had to decide did I want to spend all of that money (that we really didnt have at that time) to leave the country and go to Mexico (we went to Belize last year, and if I can help it, I will never go again. It sucked!) for a couple of days to renew our tourist visas or apply for a 30 day extension for all of us. It was way cheaper to just apply for the extension, and save up the extra money over the next 4 weeks. The only problem was that you could no longer apply for the extension in La Ceiba, which meant road trip to Tegucigalpa.<br /><br />I was excited to go. Mainly because 9 days later I would be leaving for the US for 7 months, and it meant I would get a bit of alone time with my husband. Also because I had never been to Tegucigalpa, and I wanted to visit. But lets be honest, I really just wanted a *date* with my husband, LOL. The bus we needed to take left from Tocoa at 1:30AM. The plan was to *try* to get to Tegucigalpa, do what we needed to do, and try to catch the last bus back to Tocoa the same day. We knew we probably wouldnt be able to do that, but we were gonna try. But if not, then we would stay the night in Teguc, then catch the first bus back in the AM.<br /><br />So Monday afternoon I packed most of our stuff that we would need, and I stayed up late making some food to bring with us on the bus. I then went to bed, and less than an hour later I was up getting ready to go. Now, if you have visited any blogs of people who live in (or visit) Central American countries, you know that when you travel, you always, always, ALWAYS pack toilet paper. And I always do. I will be honest though, in the 2 years in Honduras, I never needed the TP that I packed. But I pack it anyways.<br /><br />Now its 1AM and I am sitting at the bus stop in Tocoa waiting for the bus to come, and I have to go to the bathroom. I get up, go to the bathroom, and all of a sudden I dont feel so good. My stomach is feeling funny, and I now have diarrhea. And the bathroom has no toilet paper. No problem though, because I am prepared. I get my backpack, and pull out the TP. But wait, where is the TP? It seems that when I was repacking the last minute stuff I must have taken out the TP and not put it back. Oh thats just great. Now what am I going to do? Don't ever say that I am not resourceful. After looking around and realizing there is NOTHING that can be used as TP, I pull off my shoes, and my socks, and use one of my socks as TP. Oh boy. I drop the sock in the trash, wash my hands, and out to wait for the bus I go. I feel better, so I figure, well thats good, the trip will be just fine, and 10 minutes later I am settling down on the bus, hoping I can go back to sleep.<br /><br />If you have never been on a bus trip in Honduras, let me fill you in a bit on what to expect. Expect to have the bus filled with as many people as possible, (although one company that I usually use wont allow more people on than there are seats - but we didnt use them to go to Teguc) to stop at every cross road to pick up more people, but in a 10 hour bus ride only stop once, for 10 minutes, to go to the bathroom and get food.<br /><br />So off and on, I managed to doze and about 8AM, or 7 hours into the ride I am now wide awake, and I have to go to the bathroom. My stomach is rolling, and I am just feeling HORRIBLE. I said a prayer of thanks that I didnt have to hit the bathroom earlier than 7 hours, but my body was making up for it now. I am looking out the window as we go up and down these mountains, wondering when are we going to STOP. I wake up Lale and ask him how much longer, and he is so sweet, he tells me - 4 more hours or so. This bus doesnt stop. WHAT??!?!?!?!?! I can't make it 4 more hours. I am seriously in tears. Not crying, but about to. I told him my problem and asked him what am I supposed to do. Hold it he says. WTH?? You cant really hold diarrhea honey, sorry. I told him to ask the guy who is collecting money how long till we stop. It took me a good 15 minutes of harrassing him before he finally asked the guy. We will be stopping in about 5 minutes the guy said. Oh PRAISE THE LORD. I was so bad off I had chills.<br /><br />The bus stops, and I run out and run to the bathroom, because let me tell you I wouldnt be able to wait in line. So, now Im done, and guess what, no TP in this place either. BUT I still had my other sock in my pocket, so I was ok. I finished up, went to the store where we stopped, stocked up on some Honduran version of Immodium AD, and I bought 2 rolls of TP. And some soda and crackers. Hoping it would help settle my stomach.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://s230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/?action=view&current=04202010703-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/04202010703-1.jpg" /></a></center><center><span style="font-size:78%;">This is what I saw on most of my trip TO Teguc. The back of the curtain on the bus. I kept my head burried and prayed into it.</span></center><br />Back on the bus, I asked about how much longer till we are in Teguc. Three hours or so was the answer. I thought well I lasted 7 hours, so 3 hours shouldnt be that bad. Well let me tell you how wrong I was. By the time we were in Teguc, but not at the bus stop I was freaking out. I told Lale that I would have to get off wherever we were and find a toilet or do my business on the side of the road because I just wouldnt be able to make it to the bus stop. We could catch a cab if we had to. He was so mad at me. he is like we are almost there, just hold it. Again with the hold it business. WHATEVER. I was able to hold it until we were at the bus terminal, but man, that bus driver wouldnt open the doors. He had to park the bus just so. In my head I am screaming at these people to just let me off the damn bus. You will be glad to know, that I was able to make it to the bathroom at the bus terminal, but barely. By this point I was feeling like death. Actually I think death would have been an improvement.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://s230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/?action=view&current=04212010711-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/04212010711-1.jpg" /></a></center><br /><br />I kept popping my Immodiums, and praying. Lale wanted to go right to the Immigration office, where as I wanted to find a hotel room, drop my stuff off, and possibly be near a bathroom. He won. Ugh. So off to the Immigration office we went. The Immodiums were finally starting to kick in a bit, and I was feeling a teeny tiny bit better. At the Immigration office there were 3 lines that we had to wait in. So I waited in one, sent him to the bank line to wait, then when I was done in my line, I sent him to the third line while I finished up with the bank. So it took us less than an hour to get everything done, and we were heading back to find a hotel.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://s230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/?action=view&current=04212010710-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/04212010710-1.jpg" /></a></center><br /><br />We got our hotel room, went to the cafeteria and ordered some food. I ate a couple of bites and gave him my plate. He was so hungry, he ate his plate, my plate and ordered another plate. Then we went back to the hotel room where I laid down and went to sleep. By now it was 1PM. I slept until 7PM. We both woke up, he ordered dinner - 2 hamburgers and fries. The hamburgers smelled weird because it wasnt ground beef hamburgers. It was like a mixed mystery meat type of burger, so I didnt eat mine. I just ate the fries and gave him my burger. Then by 7:30PM I was asleep again until 5AM, getting up just once or twice. What a GREAT date/one on one time I had with my husband, LMAO<br /><br /><center><a href="http://s230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/?action=view&current=04202010707-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/04202010707-1.jpg" /></a></center><br /><br />When I got up at 5AM, I was feeling almost at 100%. I took a shower, got dressed and out the door we went to catch the 6AM bus back to Tocoa. While I was feeling better though, he kept saying his stomach felt a little funny. I had bought more Immodium, so I got him a couple as well and told him to take them.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://s230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/?action=view&current=04202010705-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/04202010705-1.jpg" /></a></center><br /><br />6AM and we are back on the bus heading home. This time I was able to stay awake and take pictures and video of everything we passed. Lale on the other hand wasnt feeling as well as I was. He was complaining that he had to go to the bathroom, and I just kept telling him to HOLD IT. And enjoyed telling him that too. You know what they say about paybacks, LOL.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://s230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/?action=view&current=04202010704-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/04202010704-1.jpg" /></a></center><br /><br />I didnt like Tegucigalpa, or the little bit that I saw of it. I didnt like the trip there or back. Even if I wasnt sick, I wouldnt have enjoyed the trip. I am not a city girl at all, and to me Teguc was just ugly. There was some pretty scenery on the way there and back, but the city of Teguc did nothing for me. If I never go back, well I wont be sad.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://s230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/?action=view&current=04202010702-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/04202010702-1.jpg" /></a></center><br /><br />I will say though, that on the trip I saw TONS of houses with the CLARO satelite on top of their houses, and I couldnt help but wonder if they had as hard of a time getting their cable as Ms Patty and I did.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://s230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/?action=view&current=04212010712-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/04212010712-1.jpg" /></a></center>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10257412678589423826noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944378683489468442.post-35620481098515417702010-06-26T03:17:00.004-04:002010-06-26T03:51:42.932-04:00I Keep On Loving YouI was flipping through the radio stations and came across this song. As I was driving to my doctors appointment, I listened to the lyrics and really, truer words were never spoken. Love DOES take the patience of Job, sometimes you DO have to go, without really knowing where you are going. And it all comes down to Faith.<br /><br /><br /><center><object width="660" height="405"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/e16L1078np8&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/e16L1078np8&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="660" height="405"></embed></object></center><BR><BR><div align="center">I Keep On Loving You - By Reba McEntire</div><div align="center"></div><BR><BR><div align="center">Love takes the patience of Job.</div><div align="center">Thats what my mama always said.</div><div align="center">Faith is the belief in something more than you know.</div><div align="center">Thats what the good book says.</div><br /><br /><div align="center">You gotta play the cards you got.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Who knows what fate is holding.</div><div align="center">At times you gotta go.</div><div align="center">Without knowing where you're going.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">Thats why I keep on lovin' you. I keep on lovin' you.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Through the baby-don't-leave-mes,</div><div align="center">And never-will-agains</div><div align="center">And I-promise-tos. </div><div align="center">I keep on lovin' you.</div><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><div align="center">Lord knows we've had our share of fights.</div><div align="center">Our sleepless nights, our ups and downs.</div><div align="center">We've had plenty and then some</div><div align="center">Of baby-I'm-gone and turnarounds.</div><br /><br /><div align="center">Sometimes I swear it might be easier </div><div align="center">To throw in the towel.</div><div align="center">Someday we're gonna look back,</div><div align="center">And say look at us now.</div><br /><br /><div align="center">Thats why I keep on lovin' you. I keep on lovin' you.</div><div align="center">Through the baby-don't-leave-me's</div><div align="center">And never-will-agains</div><div align="center">And I-promise-to's. I keep on lovin' you.</div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">I keep on lovin' you, keep on lovin' you.</div><div align="center">Through the I-take-it-backs</div><div align="center">I-don't-mean-it-like-thats</div><div align="center">I's-never-hurt-you's. Oh I keep on lovin' you.</div><div align="center">(repeat last 2 verses 2x)</div>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10257412678589423826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944378683489468442.post-11505910471797656652010-06-21T00:38:00.003-04:002010-06-21T01:27:10.620-04:00Silver LiningI believe in silver linings. I believe that there is a reason for everything - even when I do not see any obvious reason why things happen the way they do, eventually - sometimes years later - the reason shows itself. God lets me see his plan, and why things happen the way that they do on His own time. <br /><br />For instance, the car accident. I am so grateful that my husband and his friend who was in the car with him both survived, and while there is still a tiny bit of residual damage with my husband, both guys are pretty much back to 100%. The accident and almost dying however has changed my husband. He has become a bit more patient, he has decided to become more thankful for things he has. He has gone back to church, and when he gets frustrated, he now works on his mood a bit more, and talks things out more, instead of causing an arguement taking it out on whoever is around (me! LOL)<br /><br />As you all know, I am here to work to pay off the debt. Well we owe (after interest) almost $14500 to three different people. Well I set up a payment plan for the $10500 that we owe the one person, so thats one weight lifted off my shoulders. So that leaves around $4000 left to pay right now. So I am working and sending money - money for the day to day living of the family, and money that should be going towards the debt. Except that things KEEP coming up, and nothing is being paid on the debt. The stuff that keeps coming up is unplanned, but stuff that HAS to be taken care of. For instance, the tires blow out on the car, well they have to be replaced because we need the car. The kids have to get to school. Everytime there is a bit of extra money, something seems to pop up - its the same thing that happened when I was down there. It gets frustrating, no doubt. And even more so because you have a plan, and the plan just goes to pot. But this is where faith comes into play. I have faith that God knows what he is doing. He doesnt need my help in figuring out my life. He knows when and how and from where the money is going to come from, and I just have to have faith and keep on keeping on. <br /><br />Sometimes it makes me wonder though, if the money that I am making here isnt going towards the debt, what am I doing here then. Is it necesary to be away from my husband and my kids for so long? What are we gaining with me being here? You have to step back and take a good look at what else is going on. Look for the good in any and all situations. It makes life easier.<br /><br />So here is what I am seeing as my silver lining...<br /><ul><li>My husband has to take care of all 9 kids by himself, run the household, learn how to budget the money, do the monthly grocery shoping and everything else that I do. I have received many phone calls and texts that basically say how do I do it all, and keep all the numbers of everything (prices for each thing I buy, amount, where its located, what stores have what items cheaper, how long everything should last, who likes what brand of each item, and so on and so forth) and everything else in my head. He has begun to appreciate me and sees that while he used to think that I didnt do much at home, he now sees that I did do alot. I kept the household running pretty smooth, and made it look effortless, or at least semi effortless, LOL. He also sees how not so easy it is to deal with 9 children talking to you - or to eachother - for that matter all at once, while asking for dinner, and everything else. When they arent talking to you, you can block them out (like when I was there, and they were talking to me, even though they were at a low roar, he was able to block them out. Not anymore)</li><li>My husband sees how much I mean to him. Let me come clean about something. This past year, him and I had a lot of problems. There were a few times when I thought to myself, Im done. Thats it. But then things would be better for a couple of days, and I would get my hopes up, and then we would have a blow up again. When I came up here in January to do my taxes, I came with the intention of using the time away from him to try to decide what exactly it is that I wanted to do in regards to our relationship. Did I want to give it up, or stick around. *silver lining of the accident* I realized that I want to stick around. My marriage to this man is that important to me that I will continue to fight for it. We are working through alot of our problems, and thanks to the accident, he understands what he has to do to help me work through my problems with us.</li><li>My children - I see how strong they are. I see how much of a good job I have done so far with them. While they do not like the fact that I am here alone, they understand it. They know that it is what is best for our family. They have come together - even the little ones - and are working together, and leaning on eachother, and comforting one another when they need me, and cant get in touch with me.</li><li>This seperation gives me time to work on myself. Here lately I have lost who I am. I have been mom, and wife, but havent been Jennifer. I give myself to everyone else and do not do anything for me. I take care of everyone else, but not myself. Hence why my health is going to pot. So I am taking this time to do what *I* want to do for myself. I now paint my toenails, I take time to read books (although I need to start going to the library instead of the book section at Walmart - its cheaper), I colored my hair, I have the urge to actually go somewhere and get an actual styled cut done to it. if you know me, thats HUGE. Because my hair style is usually ponytail. Well it still is, but I want an actual style as well. I even bought make up. Who knew, I have a secret girly girl tucked away somewhere.</li><li>In me working on who I am, I am becoming a stronger person. In so many ways I am a strong person. At least thats what Im told. When people hear about things that I have had to deal with, and there are many things that are not posted on here, and they always tell me that I am strong. I dont see it. Honestly, I see what I do as just that, something that I do. Its what has to be done in the moment, so its done. No big deal. But back to me becoming a stronger person. I have alot of things that I keep buried and dont deal with from way back when, and it affects me now. And now I am dealing with them.</li><li>I see things much more clear now that I am away from the situation. I can see how I contributed to many of my problems. I mean I am not so naieve to think that I had no part in my problems, but being able to step back, and also seeing how other people interact with eachother, I can see myself and things that I have done to cause many of the problems. And I can see my reasons for acting/reacting the way that I do, and see how it has everything to do with things that I havent dealt with.</li></ul><p>There are so many more silver linings, but those are some of the first ones that come to mind. Are you having a hard time right now? Take a look around, take a step back and look at the situation from a distance. What are your silver linings?</p>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10257412678589423826noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944378683489468442.post-72434143479107000562010-06-14T03:06:00.002-04:002010-06-14T04:08:51.880-04:00More Additions...To the house that is, not to the family, LOL. I took care of that after Ari, remember? (speaking of Ari, last week she started walking on her own - real steps. Before that she prefered to push the little plastic coffee table because she could literally run after the bigger kids, and almost keep up. Where as her half inch steps she was taking wasnt helping her at all. But I have been told that she is now walking everywhere. I love it, but its sad too, because she is the baby, the last one, and I am missing her milestones. But its ok)<br /><br />Anyways, last year we started to add on to the house. Before we did anything, when you walked into the house, you walked into a combination living room/dining room. The only problem is that because we are such a big family, we need a big table. Which means we need space for a big table, and in our living room, there just inst enough room for a table that can seat 12, and sofas for all of us too. So we came up with the plan to enclose the front porch and semi knock out the front wall to make the front porch the licing room, then the now living room would become the dining room. After much discussion, we decided to not just eclose the porch, but extend it all the way across the front of the house to make a living room that is BIG enough for ALL of us, and we wouldnt feel packed on top of eachother. And there would be space for an 'office' for me. Which would consist of a desk and some storage of some sort, LOL.<br /><br />I posted some pictures in January of what we had started, and it sat like that for a while. Then in early March, I decided that I wanted my living room done - completed - by my birthday, which was April 25th. So my husband went to work, with the promise that it would be done by my birthday.<br /><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; WIDTH: 600px"><embed height="180" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="600" src="http://w230.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=" wmode="transparent"></embed><a href="http://photobucket.com/slideshows" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; FLOAT: left; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px" src="http://pic.photobucket.com/slideshows/btn.gif" /></a><a href="http://s230.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/jensantosleon/?action=view&current=6661ede1.pbw" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; FLOAT: left; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px" src="http://pic.photobucket.com/slideshows/btn_viewallimages.gif" /></a></div><br /><br />Place the mouse over the picture for my comments. I didnt get to take more pictures as they did more work, but <a href="http://stonewondercloud.blogspot.com/">Miss Patty</a> came for dinner on my birthday and she can vouch for the fact that it was not done, LOL. I knew it wouldnt be, but I held out some hope that maybe I would be suprised.<br /><br />The walls are basically done, although they need to have the two different cement coats on them, and the two windows need actual windows put in them. The half wall needs to be knocked down, and the half of the addition with no floor needs the floor to be done. Other than that its pretty much done. Oh wait - the roof. Thats the hold up. We cant agree on how/what to do with the roof. I just want him to put one on that goes with the rest of the house. Lale however has this idea about putting a small porch on top of the addition part of the living room, with a wooden floor and railing. Um, I can't see it. What I am seeing in my head when he describes it looks stupid. But I dont tell him that because 1) it isnt nice, and my mom and grandmother always told me if I dont have anything nice to say, dont say anything at all (which is something I really need to work on I think) and 2) sometimes its just the whole lost in translation thing, and maybe it will look ok. So I just say ok honey, do what you think would look good, and just leave the paint color choosing, and decorating and everything else to me. The promise was made that it would be COMPLETE before I got back, but well, I somehow dont think it will be done. A couple of days before I left he started two sinks. One in each bathroom. We have regular sinks on the wall, but because we have little kids, they pull on the sinks while washing their hands, etc. etc. and end up pulling the sinks off the wall, breaking the sinks, and doing all sorts of things to the poor sinks. So we took them off the way, and he has made a cement/block mini pila style sink in each bathroom. When I left neither one was finished either. From what I have heard he finished one of them, and it has been halfway tiled. But I dont have actual proof of that, LOL.Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10257412678589423826noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5944378683489468442.post-14592779818336943802010-06-02T15:03:00.003-04:002010-06-02T15:45:34.152-04:00CLARO Que Si? CLARO que NO!!This is a long post, and I have left out a bunch of the story in effort to keep it semi short. Ha. short.<br /><br />I know that I have mentioned, ok complained, about being out of touch with the world in the part of Honduras where we live. There is no TV, no cable, no land line telephones, no cell phone signals, nothing. And while its nice to not have to worry about whats on TV, getting hooked on a show, etc. etc. its also nice to have a choice. Because let me tell you, it doesnt matter if you have 4 or 400 or more than 400 DVD's, they get old. Quick. Trust me, I speak from experience.<br /><br />So last year I was driving around Tocoa, and was so excited to see a SKY cable office, that I pulled right in. I got out, talked to the guy and picked up some paperwork. I so wanted to sign up then and there, but the price was high. $75ish/month plus either buying the dish and boxes at a almost $600, or renting them each month. So I went home talked to Lale, and said while I was in the US in January I would see if I couldn't figure out how to make it work.<br /><br />I was talking to <a href="http://stonewondercloud.blogspot.com/">Patty</a>, and she told me about <a href="http://www.claro.com.hn/Claro%20TV/Television%20satelital/Pospago.aspx">Claro's</a> satelite, and that they had signed up for it. The price was half that of SKY, and they had the basic set up of channels that we wanted, so I decided that when I got back to Honduras I would check into it. <br /><br />So after I got back to Honduras, got everything straightened out with the kids - uniforms bought, got them re-enrolled in school etc. etc. I took a day and went to the Claro office. That is when the fun began. The first trip to the office was in February. February 12th to be exact. I went in and there were two people in the office. A lady, and a guy. I got to deal with the lady. So I explained to her what I wanted, made sure that if for some reason there was no signal where we live, I would not be held accountable for a contract/payment for two years (I mean we are in Honduras after all) we started the paperwork. Now this woman wasn't pleasant, but I didnt say anything. Sometimes people have a bad day. When it came time for me to show my ID, I pulled out my passport and thats when she said that I needed to put it in someones elses name. I understood, since I dont have my residency papers yet, it was no biggie. So we stopped the paperwork, and I left. I went home and talked to Lale, and explained it all to him. So the next Wednesday, February 20th he went back with me and we signed up. However, this woman was still in her pissy mood, and started to get an attitude with me. Then she got to deal with Lale. Who also got in his pissy mood. I just sat back and shut up. I couldnt believe this woman, and everything that she was saying and doing. Not so much what, but how. This is a person who shouldn't be in customer service. At all.<br /><br />Anyways, we finally got everything taken care of, and now all we had to do was wait for the installation. So we waited. And waited. Finally on Wednesday March 31st, Claro came. The installed the dish, the box and everything, got the tv on and I realized that we just have the basic channels. And we had originally signed up for the Total Package. Which comes with all of the channels. I mentioned it to the guy and he said we would hve to either call or go to the office in Tocoa, but we would have to wait until Tuesday since it is Semana Santa. (Holy Week). Ok, no biggie. So come Tuesday, I went down to the office and walked in and told the lady what was going on. In her most uppitiest voice she proceeded to tell me that she can't help me. I would have to call the customer service number. Ok, can you give it to me please. *SIGH* 2.....5, um, what? 2......5. Ok, mam, you need to really slow down just a bit while saying the numbers. *SIGH* 2054545. Ok, thank you.<br /><br />So out to the car I go, sit down and call the customer service line. I get a lady on the hone and explain what is going on. Except she can't help me. Why? Because its in my husbands name. And even though I have all of his information to verify that I am part of the account, no dice. Plus she said, usually they dont fix this stuff on the phone, they do it in the office. Ugh.<br /><br />I go home, talk to Lale, who luckily wasn't up the mountain that day. He agrees to go down the mountain with me to pick up the kids to get this worked out. So we are on our way back to Tocoa and he calls. He speaks to the same lady, tells her that I called, that I am allowed to speak for him about the account blah blah blah, then she says well the computers are down. Can you call back at x time. Geesh. Ok, so now its later in the day, and we make the phone call. They are asking him the security questions, he in turn is asking me what the answers are to the security questions, then repeating them back to the new person on the phone. (see CLARO, it would have been much simpler just to talk to me.) Ok, all is in order, we will get that fixed for you today and they hung up.<br /><br />We go home, and YAY we have more channels. BOO, not all of them though. We have gone from the basic channels to the avanced package. But still no HBO or anything else. So the next day, I call back again, and get the original lady that we were speaking with. So I can't pretend to be my husband. She knows I am allowed to speak on his behalf, but wont do any changes. She sees where we were upgraded to the advanced and knows we want the total package. BUT SHE MUST SPEAK WITH HIM. I explained to her that where we live there is no cell phone signal, blah blah blah, that he works up the mountain, leaving at 4AM and sometimes not getting back home until after 5PM and she said well when he comes home for lunch why dont you come down the mountain and call. AARRGG. 20 minutes and all of my cell phone minutes trying to explain to his woman why it is impossible to get in touch with my husband on most days. We finally ended the call with her saying she will call him on his cell when she finds out whats going on. Um yeah, ok. good luck with that. Lale was going to go to Claro that weekend and try to see if he couldnt figure it out, but because I got into a car accident on that Friday, the car was unusable for a little over a week. So finally come the 19th, Lale and I go back to the office. I walk in, the lady says to me, What do you want, and I said, I want to deal with him, pointing to the other guy. He asked what was up, I explained the issue, he walks over to the computer, types in something, and says ok. You are all set. It will be there within 24 hours.<br /><br />He then reminds me that we have to pay the cable bill for a year, which is no problem. Except they dont want to take my money. The first day I went to the office after installation, I tried to pay. Nope, no dice. You need a bill, and the computer hasn't generated one yet. Two other times I tried to pay, and same thing. So as soon as he said something Lale and I went over to where you pay the bill, and nope, no dice. No bill has been generated yet. Ok, whatever.<br /><br />Now, here I am in the US, and Lale goes by to see if the bill has been generated yet, so that he can pay it. And they told him he had to pay it by May 18th. So he goes in, and tries to pay it. He is told he can't pay until a bill is generated. Except that the bill wont be generated until he pays. Umm, ok. So what is he supposed to do? Well just pay L9000 they told him, and it will all work out.<br /><br />Thank GOD he called me, because 8 months * 729L/month does not come to L9000. Plus they were charging an installation fee AND the first months bill. We have a paper that says installation fee free, and first month free. So the next day he went back to pay it, (only what we owe) and to show them the paper. Well according to the lovely lady, that paper was for a special from 2009. Except the paper doesnt say to end x date, or only good till... AND they are still handing it out as of today. So he pitched a fit, and fought with the woman and they took off the installation fee and one months fee, the bill is paid through this year and all is good.<br /><br />Except now they took away his HBO and other channels and he is back to the basic package. He called me today to tell me that. All I said was, I dont know what to tell you hun, you figure it out. <br /><br />Ugh, I wish I could have afforded Sky.Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10257412678589423826noreply@blogger.com11