Analog—almost 2.5 years

I certainly don’tt want to leave AG out while this new baby is in the picture. I try to record things that Ana is doing throughout the stages so I won’t forget. Let’s see what I can recall:

1. Ana has such long hair right now. It is a big ordeal to brush the “tanglies” out every morning, but she always chooses her hairstyle–piggies, ponytail, braids, etc. Greg has always told Ana that he thinks she is so pretty. The other morning, I frenchbraided her hair, she went up to her Daddy and said, “Look Daddy. I am pretty!” I hope we haven’t told her that too much. 🙂

2. Ana wants to “watch.” This is code for her wanting to watch a DVD on Greg’s computer. Her favorite DVD’s right now are the old school Sesame Street collection that my mom got her for her birthday.

3. She LOVES “Nemo Snacks” (little packets of gummi snacks that Memaw started sending to her), Goldfish (also sent to us from the states), and now Orbit Gum. I refer to Ana as “Special Treat Head” because she is always asking us for a “special treat” (one of the above).

4. AG gets a special treat for using the potty. We have started potty-training full force this past week. She has been practicing at her preschool and off and on at home. Her prego Momma wasn’t too into it before MK was born though. She has pretty much mastered #1 at home (she gets three Nemo gummies for this action). Last night, she went #2 on her potty for the first time. This is an extra special treat–a half piece of Momma’s Orbit Gum (also sent from the states). Last night, we got so tickled at her because she was smacking away and kept saying, “Momma, I like this!”

MK—almost a month

How many of you know an infant that praises God even when she is sleeping?

That’s right, you read correctly. I Love My Mommy!

It is cold in Arequipa at night right now.

I still don’t have my eyes totally adjusted to not crossing. And my mouth makes this shape often. I am more alert and like watching the lights on my swing now.

Back From Lima

We made it safely back from Lima this evening. We left this past Tuesday (we were actually able to take the same flight as Mom and Katy). Thank you so much to the sweet Thompson Family who housed us the entire time. They are part of the Lima team and are supported by Fairlane Church of Christ (that info is for my Cedar Lane family). Allison Thompson is due with their second child in less than 2 weeks so we are very thankful for their willingness to take us in. We can’t wait to hear that Baby T is here Justin and Allison!
Here is what we accomplished this week:

1. We started our visa process. We hired a guy that we contacted through the Lima team that seems to have an “in” with the Peruvian system for getting visas. We return in 6 weeks to finalize our permanent resident visas and start on the girls’.
Greg being fingerprinted for his background check.

2. Maggie is proud to be an American! Greg and I had an appointment with the US Embassy on Friday morning. The process went very well (compared to the Peruvian process for her birth certificate). We will receive her US passport in the mail by August 21.
Maggie’s mug shot for her passport picture

3. We were able to meet some of the Lima team members we didn’t know and hangout a little while. They are a great group of people. Please keep their team in your prayers. They are settling into their new homes and waiting for the rest of the team members to arrive by the end of the year. We are thankful to have American friends in the big city of Lima. I know that we will draw encouragement and revival from one another in the years ahead.
Peruvian MK’s

teamAREQUIPA and the Lima Team in Lima 2009

So, now we are home–our little family of four. Greg’s mom will be here on the 21st of this month. Mom and Katy made it safely back home. Thanks to all of you that have prayed for us. Specifically, God has answered our prayer for finding a way to get our permanent visas. That is a huge blessing to us here.