My Life Lately

So it's been two months since my last post, shamefully. I've spent the last several weeks feeling guilty for forsaking the blogging community and thinking that soon probably no one will ever check my blog again because they will automatically assume I have not updated. Then yesterday I realized that I need to stop feeling guilty for being so involved with my family that I did not have time or energy for my computer. So, tothat end, I will give you general highlights of the last couple months. I hope they were worthwaiting for.
My amazing husband was ordained on Oct 14 by Dr. Jerry Pence and Rick West (L. Amer. Area Director). The service took place on Sunday morning at church. Dr. Pence gave the sermon and then proceeded with the ordination. I surprised myself by crying. At the same service, our pastor installed him as the youth pastor at church (timing purely coincidental).
The following week was the biannual conference of JIBACAM, the Latin American mission board (like Global Partners, only for L. Amer). The conference is in a different place every time. Two years ago it was in Mexico, this time here in Lima, and next time in Panama. It was a good time of teaching, planning, and connecting with other missionaries and mission-minded church leaders.
During this time Elliott's parents visited. The three of them went to the jungle for 5 days to explore, fish, etc, while I stayed home with the kids. They had fun eating, playing with the grandkids, and exploring the city. It was definitely sad to see them go.
We tried to start potty training shortly before the grandparents got here. We had two great days, then he wouldn't do it while they were here. No big deal, we started again three days after they left. By the end of the second day Micaiah was asking on his own to use the potty. When it's time to go we throw our hands up in the air, yell "potty time!" get all excited and run to the bathroom. So when he needs to go he throws his hands up and says "time!". I bought him underwear with cars on it, from the movie Cars, which is all he cares about watching. He likes his underwear, but his belly is so big he really can't see the picture on the front of it until he takes them off. He is doing very well, and we even have accident-free days. Although, he has peed on the couch a few times...I think we will have it cleaned after Christmas-it stinks!As for Christmas...we are going to the States!!! We leave on Dec 7 (arriving in Ill Dec 8) and return home on Dec 30th. I am so excited to see family, friends, and Wal-Mart! I need to do some serious shopping for things we can't get here, namely clothes tall enough for me. I can't wait to show snow to Micaiah. I LOVE to play in the snow like a little kid and I hope my son will, too.
In prep for our trip we have been running around trying to get paperwork for Shaylee. First we had to get her government-issued birth certificate. Then I took her to get her Peruvian passport. Has been working all week on her Canadian citizenship and passport. When we travel for Christmas she will have to exit Peru as a Peruvian (by law the first time she leaves the country she must do it as a Peruvian regardless of other nationalities), but will enter the U.S. as a Canadian (if she enters as a Peruvian, we would need to apply for a visa for the U.S. which she could be denied). It's confusing, but at least we are getting it all worked out.

Well, that's my update. I will give more about the kids before Christmas, I promise.

Proud moments at Elliott's ordination.

Getting so big!

My view for much of the day.