Fridge Filing

This is my first post of an organizing tip. I recently read this in a magazine and started putting it into practice, and so far it has proven quite helpful.

Instead of just throwing leftovers into a plastic container and forgetting about it until a few weeks later when you finally throw out that gross moldy thing from who-knows-when. Or instead of spending ten minutes looking in every Tupperware trying to find that certain leftover you want. Why not label them? Duh, Dena, you say. But here's the brilliant part: Use a dry erase marker to write the contents and date on the top of the storage container. It will stay put in the fridge, but wipes off quite easily in the sink. Simple, easy, and it works.

North American Mom

Well, I'm a real North American mom now. I drive a mini van with two car seats. I just started going to play group with the kids. We'd never been before - the kids loved it and so do I! I joined the local gym that I hit most mornings around 6:30. I've started getting to know some people from the community, too (other than church people) from the gym, the play group, and a midwives network I started attending meetings for. It's a new experience for me, and I am enjoying it.

I'm really happy about meeting non-church people. Don't get me wrong - I love our new church family. But I also think it's so important for Christians to be in the community and know people and form real relationships with them. I never really knew many non-church people in Peru, and didn't have the chance to get involved in anything outside the church. So this makes me happy.

And, on another note...we recently learned we'll be adding another little one to our family this fall! We were pretty shocked when we found out, but are really excited! I am on the waiting list for a doctor, so I don't have any real details to share, but by my calculations I'm due early September. I'll keep you posted as we learn more about baby #3.

Organizing

We have settled in on PEI and things are going well. We have made great friends with a couple about our age, and everyone has been so warm and welcoming to us. Yes, the winter is very cold and windy, but it will pass. And then we will be able to enjoy living on the coast. (Our house is two blocks from the water. From our driveway we can see the harbour, though it is snow filled and icy right now.)

Until then, my goal is to get organized. In every aspect of my life. I recently started going back to the gym. I need to take control of my body again. I also am trying to get more organized in the kitchen: I am working even harder at cooking even healthier meals (most of which are now vegetarian). I am trying to organize all the areas of the house, including closets, pantries, toy bins, kitchen cabinets, etc. And my time is in desperate need of some organization. My devos seem to be way too few and far between, and my time always seems torn in so many directions.

So, that is the new leaf I hope to turn this year. I am not really one for New Year's Resolutions, but this year we live in a new country, Ell has a new job, we are in a new (to us, of course) house, so this is really a perfect time to get all areas of life under control. As a result, I am sure my blog will reflect this change as I learn things about health, find new recipes, learn organization or time management tips, etc. So, perhaps you will journey with me. I guess we could all use a little more order in our lives anyway.

Happy Birthday To You!

Today Elliott turns another year older. He is my best friend, my partner in everything, the greatest daddy ever, and I don't know what I would do without him. Happy Birthday, Husband! I love you!

In other news, we are back in Ontario. We spend today and tomorrow packing the truck, then Wednesday morning we head out. Shaylee will stay here with Grammy and they will fly out to join us on Saturday. It will be so much easier for her to not have to spend 2-3 days in the van cooped up with Micaiah and I. So Ell with drive the U-Haul, and Cai and I will party in the van.

Everyone is doing well: no colds, no teething. All seems good for the move. I can't believe how much stuff we have aquired! We returned to N. America with about 10 suitcases, and suddenly we have a U-Haul full of stuff. Luckily, we've been able to pick up a living room set, dining room table and chairs, tv stand and matching coffee table, toddler bed, and a few other furniture items from family and at auctions. We still need a crib for Shaylee and a bed for us. And the "filler" items like side tables, night stands, and art. But, no worries, we're not in a hurry. All that stuff has a way for coming around.

Untill then, see you in PEI!

Have You Written Me Off?

Well, if you have, it's my fault. Things have been so crazy, and I haven't known what to make of it all, that I stopped being interested in blogging about it. Here's the quick update summary:

-We came back to N. Amer. the end of Sept and stayed with my family in Illinois for two weeks. Ell had an interview with a church in Wisconsin. It was a cool church!
-Then traveled to Ontario to stay with Ell's fam for a month. During this time Ell had an interveiw for a youth pastor position on PEI. Ell was offered the job, and after prayer and consideration, we accepted.
-Nov 17th traveled back to Illinois to celebrate my birthday and Thanksgiving with the fam one last time before the move.
-Nov 30th will return to Ontario to pack the last of our things before moving to PEI on the 3rd. It will take 2-3 days driving to get there (should only be two, but with the kids it may take longer).

I decided to makeover my blog to go with this new season of life. I will work on it in the next few days. Not sure what I'll do, so if you have any ideas or tips I'd love 'em. I do hope to update again before the move, but at the very least I will post when we get there.

Homecoming

Well, by now most of you know that we have returned to North America. At this point I am in Illinois with the kids, staying at my mom's (we arrived last Thurs). Ell is at his parents' in Ontario and will be joining us this weekend (he arrived on Tues). It has all been such a whirlwind that I haven't had much time to update, and when I have had time there is just so much to tell that I can't seem to figure out where to begin.

Our funds began to dip low around Feb., but did not become a real problem until about June. We tried what we could and spent a lot of time in prayer, and in the end it seemed like God would have us back in N. Amer. for a season. So Ell has been applying at churches for a youth pastor job. This Sunday he has an interview at a church in Wisconsin, and the following week he has one in Atlantic Canada. We are praying that God would prepare just the right church for us. One where we will fit well and be able to serve in just the capacity needed there. So far both churches look exciting, although my mom is rooting for Wisc. since we would be just over an hour away. Things are a little weird adjusting to life back here. It may sound like three years is not that long, but you really do forget little things about life here that now make me stick out a little.

There are many things that I will miss/already miss about Peru. I definitely miss our friends, and the ministry there. I miss the glorious food! and the warmth of the culture. It feels strange to go everywhere and only speak English. Today I was at the doc's office and was surrounded by Latin families. Oh, how I wished to join in their conversations, but I would have felt out of place. Everything on the radio is new to me, I couldn't believe just how bad the economy really was until I got here, and I think I have already gained weight on the food. But I am excited for things I have missed: I haven't really driven in three years, and the freedom is exhilerating! When I walk in Wal-Mart I feel like a kid in a candy shop. And, of course, seeing friends and family is the best part.

I think I will wrap it up here. Please feel free to ask me questions; I know I have left out a lot of details, but I'm tired. I will add more later, I'm sure.

Twinkle Toes

Yesterday Shaylee took her first steps!  Once again I was not in the room when it happened!  With Micaiah, I was upstairs doing laundry when Elliott yelled for me to come quick.  This time I was downstairs fixing lunch when Elliott called for me.  We got her to take one more step for me, but I think she was tired by the time I got there.  Well, maybe today I can coax her to perform. My baby's growing up!