Sept, October, and November...

Not sure how three months passed without me writing one thing, but such is the life of a wife and Mom! September came and went with really nothing too eventful to write about. I will post some pictures of Tyler at his school where they celebrated 18 de Septiembre. A very special holiday here in Chile. Basically the same as our Independence day, but I must say Latin Americans celebrate like no one else. I mean two weeks worth of parties, barbeques, you name it. Makes me proud to live here and for us to be part of this very special day.

October was very busy. Steve went to the U.S. to hunt his Kodiak brown bear. I am proud to say that after this being his 3rd attempt I am now the owner of a bearskin rug!!! Steve was ecstatic and escaped the bear attacking him by a hair. I would post pictures, but he took a disposable camera and had them developed and the pictures where "stolen" during his customs check leaving the states. Very sad for him because he had some wonderful experiences captured on film and now nothing to show for it. My sister Libby visited us for two weeks and we had such a great time. She came without her 4 children so she enjoyed sleeping in, relaxing ,and getting spoiled. A much needed break for a very hardworking woman! Although her time went by fast we cherished it and loved having a visitor, which rarely happens. Tyler loved telling her "NO" and shaking his finger at her. Good thing she loves him to pieces and lets him do whatever he wants!

November was a much more relaxed month. After suffering almost a month without Steve due to travel and business, we have just been focusing on being a family and getting used to this spring weather. We did not go home this year for Thanksgiving, which fell on Steve's birthday, but we did take an early holiday to Santiago two weekends ago and spoiled ourselves to good food and shopping with a beautiful sweet at the Grand Hyatt! Tyler, of course, came too and we were able to see some old friends of ours that live there and enjoy a nice dinner with them. I also started a English Bible study with a group of woman from our church that has turned out to be one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

We are counting down the days until we leave for Christmas. December 16th could not come soon enough. Looking forward to the smells of winter, family, and all that unconditional love we receive from everyone back home. My Dad and Sharon just bought a new home, so we look forward to housewarming and seeing their new adventure take place.

I am so grateful for first and foremost Jesus, but also for my amazing husband Steve who continues to wow me daily with his patience and understanding of me and my beautiful son. I am thankful for the most adorable human being and the one person that no matter how crappy things are going can put a smile as wide as the ocean across my face, Tyler. I often ask, why me? Why did I get so lucky to live this life and have the things I have? A very influential person answered that for me the other day. She said, Why Not? Thanks Cecy!!!!

New to this blogging thing...

  Well, here we go.  After realizing that many mothers out there have blog websites I figure, why not?  It will give people an opportunity to see my life as a mother, daughter, and wife outside of Facebook, My Space, Twitter, etc.  I hope this gives my friends and family a more personal look at our lives and to grow with us. Please be patient with me.  I promise to update as often as I can and post pictures as well. 

As many of you know, my husband Steve and I are living in Antofagasta, Chile.  Our two year old son Tyler was born here.  Many people ask how scary it was to have a baby in a foreign country.  Honestly, I was more scared of being a mother than I was of actually having a baby in a hospital and country where I was unfamiliar with the medical care.  I ended up having a C Section due to no dilation, but gave birth to a beautiful 6lb. 12oz baby boy on July 21, 2007 at 3:20pm.  The hospital was very old, but the care was fabulous and my doctor a godsend!  He encouraged me to speak Spanish throughout my entire pregnancy.  However, on the day Tyler was due to make his entrance Dr. Fritz knew how freaked out I was and spoke to me only in his broken English and the bedside manner was out of this world.  

Being here over 3 years has really put my life in perspective.  I do not take the little things for granted.  I am so blessed to have the opportunity to come home to America as often as we do and live the wonderful life that United States citizens do. Trust me, we have it pretty darn good in the North!!  We have very few friends here, but the ones we have we cherish and have made our experience here so worthwhile.  Some days are lonelier and longer than others.  We just remind ourselves that many people never get an chance like this and some have never even left the country.  Besides, what a cool story for Tyler to share with people throughout his life of where he was born and resided for a few years.

My little guy Tyler is my pride and joy.  I know it is so cliche.  But really, I sit and wonder what my life was like without him.  It is so hard to imagine.  Although he is 2 and going through a phase, he has quite the personality.  He tries to be independent and has an absolute melt down if you try to help.  He really does not like a lot of "loves", but when he is willing to give them it is a lasting experience.He is freakishly strong.  Those that know him will vouch. At times it takes two people to get him to sit in his car seat.  I am quite positive there will be a day where his skin will turn green and his pants will turn into cut off jean shorts like The Hulk.  I am usually breaking a sweat before we even get out the door. We are still trying to ween him of the binkies.  We have a rule where he is not allowed to have them in public, and so far so good.  As of now, he usually only wants them in bed or when he is upset.  Little by little, I suppose.  He goes to a play group 5 days a week at a place called Minnie's Kids.  He loves it and I see such a difference in him when he returns home.  We are hoping to raise a bilingual child and so far so good.  The words are far and few between, but nonetheless present.  

The next few months we have a lot going on.  Our dear friend Don is coming to Chile to work for close to two weeks.   Soon following, my sister will be coming the beginning of October for two weeks.  Steve leaves two days after her arrival to go hunt Alaskan Brown Bear in the states.  My friend Evelyne, Tyler and myself are going to the south of Chile to visit a old friend of mine that I met when I first arrived here.  We leave the beginning of September.  I will be sure to update you all with blogs and pics.

Until then, ciao!