Disappointed

Do you ever have your mood change so much you can't keep up with it? That is how I have been feeling lately. Today I feel disappointed, why? It is lame and I feel like I am a 2 year old. All I want to do is complain so maybe I need to vent and then I'll feel better. I am SICK of not understanding people. I can't wait to go home and sit with friends and family and talk in ENGLISH. I hate that I don't feel like I can go shopping even if it is just for fruit. I hate that my kids can't go outside whenever they please. I hate that Spencer gets to go to the ranch and I don't. Which means I'll be alone. Do I still like it here, yes? But I just feel like being a baby right now. Maybe I need to read my scriptures more and pray harder, I am not sure. Something needs to change, like my attitude. I need help! I need ice cream, does that cure everything. And the ice cream here is so GOOD. It is sad I am sitting in my house alone and this is what I am doing. I have a sweet hour to myself and I am complaining! What would some certain people say to me right now? Sometimes I just need to write my junk to realize how silly I am. I want this to be a real account of how my life is so it is what it is!

Spanish by Immersion

We learned there is a year round pool here and we finally signed the kids up for lessons. I keep forgetting my camera so no photos. We thought this would be one way for us to get out of the house and for the kids to pick up some more Spanish. On the first day their instructor got all excited because she was going to brush up on her English. Oh well there goes having the kids pick up some words. Today as I was sitting and watching, some of the other kids in the class were whispering. I could understand them saying how do you say this in English, they kept saying it back and forth. Then finally they look up at me and asked "what is your name." They got all excited it was pretty cute. They went on to ask me how old are you, how are you doing, and do you like to swim? When Austin was changing in the locker room some of the boys were trying to speak to him in English. In their limited words we were talking back and forth. As soon as we got in the car Austin says "I can't wait to learn more Spanish because if I know Spanish I will have more friends!" This is the first time he has admitted to be excited about learning Spanish. It is great we have all these brave people around us trying their best to talk to us. Now we need to do the same in their language.

As For Years

I found out this week that my Great Aunt Frances passed away. She lived in Greensboro, NC and is 96 years old. She lived a good life. She is my great grandmother's sister in law on my mother's side. This marks the end of a generation. She always remembered our birthdays. I met her for the first time when I was 22. What a marvlous day that was. To meet a women who had touched me in so many ways. I went to NC to visit a friend who happened to live a couple of miles away from Aunt Frances. I had to meet her. I went over for lunch and I almost missed my plane. She didn't want me to go. She kept asking me to stay, she was certain I could get on a different flight. She was right but I didn't. I really should of missed that flight, the doors where closed when I got to the airport and the wonderful lady behide the desk opened them for me. That is how amazing NC people are, so kind. My aunt is not a member of the church, yet.

This part I would like to thank Heidi for! This is something I needed to read. She told me of a article she read and I found it. It is titled "As For Years" by John S. Tanner. Here are a couple ideas from it.
This is the Lord speaking to the saints from Colesville, NY, who had just arrived in Ohio.

“I consecrate unto them this land for a little season, until I, the Lord, shall provide for them otherwise, and command them to go hence. And the hour and the day is not given unto them, wherefore let them act upon this land as for years, and this shall turn unto them for their good. (D&C 51:16–17).

I am persuaded that the commandment to “act upon the land as for years” was given more for the benefit of saints in every generation than for the Colesville saints alone. It established a principle... None of us knows when we will be called home, or how long we will be in our current jobs, Church callings, neighborhoods, and so forth. As the Apostle James wrote: “Ye know not what shall be on the morrow” (James 4:14). Nonetheless, we are to live in the present “as for years.” We are to “lift where we stand,” rather than be ever waiting for some future time and place to establish Zion. This will redound to our good...

I am greatful to my family members who have gone on before me (and those who are still here), who have taught me to be happy where you are. I know our time here in Argentina is much shorter then we excepted so we will do the best we can to live as if we will be here for years. What a great principle to live by. It is hard to move all around and it takes time to get established. We should be pros at by now! Our life is a gift. We don't know when our Earthly experience will end. I feel blessed to know where I am going. That I will see my family again, that I can do temple work for members of my family, who aren't members. I will do my best to live my life to its fullest. To not wish I was somewhere else, this is the path I choose.

Our Monkey Turns "Cuatro"

Yesterday he said, "I'm three." Today he said, "I'm cuatro." Will he even remember Argentina? I am not sure a kid can get much cuter and sweeter than Dillon. He had a great day with trains, friends, cake with frosting and chocolate ice cream. The menu for dinner, pizza, what else.
Where has the last 4 years gone? Will the next four years go just as fast? When I put him to bed last night I said "you are my baby growing too fast" he said "no I am monkey" (his response to everything) Me back to him "I used to hold you like this when you were a baby" Dillon to me cried like he was a little baby. OH how he can make me laugh. I am so greatful to Heavenly Father for blessing us with such a wonderful last baby. Dillon makes me wish I treasured the 3 big kids more when they were his age. I understand now why the baby is always so spoiled. I am finding so much joy in all my kids, I love them!

Buen Dia

There are many ways to say hello here. I finally got the low down from Spencer, today, what they all are. Every time I greet someone they say something different to me. To is hard to keep it all stright in my brain. There is one thing that is the same no matter what comes out of their mouths and that is a kiss on the right cheek. We didn't prepare the kids much for that when we got here. It was pretty funny when we went to church for the first time. Here were the kids reactions: Dakota hid behind Spencer thinking don't you dare kiss me, Austin wouldn't even look at the members (he pretended that he had no idea they were talking to him), Madison was thinking YES I'll kiss you, stranger, and Dillon same as Austin no clue what was going on. They are now a lot more comfortable with this tradition or the people here are learning who will except a kiss. Austin has yet to kiss anyone. A young women made it her goal to kiss Dillon and he finally let her a couple weeks ago. We have known since Madison was born that we need to keep a close eye on her. Sweet Dakota has only kissed the sisters in the branch and her friends. She said "only the people I trust."

So when we come home in 6 weeks we might have this habit. Please don't get mad if I kiss your husband or Spencer leans into you. I am having nightmares that I will forget I am in America where people have large personal spaces and attempt to kiss someone and embarrass them and me.

Some good-byes

I have had to say good-bye way too many times the last couple of months. My heart hurts again for the thought of having to do it again. Tonight I said good bye to my stuff. All that damaged stuff. I didn't even cry! So proud. I wrote everything down so I'll remember all the things that I need to replace. It will be OK I can make new things and they will have a great story, of how they came to be. I am worried about the amount of bags we will bring home. I am going to try to keep it to under 16.

In the next couple weeks we will say good-bye to this school year. Can't wait to make it official. For now we have finished, or the kids have finished; Dakota, vocab, comp, grammer and math; Austin, same has Kota plus science; Madison, math and science. This will be a huge acommlishment. To say we did a whole school year in 6 months!! (note to self look deeper into homeschool program before signing up). NEVER have I thought I would homeschool but I see some blessings from it. Before homeschool our lives were crazy running around everywhere. Not very much down time as a family. We were like everyone else just living our lives. Today I relized, I am with my children 24/7 and I love them more then 6 months ago. That is how it should naturally be, I know. But what I am saying is it is different, better, I don't get annoyed with them has much as I used to. Our time together has made us stronger and I am so greatful for that. I am not suggesting you all go and take your kids out of school but think seriously about the activities necessary for your childs upbringing. Sometimes family time is all they need.

Here are some silly things I miss string cheese, cranberries, real brown sugar, sour cream, Cafe Rio, tortillas, my car, nuts (we can get them here but they are super expensive and poor quality), shopping (I now have to have Spencer with me to go into a store), my hair is awfull, going out to dinner, well we can if we want to eat after 9pm, my BED! OH the weight I will put on when we come home, good thing it is only for 3 weeks.

Place your bets

Now I am not a gambling person, I don't even play the quater slots in Vegas, but this I might think about. Going back about 8 months, we were told how easy it was to get an Argentina visa. Well, we all know how that turned out. What was a easy 20 day wait turned into a 4 month delay. We were supposed to be here 12-18 months and then Brazil 2-3 years, not the case anymore. It was announced in the company that the Sorenson Family is moving on to a new assignment in Washington and the Birch family is moving to Brazil. Really no surprise here just a little before we expected. Well maybe not. We are now being told (by the same people that said we could move to Argentina in January) that we can move to Brazil in August. This is where the bets can take place. When do you think we will move to Brazil? Winner gets a 4 day 3 night stay at a Brazilian resort, airfare not included.
How do I feel about all this, the jury is still out!

Calling?

Our branch president keeps wanting to meet with us but hasn't yet. He has talked with Spencer and asked him if I would be willing to serve. Of course he said yes and then BP preceeded with telling him what he was thinking. I felt a little left out. If you are going to talk about me then please allow me in the room. Today I was asked to lead the music in RS. It did not come from the BP so I guess it is not a calling? It has been 5 months since I have served through a calling and I have missed it. I had to come up with other ways to serve which I haven't been good at. I think the last 5 months I have been serving my family in a much different way then I ever thought. So back to this leading thing. I wanted to say "are you crazy!!" Me lead music, I don't have one musical bone in my body. I wish I paid closer attention to Sister Peterson (Wasco ward) who tried for so many weeks to teach us how to lead music. I was told either English or Spanish it doesn't matter. But does it matter. I have no idea. And our hymn book is covered in mold so I guess the internet will be my teacher. Next week is a 5th Sunday so my first go at this is in front of everyone. Nothing like getting OUT of my comfort zone. At least I don't have to speak!
I was also asked through my husband if I could make a flower arrangement for the chapel. I can't say no (nor would I) Spencer said yes for me. Something they can put on display for District Conference or any other special event. It has to be great! I am a little more excited about this, I have a project to do. I have never made one before but I have seen plenty of beautiful arrangements before. It shouldn't be that hard, right? OH boy, what am I doing!!

Half way

This is all about Dillon. To understand a little better look at the posting "Orangutan Status." I am proud to say he is fully potty trained! This is so exciting the baby is out of diapers. I think it took him to be home. We have been some what trying since October. But really what has happened since then. Only a few trips and three moves, poor kid. Usually when our kids are trained it takes them a whole additional year to not need protection at night. Not Dillon! Once we got here it took him one week and he was good. He would even yell running "I need to go pee." It was like sweet music to my ears. So we shipped 6 boxes of diapers and we don't need them. It is time to find a home for them. Now we need to work on getting him to stay in his own bed all night. Any suggestions on that? Then he has offically earned the right to be called orangutan but we are not sure there can be 2.
A little more on this kid. Tonight I told him to take his plate to the sink and he said, "Shh I am going to kiss you." Then he placed his hands on my cheeks and laid a sloppy one on me. Yes he still had to take care of his plate.
He has been into drawing maps. Now if you just saw one laying around you would think it was a lot of scribbling. To Dillon it has a story and he will take a long time telling you all about his picture. They are always maps of Argentina. The other day it was a map with his birthday cake. He would say, "This is the road to Argentina and all this up here is to make me a birthday cake." His birthday has been on his mind a lot. I am glad it is close. He still asks us "this is Argentina?" He is trying to figure out what this place is. He is the sweetest almost 4 year old I know.

Our home

I figured it is about time to show you our home. I love our home, it is smaller then we are used to but it is so nice. We wish we had a backyard. One thing we will have when we move to Brazil. I don't think the kids will run out of room there.

I am standing at the front door. The door you see is the hallway that takes you to the bedrooms and bathrooms.

Our great room.

Dining room

The front door and the doorway to the left is the kitchen.

The two butt kitchen, meaning only two butts fit, or maybe a couple more. Super nice I have never had granite counter tops before.

Hall bath. Is this so exciting?

First room you come to is the girls room. Dakota LOVES to share a room with Madison.

The boys room, yes, looks a little like the girls. We love the bunkbeds and want to take one home with us.

Master bath and then our bedroom.
Plenty of room of visitors. If you are going to come see us do it quick before we are gone!

Dakota's favorite

No one will be surprised by this but Dakota's favorite activity she did on our trip was horseback riding. Once we made it back from the village, right across the street was a place you can rent horses! It was only $25 for an hour for all 3 big kids and Spencer to ride. Dillon crashed out in the car so I stayed with him. After they got back we went swimming! I told you it was the perfect day. All this in just 55 short hours. I can't wait to go on our next adventure, hum where will that be!

I guess Madison's horse got away with her, the guy needed to run up to catch her.

She is so happy riding a horse! IF we have a large enough yard when we get home, we might have to buy her a horse.

As for the claim update. It was all taken care of within a week. That was so fast and the money is in the bank. We are now able to dispose of our damaged treasures. Is it strange to want to hold on to them even though they would stay in a box with mold growing on them? It was heartbreaking to find my things ruined but now to have to put them in the trash, it's even more heartbreaking.

Part 2

Here are some sites we saw walking around the wonderful Swedish town. It was a great day maybe one of my favorite days. Everything was perfect, the kids were having fun and getting along, the weather, the food, just perfect. At one point we found a path that lead to a waterfall. The sign said it will only take 15 minutes. Only knowing there was a waterfall at the end of the path we started walking. It was easy at first and so beautiful. We get to a part where the rocks go up and we needed to be on all fours to make it to the top. Before we started to climb we needed to wait for some people to pass. The path was just wide enough for one person. They said to us be careful it is going to get a lot harder. We thought we have come this far we are going to see the end. Working altogether we made it. We made it to the top and were looking down at an amazing waterfall. I started to take photos, I could of been there all day. Spencer packed my tripod up and down that mountain so I could take the photos how I need to. We could tell we could get even closer all we need to do was climb down some rocks. The kids pretty much slide down. I remember saying to Spencer "I don't even want to know how we are going to get out of here." But we did, single file up those rocks. Dillon was in front of me so I could grab him if he slipped. He was so fast I had to go quick to stay up with him. After we got home I asked him what he liked the best he said "climbing rocks." This is where the sore legs come in. We walked for 10 hours that day, on Sunday I hurt so bad. I asked Dakota if she hurt she said "no why would my legs hurt." Like I was crazy, guess I need to walk more.

The path we walked on to get to the waterfall.
The rocks we climbed on all fours. There is more once you get to the top.

So worth it!!! I would love to go back in the spring to see how much more water is falling.

La Cumbrecita

The reason we went on our trip, this small Swedish village about a 40 minute drive from our cabin. It is so beauitful tucked right in the mountians. It is a walking only community so you park at the edge of town and walk. Dirt roads, hills, and Swedish aritchture consume this village. This is just the begining of our day and there is so much more to see.

When you first walk into town you see a stream wondering through. We needed to investgate. Austin got a little too close. Spencer kept telling him not to jump from rock to rock. It is just too hard not to. As you can tell the perfect jumping rocks. Austin and I where standing on a rock together and he got excited to show me something, he jumped, he slide, he is wet! To his waist! This is within 30 minutes of getting there. Leave it to Austin for a little more excitment, too bad there wasn't a quarter involved. My immediate reaction was to buy him new pants and socks. But Spencer had a much different idea. Austin was warned multiple times not to jump across the water so he was going to learn a lesson. No new pants for him. We went back to the van, had him take everything from the waist down off, wring them out as best as we could, and put everything back on. Of course he was wearing the thickest jeans he owns and it was a crisp 50 outside. Did he learn, I hope so. With all the walking we did that day his feet were cold! He didn't really complain, just when we were walking up stairs. Have you ever walked up stairs with wet pants on, it is the worst!
I hope we are listening to all the vioces around us telling of the dangers that are in our paths. We may need to hear it more then once. I am grateful that when/if we fall down, even waist high, we have a Savior who will help us out. The question is, will we reach out our hand and hold on?

Villa General de Belgrano

Did you miss me? I sure missed you! I was going crazy on Thursday because blogger decided not to work and we were leaving Friday for the weekend. I guess I am getting addicted to writing. So glad it is working now so I can tell you about our amazing weekend. Since we know our time here in Argentina is about 15 months shorter then excepted we need to see some places fast before we move. We have been gone for 55 hours it just might take a couple of days to post all about our experience.

We traveled to a place called Villa General de Belgrano about 4 hours NW of home. Our first stop was on the side of the road, just up some stairs, over looking a lake. Not going to write much I hope the images can speak for themselves. I just have to say everything was perfect the light, the coulds, the weather, and my company.

This is where we stayed. In a 2 bedroom cabin, beautiful. It fit us perfectly, a master bedroom, a bedroom with small bunk beds and two sofa beds in the living area. It was the off season, I am not sure how people afford it during the on season. This is a tourist town so I was hoping ciesta wasn't going to be a part of their culture. Just in case I haven't told you about ciesta here is the low down. Resturant hours 11:00-2:30, 8:00-1:00am. Shopping hours 8:30-12:30, 4:30-8:30pm. It has been hard to get used to and I am not, yet. But this town shopping stayed open all day but resturants still had a traditional ciesta schledule. Breakfast at the resort opened at 8:30. We were the first ones there and breakfast wasn't all the way out yet. Dinner time at the restaurants and we were first ones there and they unstacking the chairs or mopping the floor. This is why we don't go out to eat for dinner any more. Kind of miss it but my wallet dosen't. What is to come on our adventure: rocks, water, and sore legs...

Turning 35

No not me I am not that old! But Spencer is and turned 35 yesterday. It was a great day and my brain never exploded. We took him to lunch, since resturants are not open for our dinner time. I always try to convince him he sould take his birthday off but he doesn't. Instead he is taking Friday off! I am super excited, we are busting out of here. Going on a little trip, I'll tell you all about it when we return. My husband is so wonderful, turely the best man for me. We had some friends over for cake and after they left, at 9:45, Spencer helped me. Today we had the sisters over for lunch and he stayed up to help me put it together. I am sure he would of liked to of done something else, but he didn't. I love him and I am so lucky I get him for all eternity.

My brain

I am having a day where my brain feels like it will explode. I am sure we all have days like that. I am finding it hard to think of words, I believe we call this mommy mush brain. Homeschooling makes me exhusted in a way I have not felt since college. The kids are doing so well and I see them progressing. It has been wonderful to witness Madison, seeing everything click inside. I must be doing something right. Today she wanted to keep doing math. At the begining of the day she had two units left and tonight none. She finished math! It was super easy for her so I let her keep going. I have to teach her every subject so it takes time. Austin when he wants to can work on his own. I just have to teach history and science with him. Dakota she does it all but science on her own. Her science is hard right now, we keep saying we need Bruce! We struggle through it. We might need to find a different program for next year. One where mom is not the teacher. Hopefully in the next month all three will finish school. What a celebration that day will be.
The kids all miss going outside to play. They would do that all the time in CA. It has been a hard adjustment. Now yes we do have an outside, remember their park. It is just different when it is not your own backyard. We are planning on putting them in school here. We just have to go see if we can do part time. I want them to experience school and it will help them learn Spanish so much faster. To get out of the house everyday will help too and to have friends!
In Spencer words "lots of praying and lots of hard work and I can do it."
I just try not to think "we have four more years of this!" Day by day is how we get through school. I can't believe it has already been 4 months!! The blessing is I have never felt closer to my kids then I do today. Each day the bond gets stronger. Turning out the lights now, my brain is done!

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all you mom's! To my mom's, my sister's, my grandma's, my aunt's, and friend's, I hope you all have a very special day. I love you and I miss you.

Did you know that it is not Mother's Day in Argentina? But we still celebrated. Mother's Day here is in October and yes we will celebrate it then, if we are here. We had a great day and I was well taken care of. Spencer bought me a beautiful wooden tray. He is so good to me.

So today in RS the teacher asked me to read!! I asked in English and she she no Spanish. OK I'll do my best. I tried and it was so hard. I had help and I only read one sentence. It felt like it took forever. I heard a little laughter but when it was finally over they all had big smilies on their faces saying, "bien, bien." Here is to practicing all week so next Sunday I can do a little better.

Parking and claims

We survived today. Made through the paper work. Decided how much it would cost to replace everything. Boxed it all up and put it in our storage unit. It feels good to have it all out of the house so I don't have to look at it all the time, depressing. We estimated it to just over $2000. That is a lot of money! Hopefully they will prossess this quickly


Now on to parking, so you can see what it is like to park in our parking structure. Our van fits perfectly down the ramp. It is a tight squeeze parking backwards. For some reason it is easier to back in. With only a couple of inches to spear on either side, we make it. If all of our neighbors are home it is almost impossible. Dad it is like that 16 point turn we had to do when we got lost going to girls camp! Good thing there is not a drop off on one side. Our neighbor the BMW his owner is a retired NBA playing for the BULLS. Kind of fun little peice of info.

Sometimes life puts us in places that we have to rely on all of our helps to get safely through without any scratches or dents. So greatful that we have so many friends, family, testimonies, prophets, church leaders and especially a loving Heavenly Father and Savior that help us just as the mirrors, backup sensors, and our 4 wonderful backseat drivers (they learned from their mom).

Time zones

While unpacking the kids things, Dakota found her watch. Now she wasn't that excited about it but Austin was. It was still on California time. For a couple days now he has been sporting a new look. Wearing his watch and Dakota's, on the same wrist. He thinks it is so neat to know the time in California, without thinking about it. He is so funny! We finished school the other day about 12 and he said with a laugh "the kids at Sequoia are just starting school and we are finished!" Every time we do something he looks at his CA watch and thinks about his friends and what they are doing at that same moment. He loves it when he wakes up and it is 3 in morning in CA. Yes, we miss our friends and we are keeping track of you, every minute of the day!


Now for our weekend. Spencer just received the claim forms we have to fill out. So not looking forward to this. We have to itemize everything! Answer questions like how much did it cost to purchase, how much will it cost to replace?! Most of my precious things were gifts, how do I put a price on that. To me they are priceless. Then we have to hold on to them until everything is settled. So rotten! I hope your weekend is better then mine.

Driving

For those who know me, hopefully that is everyone reading this. Today was the first time I drove in a month. Yes, I haven't driven since we left the US. I love to drive or maybe I love being in control. I am too much of a backseat driver so it is just better on everyone's nerves if I drive. Driving here is a little different and although I consider myself a defensive driver it scares me. For Spencer's lunch break we drove to the grocery store, the one that is about 20 blocks away. We took too long at the store, imagine that. So Spencer asked if I could drop him off at work, the great wife that I am said yes. I was so happy that it was in the middle of "ciesta" so not many people were out on the road. I am not sure if I am more scared at all the crazy drivers or parking in our parking structure. I need photos to show you how ridiculous it is to try to park. Of course our neighbor the BMW was home so that made it even more nerve racking. With the kid's encouragement we did it. No bumps, no scratches. I did it. We survived. I can drive. This may seem small to all of you but for me it is just one more bump that I have succeeded at jumping over.

2000 lbs

A day we have been waiting for finally came. Receiving our 2000 lbs of percious things we shipped over 4 months ago. Spencer got home a little early yesterday with the news that the truck should be here any minute. I wish you could have seen the kids. Faces plastered against the window waiting for the truck. Talks of how excited they were, were flowing through the house. Little voices yelling I can't wait for my horse, my trains, my race cars, my books, my movies and the list goes on. Austin said "let's just find our toys first and we will take care of them." Great idea, then we witnessed some of our boxes being taken off the truck! Some of them didn't quite look the same as they did 4 months ago. A little smaller and a little WETTER!!! I thought it will be OK and will get all these 56 boxes up to the apartment and check out the damage. Not something that had even crossed my mind that we would encounter.
Boxes in, toys out, the fun begins. Austin didn't realize what a great idea he had. I am glad we listened to him. The kids all in their rooms making noise, the movers gone. It's now time to access the damage. The tears came quickly. All these things we have been waiting for so long, about 20% were damaged. Some you might say are irreplaceable. One whole box of children's books, just grateful it wasn't Dakota's collection. One box boy clothes, grateful it is size 6 so we have time to replace them. A half a box of movies, grateful it wasn't the kids favorites we have been packing those around for 4 months. Then the box marked FRAGILE. Why put that box on the bottom and not even right side up?? The box that I was most excited about because it held some of my most prized, earthly, possessions. In Spencer's words yes "it can be replaced." Things like picture frames holding some of my favorite people, small wooden plaques with special saying on them. Books I have created and books Lisal has created, water damaged and moldy. Our sword fish from Mexico. Neil's binders! Thought they were OK but upon closer investgetion one is not. Gross, disgusting mold covers my loved possessions. My heart hurts. Grateful for a son who was inspired so they wouldn't have to witness their mother break down and cry. I am grateful that not one of their favorite toys was damaged. The trains were protected and it was wrapped up with the molding child wooden chair, yes Sandi the one you and Neil bought for the kids years ago. Grateful something's were left untouched. It will be OK. I love being here, I am so grateful for the opportunity we have to experience life in a little different way. Things can be replaced but the relations I have can't. I hope I can cherish and nurture those relationships that I plan on having for eternity.