Holiday Shows!

The last few weeks have been crazy busy, with end of the year shows, school meetings and getting ready for the holidays. It is the end of the school year here so we are now on summer break, so weird to say that, and after three years I am still having a hard time getting into the Christmas spirit. Brock's school did Toy Story for their end of the year show and it was great. As you can see Brock was Rex. He did a great job, and loved performing.

Brock and his class!

Zander's show was great as well, he was a lion trainer. All the boys were trainers and all the girls were lions, so what message are they trying to send these little ones??? Zander looked so cute, and really got into his part. He thought it was great because he had 2 lions to train and the others had one.

Here is my little Papa Noel! I dressed Cooper up for each of the boys shows, and the people just ate him up. He makes a great mini Santa though right?

Year end Reflection!

As some of you know this year has been especially challenging for me personally and our family. It seems that even though this year has been so challenging it has also been the most rewarding as crazy as that might sound. I have had a lot of time to reflect on the things that are most important in this life, and how short the time we have is here on earth. Things don't matter, clothes don't matter, cars, houses all the material stuff that we sometimes get caught up in thinking we must have just don't matter in the end. I have found a new love for many things this year, I ran my first 10k, enjoyed playing with my kids more and helping them develop their talents, serve, and be served, be a supportive wife even when it is not easy, and to always listen to those little promptings!
In January Cooper was born and we both almost died, a real scare, both of us recovered very well thankfully. I feel so blessed to have had my baby here in Peru, I had such wonderful doctors. I am incredibly grateful for 3 beautiful healthy boys that have been sent to me, and for all the joy they bring me evryday.
In July I was diagnosed with Melonoma, but thanks to some great doctors and plastic surgeons I am free and clear for now. We kept this pretty private, but as time has passed, I really feel that the awareness for this disease is very low, especially for the teenagers who think they are untouchable. You always here "Oh it won't happen to me." My boys now know the routine of the everyday application before school, if fact if I forget they remind me. Brock says "we don't want to get a sicky mole like you mommy!" Being careful with your skin it is so important and I was lucky that I was able to get it taken care of early. So please be careful everyone and put on your sunscreen!
The rest of the year thankfully has gone by with out any other health issues for anyone. But work has been crazy for Chris, keeping up with all the kids activities, school pick-ups and all the fun mommy stuff has made for a really busy year. This year I feel my bond with my kids has increased ten fold and my appreciation for the little things has grown as well. I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I won't ramble anymore, we love you all and send our love from Peru. Besos Grandes a Todos!!!!