Update List

Lots has been happening with me lately. So much that I'll just have to give you the quick details now and fill you in more later!

* I was able to make a quick trip to the US to visit my new little niece! Yeah. I left my four kiddos here with my daring hubby and flew back to my folks' house in Illinois. It was wonderful to hold my little niece and see her while she is still little. (We don't have a family trip planned until June '08 and she'd be one already by then!!) Don't worry I took lots of pictures!!

I told you she was cute, didn't I??? Here's the proof!!

* I was also able to finally meet my sister Amy's boyfriend. She has been dating Jeremy for over a year, and it has been so weird to have not met this person who has become a very significant and serious part of her life. I was so grateful for the chance to meet him and look forward very much to getting to know him better in the future. I have often prayed that God would bring a Godly man into my sister's life, and it is exciting to finally see those prayers being answered. I also was able to see my other sister Jeni's new apartment. It is so much fun to catch up with all of my brothers and sisters and just get to spend a little time with them. It's a rare thing for us all to be together at the same time. It happened several times this trip so that was extra special! Amy and Jeremy, above. All five brothers and sisters together, below!!

* I am a TEACHER again!! This is probably the biggest reason I have been AWOL from my blog. Wowzers, it's been a crazy couple of weeks. Two days before my US trip, the director of the little school I substitute taught at last year called me in for a meeting. Long story short-- he has to take a medical leave of absence for this school year. His wife will be taking over his responsibilities on campus, and they need a teacher to take over the classes his wife usually taught. Enter me. :o) I am teaching 8th grade language arts (grammar, comp and lit) and 7th grade language arts and science and history. So, luckily, I am only part time and am done at noon each day. But still that is four daily preps. And I only had about three days to work on things (due to my US trip) before school started. That makes one crazy busy Chrissy -- starting out behind and getting only a couple hours of sleep each night! (Thus, no blogging either!!) But I am getting caught up. I love my classes of kids. They are just great. I studied to be an English teacher so the LA classes are right up my alley. The science and history are all new territory for me, but I figure I can make it work for a year!! Please wish me luck!!! I really love teaching and being with the kids. I just don't want all my prep work to wear me so thin I have no time for my own four little kiddos! I still want to be Mommy with them! It will take a couple weeks to find my rhythm I think! But I am getting there.

* When I went to the US, I was able to arrange my flights to spend the last couple days of my trip in Dallas. My dear sweet friend Heidi moved there a year ago and has a new baby girl I hadn't met yet. I have missed her like crazy and it was so wonderful to have a couple days to soak up her friendship again. Of course, my first visit to The Cheesecake Factory, yummy Starbucks, shopping days, and a Texas Rangers ballgame also made the visit fun!! But just being with a good friend far outweighed all the rest. Big thanks to her sweet hubby who watched their little ones so we could have a couple girls' nights out!! Yeah!!

Another sweet little baby girl I got to see. My sweet friend Heidi, her new sweetie, and me!


* Lots of good, good things. But one sad item to note. After I returned home to Costa Rica, my Mom called to say that my youngest brother received orders from the Army that he has to return to active duty. He was in the Army and completed his term (complete with his year in Iraq). He has been out of the Army for three years now and is living and working in Illinois. I was able to see him and visit during my time home. But, as any of you with family in the services know, even after your active duty is over the army still "owns" you for a certain number of years and can recall you if needed. After three years had gone by, we all thought J. wouldn't be called up again. But that wasn't the case. So, he has to report in one month to a base in S. Carolina. And his papers indicate he will have a refresher training and then will have to return to Iraq. I am sad beyond words. And more confused than ever before about this war and the politics behind it. I am PROUD of my brother and the time he has served and now will serve our country. But I so wish with all my heart and soul that he didn't have to go back there. I know we are just one more family of a list of many who are having their world turn upside down again. It's just hard all the same.

Josh and I on the last night of my trip. I sure love him!!


* So that's what I've been up to. More ups than downs. For that I am so grateful. Hope you are all well. I need to get caught up on my e-mail and reading your blogs so I can see what you are up to. I think of all of you often. (And yes Susie, I know you tagged me; I am saving it for my next post!! This one is too long already!! )