Life is normal... whatever that means.
Since our last writing we have focused on normality. The week after the show we coasted right into Semaña Santa (Holy Week). It was near perfect timing because we could all sleep in. We decided to stay local and not travel... this was a wise choice.
Ken returned to the US Embassy and finished Emma's passport renewal. No problems - and, actually, it was a rather enjoyable process. For the rest of the week we went to a couple malls, the Zoo, and double dated with friends from CAG. A truly relaxing week. The big project was moving Abigail and Sara's rooms. Abigail, being the oldest, now has her own room (used to be Sara's). Sara and Emma now share what used to be Abigail & Emma's room. Everyone is happy.
Easter came and went. Ken helped out our local church, Union Church (UCG), with the sound for the Sunrise Service, which was held at CAG. Joy played piano for the Easter Cantata at UCG for the two other morning services. An Easter egg hunt at Chris & Mike's concluded the days festivities.
Last week was rather uneventful so I won't use up anymore ink about it.
On a positive note, our summer has started to take shape. Back in October/November Ken was approached about doing some IT work for a church in NY. This has pretty much been confirmed. Ken flys to NY this coming Thursday for a survey mission to determine the scope of the project. With no other complications we will return to NY in very early July where Ken will work and Joy and the kids will head to NH. Exact dates are not yet cast in stone.
Thanks and blessings to all who continue to pray for us.
-knme for the whole family
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Thursday, March 29, 2012
March...
March has come... and march has gone. And where did it go you ask? Why, to Oz - to Oz! We're off to see the Wizard... err, well - no not really.
March was pretty much the "month of Oz". It was fun, it was tiring, it is now behind us. Now, with Semaña Santa before us we can try to recharge our batteries for the final stretch.
Oh yes - we had a thrilling day at the US Embassy today. Emma's passport is due to expire in September so we thought we'd be on stick and start the renewal process. And well you see - we got there and then discovered that I'm a ding-bat - and forgot Emma's birth certificate... problem is we don't have it in Guatemala. Luckily they accept copies so I can print the scanned copy of her BC and we're good to go... oh yeah, except since she is at that stage where we're replacing her infant passport they need pictures showing her through the years. Oh... and that isn't on the list of things you need which I printed off the US Embassy's website on March 2nd. So now I have to return to the US Embassy next week to get these final things in for her passport renewal.
Then there is the odyssey with Sara's Social Security Number. The conclusion is... no one seems to know why Sara was denied her SSN, nor does anyone seem to have record of such denial. Whilst waiting for Emma's passport interview Joy popped over to window #1 to ask them about it. She was told she would need to speak with the Social Security department in Costa Rica b/c they're online and Guatemala is not. So, she got to use the secure beige phone to call them directly. Of couse Costa Rica had no record of the denial nor had any open applications for Joy or Sara. So, they said to refile. AHHHHH... you have got to be kidding me. See, this all apparently stemmed from the line on the application where we were asked to put in the last name of the mother (at the time of her birth)... silly us we put WILSON. Then her supporting document, namely her passport, has last name EISNER... duh, they don't match - so, please provide supporting documentation for this change. I have to say my love for governmental bologna is a little stronger after today.
Anyway - the girls are all wonderful. Abigail did surprisingly well for being in the Oz play. During show week she had five nights when she was up to about 11 o'clock.... PM. Emma and Sara did well too, surviving with Daddy. Joy... well, if you saw the play you'd know the amount of work which went into the music. Ken, me, was mostly only used as a tech resource... once the sound was setup our junior Nolan was able to run the whole thing...
We're looking forward to having some time off next week. Joy is going to work on some lesson plans and I plan on roasting coffee. We have lined up some games with friends and thought about taking the girls to see a movie and perhaps the Zoo.
Not much else to talk about so I will say good night.
-knme
March was pretty much the "month of Oz". It was fun, it was tiring, it is now behind us. Now, with Semaña Santa before us we can try to recharge our batteries for the final stretch.
Oh yes - we had a thrilling day at the US Embassy today. Emma's passport is due to expire in September so we thought we'd be on stick and start the renewal process. And well you see - we got there and then discovered that I'm a ding-bat - and forgot Emma's birth certificate... problem is we don't have it in Guatemala. Luckily they accept copies so I can print the scanned copy of her BC and we're good to go... oh yeah, except since she is at that stage where we're replacing her infant passport they need pictures showing her through the years. Oh... and that isn't on the list of things you need which I printed off the US Embassy's website on March 2nd. So now I have to return to the US Embassy next week to get these final things in for her passport renewal.
Then there is the odyssey with Sara's Social Security Number. The conclusion is... no one seems to know why Sara was denied her SSN, nor does anyone seem to have record of such denial. Whilst waiting for Emma's passport interview Joy popped over to window #1 to ask them about it. She was told she would need to speak with the Social Security department in Costa Rica b/c they're online and Guatemala is not. So, she got to use the secure beige phone to call them directly. Of couse Costa Rica had no record of the denial nor had any open applications for Joy or Sara. So, they said to refile. AHHHHH... you have got to be kidding me. See, this all apparently stemmed from the line on the application where we were asked to put in the last name of the mother (at the time of her birth)... silly us we put WILSON. Then her supporting document, namely her passport, has last name EISNER... duh, they don't match - so, please provide supporting documentation for this change. I have to say my love for governmental bologna is a little stronger after today.
Anyway - the girls are all wonderful. Abigail did surprisingly well for being in the Oz play. During show week she had five nights when she was up to about 11 o'clock.... PM. Emma and Sara did well too, surviving with Daddy. Joy... well, if you saw the play you'd know the amount of work which went into the music. Ken, me, was mostly only used as a tech resource... once the sound was setup our junior Nolan was able to run the whole thing...
We're looking forward to having some time off next week. Joy is going to work on some lesson plans and I plan on roasting coffee. We have lined up some games with friends and thought about taking the girls to see a movie and perhaps the Zoo.
Not much else to talk about so I will say good night.
-knme
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Seven weeks - where'd they go?
So my jaw nearly hit the floor when I realized seven weeks had passed since our last post (whooops). Thing of it is - yes, we've been very busy at school but I would not count it as post-worthy material.
Abigail: has continued along nicely in school. She continues to practice violin and continues scheming how she can take ballet lessons. She has a part in the upcoming "Wizard of Oz" musical, which she is excited about. She also gave the "Bible-less Peoples" presentation in Elementary Chapel (she did awesome!)
Emma: has started practicing the piano on a more regular basis and, according to Joy, is quite good for her age. She also loves her "pre-K" group. I have increased hope that she will succeed in Kindergarten without the need for a "talking/detention room". Now, before anyone calls me out for such a comment you first have to understand that it has long been a joke of ours that Emma would not be able t start school until either A) she learned to control her talker or B) CAG built a talking room for her. If I had to pick a future job for her it would be simply whatever job would allow her to talk the most.
Sara: continues to grow into herself and change daily. She has upgraded from walking to fast-walking to nearly running. She may have a tad of OCD because she likes to turn on/off lights in each room she enters. She knows that when mommy comes to the nursery it is time to leave - so she goes and opens the cupboard to get her lunch bag then proceeds to walk to the door where she bangs on it saying, "ma-ma, ma-ma." Whenever the girls comb their hair, she has to get a brush and do the same.
Joy: continues to feverishly work on "Wizard of Oz" preparations. She has done a much better job at delegating. She is also trying to get lesson plans ready and homework graded - you all know, the life of a teacher. We are actively looking for ways to reduce her workload for next year. The best way we've found so far is to eliminate her elementary classes - but for that to really happen CAG will need to find another elementary music teacher (prayer request!)
Ken: uh, me. I've spent the previous three weeks either in preparation or administering of the MAP tests for K-10. This week I've tried to play catchup for what I did not get done the previous three weeks. We've had some exciting power outages and some failed equipment which has kept me busy. I can continue to honestly say, "I love my job." I've also picked up some website design/maintenance work with our local church, Union Church.
We've renewed our attempts to get together with the Logan family (Chichi). We were to Chichi in January and early February and then hosted the Logan twins last weekend.
I'm sure there is more which I'm forgetting... if so I'll catch it up next time.
-knme
Abigail: has continued along nicely in school. She continues to practice violin and continues scheming how she can take ballet lessons. She has a part in the upcoming "Wizard of Oz" musical, which she is excited about. She also gave the "Bible-less Peoples" presentation in Elementary Chapel (she did awesome!)
Emma: has started practicing the piano on a more regular basis and, according to Joy, is quite good for her age. She also loves her "pre-K" group. I have increased hope that she will succeed in Kindergarten without the need for a "talking/detention room". Now, before anyone calls me out for such a comment you first have to understand that it has long been a joke of ours that Emma would not be able t start school until either A) she learned to control her talker or B) CAG built a talking room for her. If I had to pick a future job for her it would be simply whatever job would allow her to talk the most.
Sara: continues to grow into herself and change daily. She has upgraded from walking to fast-walking to nearly running. She may have a tad of OCD because she likes to turn on/off lights in each room she enters. She knows that when mommy comes to the nursery it is time to leave - so she goes and opens the cupboard to get her lunch bag then proceeds to walk to the door where she bangs on it saying, "ma-ma, ma-ma." Whenever the girls comb their hair, she has to get a brush and do the same.
Joy: continues to feverishly work on "Wizard of Oz" preparations. She has done a much better job at delegating. She is also trying to get lesson plans ready and homework graded - you all know, the life of a teacher. We are actively looking for ways to reduce her workload for next year. The best way we've found so far is to eliminate her elementary classes - but for that to really happen CAG will need to find another elementary music teacher (prayer request!)
Ken: uh, me. I've spent the previous three weeks either in preparation or administering of the MAP tests for K-10. This week I've tried to play catchup for what I did not get done the previous three weeks. We've had some exciting power outages and some failed equipment which has kept me busy. I can continue to honestly say, "I love my job." I've also picked up some website design/maintenance work with our local church, Union Church.
We've renewed our attempts to get together with the Logan family (Chichi). We were to Chichi in January and early February and then hosted the Logan twins last weekend.
I'm sure there is more which I'm forgetting... if so I'll catch it up next time.
-knme
Monday, January 9, 2012
Guatemalan Return
It was a very long day... but it ended well.
Saturday night, during her birthday dinner at Newicks, Joy's mom decided to be taken to the hospital. Turns out she has pneumonia. She was admitted.
Started out Sunday morning with the last minute packing then a trip to seem Joy's mom in the hospital. After the farewells there Jon and Dad took us to the airport. We were checked in and through security in under fifty minutes - I think that is some sort of record (considering three small children).
First flight was nearly 4 1/2 hours... (loooonnnnggg)... We had some delicious BBQ at the Houston airport as part of our 2 1/2 hour layover. We chatted a bit with Alan and Jen Velesquez.
Our flight was delayed while they waited for more fuel. We took off at nearly 7:45pm (instead of 7:05) and arrived at 10:25pm. We cleared immigration and collected our bags - by the way, if you're travelling to Guatemala with checked bags you need to keep your bag claim tickets handy b/c they might verify you're taking the bags which match your tickets.
Richard and Jean picked us up at curb side and took us home. As I recall we were home for 11:30pm. Long day...
Joy's mom is still in the hospital but is improving well. Please keep her in your prayers.
-knme
Saturday night, during her birthday dinner at Newicks, Joy's mom decided to be taken to the hospital. Turns out she has pneumonia. She was admitted.
Started out Sunday morning with the last minute packing then a trip to seem Joy's mom in the hospital. After the farewells there Jon and Dad took us to the airport. We were checked in and through security in under fifty minutes - I think that is some sort of record (considering three small children).
First flight was nearly 4 1/2 hours... (loooonnnnggg)... We had some delicious BBQ at the Houston airport as part of our 2 1/2 hour layover. We chatted a bit with Alan and Jen Velesquez.
Our flight was delayed while they waited for more fuel. We took off at nearly 7:45pm (instead of 7:05) and arrived at 10:25pm. We cleared immigration and collected our bags - by the way, if you're travelling to Guatemala with checked bags you need to keep your bag claim tickets handy b/c they might verify you're taking the bags which match your tickets.
Richard and Jean picked us up at curb side and took us home. As I recall we were home for 11:30pm. Long day...
Joy's mom is still in the hospital but is improving well. Please keep her in your prayers.
-knme
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Update Night Planned
To any and all who are able to come - we will be having an update night at Dover Baptist Church during their "First Wednesday" event on 4 January at 6:00pm. If you are able to go please call the church office to let them know (for food preparation).
-knme
-knme
Friday, December 23, 2011
Christmas Quote
Ok... words from the mouth of Abigail...
But first to set the scene: Ed and Joy on the couch... we're getting ready to head out for our top secret special day. Joy and Ed are talking in code about today's events and location. Joy states that Ed is having difficulty talking in code. Abigail says, "Maybe it's because of his age."
Love it... wonderful. :9)
But first to set the scene: Ed and Joy on the couch... we're getting ready to head out for our top secret special day. Joy and Ed are talking in code about today's events and location. Joy states that Ed is having difficulty talking in code. Abigail says, "Maybe it's because of his age."
Love it... wonderful. :9)
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Christmas Break! Woot!
Well we're back! We arrived at Logan International at midnight last night (Sunday AM). We had an excellent trip. Our hats off to Continental/United (no, we're not getting any sort of kick-back for that) for the service and everything.
We had an excellent time at Dover Baptist this morning. I figure I recognized 1/3rd of the congregation - God is moving in that church. It was nice to see the familiar faces.
To one and all - Merry Christmas (Feliz Navidad)!
We had an excellent time at Dover Baptist this morning. I figure I recognized 1/3rd of the congregation - God is moving in that church. It was nice to see the familiar faces.
To one and all - Merry Christmas (Feliz Navidad)!
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