We Have a New Family Member...

Don't worry, it's not a lion. It's our little Daisy. She was rescued from an abusive owner then her soon to be adoptive family bailed out. So, here we are with our tiny quarters filled with 7 humans and now a canine. But I have to say I feel safe with her around. She barks when anyone comes near my front gate and prances around when we come home. My big concern here is to have my computer stolen. I think that is the only temporal thing I would really struggle with being taken from me. So my sweet Daisy keeps my "MAC" safe. Good girl Daisy!! Good girl.

My Gift to You...

Oh and Borders had something to do with it too.
Just like I promised here is a 40% off coupon from Borders. I'm giving you fair warning, it's only good for today and tomorrow. It's good for 40% off of 1 book with a purchase of $20.00 or more. Enjoy and think of the privilege allotted to you to drive a few minutes and go to such a "gigantic" store full of books!

No, I'm not jealous. {hee! hee!} Just happy to bask in your advantage.

Enjoy.

Our House part II

I missed two of the best shots of the "specialties" of our home.

This is our big T.V in our little home. It really looks funny here! Wes sister wasn't using this one and offered it to us. Let's just say before I could open my mouth my "true love" had it hanging in our home.

This is our one and only shower head right now. It heats the water {barely} right here, just before it comes out. If you look closely {by my large brown arrow} you will see the green wire isn't completely covered. Now that could be bad!

Excuse the blurry shot but isn't this a beautiful bird? The other day I had 3 of these on my back patio. The yellow and the brown work so well together here, however I would never use it in decorating. { I guess I should never say never}

Happy Birthday Little Bro...

I have to give a "shout" out to my little bro Robbie. Or "Roooo berrrr tooooow" as I used to call him when we were young, you know, just to irritate him. Here he is with his awesome family that I miss so much.
Now this would be the perfect opportunity to tell you about how I could make him take 5 or more showers a day when he was a teenager. Or how David and I used to drive by his bus stop and say things like, "Mommy said to go home and change your dirty underwear!" But if I did that you would think he was the sweet innocent one and alas, I don't want that. {hee! hee!}

So HAPPY BIRTHDAY Robbie!

The top 5 things I love about my brother

1. He is a great father!
2. He caught himself a wonderful wife!
3. Robbie has a fantastically solid business mind.
4. Despite my observations as a child, he is a very hard worker.
5. He's very competitive {almost as much as his sweet Jenny}

Love ya Robbie, oh, I mean Robert. :)

I Love "libros" {books}

By now you should all know how much I love books! I just finished one of the best books I have ever read entitled, "These is My Words". It is a fantastic read. I finished it in 3 days, and with 5 munchkins to make sure that they survive in this world, that was a feat!
Here is a brief summery found at www.goodreads.com

"Inspired by the author's original family memoirs, this absorbing story introduces us to the questing, indomitable Sarah Prine, one of the most memorable women ever to survive and prevail in the Arizona Territory of the late 1800s. As a child, a fiery young woman, and finally a caring mother, Sarah forges a life as full and as fascinating as our deepest needs, our most secret hopes and our grandest dreams. She rides Indian-style and shoots with deadly aim, greedily devours a treasure trove of leatherbound books, downs fire, flood, Comanche raids and other mortal perils with the unique courage that forged the character of the American West."

In honor of my new favorite book, I present to you a coupon from Borders. I get them about once a month. Sometimes they are as good as 40% off a book. I promise to post the next time I get one of those. Here you'll have to settle for 25%.

Just a tidbit of information you probably don't want to know, {hey that is what blogs are all about, right?} Borders has better hot chocolate because they serve Seattle's Best brand coffee instead of Starbucks, like Barnes n Noble. It's delish! For about $2.50 you can get a cup, grab a few books, listen to a live band and enjoy a few hours all by yourself. For only $2.50! What a deal. This is what I used to do in the states when the kids were extra rough on me. :)

My House...

We have lived here in Jaco for a month now. When we first moved in, well, I explained earlier about my temper tantrum I had. It's a little embarrassing so I won't link to it to make it easier for you to find. :)

Let's just say I wasn't pleased with the idea of calling this here place home. Maybe if there was Internet here I could have overlooked the mold and dirt.

Nah!!!

So today I was thinking about all the improvements that I am so thankful for. Would you like to see some? I thought you might.

This is my kitchen cupboard. The ones that came with the house have so much mold and yuck inside I can't even open them or my eyes start to water. So those stay shut and I have this beauty. Do you see my bread maker I hauled in from the states? That's the reason I didn't lose any weight here the first few months. You'll notice my other LOVE, my Mac showing off on top. I do love her.

This is the reason I can survive here. It's our air conditioning unit. I have yet to find a way to make these babies pretty! This is where it's everything that's on the inside that counts! He sits here on my wall above my apartment sized refrigerator and waits. Waits until I can't take it anymore and have to have him cool me down. He is a beast.

When I photograph the condo's that Wes sister Rusti designs, I spend most of my Photoshop time erasing these bad boys. They cause me a lot of work.

The day my curtain rods were hung was a happy day! I had spent 3 weeks pinning them to the wood molding on the ceiling, because the walls are made of cement. I found the curtains laying on the floor upwards of 5 times a day. I never once caught the culprits as they were to quick for me, but I have my suspicions.

I love the sound of the metal rings sliding on the metal rod. It is music to my ears. I have privacy.

This is our bathroom ceiling. You can't tell from the picture but it's open to the outside. At first I didn't understand this logic, now I get it!

The house is basically a structure that keeps out "some" elements. It is not meant to keep heat out since that seems like bailing water out of a sinking ship to tico's. (Ticos= locals here in Costa Rica) Our home has a tin roof which makes it possible to hear every rain drop hit and know exactly where it landed. Quite a feat in this crazy weather here. Underneath the tin roof is nothing, meaning there isn't insulation. The next thing under the roof is the ceiling tiles. In fact when Troy is on his top bunk he tries not to touch the ceiling because it's always pretty warm. I won't even go into how when the sun is rising, light is just streaming through the front door. I think of all the commercials in the states about saving money by caulking around doors and windows. Do I even attempt it? Will it do any good?

So the open window in the bathroom lets the steam and heat out when we shower. It's "necesario".

A friend of mine here, Tina, wrote about how bars equal safety. It's true. The bars keep you safe. Jaco is known for theft. In fact that is why we have a dog. (Yep, I know I haven't mentioned it yet.) The front of most houses resemble an United States Army fort. Our housing tract has a guarded gate which helps, but we had Troy's skateboard stolen last week. So these bars help me to feel more safe. I wonder when we come back how great it will be to live without these.

I have to laugh about this shot. When I was walking around the {shack} house, I saw this rare lizard and made the kids come quick to look. They of course all started laughing because my sweet Dallin had placed this rubber lizard here to fake me out.

Good one Dallin!

WE HAVE INTERNET!!!!!!!

Oh what a happy day!


My MAC picked up a signal when we first moved here. However, I needed the password. We could order cable Internet but the box alone costs $400 and it would take 3 months to get. Oh yeah, like that would be a plausible possibility! So I had Wes asking around to see who it was. It took us about 4 weeks. Turns out the family is right behind us. They were willing to share, and now my happy little world here is truly HAPPY. We help share in their monthly cost. SWEET! I could go over and kiss the man, but that could go badly so I will resist.

Happy Day!

My First Sunday with a Purpose...

Last Sunday went well. I had mention earlier that I had just received a new calling {kind of like a job without pay} at church. How important it is to be needed at church. Without feeling that you are needed it is pretty difficult to go every single week, especially when you can't tell what's being said.

Last week I survived being in Primary without our sweet president there. To deal with the language barrier I had a primary teacher from the states translate for me. Thank goodness for Bro Wilcox. I did nursery which is only the second hour of church and then did singing time. Here my reading and acting skills came in handy.

We played a game that my kids have played a million times in the states. You have a child leave the room and then pick another child to hide the item. When the first child comes in the kids will sing the song they just learned louder and louder as the 2nd child gets closer to the hidden item. The kids love it! My kids commented on how fun primary was because we played this game. Interesting because they wouldn't have even mentioned the game if in the states. The best thing about this adventure of ours is the gratitude our little guys have for the life they just expected in the U.S.


Here is a picture of our nursery room. It's 12x12 feet and full of noise carrying tile. The kids have 2 toy options, the large building blocks and the foam puzzle pieces that I threw out when nursery leader in the states. I still hate those things. I'm slowly planning their demise as we speak. As you know the building doesn't have air conditioning, but we do have this fancy dancy fan that will circulate the hot air.



Here is a few of my nursery kids playing in the colored salt. They play with it like sand. Since we have tile I figured even if it got out of the bucket, it would be easy to clean up. Sure enough, I was correct, it was easy to clean up.

This is my primary notebook. I have to say that even though I'm easy going about things, this notebook drives me crazy. Maybe I do have a bit of OCD in me. I just want to take it home and doll it up. In fact, throwing it out seems like the best way to fix it. I have a nice shinny white one waiting in the bookshelf just asking to be brought out. So here is the battle going on in my head. "Shawna, temperal things don't matter here. Just leave the notebook as it is. You don't need a crisp new one to do a good job. Hasn't Costa Rica taught you anything?" Then I say, "Oh, but it is important to be organized and neat, and that cover just doesn't help". So you have an assignment. What do you think? Should I leave it alone or what?????

All in all, I know working in the primary is going to be the best thing for me. I've already done more studying with the Spanish language this week than I have done all month. I have to, I can't hide. And is there a more perfect place to practice than with kids????? All they really care about is that you love them!

Inquiring Minds Want to Know...

I know that I only post on MWF, but I'm trying to make up for Monday. :)

I thought it would interesting to know what YOU would like me to post about. If there is subject you think would be an interesting post, leave me a comment. Let me know and I will do my best to come through for you! This could be fun!

Remember this is a family blog as you make your requests! {Hee! Hee} There are some things my dad just doesn't want to know.

"Love ya Dad".

Oh and Happy Birthday mom! I miss you terribly!

Did I Say Tuesday? I Meant Wednesday

I'm just going to blame it on the good old internet! Oh and this Spanish keyboard that whenever I push on the coma key I get this [. It{s so fun.
Monday was a holiday here in beautiful Costa Rica so we skipped town and headed to San Jose, the capital city. It did bring me fond memories of home as I coughed on a little smog; but only the tinist bit of smog.

We tagged along with Wes sister Rusti, and when Rusti travels you can be sure it's 5 star all the way. We stayed in the Inter Continental Hotel. The bellhops reminded me of the guy in The Sweet Life of Zack and Cody. Don't be shy, admit you know what I'm talking about. It surely wasn't a hotel for a crazy family of 7 like mine but oh did we enjoy it. We all took advantage of the modern convienence called the "tub". Ï think I hold the longest bath record at 1.3 hours. Oh it was good.

So here I am, it's 10 pm, an ant just made it's way up my pant leg and gave me quite a bite, KFC is closing and I've got to go...

ok this is Wes. Im here at work and since the laptop battery died last night I'll see if I can post this baby:)

Thanks sweetheart. See what kind of man I have!
So last night after being kicked out of KFC we hung out under the night sky trying to catch someone's internet when Wes' battery died. {It was quite romantic though.}
It's 1 pm in the afternoon Wednesday, I've put the little ones down for a nap and I'm here at my favorite computer at my favorite internet cafe. What could be better?


Aiden's birthday is here. This is the last picture I have of him as a 3 year old. Boy, where does the time go. We went to the toy store in the San Jose mall and he really was a kid in the candy store. He kept loading his "car" with toys. Girls toys, boy toys, baby toys, it didn't matter. They have been quite starved in this aspect of a child's life. All in all, he got 4 matchbox cars. That was a treat because the generic versions we can get here in Jaco fall apart after an hour.
I also have a love for "Little People" toys. They are adorable, well built and reasonable priced here. (Which is amazing!) He got the pirate ship, very cute!
Just for your information, those cheap no brand name huge toddler building blocks are $45 dollars for a medium pack. Excuse me while I CHOKE!

So I do have more pictures to post, just for some reason they aren't here on my disk! Are you kidding me!?!?!?

But I have some random shots I'll share with you. That way my mile walk here {O.K. I'm exaggerating here, maybe 1/2 a mile} won't be in vain.


There must be something in the water here. {Actually I'm sure there is and we have stopped drinking it!} Dallin lost a tooth Friday and Saturday morning Paige lost one.

Note to myself, Dallin needs a haircut! He really looks like a girl here.


Isn't this a great pic of my youngest one. Do you see how his eyebrows are crinkled in a "Don't you dare take a picture of me" face? I love it. This one is doing a great job of being in his two's.


I had this picture of my daughter in her baptism dress. Doesn't she look like a princess? She is, especially in this house full of testosterone! One of her little friends heard that she was baptized in the ocean and now she wants to be baptized too. Funny thing is, her family isn't religious. How cute is that?

O.K. Well that is going to have to do it for today. Have a great one!

We''ll Be Back Tuesday

It's a three day holiday today and we skipped town. It feels like ditching school! But of course I have no idea how that feels. Hee, hee. We are in a beautiful hotel, eating fancy food and taking real baths. Oh the luxury! So I have so much to post. I want to talk about my first Sunday feeling needed, our trip and other fun things. See you Tuesday!

A Little Wisdom...

“Indian wisdom says our lives are rivers. We are born somewhere small and quiet and we move toward a place we cannot see but only imagine. Along our journey, people and events flow into us, and we are created of everywhere and everyone we have passed. Each event, each person, changes us in some way. Even in times of drought we are still moving and growing, but it is during seasons of rain that we expand the most-when water flows from all directions sweeping at terrifying speed, chasing against rocks, spilling over boundaries. These are painful times, but they enable us to carry burdens we could never have thought possible.”

Lisa Wingate, 1st paragraph in her book, Tending Roses. Lets just say she had me at “hello”. The book is great. I just tried to read, “Pray, Love Eat”. I would highly NOT recommend it. It started out great! Then after the second cuss word that starts with the same sound as fun, I was done!!!! {hey, that rhymed!} Too bad, it probably would have been a great read. There’s just something about reading that word and having it go through your brain because you put it there, yucky!!!

O.K. back to the purpose of the post. I guess I’m a sucker for a good quote! Especially one that starts with “Indian wisdom says…”. Who doesn’t love Indian wisdom? Isn’t the above true? It’s the tough times in life that we “spill over our boundaries”? That’s what we must be doing right now, “spilling over our boundaries.” I do love that term. It’s prettier than the words I would have come up with. {Hee! Hee!}

I do want to be able to “carry burdens I never thought possible”, I think. 

I just received a calling Sunday. I need a calling. It will keep me from hiding from the terrible monster known as the Spanish language. Every time it comes around I hide. Oh, yeah, I’ve learned quite a few words. I can communicate, but only because I use one word and raise my voice at the end so it becomes a question. See how I hide? If I want to ask how old a child is I say, “Anos?” Now you know my secret.

In the states when I would talk to my gardener, I would tell him what I needed done. He would nod like he understood then wouldn’t do what I asked. I finally have empathy for him. I find myself nodding when people speak to me. I’ve already told them I know just a little Spanish. I guess they don’t believe how little I really know. They just keep trying to communicate. The next best thing is to nod and hope they stop talking soon so I can get away. Hopefully they aren’t saying anything important like, “please give my child CPR because she’s dying”.

Anyway, I will be 1st counselor in the Primary Presidency and secretary and nursery leader. I’m basically taking over some of the work our poor president has been doing by herself for so long. She’s amazing. I will have to give lessons in Spanish, which I think I can do, I just can’t take any questions. One of my best qualities is that I don’t mind making a fool out of myself. I don’t take myself too seriously which means I’m not afraid to mess up. It’s a rather nice quality to have. {Although if I were more of a perfectionist I would know the language better by now.} This Sunday is my first Sunday and our president will be out of town for 2 weeks. The only other counselor only speaks Spanish. I guess I’ll be “spilling over my boundaries” this Sunday.

I thought I'd throw in these recent pictures.


Paige and I made paper dolls last Wednesday. (Please do not comment on my skills as an artist. I don't claim to be one.) We had a great time. It was one of those memories I will tuck away. The one with the short hair is her. The other doll is one of her best friends, Sadie. The third is Cinderella and as you can tell, I didn't have anything to do with the creation of that one.




This is funny. Every once in a while my sweetheart spoils me with a massage. They cost about $30 for an hour with a reflexologist. Landon sat on my lap once and then the women gave him a little massage. Now he loves them. He actually falls alseep while getting them. Is he spoiled or what?



I don't have many pictures of Troy so I thought I'd throw this one in. This is his pre-teen look for the camera. He really is a sweetheart and spoils me quite often with hugs.


Another shot of the treacherous road we took a few weeks ago. It was pretty slick and steep but oh so much fun!!!!