Our First Sunday in our New Ward...

I've had so much going through my mind about our Sunday experience. As most of you know, it's been pretty tough for our family on the Sabbath. Between the 45 minute bus ride, 3 kids with car sickness, no air conditioning, from start to finish being gone 5-6 hours, the language barrier, not many kids the same age as mine, preparing 3 meals before 7:30 am and attending a tiny branch; I really struggled with Sundays.

Then, I struggled with the fact that I struggled with Sundays!

"Why can't I just enjoy it?" I'd ask myself. {Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed the members, but I NEVER looked forward to Sundays.}

I always thought that if I had been a pioneer for our church, I would have rocked. I would have driven the wagon out west, set-up camp, taught my kids about the Lord, helped others in need, cooked the meals and fought off Indian attacks, all without complaint!

Now, I wonder. Maybe I'm not as VALIANT as I hoped I was. :)

As I sifted through my thoughts, I came to this conclusion:

It's all about service...you love "whom {or what} you serve. I did serve...but the language barrier created a wall as to how far I could serve.

I was in the Primary presidency...I prepared things, organized and worked hard. But the depth of the relationship I could have with most of the other members was stunted...because of lack of communication. I couldn't tell someone that their testimony meant alot to me { I didn't even understand what they were saying} or explain that I knew how hard their trial was and was there to help in anyway.

I only smiled and said, "Hola."

So I've determined that I'm going to get this language down!! I'm going to stop fighting it and pony up! {and I've been blessed with more understanding and empathy for those pioneers who struggled with the journey west.}

Like I mentioned earlier, we attended a ward today, not just a branch. {A ward is a group of church members (usually 200-800 people) that attend LDS church services together. A branch is a smaller group, not big enough to make up a ward {usually 20-150 people).

It was just wonderful! Troy had a group of 4 or 5 boys in his class. Yipppe!!! We are now close enough that he will attend young men activities during the week. The primary actually had more than 2 classes. And sacrament meeting was overflowing. We all felt so welcomed. It was interesting for me to note that our ward is made up of members from many different (Spanish speaking) countries, so they were all doing a bit of translating from their native terms. We have families from Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Panama.

The best thing is, I can't wait for Sunday.

More of our adventures...

Here is my travel advice {if you are near the Jaco area}...get to Punta Leona. It is a private beach community and if you know someone who lives there, you can probably get in. If not, I believe you can pay about $20 for a wristband. We, of course, have our connections. :)

On this side of Costa Rica {not counting the peninsula} there are only 2 white sand beaches in the area. 1 is Punta Leona {about 15 minutes north of Jaco} and the other is {about 45 minutes south of Jaco} Manuel Antonio. The rest of the beaches are called "cinnamon" which is a creative way to say dark brown.

A trick, if you can get into Punta Leona, is to head to the restaurant that is open early in the morning. {I'm sorry but the name eludes me} The food is decent, buffet style, {you'll pay about $40 for 3 adults} but if you get there before 9 am, chances are you will get a great monkey show. They come down from the trees and are pretty sneaky fellers. I was holding out a piece of banana and the mommy monkey did a basketball fake-out move and swiped a cinnamon roll instead.

I was left looking like a fool, holding my piece of banano.

So intead of taking a "monkey tour" at $25-$35 per person...you can save money and get breakfast out of it.

Yummy.


My aunt Sheila took this picture of me bathing on the beach...aren't I a HOTTIE! {hee, hee}
Our view to the right of us...
Our view to the left...

Of course, me and my beautiful cousin.
Can you believe this scenery is only 15 minutes from my house?
Mother and daughter beauties. Look how a plant has grown all over the steps. I'm telling you...everything grows here.
The view from down low.

Do you see the bug in this picture?

Look hard.
It's called the leaf bug. It was just unbelievable. It even looked like a piece was taken out of the back to look more like a leaf that was disintegrating.

Cool!

Yes...We Have Relocated...

So as you know my aunt and cousin have been visiting and right in the middle of that visit {Tuesday} Wes and I decide it's time to move. Not to the states, sorry, but into the big city {San Jose area}. So now it is Friday and we are moved in. {Well, everything but a few furniture pieces}

Let's just say that when I make a decision, I'm usually quick on the draw. I dropped my sweet cousin and her mother off at the airport by 10:30 am, drove home the 2.5 hour drive, packed and cleaned our house and was headed to our new diggs within 24 hours.

It was easy, especially because {how do I say this delicately} I HATED our house.

Now is when the guilt arrives for not being grateful for "that which I was given".

So to relieve that "emotion" I have written a note to my former casa.


Saturday January 24, 2009

Dear former house,

I'm sitting here from my upstairs master bedroom suite, computer at my desk, with 5 full bars of Internet strength to tell you, it's o.k.
I left in a hurry without much warning. I know you tried your best. You gave our crazy family all that you had. You kept the rain off our heads and that was important. You let us tie up our hammock to the bars on your front window and tried to stay strong before you just couldn't hold on anymore. You tried with Wes and I to keep the stinky sewer water from entering our back kitchen door. We were a team the three of us that rainy night, but we just weren't strong enough. The weekend when I came home with all 5 kids to find the 2 pipes broken in the bathroom, well that was bad. With Wes gone, all the bedrooms under water and no one to call to help; we worked together to keep the situation from getting worse.
I'm sorry that I didn't appreciate you more. You did your best. I will never forget you.
Never. {Believe me on that one!}

Sincerely-
The woman with the 5 crazy kids.

P.S. Enjoy the peace and quiet. You deserve it.

Now I'm on to:
my own laundry room
a little bit more space
bigger bedrooms for all of us
closets {YIPPE!!!}
Internet
HOT water

What I will miss:
air conditioning
having an oven {I will have a stovetop but not an oven, augh}
the beach 4 blocks away
my friends Teri, Albanie {who's leaving anyway} Wendy, Michelle and Tracy.

I Have Returned...

and I have news... but first a summery of my adventures with my auntie and sweet cousin.

First of all they were just a "pure delight" to have around. I was able to forgo many of my household duties thanks to the support of my sweetheart and munchkins. Thanks guys.



This is the eco-lodge that we stayed in. It used to be an scientific observatory for the Arenal Volcano. The lodge is embedded in the Arenal National Park and was just divine. The grounds were immaculate and lush. It seems to be the closest Hotel/Lodge to the volcano and was quite the drive to get in. Our car with manual transmission made it that much more exciting. In fact before they put the two bridges in you had to 4x4 in.
Thank you bridges!

Just added proof to support my "lush grounds" claim.

We found this hanging bridge off one of our trails to the waterfall.


Here is the Arenal volcano...well at least the bottom half. There are only a few weeks in the year where you are able to gawk at the top. It's usually covered in fluffy clouds. We did hear some crackling and popping as the lava was heading down. That was excitement enough.



Oh my favorite moment...reading a book, on the balcony, a little rain drizzle...yummy. The only thing missing was a hot chocolate in hand.

LOOK at the size of this leaf...really...it's of Jurassic proportions.

Just a "GORGEOUS" waterfall we found on one of our hikes.

Same waterfall...just the two old ladies were added. Actually my aunt looks younger than I.
{If you don't know her, you've really missed out on a treat!}

To be continued...same station...same time...next week.

Oh, and for the news..."We are moving...to the city and we are so excited!"

A Request to My Costa Rican Amigas...

My cousin (who adores animals) and is here learning Spanish, would like to volunteer/work here in Costa Rica for a few weeks to a few months. She´s 21 and taking a semester off to do this.

What do you think?
Do any of you sweet ladies know of an opportunity for her? Anyone have a connection for us?

Thanks in advance!

We are off traveling the country...should be back in a few days with PICTURES!

Can we say ROAD TRIP?

Yippeee!

My Little Nephew has arrived...

Last night at 10 pm after a quick call from my s-i-l that she was in labor, I called a taxi and headed to the hospital. Did I mention it was a 2.5 hour drive through curvy jungle roads, in a vehicle that at times was going so slow I thought we might roll backward off the cliff, that ended into a 3 hour drive when the taxi couldn't find the hospital and thought it might be a good idea to park on the freeway while he called friends to try and get directions? I didn't...well that is a post for another time.

This post is about my sister in law who knocked out natural labor like nothing I've seen before. (I'm so proud of her!) Now my 5th nephew has arrived, baby Cash. I'm smitten to say the least.

Here is his debut...



Been up for over 30 hours...I'm headed to bed. :)

I'm So Excited......

and nervous! Rusti just called and her little baby is on the way!!!!! Did I say I'm EXCITED!!! She wants me to be there for the delivery...but I doubt I will get there before this little one arrives!!!

Wish me luck!

Have You Checked Out Spark People?

If you haven't...you might want to. It is the season for it.

You know, the "I ate too much these past 2 months...I need to do something about it...but money is tight right after Christmas" season.

I'm more sensitive to this situation because unlike most of you, heading into winter with sweaters and long pants...we are still and forever will be in "summer mode". Swimsuits, suntan oil and flip flops are the attire here. In fact a friend and I are headed to a resort swim club in the morning with all the kids. I've pushed home school to the afternoon so we can delay school just a little bit longer.

So let me tell you a little about www.sparkpeople.com . It was created by the original creator of google.com
It's FREE and has many tools to help "us" with keeping up with a healthy lifestyle. {Basically, it will give you the extra push to lose the weight you gained over the past few months.} Not that "I" gained any...yeah right!

So check it out... www.sparkpeople.com

I'm starting my excercise...tomorrow...I think. :)
Enjoy!!!

It's Been Rockin and Rollin Here...

but we are all o.k. An earthquake that measured 6.2 visited us a yesterday. The epicenter was 3 hours away from us but sure had our house rolling. 13 people died which is pretty sad. The homes just aren't built with the standards set in the states.

Thanks for all of your concern...we are healthy and happy.

All I Can Say is "Yummy!!!"

I'll call these "Shawna's Apple Banana Crumb Bakery Muffins" How's that?

I'm sorry that many of you {including me} are striving to lose weight right about now. So to keep the playing field level...I'm going to give you this AWESOME muffin recipe!! That way I won't be the only one struggling not to make them.

See how great I am? :)

These are just plain fantastic. I found them as basic banana muffin recipe and added my magic. So here goes. Your mouth and stomach will thank me for these; so will your kids and husband. However your thighs won't.

Did I mention they have a cinnamon-and-brown-sugar streusel topping?

Shawna's Apple Banana Crumb Bakery Muffins

INGREDIENTS:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 bananas, mashed
1/2 cup of apple, chopped small, leave peel on.
3/4 cup white sugar
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/3 cup butter, melted
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon butter

DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease 9 muffin cups, or line with muffin papers. {Keep this batter to 9 muffins, don't use all 12. Fill the muffin cups to the top, that way they create those wonderful bakery style muffins.}
2. In a large bowl, mix together 1 1/2 cups flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, slightly beat the egg. Then add sugar, egg and melted butter. Fold in banana and apple. Now stir the banana mixture into the flour mixture just until moistened. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups.
3. In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, 2 tablespoons flour and cinnamon. Cut in 1 tablespoon butter until mixture resembles coarse cornmeal. Sprinkle topping over muffins.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of a muffin comes out clean.


Con mucho gusto! {You are welcome!}

So I tried to find a picture of a bakery muffin that looked as good as this one does...no luck! I guess I'm going to have to make them again tonight so I can take a picture for you all.

Shucks. What I do for my blogger friends. :)

Adios Elders...you will be missed.

We have had great elders serving in our branch since we first arrived here 8 months ago. Mothers of these fine young men, I have done my best to feed them and make sure that they don't loose too much weight on my watch.

Today is a sad day for us as we will be losing the Elders that we have spent the last 3 months here, Elder Silva and Elder Howell. Here they are decorating Christmas cookies a few weeks before Christmas. {What can I say, I've got little ones around the house and this is what we do} I was quite surprised that they seems excited to be making these creations, either that or they are great actors. Probably a little of both.

To the mothers of Elder Howell and Elder Silva I want to say to you:

Thank you for raising sons that have the great desire to serve the Lord. They have been a wonderful influence on my sons {and daughter} and our little branch. You would have been so proud today to see them as I did, bearing their testimonies in a foreign tongue. I thought of you and wished you could have seen what I saw today.

Thank you.

Happy New Year!!!

I am posting...just so you all know I'm still here. {The plethora of pictures I have to post will have to wait for another time, they aren't here with me and my internet connection}

We had a wonderful Christmas and great New Year. Today has been filled with resolutions, new chore charts, a stronger desire to pump up our Family Home Evening lessons and turn scripture reading into scripture study. I love "change" I always have.

To a New Year...may it be filled with learning opportunities we can handle...the wisdom to stop and see the beauty around us...tender mercies that go noticed...and PLEASE don't let it be WORSE than 2008. {Did I just write that?} I meant 2009, let it be fine.

Cheers!