On our way

We made it to Mexico last Wednesday.
We left home a week earlier, and since this is the first trip to Baja that I haven't chronicled along the way I thought I should go backwards and catch us up.  If I don't write stuff down I forget it.  My memory is indeed that bad.  I shudder to think what it might be like in a couple more decades. 

Very important details like my husband making ridiculous poses for my phone camera while we welcome daylight on our first day of the journey south,

or what long days in the car look like,
or what the road conditions were like most of the way down, might be lost forever.

We had winter roads like this all the way through Saskatchewan, Alberta, Montana, Idaho, and Utah.  By Los Vegas we finally said goodbye to winter!  It wasn't much fun and because sleeping in our trailer was out of the question we spent a few nights in hotels.

Part way through Utah we thought we lost our transmission and ended up at a garage.  Fortunately we didn't need to be towed.  We were worried that our trip was over and that our two long days in the car would be rewarded with a big credit card bill, and two more days driving home.  Fortunately it ended up being something more minor and we were back on the road in only a few hours.  While our van was being diagnosed we drug our travel weary, depressed selves to a nearby mall to find some lunch.  We had planned on finding a Chick Fil A that day since we had never been to one, and had been looking forward to it (it's the little things sometimes that keep you going).  Our plans all changed when we thought we'd be heading home.  It was an ironic encouragement to walk into the food court and be surprised to see a Chick Fil A.  Such a little thing, but a reminder that God knows those little things and cares.  We ordered our meal, cutting corners where we could, and mumbled something about it being our first  time eating there because we were taking a bit of time to look at the menu board.  Somehow it came out that we were from Canada and were in town because our car was broke down.  We must have been a pathetic sight because the manager came and gave us our money back and said they wanted to buy our meal.  We didn't expect that in a million years. It was only thirty dollars but it was such an encouragement at a time when we were really feeling really discouraged.  This restaurants reputation of being super friendly, having great service, and going the extra mile to care about their customers is certainly true.
 
After our meal we got the good news that our car repair would only cost a few hundred dollars (rather than thousands) and we could continue the journey south.

Our first stretch of snow free road was in Nevada.

I snapped this picture because it was the first bit of blue sky we saw...day three.  We replaced snow with a fierce gusty wind.

 

We usually do a shorter day by day three but because we broke down in Utah we lost quite a few hours.  By the time we got to LA California we were majorly burnt out.  It didn't help that we arrived to So. Cal. traffic in the dark, during rush hour, and  in drizzling rain.  It was kind of intense...and my poor hubby had been driving in "intense" mode the whole way down.  We usually enjoy the big American divided highways but this time there was no cruising along...it was white knuckle most of the way.

 

The kids were ecstatic to finally be out of the van, and to see green grass, palm trees, and play outside.  We spent a couple nights at an RV park in Anaheim.

 

We needed a day just to recover, and then we hit California Adventures the day after that.

                                                      (this Cars ride was super fun)


We had an amazing day.  So much fun.  Elijah was a little hard to read the whole day.  I think he was enjoying himself...in a totally awestruck, slightly confused, nearly overwhelmed sort of way.


The next day (a Sunday) we decided to go find Mars Hill Huntington Beach.  It was super refreshing to gather with the Jesus' people even 2000 miles away.  It felt like home away from home.

The music was awesome.

During our time in LA we also had lunch and a nice visit with a friend we went to college with that we haven't seen in about 18 years.   Thankyou for the home cooked meal Gretchen! It meant a lot to these fast food weary travelers.

   (Cece doing land parachuting.  "see ya later suckers!")

We spent a couple more days at an RV park in Oceanside CA.  We usually rush our way down to Baja but because we had our trailer with us this time we wanted to enjoy vacationing in CA. a little longer.

 

We found some cheap ways to entertain ourselves.  Not that it takes much for these prairie kids.

 

Next Stop Baja!

One year with Elijah, a New Kitchen, and a trip to Mexico!

This month has been nutty enough that this poor little blog is pretty neglected lately.  If there is anyone still out there in cyber land who cares about our severely mundane yet odd life here's a little update.

It's been a crazy sort of month.  Reminiscent of last January where we were rushing around getting all the last minute stuff done for our trip to China.

A year ago we were busy dropping off kids and making our way to the airport.  Three days from now will be the "Gotcha" day anniversary.  It's a bit mind blowing to think that after feeling like the process would NEVER end, that it's already been a year since it ended...or began, depends on how you look at it I guess.

On the other hand it feels as if this little guy has been a part of our family for ages.  He has just meshed in so incredibly well.  I don't take that for granted because I know that is not the "norm" with adoption.  Don't get me wrong, we definitely have our challenging moments, but over all he just "fits".

He has made so much progress this year and is getting stronger every day has he continues to recover from surgery.  He lost muscle strength during his time in casts, but he gained SO much.  Straight legs that he can actually balance on!

(one year ago, gotcha day.  He was such a brave little guy)

I really feel like I owe the bit one year anniversary a better blog post than this, but this is all I've got right now.  My creativity, deep thoughts, and wit is hidden beneath thoughts like "my house is torn apart", "we haven't started packing for Mexico!", "Insurance...we need insurance!", and "What's for supper?."

This month my husband took advantage of the slow season on the farm, and a harvest bonus check, to build me a new kitchen.  It's been one of those "someday" sort of projects that I honestly didn't expect to ever happen. We have lived in this house 11 years and have slowly plugged away on little remodel jobs.  It honestly hasn't been top on my list of priorities and any time I begin to feel grumbly about 60 year old grungy cupboards, duct tape holding things together, and drawers that fill with sawdust I remember that my kitchen is pretty snazzy compared to what most of the world uses to prepare food.  It has been more than adequate. Despite my (mostly successful) effort to be content with my kitchen my husband decided he loves me enough to give me something beautiful.

Out with the old.

I happen to be married to a journeyman cabinet maker, which is pretty handy if you need a kitchen built.  He's also super handy at plumbing, wiring, etc.  

It looks amazing now...and is so functional.  I love it! I spend so much time in this room it feels good to be in a space that looks so nice and fresh.

(adaptable =microwaved burritos in the living room)

It was difficult to have the kitchen torn apart for a week though! No sink, no dishwasher, and no stove.  The dining room and living room were also a mess filled with everything that used to be in the kitchen.  It' was nut bar factor 10...but we made it.  It was worth the chaos.

Almost there.  Check out my nice new huge drawers!

TaDA!

All done except the tile backsplash.  We'll tackle that this spring when we get back from Baja.

Both sides of my kitchen match now!

I can hardly believe that it's mine.

My Husband is a rockstar.

I love the new counter top.  I'm so indecisive and it was scary trying to pick a pattern based on tiny samples.  In the end Silas picked this one, and I think he did a great job.  

p.s my kitchen well never again look so uncluttered and clean. 

Now for the next project.

The Hubster dug the trailer out of snow drifts today.  It was a beautiful day, and it was actually warm enough that snow was melting and sticky (+2).

Nothing says "lets go camping!" like snow drifts.

Now to get it packed!

Only a few more days until the calender says we're going to pull out of here and head south.  Of course, what the weather network says may trump the calender but we have a goal to shoot for.

  

Since this is a meandering sort of post, here are some pics from one year ago..taken in China.

He had this serious look on his face a lot back then.  Now that I really know him, looking back at the pics kind of makes me sad.  He does terrified in a strange way...sometime he even plasters on a goofy smile.  If you didn't know him well you'd maybe even think he was happy.  

It was a good trip though.  We have such great memories from our time in China, and we'd go back there in a heart beat.  

I don't really notice how much he's grown up this year, until I look back at the pictures and see his clothes.  Those jeans barely fit him now and are nearly too short..and that coat just covers his wrists this winter.  He hasn't grown a ton, but he clearly has grown.  His teeth have changed so much this year too. 

Oh my heart, I love this boy.

Speaking of love.

Do you remember these kids?

I cannot wait to see them again.

(these pics were taken by my friend Amber last spring)

These last few pics were taken by Amber a few days ago

I can't believe how much big brother Alvaro has grown up! I really do have a huge soft spot in my heart for this kid.  He's had his "Tia" smitten since the time he was a little boy who colored me a heart picture.

Big sister Minerva is now living about an hour away from the others and has started her own little family.  Looking forward to meeting this sweet baby girl!

We are also planning to spend a good deal of time with this family once again.  They are now directors of Welcome Home Outreach in Baja.  They have been serving with this ministry for about 4 months now and we're excited to see how we can give them a hand and check out what God's doing through them. 

Please pray that our trip down would go smoothly, and that our time there would be used to encourage others in practical ways, and put Jesus' love on display. Also we've run into a bit of mechanical trouble with our van that we hope to have fixed by the time we leave...without too much expense.  I'm also not sure how Elijah will react to this sort of a trip.  Stability, and routine is very important to him so this may throw him off a little.  One benefit of taking the trailer is that we spent a lot of time this past summer camping and he understands the "camping" concept now. As far as he's concerned we're about to go camping in the snow ;)  The trailer should provide some security and continuity for him as we travel at least.  

 Soli Deo Gloria,