Catch up again...

I really mean to update this more than once a season, I just don't know where the time goes... I wish I could say winter was already over, but I think we still have a few months to go. So much has been happening in our lives lately, that it is hard to try to catch up on everything. But, here are some pictures to try to fill in the blanks.

We went camping over labor day weekend and had a great time! Wish we could have gone more often during the summer.

We found this great bike at a consignment sale right before it got cold outside. Marissa had a good time learning to ride her new bike!

Marissa dressed up twice for Halloween. She was Annie at her preschool.

And a pirate for trick or treating. Too bad it was so cold on Halloween night that we only made it to one house...

We have a park a few blocks from our house with a sliding hill. We all had a fun time!

I have been teaching a Sunday School class at our church over the past several months. It has been amazing to see God work through this group of women. We started out with 3 people in the class and it has grown to 8-10 women on average. God is truly changing lives. We had a Christmas party at our house and it was a great time for all. There were over 20 some people packed into our house, not including us... What a night!

Enrique has been given the opportunity to go on a Salvation Army mission trip in April. He will be going to Woe, Ghana. God has really been using the last few months as a time of reflection for both Enrique and myself. Pray for us as we try to follow God in all we do. Stay tuned. More details to come!

Is summer really over?

We can't believe September is already here. The weather is already getting cool and it feels like fall is right around the corner. Oh, who are we kidding, winter is probably right around the corner for us here in MN. So, we figured we better catch everyone up on our summer fun before the first snow flakes begin to fall...

Yes, this is a summer picture! Marissa is enjoying the park while Enrique is playing softball.

Marissa hanging out in the Hot Tub with her cousins

4th Of July Fireworks! Marissa is having more fun trying to squeeze herself into a bag designed for a camping chair.

We found some incredibly cheap tickets and were able to spend a long weekend in Texas (perhaps better known as the promise land for you native Texans) visiting our good friends Allison and Drew before they move to Germany for 3 years. We are going to miss them, but we definitely won't miss the summer heat of Texas! The above picture is of Horseshoe Bay a beautiful resort where we spent one of our nights!

A close up of our friends, Drew, Allison, Lizzy, and Anna Claire.

Marissa lounging in the pool!

Marissa and Anna Claire playing at the beach.

Marissa loved baby Lizzy. Ever since we got home, Marissa has been praying that a baby would start to grow in mommy's tummy and we can name her Lizzy. So, we will see what happens.

We loved Pollo Campero when we lived in Guatemala, so when we found out there was one in Texas, we had to stop in for some of our favorite chicken.

Marissa and Anna Claire took a little while to warm up to each other, but they were friends by the end of the weekend.

What a great summer!

New Job!

I am so excited to announce that I will be starting a new job in a few weeks! As many of you know, it was a difficult transition for me when we moved back from Guatemala for many reasons. One of them was the necessity for me to return to hospital nursing. My schedule at the hospital was not very family friendly and it made it very difficult for me to find time to minister alongside of Enrique as my schedule was constantly changing.

After a lot of prayer, God has provided me with a new job as a school nurse. This will be a huge change for me and challenging as I learn my new responsibilities. I am so excited to have a normal schedule with daytime hours. No weekends or holidays!!! It also allows me to be off during the summer which is Enrique's busiest time due to summer daycamp. I can't wait to be able to spend more time in ministry again with my husband. Please pray for a smooth transition for us during this time.

-Chrissie

Spring, Easter, and Vacation

Pictures sometimes tell a better story, so here are some to enjoy!

We set up our hot tub after the snow finally melted in April!

Marissa colored the Easter eggs all by herself.
We watched our cousins dog for a week and now Marissa wants another puppy!
We traveled to Florida for Titi Julie's wedding and Marissa was excited to be the flower girl.
Marissa and Titi Julie after the wedding.Marissa loved the beach and spending time with her abuela.
We visited old and new friends.

Went on a short Disney cruise.
And were so tired at the end, we could sleep anywhere and we did!

Marissaism's

Lately, Marissa has been saying the funniest things.

Marissa has a great memory. She likes to talk about things that we did yesterday, last month, and even last year. She starts every story with, "Last week..." It sure makes last week a very busy week! I guess her sense of time is not quite as accurate as her memory.

Last week, Marissa was starting to fall asleep on the couch. Suddenly, she sat straight up and said, "Mommy, something is falling out of my mouth." I quickly reassured her and we had our first conversation about drool.

Yesterday at preschool the kids did an Easter egg hunt and each egg was filled with a symbol of the Easter story like nails that can make a cross or a stone etc. Well, Marissa was busy explaining everything to us this morning over breakfast. We were so proud of our young Bible scholar as she accurately explained the Easter story until right at the end. She was just finishing up and telling us that, "Jesus is in heaven with his Father. His father is God. Jesus is the Son and he is very hot." We immediately realized that she thinks Jesus is the SUN not the Son...

Aren't kids fun!!!

Little Orphan Annie

Marissa loves the movie Annie. She has watched it too many times to count and can act out almost any scene word for word. Recently, a great friend of ours sewed an Annie dress for Marissa and sent it our way. Oh my goodness, this was the best gift ever! Marissa wears the dress all the time. Although, I think Enrique and I are getting a little tired of being Mrs. Hannigan and Daddy Warbucks...
"Annie & Sandy"

Good Friends

Isn't it great to have good friends. I sure think so. My friend Natalie, from high school, is here with her daughter Megan visiting us for a week. It is so fun to just hang out, talk, let the girls play, and relax. I was able to rearrange my work schedule to have all the time off with them. Natalie has started a home based business as an independent consultant with Arbonne and after looking into the opportunity I believe that this could be a good business for me as well. So, she is here helping me launch my new business. I am praying that this will give me the freedom that I so desire in my life. I guess I will have to wait and see.

*Chrissie