Thief

As I was walking back from my neighbor's this week I noticed something strange. There was something amiss with my flower garden that's outside my bedroom. Two rose bushes, check, white flowering plant, check, aloe vera...? Where's my aloe vera plant? Somebody stole my aloe vera plant right out of the ground?!? I had to laugh it seemed so ludicrous. Later I was not laughing, because is the thief seeing what he can get away with or did he just really want an aloe vera plant? I'm pretty sure they're not expensive and mine was rather bedraggled looking to boot. So, that's my story. I remember Bernd from our home church in AB saying that there were hundreds of dollars worth of plants stolen from the church gardens there. So I guess plant thieves are not that uncommon around the world. Go figure.

Baby

We are expecting baby #2 on or around April 18, 2007! That makes me nearly 15 weeks along. I'm feeling good, just hungry all the time and more susceptible to headaches. I have a feeling that this one is a girl but we shall see! If it's a boy we need to figure out a name, we've got two girls names ready. So we're prepared for twin girls, haha. I have an aunt who has twins and she says she wouldn't wish twins on her worst enemy. Zaak's also feeling good and hasn't put on any pregnancy weight as of yet. (When I was pregnant with Blaise he gained 15 pounds!) I think Blaise is going to be a wonderful big brother, he will already kiss my belly when Zaak tells him to kiss the baby:) So sweet.

The Bug Bite Blues

I don't know if you can tell in the photo but Blaise has bug bites all over his face and hand, as well as a few on other parts of his body. I am also suffering the ravages of a bug feasting on my juicy flesh, with bites on both arms and legs. They itch like mosquito bites but one usually hears mosquitos before they bite, so maybe some kind of spider got us, who knows.
Blaise must have picked up on people using mics at church to sing, because he knew exactly what to do with this one of Zaak's when he found it. Funny boy. The things he picks up on totally amazes me. And I love how he is so easily engaged in any sort of play - anything I invent for him to do seems to delight him. Today Zaak and I were kissing him on his cheeks in unison, Zaak on one side of Blaise and me on the other, and man did he ever laugh. Big, mouth wide open, belly laughs. I love this kid!
Zaak is in the Capital tonight picking up a team so Blaise and I are holding down the fort. I'm thinking I will have a more peaceful sleep since last night Zaak was talking in French in his sleep. I do miss him though. Happily he will be back home with us tomorrow.

A Better Thanksgiving

We celebrated Thanksgiving yesterday with our other fellow Canadians here and it was a fabulous meal. It was better this year because we didn't bother with trying for a turkey. Instead we had yummy, plump roasted chicken! And when you're eating chicken with stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes - it's not too much of a stretch to imagine it's actually turkey. Also last year Ruth and I did a lot more of the cooking so we were totally exhausted by the time we got to eat. This time I just did the sweet potatoes and she did the pumpkin pies. The Peters's excellent cook Carmela did the rest, except Jessica made the stuffing. I skipped my usual pumpkin cheesecake because really who needs pumpkin pie AND cheesecake? Especially after stuffing yourself on the main course. Blaise's favorite part was my corn cob, that kept him busy gnawing for a good 20 minutes. So here's to our 2nd Thanksgiving in Guatemala! Hope everyone else's was wonderful too.

Happy Birthday Pretty Mumma

It's my Mom's birthday tomorrow so here's a little tribute to her. She's not, shall we say. technologically advanced enough to read my blog but hopefully someday. I'm still having trouble getting her to email me from an address I can reply to! Anyway... This photo of her is from the early eighties, and isn't she lovely. I don't see much of myself in her, my sister April is the one everyone tells looks like our Mom. I won't say how old she is but she had me when she was 20, so if you know my age - presto:) Happy birthday Mom, I love you and miss you.

For the Love of Books

I'm reading this lovely book right now and am about a fourth of the way through it. I bought it in Montreal with April near the place that makes those delectable bagels. My goal is to make this book last the entire month of October, which will be quite the feat for me. If there is one thing I am good at it's reading at an incredible speed, too fast in fact. There have been times I've finished a book and then not been able to remember what it was about! Generally I'm not quite that bad, but I need to slow down. This is the second to last book I have to read before going to AB in December to restock my library. I've loved reading for as long as I can remember, even in elementary school I had a ravenous appetite for books. There's still nothing that can compare to curling up somewhere cozy with a hot drink and good book. I'm always slightly suspicious of people who don't like to read. A few all time favorites would have to be: Life of Pi, The Book of Sorrows, The Screwtape Letters, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Poisonwood Bible, Jane Eyre, Blue Like Jazz, The Narnia Chronicles, The BFG, The Diviners, and countless others. I wish I had a list of every book I've ever read. Bring on any recommendations you have for me to pick up when I'm in Canada por favor:)

Market Finds

Last Sunday I hit the market and scored this little chair for Blaise and these roses. The chair was 15 quetzals (about $2.50) and the roses were 7 quetzals (about $1) - crazy hey. Blaise loves his chair - I think because it's just his size. He's recovering from two vaccinations he got on Monday, so sitting in his chair to recuperate has been what he wants to do. It's good too because we can control his distance from the TV. Before he liked to get as close as possible to it, but now we put his chair at a healthy distance for his eyes and he's happy.

Fun

Sirdar got Zaak and I into finding our movie-star look-a-likes. Ahhh, the countless things one can waste one's time on:) So it's pretty funny to see who they match you up with - I'm enjoying teasing Zaak about the Burt Reynolds match:) Zaak likes my Catherine Zeta Jones match and so do I, I have to admit. I wonder who Blaise would get if we did him? If you want to do yours go to Zaak's blog, he has the link there.

Best and Worst

This is my opinion of the best and worst movies I've seen lately. The best was "Little Miss Sunshine" which we saw at the theatre in Moncton, NB. I laughed and I cried. A total 10 out of 10 and two thumbs up. I won't say any more so that I won't ruin ot for you. See this movie! That's an order.
Now the worst was on DVD - "A History of Violence" with Viggo Mortensen who plays Aragorn in the Lord of the Rings Series. He has completely fallen from grace in my books for doing this movie. I don't want to go into details but the fact that this is the worst movie I've seen in a long time should speak for itself.
Alright so bring on your bests and worsts, I'm curious what everyone else is watching...

Goodbye Goldilocks

We cut Blaise's hair tonight after a couple of months of debating to cut or not to cut. Now people won't be mistaking him for a girl (we hope!) I was rather choked up as the first curls fel to the ground but he looks really cute. He's very much a little boy now and not a baby anymore. Plus he can't yank on his locks anymore when he's upset, the little mascicist. He is so funny these days too wanting to kiss and hug Zaak and I and his little friends Hania and Miguel all the time. Even his toys get his affection, especially the hippo and Zaccheus. He can also say thank you now, it sounds like da-doo but it's definitely thank you. Ah my son, genius in the making...heehee.

The Night Train

Bruce Cockburn has a song called "Night Train" and I am listening to it now. It's from "The Charity of Night Album" and one of my all time favorite songs is also on this album; "The Whole Night Sky." I remember hearing it on the radio driving home in the Toyota Corolla one night when I still lived in Smithers. I told Zaak about the song and he tracked it down for me awhile ago (sweetest of all men).
So we took the train from Moncton to Montreal and it was a long 14 hours through the night. Blaise slept from about 10p.m. til 6 a.m. somewhat fitfully, but at least he slept. Zaak and I caught a few hours too as best we could curled up on the seats. I read Bridget Jones' Diary when I couldn't sleep.
I have always wanted to take the train so now I can say I have. I would have preferred a shorter, daytime trip but hey it beats the bus. Count your blessings right.
Sing it out Bruce...

Blueberries and Belles Filles in NB

Blaise and his buddy Noah

Just the 3 of Us

A glam shot from Gabriel's balcony in Montreal

An Afternoon at the Park

Doesn't April look like one of those movie star moms from People Magazine?

Home Again Home Again Jiggidy Jig:)

We're back home in Tactic now after a wonderful visit to Eastern Canada. It's a bit strange to be back but I'm glad that it feels like home. It's almost been a year now that we have lived here. So our trip was fantastic, great to see family and friends, to eat food we don't get to here, and take baths. The hardest part was saying goodbye to my sister April at the airport, I cried all the way through security and to our departure gate:( C'est la vie. I'm going to post some of the sweet shots I got from our trip right away.

Blaise the Break Dancer

Busy as a Milk Man:)

We have been so crazy busy since last weekend and the arrival of the RWCC team here! It's wonderful to see their smiling familair faces and to visit with them. They also brought us a huge hockey bag full of gifts - very sweet. Zaak is with the group in Tikal right now and Blaise and were going to go too, but he has another cold so I decided we'd stay home and rest. I'm trying to figure out why he always seems to be sick with something! Is it the climate here, is it the food, or is it just the fact that he's a toddler and susceptible to every germ he encounters? I'm reading on the net to see if perhaps the unpasteurized goats milk is making him get cold more but so far I'm only finding 1.) Don't drink it because of the chances of diseases and 2.) That kids have less allergies and are healthier in general. Slightly opposing views huh. So maybe I'll start boiling his milk - I don't know.
Any wisdom or knowledge in this area is most welcome. P.S. We leave for Canada in only 8 days from tomorrow! Yippee!

This Is Us

It was our 6 year wedding anniversary Sunday. We went out for a wonderful meal - a delicious feast of steak, chicken, potatoes, corn, and fresh bread all brought out to us on this little grill. Dessert was a decadent piece of kahlua cake and a perfect cup of coffee. We strolled around the beautiful grounds a bit after eating too, admiring the giant goldfish and birds of paradise flowers. The best part of the meal though was sharing it with Zaak. I can't believe how I love him more and more as time goes by. I'm so glad I married such a thoughtful, handsome, fun, kind and generous man. I look forward to many more adventures as we go through life together. I am and always will be, completely enamored with Zaak Che Robichaud.

No Peudo Creerlo! (I Can't Believe It)

I finally decided to start drving again today. Since my wallet (with my license in it) was stolen in March I haven't been driving anywhere except around town here in Tactic. If I needed to go to Coban (the nearest big centre) I would get Zaak or my friend Ruth to drive. Zaak was going to be gone all day so I asked my neighbor Priscila if she wanted to go to Coban with me. I'd never been stopped by the police before with Zaak or Ruth driving, so I figured what are the chances? Plus I can always play the "no hablo espanol" card. So we're happily toodling along to Coban when we see there's a police checkstop ahead. No problem, they usually just pull over trucks with cargo. Much to my chagrin, one of the policemen signals US to pull over. I could not believe it. The first time I have driven since having my license stolen in March, and I get pulled over. So he asked for the car registration and my license. Priscilla explained that I had my license stolen, and I explained how I was going back to Canada to visit and get a new license there. I handed him my passport with what I hoped was my most winning smile. He studied my passport and the registration for a few minutes behind the car, while Priscila and I tried to stifle our nervous giggles. Finally he returned my documents and wished us a happy trip. Phewf! I am very thankful that he didn't hassle me or give me a fine. And I'm looking forward to having my new license soon.