Thankful

I just got back from the grocery store and as I was leaving the store,the cutest little girl came up to me for money. Usually this does not get me down, but this little girl was so full of life. Bouncing around with a big bright smile on her face. However, her clothes were filthy and her hair looked like it had not been washed in days. Through all the dirt on her skin, I still was able to see a small dimple on her left cheek. Her name was Antoneli. When I gave her money from The United States, she was very excited. She then offered me a nice size bag of garlic cloves... I gladly accepted. I talked with her for a while, and I didnʼt want to leave her. I'm not sure how Nichy would of reacted if I came home with a little girl to give her a shower, but that is what I wanted to do!! I have to admit when she tried to give Gabriela a bite of a cookie, I felt very uneasy. Then I realized she was just a child no older than four. She had no idea how filthy she was and probably thought of herself as no different than any other child she sees. As I walked away, I choked back tears and realized how thankful I am....thankful we are able to provide for Gabriela and thankful we don't see children begging for money.

New Things!

Nichy has a game tonight on the road and will be home early tomorrow! He won Wednesday and played well. They really need to win tonight! Gabriela and I have been on our own all week, and we are ready for him to get home! One of Gabriela's new things she loves to do is ride the elevator. I let her push the button if we are going up or down. Now any time we stand by the elevator her arms being flapping and she gets very excited!! Yesterday she was in her stroller squealing in the elevator because she didn't get to push the button:) Lately she has been going from a sitting position to a standing position for a few seconds. The look of acomplishment on her face is priceless. I really need to find her a walker toy that she can push and walk with. Instead she has been using her stroller or chairs to scoot around the house and walk behind.

When we were home for Christmas my mom bought Gabriela her first doll. She is going to get it for her birthday! We went to a doll store and could not believe all the dolls! Some of them looked real! Today I decided I am going to try and get Gabriela a doll from every country we go to. These pictures are from the store in the U.S. I don't have a picture of the doll my mom bought. Tomorrow I am on a mission to find a doll from Argentina!!

No Excuse!

Since I have been back I have not worked out! Take in mind I live next door to a gym so there is really no excuse! Nichy is gone a lot…but I have a stroller and the weather is great! Today I set off for a new workout. Gabriela was in the stroller. We went to the park and found a shady spot. The workout consists of jumping jacks, high knees, butt kicks, running in place, steps ups, lunges, and squats. I had to count out loud to keep Gabriela occupied and every once in a while belt out in song! When Gabriela got antsy in the stroller I did lunges and squats holding her! Don’t know how long I will be able to do that! Needless to say we got some stares!! However, I feel much better and hope to continue this on days Nichy is gone.





These pictures are one of the parks I enjoy going to. This park is in the center of town and I could spend hours here! There is a group of men that meet daily for cards. We will watch them and most of the men will come and play with Gabriela. Jugglers are also always fun to watch!!

Please visit!

I have been reading this blog and encourage you to visit the site. This family's newborn baby is sick and needs prayers. It is very uplifting to see all the people who have reached out to this family. Years ago my brother got very sick with spinal meningitis. It was amazing the number of people that were praying for him and reached out to our family. Many of these people we did not know, however it helped us get thru the day.

This little girls name is Harper and she is fighting for her life. I can not begin to imagine what the family is going thru. They need all the prayers they can get!

http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/

New Shoes

Yesterday we went and bought Gabriela her first pair of sandals. This was the first pair of shoes we have bought her. My family and friends have bought her majority of her clothes and shoes, so this was an experience considereing we didn't even know her shoe size! In Argentina the sizes are different. I did find out she wears a talle 18 here….don’t know what it would be in The States!! She seems to like them, and she is trying to take steps when I hold her hand.

Prices here are really going up compared to a few years ago. In 2000-01 the economy crashed in Argentina . Upper class people that had money in savings or bonds lost the majority of their money. We have met Argentineans that were affected and do not keep their money in the bank now. I remember the first time I came to Buenas Aires I saw people picketing the streets and shattering the glass windows at banks. The pesos went from being equal to a dollar to as low as 16-1. One dollar is now worth 3 pesos. Yes it is great living here, and earning the dollar! However, for Argentinean this is not a cheap place. I paid 69 pesos for a pair of baby sandals, but I would never pay $69.00 for a pair of baby shoes! Argentina has the extremely wealthy families and the families that are just getting by. If the peso ever gets to be equal to the dollar again, this will not be a cheap place to live for us!

We got AC!!

After a sleepless nigh we got AC today!! Nichy had to make a few pleading phone calls, but it worked!! We went to the pool today. It felt great, and I will probally become a regular there! The team was off today, so Facu one of Nichy's teamates came and met us. We all passed Gabriela around the pool and she loved it! Facu always holds Gabriela and refers to her as his "girlfriend." She enjoys pulling his hair on his chest....since her Daddy shaves his!

It is hot!!!

I am loving that it is summer!! However, an air conditioner would be great!! We have one, but we are waiting for it to be installed. They were suppose to come yesterday morning,but didn't make it until the evening. I was already at Nichy's game. Today I waited all day not leaving the house and they didn't come!!

Yesterday was the first time going to a game since I have been back. We played the number one team in the league and lost. I road with one of the player's mom and sister. We had a Spanglish conversation about the politics! Basically they hate Bush because of the war and like Obama! When I asked why they like Obama they said "he seems really nice." They also are under the impression that everyone in the U.S. is rich!! I thought that was funny!

Basketball games are getting hard with Gabriela. They don't start here until late. We usually have to get to the game an hour early. My arms get a workout holding her the entire game! Last night she made friends with the drunk man next to me. She kept patting him and next thing I know he is kissing her fingers!! He was just trying to be nice, but I was a little grossed out! Argentina people love to kiss babies! We are going to the game tomorrow. Hopefully it is less crowded and they win!

Recap of the Holidays!

Gabriela's first Christmas was at my mom's a few days before Christmas. She fell asleep while opening her presents!

Christmas Eve was at my dad's. We went to Church, ate, opened presents, and played games.

Christmas Day we went to Tulsa.

New Years Stephanie and Sim came from Arkansas. We ate and had a mini party with Andy and Lindsay! Gabriela and Sammy brought in the New Year with us!

Never Again!!!

We are back after only 28 hours of traveling!!! I wish I could say the traveling went great, but I will never again take that bus!!! Not sure how I will be getting back at the end of the season. I will have to find a new way! The flights weren't bad and I only had a two hour layover in Houston. I was able to take all my bags even though they were overweight. The lady that helped me was getting ready to get off work and didn't take the time to notice the scale!! My carry on probably weighed about 50 pounds...not kidding! I don't know what I was thinking!! Next time I will travel with no carry on.

Last night when we were on the bus, I was sitting there thinking how great of a traveler Gabriela was and how lucky I was. She had not cried at all, slept well, and was in a great mood! About five minutes after thinking this she started crying!! It was not a small cry. It was a bright red face screaming at the top of her lungs cry! We were one hour from Bahia and, I think she was just ready to be off that bus! The loud scream lasted about 30 min. I had people asking me what was wrong, did I need help, and some dirty looks!! Finally she nursed and quit screaming!! That has never happened to me and I did panick a little!!


Here is a picture in the cab ride from the airport! I discovered Gerber teething cookies while we were home. I brought back about 5 boxes!! On a good note, it is summer here!! I am sitting in my apartment hot....we get our air conditioner on Friday!!!

Mama!!!!

She finally said mama!!!! After a lot of dada dada dada...she is now saying mama!! Don't know that she is associating it with me, but its a start!! We are leaving Tuesday for Argentina. Nichy left on the 1st. We have had a blast and got to see so many people. I will post pics of Christmas and New Year's soon!

Sim and Steph came for New Year's. We had so muchy fun, and it is so fun to watch Gabriela and Sammy play. Sim has always called Gabriela "GG" and now Stephanie is too!! Not my favorite nick name-they are the only ones allowed to call her that!!

Christmas was great. My mom got Gabriela a lot of books and toys we are taking back. I am excited to read the new books. I think I had the other ones memorized. Today Gabriela took steps while pushing her little fire truck. She was standing up behind it, pushing it, and took about 4 steps before falling!