The Next Couple of Blogs....

Well, I'm home. 

Blogging is most definitely not for the faint of heart. This takes effort. I haven't blogged in over a month. And it's not because I don't have anything to say. Its more because I don't have the required "bloggers energy" to put towards sitting down and putting my thoughts into words. That, and I have the daunting task of updating my blog with 4 major posts I have been mosts definitely putting off. Well, nows the time to get started. Except that this isn't one of my 4 major blog posts. It's just a quick recap of my first 2.5 weeks home. 

I got my haircut! None of these pictures really show what it looks like... but thats alright. It's just a quick preview anyway. I had a mullet when I got home! And so, I went to get it all chopped off! It was much needed. I actually really like my hair at this length. And a major plus... I can wear it curly. So that 5 minute fix I have been dying for these past... 7 months is back. Well, its still more of a 10 minute fix. But, that's beside the point. 

My Grandma came to visit me when I got home. I was so lucky! I got to go to lunch with her and my mom. I loved it. I love these two wonderful women. I look up to them SO much. They are two of my greatest examples and I know that I am forever blessed because of their love and support. 

We went bowling as a family. And I loved every second of it. It feels good to be back. I don't always feel like I have a set place. I mean I'm no longer the sister that LIVES at home and goes to school at home. I'm the sister that spends most of her time at school in a state across the country. So, that has taken some getting used to. But, my parent are wonderfully amazing and I know I am always their daughter no matter what state I live in or where I go to school. 

:)

Just bowling as a fam! :)

He's gotten so big!!

I've missed this one! ;)

Family <3

The biggest difference between a mom and a sister... 

Family is what its all about. It was so hard to leave my babies and my friends because so much of the relationship we had was familial. I was the mother/sister to so many of those children and each of the girls I served with had a very special place in my heart. I could not pretend that it was not one of the more trying moments to come and maintain the high and the happiness I had while in Ecuador. In fact... it's been quite hard and continues to be a struggle. But, one of the greatest lessons I learned from my beautiful children is to be happy regardless of your circumstances. They have nothing but the Chicas de OSSO and each other... and somehow the greet every day with a smile. Surely, those of us who have everything, can at least attempt to mirror their happiness at least in a small way.

I love my babies. I love my new friends. I love my old ones. And I most certainly love my family most of all. It's good to be home.

The Cutest Kids You'll Ever Meet...

These children are perfect. And I am not just saying that to be nice. They legitimately can do no wrong. From the time they wake up saying “hola” and offering kisses to the minute they fall asleep in your arms (or kicking and screaming) and bring them to their cribs they are solely angelic. 

CLICK TO ENLARGE! :)

 I haven’t blogged lately. We are always going! I really am trying to make the very most of my trip here. I am not excited to go back. That’s not true. I am so very excited to see my family and friends that I haven’t seen in months. But, I can’t even think about leaving without getting teary eyed.

FACE SHOTS OF SOME OF THE BABIES

Smiles in the morning. :)

 It will be hard to go back to the states. It will be weird to see people with such excess complaining about the most trivial things. It will be weird to be surrounded by white people. It will be weird to see babies with families, and know that thousands of miles away my babies are going without a goodnight kiss from a mom or dad. It will be weird knowing that there will be new “Chicas” to take my place and that I won’t even get to hand pick the replacements. I want to bring all the children back with me and give them loving families. I want to keep them all too, so I have a dilemma.

 I have never seen more well-behaved newborns or toddlers. In all honesty. And I have never seen cuter faces or smiles.

 One of my favorite things to do is to get on my hands and knees and chase them around outside. They think it is hilarious and I love their laughs. Occasionally one of them will turn and face me and run at me arms open wide and “tackle” me to the ground. I love throwing them in the air and seeing that shocked but ecstatic look on their face. I love spinning them in circles and watching their faces get bigger. I love dancing with them to music and watching their little bodies move to the beat. I love it when one of the boys when you are changing him, if you tell him to dance, he gets up on the changing table and shakes his bum in your face/out the window. It is absolutely priceless.

 The other day Soeur and the workers threw us a combined birthday party. Well, for Janessa, Colby, Leah and Karlee. I took one of the little boys on my lap and I shared my cake with him. And my coke. I’m going to be such a good mother. ;)

The two cutest faces EVER! :)

Such an angel. :)

 Anyway, I love them. I have never had my heart stolen so quickly or taken so completely. South America most definitely has a giant monopoly over my heart.

My heart... is in their tiny hands. 

open mouth kisses!

She's been adopted!! :)

STOP. Pajama Time.

Please… don’t make me leave.