Jamie's 10K

Jamie decided he wanted to run a marathon on Thursday and signed up for the race on Saturday. I thought he was crazy because he hadn't been really training or anything besides soccer which ended over 2 weeks ago. But he signed up anyway and kicked butt! He came in 3rd in his age division and ran the marathon in 47 minutes! I couldn't make it to take pictures because I had to work, but I was very proud of him none the less! He's been a little sore for the past 2 days, but said it was all worth it. He's thinking he might run track in High School now that he's figured out he likes it and is good at it!

Yay for Nursery!

I just wanted to blog about this real quick even though I have some catching up to do with our trip to Puerto Rico, but I didn't want to forget my thoughts!! I am so grateful for Nursery! Malak is finally old enough to go in there legally! One of my best friends is the Nursery leader so we have cheated a few times when we both had to teach or something like that, but he went in on Sunday for the first time all by himself! And he did very well, except the time that mommy peeked in on him to see how he was doing...woops! He kinda lost it for a minute, but recovered quickly. I got in big trouble from all the Nursery workers--won't let it happen again. I don't want to ever mess up my chances of somebody else taking care of him so I can enjoy church again!! He is becoming such a big boy and I am realizing that these are the "lasts" of the "firsts"! Only one more to potty train, only one more to start preschool, only one more left to really cuddle with when you can still comfortably hold them on your lap, only one more to teach how to talk and watch the process, only one more to learn what time-out" is, and so many more fun things to teach my baby!!
Madelyn got to bear her testimony in church yesterday for the first time! I was so proud of her and how strong her testimony is. She has been wanting to bear it for a long time, but I wanted to make sure she understood what it meant and that it was very special and serious--not something to do every Sunday and say the same thing over and over. We had a special FHE about testimonies a while ago and she hasn't said much about it since, but on Sunday she really wanted to go, so I let her and she did such a great job!! I was very proud of my girl!

Halloween Puerto Rican Style!

We woke up all too early yesterday and went to Abuela's for pancakes and bacon. Jamie was still in bed, so I guess the heat didn't get to him. He said he actually slept really well. He has said more than once that he loves it here...maybe it's in his genes!

We ran around most of the day yesterday. We drove all the way out to the Army base here for a few toiletries because it's "cheaper" on base but the drive was ridiculous and the line to get on base was even worse! Everyone on the island obviously has a military ID and went to go purchase alcohol for the Halloween parties! After shopping and buying a bunch of stuff we didn't need, I was exhausted! We went to Wilbur and Myra's house and rested while the kids played. Malak had a blast no matter where we were. He found things to entertain himself...like the mopping bucket--it became his car and they pushed him around in it. He likes to feed the dog and chase it around...why do we buy our kids expensive games when we can just give them a mop and a bucket?

We then took a drive up into the mountains where Wiso lives with his wife and son. They live in a gated community so we felt it would be safe enough to let the kids trick or treat. Everyone else had the same idea as us because the traffic again was crazy! It took us almost an hour and a half to get there which should have only taken us 45 minutes. We got the kids all dressed up and took them out to get some candy. It was a huge group of people that we got stuck with and they sing at each person's house.....Trick or Treat, Halloween. Dame dulce no mani. No te escondas, que te vi. En la casa de Pepi. Translation is Trick or Treat, Halloween. Give me candy, not peanuts. Don't hide bcause I saw you in the house of Pepi. It's very cute when all the kids say it but some things just don't translate!!

After all the candy getting we settled back at Wiso's house to eat Pizza and have our own little party. We played pin the tail on the donkey and they had a pinata. It is just so much fun to celebrate with James' family. They really know how to get down and be crazy!! I have really enjoyed watching my kids play with their cousins who don't speak any English. They all get along so well even though they can't really communicate. And I don't know if my spanish is getting better or what but I understand almost everything. It's been a great trip so far because I can understand what everyone is saying and I don't feel so isolated. Jamie is speaking a lot of spanish with his cousins and it's been good for him to apply what he's learned the last 3 years in Spanish class. It seems to be coming together for him.

The drive home only took 45 minutes--thank goodness and everybody slept wonderful last night! We didn't even get out of bed until 9:30!!! Hooray!!!