Extreme Makeover

Remember this man? My husband with the 70's afro? Although he was asked to model sunglasses with THIS hairdo, we decided it was TIME for an EXTREME MAKEOVER! How EXTREME will we go??

"I'm ready!!! Bring it on!"

What do you think about this "do"? Hmmm. Creative, but it's not YOU.

What about this one? Nope. I think it's too nerdy!

FINALLY!! That's what I was talking about! Now you're back to "normal"!

"Yeah. I'm cute. I know . . ." The makeover was a SUCCESS!!! No more 'fro! To be honest, I'm going to miss the curls.

End of School 6th Grade Retreat

Before the end of the school year, we had a 6th grade retreat. We took a school day, left at 8:30 from school, and headed to Mike Banks' house. Mike is a WGM missionary who works with youth ministries at the Santa Cruz Christian Learning Center. He had breakfast ready for us - yummy egg/sausage casserole, rolls, and fruit salad! The guy sitting across from me at the table was my team teacher, Chad Jackson. We both taught 5th and 6th grade. I had both grades for all Language Art, and he taught the other subjects. We had each class half a day, and then switched! We both liked the set up, but next year I'm moving up to jr. high and high school. I'm going to miss working with Chad! Before we left, Mike gave the kids his testimony.

After leaving Mike's house, we went to a large proprety rented by another WGM missionary family. The property has a swimming pool (although we couldn't use it since it was drained due to the "winter" months approaching), a soccer field, a volleyball area, and a large roofed meeting area. One of the first activites we did was the trust fall. We had to pick a partner, and then we had to trust each other to catch the other one! Tasha and I were partner, and she was very trusting!

From that activity, we went to a HIGHER trust fall. The kids struggled more with this one! However, they were troopers and they all did it! We adults all helped out so there wouldn't be any injuries. The students were challenged to develop relationships within their class that foster trust and deepening friendships. We'll see how they do next year as 7th graders! I will get to teach them again, since I'm moving up to jr. high! It will be nice to already know the class!

The only thing I was put in charge of that day was a scavenger hunt. I had a list of about 15 items from nature (mango leaf, seed, pine needle, etc.) that the kids should've been able to find on the property. I think the most that was found was 12. I was proud of their efforts. Those who won got American candy bars as a reward. They were thrilled!

We finished the afternoon playing volleyball with waterballoons and towels. It was interesting to see how the kids worked together to get the balloons over the net. After the girls WON, we gathered together for a devotional. Betsy Phillips, elementary chaplain, encouraged the students to remember that their lives tell a story. She cautioned them in what decisions they made, reminding them that those decisions, both good a bad, became part of their story. What kind of story did they want THEIR lives to tell? We ended the day by heading back to school to be dismissed by 3:00. It was a great day!

Futbol - A Family Affair!

On Sunday, the soccer (fubol) team selected from the University Soccer School had a game. Although they didn't win, they were able to tie the opposing team. In addition, they played a great game! We were proud of them! They played hard and attacked the opposing team. Notice Dad Tejeda in the back row. He is the main coach for this team, although Gerson goes to almost all the practices and all the games. They work well together!

One of the players brought his new puppy to the game. However, since he was playing, he asked Gerson's sister, Silvana, to "puppysit". She was happy to do so. Cathy lent a hand as well, once she arrived.

Gerson loved the little gal! We decided they should name her PIRATE, because her eye that looks like a patch. We also decided the pup should be our new mascot!

Mom Tejeda also particpates at the games. What's her role? She brings her scrumptious, homemade goodies! Sometimes she brings potoato pockets; other times she brings chicken pockets (empanadas). They are yummy! She also brings her homemade drinks -- usually somo or chica, both of which are drinks made from corn. I can't say I'm crazy about them, but Bolivians love the corn drinks! She sells them to the fans who watch the game and some of the players after the game. On Sunday, after the guys played so well, we treated them to an empanada and a drink. That made everyone happy, except for Cathy who arrived AFTER the game and wanted an empanada and Mom was all sold out!

Preparing for Parenting?

As I've mentioned before, Gerson and I own a yellow lab. She's had problems with her skin, so when my friend, Liz, mentioned she needed to take a couple dogs to the vet, I volunteered to go with her with MY dog! The first time we went, she took two wiener dogs and I took Tamara -- and we went in a TAXI!

It turned out not to be too big of an adventure. However, I found out that Tamara needs to have a treatment for her fur and skin once a week. Lo and behold, Liz called me and told me one of her dogs wasn't doing well and she needed to go BACK to the vet as well. So, off went a second time, this time with 2 dogs instead of 3!

In order to get healthy, Tamara must have an injection, a bath, and a pill once a week. Look at how excited she was to have a bath!!! Can't you just hear her? "Mom, do I HAVE to take a bath?" I think the Lord is preparing me for being a mother! jejeje!

According to the vet's assistants, Tamara is NOT a cooperative patient! She tries to escape when they bathe her.

She tries to escape when they blow dry her fur!!! What I can I say? My dog doesn't like pampering! She came home with her beautiful fur shining! She's on the way to recovery!

Prince Charming to the Rescue!

On Mother´s Day, Gerson and I found out we are going to be parents in January! We are very excited about this addition to our family! Gerson's family keeps saying we're going to have twins. Actually, there is a history of twins in BOTH families! My maternal grandma was a twin, and Gerson's mom had 2 pregnancies that she miscarried, but in both pregnancies, she was carrying twins. We go to the doctor on Tuesday and will get to hopefully hear the heartbeat of the baby. We'll let you know if there're 2 heartbeats! Stay tuned!

Overall, I´ve felt very well, but there are some mornings when I don´t feel so hot. On Friday morning, I woke up and refused to get out of bed. When I finally pulled myself out from under the covers a half hour after Gerson, I promptly headed to the couch, where I dragged my blanket and bundled up again. I usually make breakfast for Gerson, but that morning, I asked HIM to make breakfast for ME! I wanted oatmeal. He gladly went to the kitchen and whipped up a splendid batch of homemade-stovetop oatmeal. It was even flavored -- cinnamon and sugar! YUMMY! My Prince Charming came to my rescue!