Capturing December: Day 23

{ Daily Life }

Life is busy these days and I feel like I'm running out of ideas for these posts!  But can I just interrupt these Christmasy posts and share something personal?

My sister, Brenda, had surgery earlier today to have her gallbladder taken out.  What seemed to be a successful surgery, later turned into an emergency!  She had internal bleeding and they had to rush her back into surgery to try and fix it.  She is now in recovery once again, but this setback along with her other health issues, is still a scary situation (especially for her sister who is thousands of miles away in another country).  Please keep her and her little family in your continued prayers especially during this holiday season.  Thanks!

Brenda, baby Wyatt, and Josh

Our Trip to PA - Part II

If you would like to read Part I from our trip to PA, click here.

{ Our Visit }

We started off our month long visit with getting my sister married!  Congratulations to Josh and Brenda!

I hope you enjoy some of my favorite pics...

{ the beautiful bride }

{ me and my little sister }

{ the wedding party }

{ Brenda and her nephews }

{ our family }

{ Taylor preceded the bride down the aisle holding this sign.  It was so cute! }

{ my family - the Pardoe's }

Next, we spent a lot of time visiting with family and friends!  We had many evenings of enjoying good food, fellowship, and conversation!  We also really enjoyed worshipping with our home church family.  It was refreshing and a great blessing to our hearts!

And to those of you who don't know, we also had a doctor's appt. scheduled while we were in PA.  Why?  Well, we are pleased to announce that we are expecting baby #4 in about 10 more weeks!!  They also tell us that IT'S A GIRL!!!!!!

We are very happy and excited!!!  It will also make life a little more interesting as we are planning on starting our fall deputation about two weeks after the baby is due!! Whew...I'd better get busy organizing and planning now!

So now you know almost all the news...but wait!  There's more to this story.  Check back for Part III and how the Lord guided our steps in regards to our return back to Mexico.  Sometimes, the Lord works in mysterious ways...

Happy Birthday, Brenda!

Today is my sister's birthday. Since we aren't able to be with her, we thought we'd send a special birthday greeting, something kind of like this...

Happy Birthday, Brenda!

We hope your day is extra special!

We love and miss you!

Crystal, Michael, Kyle, Taylor, and Parker

A Special Visitor

Aunt Brenda has come to visit us again!

And...we decided to make a visit to the beach...it was a lot of fun and very relaxing! While there, we decided to have Brenda do some family pictures for us...she did a good job!

Below is a cacophony of pictures ~ enjoy!

A Visit to PA

We're so thankful that we got to come home to PA for 2-3 weeks this summer before language school starts back up in August. We are enjoying ourselves tremendously! Michael gets to attend conference, and Penns Creek Camp starts up this weekend. Kyle's birthday is also coming up...

Below is a couple of photos we took to help us remember our time here this summer.

(Aunt Brenda and her two nephews)

(Taylor checking out his belly button - cute!)

(Mammaw Pardoe with Kyle)

(My sister and I with our grandfather)

Misc. Pictures

Here are a few other misc. pictures from when my sister and grandfather came to visit.

My grandfather trying on a sombrero in Mexico at a tourist shop. I can't believe he allowed me to take his picture...love it though...!

Brenda and Pap at the border between U.S. and MX...standing on a bridge over the Rio Grande.

New Photos

Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers...we arrived safely in Salamanca, MX late last night. It was a long and tiring day, but a smooth trip and uneventful. Continue to think of us over the next few weeks as we minister here in the church and generally fill in as needed.

Now, as promised, here a some more pictures that were taken at the Alamo in San Antonio. We were pleased to be able to visit there when my sister and grandfather came to visit. It was beautiful and sunny while we were taking pictures, but just 1 hour later, it was pouring down the rain. Needless to say, we totally got drenched walking the few blocks back to our vehicle!!

Taylor really enjoyed spending time with his "Pappy Ranck"...and I think the feeling was mutual :)

Kyle loves his Aunt Brenda!

Thanks to my sister who took most of these pictures!
(And if you haven't seen it already, check out this really cute picture of Taylor she took!)

Misc. Pictures

Today, we had to say good-bye to Brenda...we had a lot of fun together, and can't wait to do it again!!! (I was really trying to take a picture of both boys with Brenda, but Kyle didn't want to smile...)

We have this cupboard in our study that is falling apart, and so, Taylor decided to investigate the inside. I just had to get the camera out...I love his personality that comes shining through...his eyes sure do tell a lot, don't they?!!

My Sisters Visit

Things have been happening around here...but, blogger has not been cooperating. For some reason, we've not been able to get on any blogs for two days!

Anyway, here are a few pictures to share with you from things we did while Brenda was here to visit.

We went shopping, and Brenda just had to buy the kids some sunglasses. They sure thought they were hot stuff!!

We went into Mexico (on the border) to see some tourist artisan stuff and then to eat. Brenda really enjoyed herself!

And now, I have some little cowboys! Brenda bought hats for both boys and also cowboy boots for Kyle. I must say, he looked pretty cute wearing all his new get-up!!

A quick visit to the park...for pictures and feeding ducks.
Check out Brenda's blog for many more great pictures!!

She's Here!

My little sister has come for a visit!! YEAH!!!

We are so excited to have her with us...and we've got lots of things planned! Stay tuned.

A "This and That" Post

Yes, we have made it home safely. Still trying to figure out where to put everything, though...

So anyway, here's a few misc. pictures from recent days.

While in PA, we were able to go visit "Aunt Brenda" one day while she was at work.

We were feeling a little sad on Sat. because we were missing the great annual PA Farm Show H.S. Rodeo...but, we found a little down-home country "rodeo" right down the road from us. There weren't very many people, or contestants, but it was something entertaining to do!

Kyle climbed the fence...he definitely needs a cowboy hat and boots down in this country!!

Kyle also had great fun pulling somebody's dog around on a leash!! (poor dog :)

Today starts a new chapter in our lives and also a new schedule. Michael starts first semester of full-time language school, while I continue with the Rosetta Stone and try to get all the housework done and still manage to keep the kids under control!!!! ;) If you think of it, keep us in your prayers!!