January 30

Hola! Como estan? We are doing well here in San Antonio. We had a great trip visiting our friend Courtney down in Del Rio. We met them back in UPT. Her sons, Noah and Joshua, and Bootsie had a good time playing together. The weekend allowed us to catch up in a relaxing time frame rather than the quick couple of hours we have had in the past to visit. Courtney was such a blessing to me and an encouragement in parenting and discipline. We had fun going to the park, feeding ducks pretzels in the river and playing at Pizza Hut (Dino pic) and McDonalds. The drive wasn't too bad (2hrs) because Bootsie and Luvy slept most of the way.

Peso is doing well. He is working, sleeping and, I assume, playing PSP or Xbox. He said he has been able to finish a lot of work on his masters, which is good because he has found it difficult to work on while at home. We miss him terribly. When Bootsie saw a picture of hime on the computer she said, "Hi Daddy!" I almost cried.

My dad put up a swing set yesterday, which Bootsie is thrilled with and played on for an hour last night. This outside activity will help entertain and give a chance to burn off her high amounts of energy. The weather is quite a bit warmer than Idaho. Sorry friends in Mt. Home.

We met new friends yesterday. My dear friend Meggan, who has been my friend since first grade, has a one year old daughter Caroline. She loved hugging and poking at Luvy and Bootsie. Bootsie didn't seem to like the attention as you can see in the picture, it gave Meggan and I a good laugh.

We miss all our friends in Idaho and pray for God to bless you and meet all your needs.

Hugs, Ralee

January 26

I haven't written lately because there hasn't been anything of note to write. I have just been chillin' at my parents house cleaning, doing laundry and playing with the girls. This time has been very relaxing. I have gone to lunch with my sister, visited a museum with my sister and mother in law and made dinner for my family. It has been fun to introduce Luvy to friends and family who haven't met her yet. Bootsie enjoyed getting to know her Uncle J better last night. He threw in the air, chased her around and was just crazy with her. He did give her a roundup whistle when she started to get angry and surprisingly, she stopped fussing!

I have talked with Peso every three or four days for a short while. It has been good to hear his voice and he has relayed to me some of his needs; especially for electric blankets and snow boots because it is quite a bit colder than he expected and for him to be cold, it has to be really cold! He seems in good spirits, getting decent rest and accomplishing a lot on his Master's classes-what else does he have to do. =)

I was able to get out and go for a walk with my sister yesterday for the first time since I have been here. The weather was beautiful in the 50's and sunny. I should be getting my jogging stroller in next week, so I can start getting out more when that arrives. I am getting the Baby Jogger double- M will be happy about that because she loved hers. My first stroller I bought ended up having flaws that I couldn't overlook in the frame and brakes. I just can't wait to get out and get moving. The hills around my parents house are going to take me a while to condition myself enough to run up them.

I am off to Del Rio today to see a good friend from UPT. She has two boys, a big back yard and lots of fun toys-so Bootsie should have a lot of fun getting to know them. It's a two hour drive to Del Rio so I am going to go during naptime so they can sleep and we will arrive about the time my friends boys wake up from their nap. I am excited to get a whole weekend to spend visiting, catching up and letting our babies interact. I haven't spent this much time with my friend in years.

That's all for now, love to all of you! Ralee

January 22

We are settling in here and unpacking for our extended vacation. We haven't ever stayed long enough to use the closet or drawers, but it will be nice to not live out of a bag.

Sunday, we attended church and then went to lunch with some old friends Peggy and Jeff. Their daughter, Andrea and I have been friends since the second grade. My sister, Aunt Bek came by after church and hung out with us. My good friend, Kara aka "KK", came out for a visit later in the day and spent the night. It was soo good to catch up and introduce her to Luvy.

Bootsie has enjoyed playing with new toys and Luvy likes her new view from the Bumbo. They are both sleeping well and taking naps, which helps keep everyone be in a better mood! Bootsie is enjoying exploring my parents acreage around the house. We miss everyone in Idaho, but are loving the warmer weather and friends and family time.

Yeehaw! We made it safe and sound to Texas! Our trip home was pretty uneventful. Bootsie behaved as well as could be expected with out a nap, but with movies, treats, toys and snacks we survived. Luvy was great of course-sleeping and eating along the way. The altitude never seemed to bother on the ascent or descent. Praise God. He also provided a father of four girls on the first leg of the trip who was very helpful and kind. God also let me sit next to a mom of three, the youngest was Bootsies age, who even held Luvy so I could "work" with Bootsie and when she badly needed a diaper change.
The layover was short and easy to get diapers freshened up and a slice of pizza consumed. I was the last one off the plane in San Antonio because Bootsie fell asleep the last five minutes of the flight. Thank goodness for helpful flight stewards that brought my stroller and wheeled her out and carried my other bags to lighten my load. My parents and sister came to meet us and my mother and sister in law came also. It was soo good to see their smiling faces!
Thank you for all your prayers and thank God for His constant provision in our lives. Now after a dinner of Mexican food-enchiladas, fajitas, guacamole, rice and beans-yum, I am off to shower and go to bed. I look forward to church tomorrow and seeing more good friends.
Hasta la Vista! Ralee

January 19

Hello from Idaho for the last time in January, I am heading down to the Lone Star State! I am packed, my bags are in my friends car, my house is somewhat clean except for laundry that I am not going to fold. I just need to clean my dishes and go to bed. Boy am I spent. I haven't napped today, which is not good for my mastitis recovery, but I will be home tomorrow many helping hands and nothing I have to do other than live my life! Praise God for family.
Peso e-mailed yesterday and said there was about four inches of snow on the ground. I look forward to more information once things get into a groove for him. I sure miss his presence. Our bed is lonely and Bootsie needs a wrestling partner. I try to rough house, but it isn't the same. We enjoy squeezing the tiger paw to hear his voice. I am glad I did all the things to keep his voice and face familiar to the girls.
We fly out early tomorrow and arrive for dinner in San Antonio, Yeah Mexican or bar b que, not sure which one I want more! I have a good friend watching the house for me while we are gone.
Today I mailed a large package for Peso with some things he needed and on my way out the pastor from our church carried Luvy for me. He saw me struggling with the girls and the package and jumped in to help. I am blessed to have the small town where I run in to people I know and who care for me and want to help me in any way possible. Thanks Pastor Dan!

This is all for now! Signing off from Idaho! Next blog will be from Texas! Ralee

January 17

I am alive and can say I have recovered almost completely from the flu-like symptoms of mastitis. I am still a little tired and not feeling 100%, but am well on my way. Praise God!
I am still planning on leaving for Texas on Saturday, soo exciting! But I am really going to miss my house and friends who I tend to talk to or see daily.
I spoke with Peso this morning because his flight was cancelled due to an incoming snow storm. He said that getting to a computer is difficult because there is little time and few computers available. They don't have Internet connection in their tents. He say he is sleeping well and feeling pretty good. Not much other than the fact that my magnetic picture frames I sent with him don't work too well on wood, which is all there is in the tent. He said he has them held up by a piece of scrap wood. I think things are still soo busy with just arriving that every one is a little up tight. Hopefully, I can get Peso to enter a blog every once in a while. This isn't summer camp, so don't expect too much, but we shall see. At least I can talk with him and pass on any interesting news.
I am soo grateful for phone communication, it is just so great to hear his voice, if only for a short while. I just need to get my mind in gear because I tend to panic and forget questions or repeat myself. I know Peso doesn't care, but I want our talks to be meaningful, not filled with silence or my rambling about nothing even though I am sure he is used to that.
I am off to bed, need to keep watch on my sleep, don't want a relapse into the flu like symptoms.
Love, Ralee

Addition to January 16

I just heard from Peso and he is doing well. His bags with his pillows just arrived today, so he should sleep better. He is flying at night, so he is going to bed around the same time as we are. His spirits seemed up. He said that the food wasn't as good as on his last trip several years ago. He did say the tents were somewhat private with plywood between each space, but the door is cloth so every time someone comes and goes you hear everything and the cold wind blows in and disturbs you. He said they have been really busy getting everything set up. He has a list of things he has forgotten, number one being an alarm clock. So, once he gets me the list, I will be hitting the store.
It was sooo good to hear his voice especially with the day I have been having. He said he would call tomorrow evening again, so I will look forward to visiting with him again. Praise God! RALEE