Se fueron

We are sad tonight as we sit as only four around our dinner table.
This morning we said good-bye to Abuelo and Abuela.
We are so thankful for the month they dedicated to us.
We enjoyed so many aspects of their time here.
Abuela was so helpful with the cooking and cleaning up of the meals.
Abuelo was so helpful with entertaining both Katrina and Samuel.
We simply loved hanging out with them in the evenings, talking about happenings in Venezuela and reminiscing about when I first met their family and our vacations together.
We are going to miss having them here.
We have been really spoiled in the last few months, seeing them so often.
We don't know when we will see them again and that is what makes the good-bye so much more painful.
But we trust God knows and He will carry us through until He sees fit to have us together again.
Los extranamos ya, Abuelo y Abuela. Cuando estaba cocinando esta noche Katrina dijo, "Mami, Abuela no esta aqui para ayudarte. Necesitas ayuda? Yo te voy a ayudar."
Ya nos hacen falta.
Demasiado.

Gustos

Last evening was our "last supper" with Pancho and Emelys, Pancho's parents.
Pancho, my Pancho, wanted to grill salmon for them as they really enjoy fresh fish. If you know me at all, not my family, but if you know me, you know that I do NOT enjoy fish. (and if you really know me, you know that is an understatement) So, Pancho encouraged me to get myself a nice steak that he could grill for me while he grilled their salmon.
Well, if you have been following this blog at all you should know by now that Katrina tends to be a picky eater. And all day yesterday she was saying that she really wanted pizza for dinner. I am not sure why she had that particular craving, but she did so when we got the salmon steaks and the ribeye I picked her up an individual Tombstone cheese pizza.

I never wanted to be known as a short-order cook and yet here is a bit of evidence that I am just that.
Who cares?! This meal was so beautiful to look at and even more delicious to taste.
We all had what we like (our gustos) and we enjoyed the time together as our "last supper."

Simple

I love these two people more than I can ever express.
My love for them has multiplied daily (maybe hourly) since the moment they were born.
Thank you, God, for blessing me and Pancho with Katrina and Samuel. Children truly are a gift from You.

Oil Spill

Last night as I was finishing putting together our dinner of kabobs on the grill with a nice green salad and cheesy garlic bread I was also putting together a completely different dinner for Katrina. Although she has come a long way in even the last few months, she is a picky eater and I knew she would only eat the salad from our meal.
So, I went into the pantry and pulled out the olive oil so that I could add it to the WildTree pesto powder that we use around here. Somehow the olive oil slipped out of my hand and fell onto the floor. Thankfully it was a plastic bottle! Nonetheless it bounced with the cover off and splattered oil ALL over the kitchen. The floor. The cupboards. The dishwasher. Me. My favorite sweater and tank (for the time being) and even into my hair.
I was mad. How did that happen? But, in moments like those what can you do? Other than just get to cleaning it up? So, I grabbed some Chlorox wipes and started to wipe up the oily mess.
All through dinner I kept thinking about how to remove oil from clothing. There was so much to do though, after dinner, that I did not get to my sweater and tank until Samuel was down for the night. I took the sweater and tank downstairs and sprayed it with my best stain remover. I put it in the wash machine and prayed that it would come out. I also prayed that if it didn't come out that I would be fine with it.
Lately it seems like God is reminding me that people are more important than things. Other things have happened like this oil spill and in the moment I have been impressed upon in my heart of hearts, "Do not react, Kristina. People are more important than things. Even more important than your favorite sweater and tank."
When life is over and all is said and done I really want my husband and my children and anyone who spent any time with me at all to have impressed in their hearts that for me, people were more important than things.
Reading a story with Katrina while there are dishes in the sink.
Drinking coffee with Pancho before he starts his work day while the dishwasher needs to be emptied.
Taking an advantage of a teachable moment instead of yelling. (This just happened... Katrina had a glass of milk that she was drinking and instead of saving what she did not want for later she simply dumped an entire glass of milk down the sink!)
Thank you, God, for reminding me that people are more important than things and that investing time in people and protecting relationships is more important than making sure the oil spots come out of my favorite sweater and tank.
Oh, they came out, by the way!

Park Time

The last two days we have been able to go to the park and play.
The kids are enjoying this warm weather SO much.
And so are we!
The only thing I don't like about the park is all the sand we bring home.
The first day we went Samuel must have brought some home in his diaper because his changing table was covered in sand.
YUCK!
But, the look on their faces when we are there makes up for any sand mess I may have to clean up once we get home.

Hello, Spring

One final happy birthday (for this year!)

Monday night we were finally able to celebrate Katrina and Samuel's birthdays with my family.
We are so glad that Abuelo and Abuela were able to be here for the party as well.
Unfortunately we did not get very many good pictures.
But, here is a sampling, nonetheless!
Samuel was diagnosed with an ear infection and nasal pharyngitis Monday morning.
As you can see, he was not happiest party-goer...
Until he got his first cell phone. Then he was happy as a little clam!
Thank you everyone for coming and celebrating the birthdays with us.

Things are looking up

Pancho is going to work this morning.
He got up, showered, got dressed, shaved and is now drinking the coffee that I made him.
He ate his cereal and is putting on his favorite work shoes.
It has been 30 days since he has gone to work.
30 days! Praise the Lord that he is back in the saddle again.
For 1/2 day!
See you at lunch, Pancho. Thank you for working for our family.

Great news

Does anyone have a guess as to what news I might be referring to with this picture?
The saran wrap is back in the drawer in the kitchen.
Anyone?
Clue: We had the saran in our bathroom drawer since Pancho has been out of the hospital.
Now do you know?
Yesterday at Pancho's infectious disease appointment, the doctor removed the PICC line! Yeah!
We don't need to keep the saran wrap in the bathroom anymore because Pancho can take a shower without having his arm wrapped in saran now! Praise the Lord!
Things are looking very good in the recovery. His blood results came back really great. An x-ray was taken and although we have not heard conclusively one way or another, we are confident that things are looking better even in his lungs. Pancho is taking the oral anti-fungal meds and will be on those for several months (6-9). Right now he is battling a bad cold but even that is not negatively affecting his blood results. He has a lot of congestion and still tires easily but that is normal with this infection.
He will have more blood work done in one month and he will see the infectious disease doctor in three months.
So, right now things are looking very good. Thank you all again so much for your prayers and all of your love displayed in so many ways. We have been overwhelmed by the love we have seen showered upon us.

More Katrina-isms

Singing on Sunday morning... "I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart. Where? Down in my heart. Where? Down in my heart. I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart. Down in my heart Tuesday." Every night we pray with Karrina and hen I always give her a little benediction. "May the Lord bless you and keep you. May His favor rest on you. May you know His peace all your days." Tonight I prayed and then said it and Katrina said, "Mama, you mean 'may I know His peace all my nights?'" You are too funny Katrina. I love you mas que nunca.

Motherhood is...

Motherhood is cleaning up a messy yogurt-drink spill right before dinner with a smile (or at least without yelling) because your daughter wanted a straw in her yogurt-drink and then still tipped the cup like there was no straw. And because your daughter, after removing her skirt that is covered with yogurt, runs away. Only to return with a napkin from the dinner table to help you clean up the spill (making the smile much easier to achieve).
Motherhood is being so tired when you lay down at night that nothing can make you open your eyes again. Until you hear your child cry out. Then you are suddenly wide awake (even if that only lasts for a tiny bit!).
Motherhood is helping your daughter pick up and organize her room for the countless time during the day because you are an organizational-freak and she likes to know where her little trinkets are at all times.
Motherhood is letting your 13-month old son take every single ziploc baggie out of the box and spread them all over the kitchen floor because you are too busy making your daughter's made-to-order toast and apple juice breakfast to care. And it is simply easier to just pick up the baggies afterwards since he is occupied with something that is not dangerous.

Motherhood is so many things like this and even though it is maddening at times. It is the best role I have ever had and I am so grateful to the Lord for blessing me with this experience.

2 More Signs

Here are 2 more signs Pancho is making good progress...

They are coming to pick up the oxygen machine, for good!

At dinner last night Katrina helped her papa cut off his bracelet. The one he had been wearing for 3 full weeks.
As of yesterday Pancho is taking oral anti-fungal medicine instead of receiving daily IV infusions.
He will have an appointment with the infectious disease doctor on Tuesday.
The doctor wants to leave his PICC line in until at least Tuesday, just in case.
He does have to have the line flushed every other day until they remove it as well as labs every couple of days. But we are glad they are monitoring this transition so closely as we would hate for him to relapse at this point.
So, again, please praise the Lord with us for two more signs of good progress.
And keep praying, too. Now Samuel, our 13-month old son, has a TERRIBLE cold. So, my nursing duties are bulking up again and we don't want Pancho to catch a nasty bug while his immune system is debilitated.

My Drinking Partner is Back in Town

It's a special day in the Duran home.
My drinking partner has returned!
Since Pancho was hospitalized 23 days ago, he has not been drinking coffee. He has simply not had a desire to.
Well, this morning when I was getting ready to make myself an espresso he piped in, "I'll have a coffee this morning."
I was thrilled! It is fun to drink coffee alone. But it is WAY more fun to drink coffee with Pancho. It is one of our favorite pastimes together and knowing that he is feeling good enough to have a cup together is so great.
Welcome back to town, drinking partner.

Our Big Boy

Samuel is such a joy.
We have so much fun with him.
He has so much love to share.
He is a leaner.
He likes to lean on people.
If you are sitting, standing or even laying he likes to lean into you.
I think it is his version of a hug.