Hi there! Sorry it's been a little bit...(well, I'm actually not "sorry" but I do kinda wish I posted before we went away). Our happy little family just got back from Mexico last night. We're currently still in California (headed back to the arctic NYC tomorrow). We were in Ensenda (in Baja California, MX) for a church leadership training time and the brief summary was - WOW. (pictures coming)
First of all, it's a whole new experience going international with a 10 month old and being pregnant. And yes, I never actually considered Mexico to be entirely "international" until this trip. Oh friends, it is VERY MUCH a different country. All the little details that make it a very different and wonderful country seemed to have slipped by me when I went to Mexico all those times as a single person. It just seemed like an extension of southern Texas (with better tacos - no offense Texans, but you have to admit it's true): everyone speaking Spanish, salsa and chips at every meal and lots of friendly people. But it was with a small child and having one on the way that "not being able to drink the water" made a much bigger deal than it use to. So what if I get a little "Montezuma's Revenge"? It'll pass. (Ha! Pun wasn't intended.)
But I couldn't afford to get sick with a baby inside, and I had to watch everything Elasia put in her mouth. I can't say I was "stressed" or psycho about it all, but I'm just not used to being so "on top" of things all the time. It gave me a taste of what it's going to be like as a "mommy in the nations" and I love it! It was fun watching Elasia clap to the Spanish worship songs. I was amazed by how adaptable babies are. Everything was "normal" for her.
In the sickness department we were successful - the worse we pulled away with are a couple of runny noses from the temperature fluctuations and broken hearts for a country that until this trip had only been a passing thought. God really changed our hearts for Mexico and it's amazing people. He's going to do (and already is doing) such powerful things there and Mexico is going to be a blessing to the nations. And God just drilled deeper and deeper how important it is for us to build His kingdom His way and that even with the best intentions, when we try to do what He wants our own way, we can really mess things up. But He will always bless His ways - obedience is better than sacrifice.
As real and deep and sincere as all this is, truth be told - I'm really excited to get my Puerto Rican self back to the East Coast, no matter how ridiculously cold it is in NYC right now. I miss our church family (ha, and it's only been a week!), and our city, and all that is life over there. I will be dreaming about the greatest fish tacos I've ever had and praying for the beautiful believers there, in the trenches, advancing the kingdom of God daily.
PG-13
So, here's quick little PG-13 thought for the world. (If you're 13 or younger and reading this - I'm telling your mom!)
Okay, yes, we're pregnant again. (Most of you have found out via my husband's lovely comment). Well, we're very excited about this little surprise. But honestly, how surprised were we really?
Sex + no form of contraception = babies, usually (and I'm not even a math person!)
We knew that:
1) Even though we're breastfeeding there's still a chance of getting pregnant
2) We've always wanted our kids close in age
3) Having had a great first pregnancy and labor (yes, you really can have a "great" labor. "Great" is so very relative, of course), the thought of another kid right away didn't freak me out as much as I thought it would.
So, we just lived our happily married life and when I was all of a sudden REALLY tired and my monthly "friend" never came, we bought a test. And Viola! Positive! When most people find out, they are tentative to respond until they see that we are truly ecstatic about it, then after some comment about the closeness in age of the two, they're happy for us.
Well, my least favorite little "joke" we've gotten - not once but TWICE - is (from people that are pretty much strangers too!!), "What? You guys don't have a TV?"Are you kidding me?! A TV?
COME ON PEOPLE!! How lame does your sex life have to be that you'd rather be watching TELEVISION than having an intimate moment with your spouse?! ESPECIALLY when you've got a small child and your moments alone together are precious few. A-hem...so anyways, I'm done ranting about the audacity of some people in this world, but let this be fair warning to all you perfect strangers in NYC - if we happen to chat on a bus or subway sometime and you bust out with this "no TV" nonsense, I may flip out on you.
And..uh..well...for the record - no, we really don't have a TV. ;-)
Okay, yes, we're pregnant again. (Most of you have found out via my husband's lovely comment). Well, we're very excited about this little surprise. But honestly, how surprised were we really?
Sex + no form of contraception = babies, usually (and I'm not even a math person!)
We knew that:
1) Even though we're breastfeeding there's still a chance of getting pregnant
2) We've always wanted our kids close in age
3) Having had a great first pregnancy and labor (yes, you really can have a "great" labor. "Great" is so very relative, of course), the thought of another kid right away didn't freak me out as much as I thought it would.
So, we just lived our happily married life and when I was all of a sudden REALLY tired and my monthly "friend" never came, we bought a test. And Viola! Positive! When most people find out, they are tentative to respond until they see that we are truly ecstatic about it, then after some comment about the closeness in age of the two, they're happy for us.
Well, my least favorite little "joke" we've gotten - not once but TWICE - is (from people that are pretty much strangers too!!), "What? You guys don't have a TV?"
COME ON PEOPLE!! How lame does your sex life have to be that you'd rather be watching TELEVISION than having an intimate moment with your spouse?! ESPECIALLY when you've got a small child and your moments alone together are precious few. A-hem...so anyways, I'm done ranting about the audacity of some people in this world, but let this be fair warning to all you perfect strangers in NYC - if we happen to chat on a bus or subway sometime and you bust out with this "no TV" nonsense, I may flip out on you.
And..uh..well...for the record - no, we really don't have a TV. ;-)
