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Finally...some rest. I have been able to take a few weeks off and am enjoying it. Being able to have my own time and deciding what I want to do with it is more amazing than I thought! I have been able to get some good sleep, which I have needed as well. But I do miss the kids...really bad.
School is about to start for the kids. We have been busy trying to get things ready for them. I don't think they are really ready to go back, they have been enjoying the time off. Being able to sleep in and play all day is no comparision to being in school. Sergio is taking the kids on a camping trip as a last hurrah before they have to sit all day again. Meanwhile, I won't be returning until after school starts, so I will miss all of that. When I return, it will be back to getting up @ 5:00am again to get the kids ready for a day at school. It will be nice to have a schedule again and some free time in the morning to myself. Even though the summer has been more relaxed in schedule, I have missed the few hours I had while all the kids were at school. But the fall is going to move fast....
I had my first experience in paying off a Mexican cop the other day. I had just crossed the border into Mexico and a cop pulled me over for speeding (don't laugh). He proceeded to write me a ticket and take my lisence, which I would have to pick up later in town at the station when I paid the ticket. I asked how much it was...$60. Cheap for a speediing ticket, yet I did not want to have to go downtown to get my lisence. He then asked how much money I had on me. I knew where this was going and told him I only had $20. Now, in Mexico, the cops are looking to make money. I knew that if I paid him there, I would be paying him. I also knew that if I told him I had alot of money in my wallet, I would have to give it all to him. A twenty was the smallest bill I had, so that is what I told him. He gave me my lisence back and put his ticket pad inside my door, then told me to put the money under the ticket pad. This is what I did and he told me to have a nice day. I think next time, I will will see if $10 will work...
We butchered another pig on Sunday. Never a dull moment at the house.... The smell from the pig pen was getting to be to much it actually started to remind me of what Menudo tastes like. Funny thing is...the kids can not get enough of the anatomy lessons. They are so intent on learning how it is done and about the body parts as they come out.
On the first of August, Mary moved down from Albuqurque, NM. She is 70 years old and plans on staying to finish out her life here with the children. She will be the grandmother in their lives. In preparation for Mary's arrival, Sergio had to move out of his room on the property to his house that is almost complete. This has been a very good thing for Sergio and will allow him to have more free time. However, Mary arrived 2 days before I left, so when I return, I will have to adjust to her being there instead of adjusting with everyone else. I am looking forward to seeing how the dynamics change with a new person on board. We have also had 6 new kids in the last month that are still adjusting as well. Lots of change brings alot of drama as people get adjusted to their new surroundings. But we are not expecting any new kids for a while and things should settle down with school starting.
I am still amazed by how much can be learned in an environment like this. I have had many challenges with the kids but have learned through them. I like the fact that I have learned their personalities, their strengths and weaknessness, their reactions. I am still learning how to react to them, but that is a lifelong task with anyone. I love the way that Isamar smiles, Estrella laughs, how Marcos comes to me for a hug. I know how hard Alfredo is trying to be a tough guy, but inside, he is still a 6 year old little boy who is rarely allowed to be a little boy. I know that look Juan gives when he wants candy, as he gives me the cutest cavity filled smile I have every seen. I see how Sandra is fully aware of every adult that is in the room, which stems from the abuse she received from her father. Yet what I see in her eyes when she feels safe is indecribable. I love that Angelica will lay her head on my heart, just to hear it beat. She is only 7 and lost her parents years ago. There are so many hurting out there, but I have the chance to impact at least one.
I was recently thinking about when I first crossed the border and knew I was walking into the unknown. Even after 6 months, I don't really know what to expect ahead. And I am learning to appreciate that. Taking a day at a time and not knowing where my next day may take me. I don't think there is anything ironic about what I was named....and I know that I am just in the beginning stages of that lesson.
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