OLD POST

This is the post I meant to put up when I got home from the States. I still haven't had time to write about the birth, but plan on doing it. Hopefully it will be coming at you all soon.

So this is from April 29th, 2010.

Back to Peru

The trip home to Peru went well. My only downfall was that I was allowed one carry-on and one personal item, which I loaded down, as I could purchase most things in the USA for much less than here in Peru. So my baggage became cumbersome after about the first 3 minutes of my trip. I had a small rolling suitcase and a small duffel bag packed to the limit and I felt every pound.
Not because of the baggage, but simply due to my pregnancy, it’s the first time in my life that I have really dreaded an international trip on my own. Every stretch of the way went smoothly, but felt so long, uncomfortable, and drug out.
It did make me laugh arriving in Iquitos though, as my husband looked right past me, not recognizing me. The truth is, he knows me well. See, when I travel, I generally do so in sweats, comfy clothes, and hair up, which I did until I arrived in Lima. In Lima, I changed into a cute maternity dress, put my hair down, and freshened up a bit. So when his brother saw me getting off the plane, he asked if it was me. Nelton glanced and said, “no, she never travels like that.” So he continued to watch everyone deplane and when no sight of his traveling beauty appeared, he began to wonder if I even made my flight.
His brother again insisted that I was the women in the dress, so he looked again, shocked that it was indeed his wife. It was a sweet reunion. :)
The weather absolutely knocked me out, however. My ankles quickly swelled up, along with my hands and fingers. It was uncomfortable to even stand. Energy? Gone, no sight of it. I am still wondering if that is due to running myself out in the States or really just the weather, it’s probably a combination of both.
Thanks to personal gifts received in the States, Nelton made an executive decision that we would get an air conditioning. He promptly purchased and installed it in the following day and a half. What a guy! And yes, I am continually thankful. It allows for much needed rest as I am cooler and can sleep, and for a change the doors and windows are closed.
Although, that doesn’t stop the neighbor kids, just reduces the frequency of their unannounced visits. Now it’s little hands under the door calling for us. We still have regular game night once a week. Tuesday night really was comical. We had all the kids come in and closed the door, the ones that knew we had air came decked out in sweatshirts and jackets, the ones that didn’t know were cold.
At the end I presented them with a surprise of stickers from the US, given to me for them by my sister Rebekah. Nelton wasn’t sure that the boys would really like them, as they were hearts and cartoons, and kinda girly, but it was the older boys (12-14) that were begging me for more. I insisted that everyone only got 2 sheets and if they wanted some for friends, they could tell their friends to come get them. Probably a mistake, because word spread in no time. Soon, not children, not women, but men were gathering at the door! I thought they were just bringing the toddlers to get stickers, but as I turned to close the door they just said, “and mine?” Nelton had stepped out to run some errands and I was really not comfortable with the gathering crowd of men, so I quickly gave them stickers and closed the door before the other ones could reach the door. As the door latched safely shut, I could only burst into laugher. Never had I expected that!
I’ve been resting a lot, which has been really good for me. In addition, I’ve been getting the paperwork and information together to present our boat proposal to out board. I hope to have that either posted or sent out somehow for all to know what our future plans are. 
 Time is going by, and really, though I work on those things, my mind is constantly focused with anticipation at the arrival of our daughter. We really are only six weeks away! I can hardly believe it.