Excuses, excuses, excuses...

... have been running through my mind for a month and two days, preventing me (or perhaps just adding justification) from being an active member of the blogging world. However, my mom thinks I'm dead, my college's pleas for monetary funding have stopped arriving (along with all other mail) which I can only assume is due to DECEASED or MISSING IN ACTION being typed into their spreadsheets/databases, and I have received at least five e-mails asking if I've "fallen off the face of the earth," "ceased to exist," or "Did you die?"

Oops.

So... I am alive. Well. Slightly unhinged at moments, but praising God for the few and too rare moments of lucidity when He allows me to realize I am living His will, and therefore should praise Him every chance I get. How is it we can forget the most important things???

Pues... here are a few events that have happened in the last month that have provided ample blogging material (and conversely ample procrastination material) for those of you still faithfully - and surprisingly - reading this blog. Thanks for your support... ;)

1. Kidnapped by Ninjas

Daniel, Angel, and Poncho pounded on the door one morning, and after calling for them to come in and getting no response, I headed to see what was going on, a cup of strong, strong Ethiopian coffee clutched in my pre-7:30 a.m. hand (muchas gracias Don Pelon... me encantalo!) my eyes squinting in the harsh sunlight. Suddenly, I was attacked with ferocious bear hugs (ninja hugs???) from the t-shirt-clad first Ninja Brigade of CVE. It was very special... and though their karate skills could use some advancement, their level of "cuteness" (I know, I know... a definite "sketch" word) was unparalleled.

2. Rancho Betania

I know this has been blogged about beautifully and fully by both Amy and Katie, but I thought I would share a few pics that I had on my camera. My memories of RB will circle around sunburns, crying babies, and pelting rain... with the added bonus that it was a wonderful, relaxing adventure that I wouldn't trade for anything. ;)

Above: Mateo, Armando, and Aaron enjoy their afternoon snacks.

The group resting after a strenuous day of swimming, swimming, swimming, lunch, swimming, swimming, and... did I forget? Oh... more swimming.

Our fearless leader dons his fisherman cap, and guiltily reaches for a cheese puff (On a sidenote, the cheese curls/puffs in Mexico will - metaphorically - "put hair on your chest", as my Dad always says. They are amazingly and incredibly spicy...). I've come to the conclusion that any time Bill is eating food and gets caught on camera, he's going to look guilty... lol.

At left, Diego grins for the camera after imbibing a cupful of "bubbles" mixture, trying to emulate his cousin, Jose, who was (successfully, I might add) using his mouth instead of a plastic bubble-blower to amuse himself. At right, Limón is attacked during his naptime by Candi and Eduardo who were wielding bright orange caution cones like swords.

3. Past Meets Present

One of my best friends from college, Sarah Littleton, came down to visit for a few days, and her stretching experiences included not only eating lots of new foods (not pre-approved by or for her... lol), but also dealing with children... children who like to make lots and lots of noise... ;) It was fun having her here, and I hope she's not too afraid to come back again... lol.

4. New Methods of Transportation

Along with the newly enforced policies for kitchen attire and conduct posted by our Director (and diligently followed by our new "lunch lady"), we have decided to increase our level of skills and "righteousness" by wheeling the kids around in wheelbarrows. Not only will this create the illusion that we are working harder, but provides an easy solution to any whining - a simple dumping sideways into the nearest bush is quite handy.

Notice: The above statements may contain slight falsehoods, or be subject to criticism based on their sarcastic content.

5. Stairway to Ant Heaven

"Oh... this is so digusting." "Look! There they come again when the lights aren't shining on them!!!" "Sickness."

The above comments were made as Jenna, Amy, and I checked out the literal river of ants pouring forth from the ceiling in the back of the house. The plan of action soon became to eradicate the existence of this nuisance, but the exact where's, how's, and who's were yet to be determined. Somehow (and by whom I refuse to divulge) it was decided a "superhero" was needed for the job, and a girl was quickly dispatched to bring him back. After prompting, and some serious eye-rolling, the "superhero" climbed up the stairs to the attic, checked out the dust-caked area, and quickly discovered that there was nothing that could be done immediately. Bummer. I think our "superhero" just wasn't feeling quite the same "emergency situation" that we had deemed appropriate... or maybe we just needed a bigger fan base at the bottom of the stairs for him to work his "superhero" magic???

So... the end has come for this entirely too long post. And as Diego (pictured above in the correct pose) says, "Oh my... oh myyyy!!!"

No promises, but I will make a concentrated effort to get the next post up before September rolls around... ;)