12 Hours to Takeoff...

So once again we are off.  This time I am taking the TWO girls BY. MY. SELF.  Which means a lot of prayers and diapers.  We have never traveled internationally with a 2 month old.  So that will be completely new for me, let alone with two kids, let alone doing it all by myself.  I am actually weirdly excited.  A little worried.  But mostly excited.

Brandon is already down in Nicaragua with our DTS teams.  I have enjoyed hearing from him and listening to him share about how they are doing.  I can't wait to join him.

Like I've shared before, we pack with ziplocs.  It works really well for us.  Keeps everything separated and organized, and then we can press the air out and get the bags shrunk down to a thin/small size.

So this

Slowly gets packed away... because we have to bring diapers with us, those take up most of the room in our packs.  The first time we went to Nicaragua with Shiloh, we brought hundreds of diapers.  Yes, hundreds, I think it was something like 700.  But we had a team full of surfers with board bags, so they used the diapers to pack their surfboards up nice and tight.  This time we have to bring a little over hundred, with no board bags... at least our bags will be lighter on the flight home.  ;)

Eventually the pile gets smaller...

Then the bags are packed, filled to the brim with diapers, clothes, and snack food.  One 90L bag, 1 regular backpack, and then Capri will ride in the Bjorn.  I thankfully only have to carry all that by myself from the baggage claim in Nicaragua, through customs, and then walking out to the area where Brandon will meet me.  Not too bad, but its the only part I am worried about.  Well that and our potty training little girl, an extremely short layover in Houston, and keeping Capri happy while at the same time keeping Shiloh entertained and well behaved.  Prayers please.  :)

I am looking forward to not only reuniting with Brandon (2 weeks is too long), but joining the 23 team members who are busy doing ministry down there!  Here's to happy traveling!

Some Creativity...

Well, we've been up to some creativity around our casa last year... we've just not shared any of it.  Remember this post from two years ago?  Well now you can see more of Brandon's handiwork.

Capri's crib.  Gosh, its so weird to think we didn't even have a real crib for Shiloh.  Its true.  She has a little mini pack and play that fit in our closet by our bedside.  She went from that tiny thing straight into a twin bed once we moved to our larger apartment.  Now we have so much room that a full sized crib AND her bed fit.  We scoured craigslist waiting for the right crib to show up, for the right price.  These older styled cribs are the kind I was hoping to find.  They have gone through so many recalls for their movable parts, so we dismantled all the pieces, replaced it with new, safe hardware, and ordered fixed-side kits that are used for carpenters who built custom cribs.  Now its safe, up to the latest crib standards, and yet it retains that vintage design I so love.  :)  We sanded it down and refinished it on our own.  Previously it was a natural wood color, but I wanted to paint it white so that it would work with Capri and then any future babies we are blessed with.

Indoor Wreaths.  They are for the girl's room.  I wanted something to hang on the girl's room door so that Shiloh could brag that it was her room... so before she is old enough to write signs like "Keep out.  No boys allowed.  Or no-parental zone."  I have hung a pretty little homemade wreath.  I bought some pretty yellow yarn and then used some scraps and other things I found lying around to decorate it.  Actually those flowers are from Brandon and my engagement party.  The other little green one is hung on their closet door.  I just used some scrap fuzzy yarn I had stashed away, and cut up some scrap felt pieces into little flowers.

Growth Ruler.  This is a pinterest inspired project.  I found it a long time ago on a blog, pinned it, and never did anything about it.  Until finally we were walking through Home Depot and I remembered the ruler project, so we came home that day with a 6x8.  Brandon helped me stain it, and I painted on the inch marks.  We have yet to hang it.  But soon soon!

Travel Signs.  Not sure what else to call these puppies.  But I saw a photo one day of a tall sign with all these places around the world and their corresponding distances... and had the inspiration to turn that idea into a piece of art for our wall.  We used scrap wood, and decided to pick places that God has sent us...  I love it.  I have a feeling it will make a great 'conversation piece'.  For now we have it leaning against our hallway wall, but we need to get it safely hung asap.

We have some more that still need photos taken, so check back later!

2012 Superlatives

We loved looking back at 2011 here, and figured we should do the same for twenty-twelve.

Biggest Lock-out:  When Shiloh locked herself IN her room... which prompted a mild panic attack on my part, and changing the door knobs on Brandon's part.

Best Dad:  When mommy was out of commission due to morning sickness, Brandon kept Shiloh entertained.

Favorite Shoe-Family Photo:  We used this to announce that we were expecting Baby #2.

Most Likely to Turn 2:  Shiloh's 2nd birthday party.

Most Expanding Waistline:  Yes, that'd be me... at only 7 months preggo.  My feet soon disappeared.

Most Airport Pick-Ups:  We picked up 9 students in 4 days for the start of our Fall DTS.

Most Excited About Baby Sister:  Shiloh was born to be a big sister!

Yellowest Clogs:  Yes, those are really Dutch clogs.  Yes, he really wears them... especially on our visit to the Danish village of Solvang where he 'kinda' fit in.

Biggest Boo Boo:  When I was backed into while in a parking lot.

Most Rockin' Tea Party:  As you can see, all the animals attended.

Best Princess Rapunzle:  She was in princess heaven!

Most Prepared:  We had our suitcase packed for delivery for an entire MONTH before Capri was actually born.  Prepared, sure.... but not for Capri to wait that long to join us!

Most Anticipated:  We had been waiting to meet this little face!  We were ecstatic to finally welcome her into our arms.  She was much anticipated.

Best Sisters:  These two.  No word.  {melt my heart}

Littlest Lady:  Capri was born weighing in at only 6 lbs 15 oz, making her our smallest baby.

Most Annoyed by the Camera:  Just look at that face!  She does not like me interrupting her coloring time.

Best Christmas Morning:  Snow + new baby + fun presents = our favorite Christmas-to-date.

Cutest DIY:  The kitchen that Brandon made for Shiloh.

Most Pumpkin-y:  Our day at the Avila Barn.

Biggest Upgrade:  When we moved out of this tiny apartment (our favorite place ever) to our new apartment which was over 3 times bigger.

Most Missed:  My sweet Dad who passed away 10 years ago (well now almost 11).

With 2012 being a year that we had our largest DTS ever, and grew our family by 1 sweet little girl, I am not sure we can top it... but here's to a great 2013!!!

Snow Day

We had a snow-filled Christmas break up in Oregon.  And Shiloh was finally at an age where she could truly enjoy the snow.  She put on her new snow bibs, hat, and mittens and posed for us...

And my favorite.... Smile girl, smile!

She had so much fun making a snowman, playing, and she even got to go sledding.  We had to drag her back inside.  My little snow bunny.  :)