Buenos Dias!! It is Day 3 here for us and we are so happy to be in Nicaragua!! We arrived at noon last Saturday...uneventful travel with very few people so our day went so smoothly - we were afraid to say it outloud because that is not our usual experience!! All our luggage arrived and our translator, Carlos was at the airport to pick us up. I had only seen Carlos one time before and told Tim "I'm not sure what he looks like!!" AAAHHHHH!! But I waved at a possible suspect and he waved back!!

We went directly to Condo Allyson to drop off our bags and check into the townhouse - we were pleasantly surprised - it is a very large place (for a 2 bedroom) and we have an upstairs where the bedrooms are and after a thorough cleaning - I feel at home!!

Tim is here to set up my laptop, cameras, phone.....what would I have done here without him? Just having him here makes me feel safe and loved. He leaves on Wednesday and I am dreading it - this will be my greatest challenge!!

After we set up our townhouse, we went to the grocery store and bought soap, cleaners, food, water....everything we think we needed - of course, we will be back soon!! ;D We then started to get everything organized - what a chore but of course, I had to get it all done before I went to bed - so by the end of the day - we had been up since 3:30 AM (1:30 AM Nicaragua time) and in bed by 11:00 PM Nicaragua time - so almost a full 24 hours!!

Sunday was Mother's Day and I felt very torn on how I was feeling. So blessed to be here with Lucie, Tim and Martita but missing Scarlett more than I ever have before. It seems un-natural to be here without her. It is also the first Mother's Day since my Grandma passed away and I thought of her and Mom constantly - what beautiful women they are!! Generation after generation - how we evolve and how we love....changes the world. I kept looking at Martita and thinking - "Wow, I am her Mommy" it really is an amazing thing. I have such love for her in my heart and we are so ready to have her a part of our family.

We went to a church down the street from our house - it is full of Missionaries and the service is all in English - we met a lot of people and are starting to hear of activities that they have here - bible studies, dinner, support groups etc... Looking forward to getting to know some of the people better and to hear their stories...some amazing people here!! Many of the attendees also stay at Condo Allyson so I am sure to get to know some of them better - we have friends here already; Susan Belt who we have know for 2 years now - she leaves on Friday but it has been good to spend some time with her. Jason and Michele are adopting Jonathan and they are in the same place in the process of their adoption as we are - they are wonderful people and I am so glad they will be here with us!! Leigh Ellen is adopting Maria and Maria is Martita's best friend - so glad she is here too - Leigh Ellen always gives me good advice and is a great support to me - Again, I am so looking forward to creating strong bonds with all our new friends!!

After church - we went to the orphanage and talked Nubia into letting us take Martita for a few hours - we cannot have her in our care until the end of next week. So we brought Martita back with us to the house and went swimming for a few hours - we then went to a FABULOUS restaurant called "Asada" which means "grilled" in Spanish. We had amazing food and great company - Martita ate and ate and ate. That girl can eat!!! Lucie was attempting to clear her plate by putting some of her food on Martita's plate and Martita was more than happy to take it!! The two of them are quite a pair!!

Keeping the house clean is a challenge - we sweep and mop daily so far and use bug spray downstairs every night - a lot of red ants (that apparently don't bite) and bettles and lighting bugs ....slept with one of those last night. So I am already getting a tough exterior!! There is not ONE MIRROR in this entire house - so I am a sight for sore eyes and we are definitely going to buy some today!!

Sorry for the long blog - had a few days to catch up on - shorter more entertaining blogs to come!! Blessings to all my loved ones...miss you dearly!!!