Lima, Peru

We arrived in Lima around 6:30 this morning, and by the time we got out of the airport and our Uber driver arrived, we were just about smack dab in the middle of the morning rush hour. Our apartment is only 9 km (5.5 miles) from the airport, but it took us more than an hour in harrowing traffic to make our way here. But we did make it and then immediately crashed since most of us didn't get any sleep on the plane. By about 2:00, we were ready to explore. We are staying in the  Miraflores district, which is a lovely area right on the coast with a ton of parks and a wonderful malecon (walking path) that winds through many of them. There are workout stations and playgrounds sprinkled throughout, and the views are amazing! We walked and played and walked and rested and walked some more. Eventually, when we were worn out and starting to get a little hangry, we made our way to Mangos, an all-you-can-eat buffet with an expansive patio overlooking the Pacific Ocean. We enjoyed getting to try lots of local foods as well as Peru's famous Pisco Sour drink. The view, the weather, and the sunset were absolutely amazing, and we had such a wonderful time!

The Peruvians aren't messing around when it comes to produce!
The mangoes and papayas are gigantic and so good!

We loved the beautiful tile wall around Parque de Amor.

 

Parque de Amor is for lovers!

Views from the malecon

The boys insisted on stopping at every
workout station along the malecon.

Faro La Marina

We also stopped at several playgrounds.

Dinner at Mangos

Sunset over the Pacific

Region Finals

Ruth competed in the IEA Region Finals today in Tyler. She drew a wonderful horse which she had ridden at a previous show, and so she went in feeling confident and enthusiastic. She and Gizelle had a beautiful ride, and Ruth came away with the 3rd place ribbon. We are told it is unusual for someone in their first season to advance to regionals at all, much less to do so well. Ruth was very proud of her ride and her season, and she looks forward learning more and continuing to improve in the off-season. We are super proud of her!

(And, I also have to share that Weston voluntarily got up at 6:15 this morning, rode in the car for an hour and a half, spent the day just sitting around in the damp and cold, waiting for a ride that lasted five minutes, and then rode in the car for another hour and a half because it was very important to him to support his sister in the thing that is important to her. It was very touching!)

Ruth and Gizelle

3rd place at Region Finals

Valentine's Day Lunch

Valentine's Day lunch at Savory Bistro with my loves

Feel Good Friday: The Most Important Thing

Seventeen

Seventeen years ago, I said "I do" to the man I loved with every fiber of my being and who I considered to be my best friend. I couldn't imagine at the time that I could ever love him more. I was wrong. It hasn't always glamorous--I mean, we celebrated our anniversary today with all our kids in tow at a place called "Balls & Glory." And, it certainly hasn't always been easy. In fact, sometimes it has been more work than either of us thought we could handle. But, work we did (and do!), every single day, even when we don't want to. And, you know what? We are more in love with each other today than we were seventeen years ago. I am so thankful I get to do life with this amazing man! He is my hero, and I still love him with every fiber of my being and consider him to be my best friend! We had such a fun day celebrating with our people in Ghent!

Seventeen years

This is the first time in 13 years
that the kids have joined us for the anniversary outing,
and we had such a great time!

This is what you get at Balls & Glory, a restaurant focusing entirely on meatballs.
(Despite the quirky name, the food was absolutely delicious!)

I thought it was appropriate that we saw a passionflower today while walking around Ghent.

We tried this interesting (but not delicious) local candy delicacy: Ghent Noses.

The lovely castle in Ghent

Burgers on the deck of our houseboat

Weston thought we needed a cocktail for our anniversary.

Prove it

I have this one kid that requires me to prove myself as a parent. Every. Single. Day. Often, multiple times a day. He does not take subtle hints or back down when threats are issued. If anything, those things feel like a challenge to him. He insists on seeing what I'm made of--on knowing if I'm serious, and worthy of his respect. It's like he's saying, "Are you really going to take away my toys or privileges, or come up with a consequence that is more painful than the fight is fun? Prove it!" I'm talking about a level of strong-willedness that even strong-willed children usually never reach.

And, if he ever perceives weakness, the fight will go on for hours, because he thinks there might actually be a chance he's going to win. I can never, ever back down or relent on promised punishments (even though it's tempting), and I often have to come up with creative ways to get through to him, because it is unlikely what worked with other kids will work with him or even what worked with him yesterday will work today. Frankly, this type of parenting is exhausting. And, sometimes I handle it with less grace and composure than I should, and sometimes with none at all. And, sometimes, even when I "win" the battle, it feels like a defeat, because I'm completely worn out, and because I know I will be back on the proving ground again the next day. (And, I firmly believe that the reason we are still daily engaging in these battles is because of my own lack of fortitude on those occasions when I just didn't have any more fight or creativity in me and have let him have the victory for the sack of peace. As all parents, I am learning as I go.)

Inevitably, though, on my steadfast days, there will come a moment when he realizes that I am a worthy opponent that is not easily defeated and therefore worthy of his respect. Something will get through to him and his countenance will change. And, from that moment on, he is just about the most compliant child in the house. My requests are met with a sincere willingness to obey and the most respectful responses imaginable. And, huge bear hugs will be given spontaneously for the remainder of the day. Once he respects me, it is easy for him to submit to my authority. He loves me more when he knows I'm going to be true to my word, no matter what.

Having to go through this process is frustrating because he's a little kid who has to obey certain rules for his own safety and edification, but oh! when he's adult who has learned how to control his impulses and can be his own boss, these traits will serve him well. If you ever intend to employ him or marry him, you need to understand that he has a serious need to be respected and to respect those around him. And, he will make you prove that you respect him and that you are worthy of his respect. Over and over. But, he will love you completely and do your bidding absolutely if you do. This one will do mighty things! And, if you earn his respect (and I do mean earn!), he may just let you come along for the ride.

Inconceivable

All date nights around here are eagerly anticipated and much appreciated, but last night's date may just take the cake. Jeff and I had tickets to a quote-along viewing of The Princess Bride. And, as if that wasn't perfect enough, Cary Elwes (Wesley) was in attendance to talk about his new book As You Wish, which explores what it was like to work on this epic movie. And, if THAT wasn't enough, we were given props for the quote-along, as well as copies of the book and commemorative pint glasses to take home! It was a hilarious and inconceivable night!

(Sorry for the poor quality of the photos. It was dark, and we were far from the stage, and I was snapping with my cell phone. But, this is for posterity's sake, so the pictures must be included.)

Twu Wuv

It is absolutely, totally, and in all other ways inconceivable
that they misspelled "inconceivable" on this slide!

Oh, my sweet Westley!
(Cary Elwes)

The take-home goodies

Loved to Death

My youngest child is a lover. He simply cannot get (or give) enough hugs, kisses, lap time or 'nuggles (as he calls them). He recently coined the term "Rumble, Rumble," which means "group hug," and he frequently calls everyone in for some of that special love. He needs physical touch like the rest of need oxygen, and he goes out of his way to give and receive it. Like, way out of his way.

Several times a week, he makes a middle-of-the-night trek to our bedroom and crawls into our bed sometime between midnight and 5:00 am (usually around 3), for the sole purpose of 'nuggling. I mean, he doesn't just want to be in our bed, he wants to be touching us--both of us--so, he will turn himself sideways between us in order to maximize surface contact. Sometimes, I find fingers entwined in my hair or hands under or on top of me, while a little head nuzzles under my chin. Other times, it's little feet in the ribs or back or stomach, while Jeff receives attention from the other extremities. It's all very sweet, but, frankly, all this love (and lack of sleep) is killing me! Taking him back to his room only works occasionally, and sometimes, I just don't even have the wherewithal at that time of the day to put one foot in front of the other to relocate him. And, then the next day, I'm dragging, and he's cranky and exhausted, which sometimes leads to adorable-but-regretable scenes like this:

I'm all about the love. Really, I am. But, I just wish we could get all our loving in during the more civilized times of the day.