So Long Ordinary

Things keep emptying out of the house. We're down to just our couch, TV, a mattress and a freezer to get rid of (of the big stuff anyway). Although quite a few things are still sitting around the house for our use before we move out, the house is beginning to feel pretty empty! Today was a crazy, hectic day. Whew. The day started early with the landlady at our gate asking if she could bring a potential renter to the house in a few minutes...I was just getting out of bed (yes, she came that early). We're still trying to catch up with ourselves! We haven't really started packing - just sorted out the stuff we definitely want to get rid of, and put things in tubs to pack better later. Looks like tomorrow we'll start really tackling the tubs that must be packed carefully and documented precisely for our shipment. I vaguely recall all the hard work we went through when we sold our house and did this same sort of thing to leave Colorado for the mission field. Basicall...

First of all, I want to say a HUGE thank you to those of you who have been praying for us. It has helped so much. I could literally feel the difference as friends and family from all over the world began to pray. Woo-hoo!! Keep it up! We are making progress on the move. Most of our larger items have sold. Just having that done is a big relief. As things clear out, we feel more and more confident that this is truly going to happen. Sean and I spent this morning sorting through toys and children's books while Brooklyn was at school. We threw away the trash, set aside a few things to sell, and packed most of it for our shipment. Only the favorite toys were saved to take along as part of our luggage allowance on the airline to Mexico. (We'll have to wait a few months for the shipment to get to Mexico, so we're trying to think ahead for what we'll need most our first months there.) There is still a TON to do, but things are getting easier as we get the ball rolli...

Sometimes, we just have to drop all pretenses and humbly ask for some help. Today, I'm asking for prayer. It is difficult for me to admit to you that this move has me far more stressed out than I want to be. I feel like I'm getting scowl wrinkles in my forehead, my back is in knots, and my stomach is churning. Sean and I have barely begun the process of sorting through our things, selling, and packing, but it is obvious that this is not something I can do well without an extra measure of God's grace. It is a constant battle for me to keep my words kind, my thoughts honorable to the Lord, and my actions gentle and patient. (Not so unusual really, but I so don't want this move to go down in history as the time Mommy had to be tranquilized.) Even though we have plenty of time to get things done well, I still feel anxious - mostly because, at this point, I just want it all done . I'm an all or nothing girl - I don't like to leave things undone. But there just ...

February has been the month of parties. Brooklyn has had a party to go to (and sometimes more than one) every week so far. Two of the parties were for two of her little girlfriends - they were the kinds of parties little girls dream about. One was a princess party, and Brooklyn went decked out in her princess costume. Here she is at the party, having the time of her life (thanks, Irwins, for the picture)..... Another party was a "Teddy Bear Tea Party." Brooklyn got into character for that one too! We've also had a Valentine's Party and a party for one of our Ecuadorian friends turning two years old, surprise parties for some adults celebrating birthdays this month, and more parties at preschool for the birthday girls. We love to party!

I know my blogs have been terribly scarce. Sorry! I do like to blog more than I have been lately. For some reason, though, I haven't had much extra time..... Actually, I just started this today. It is only the preliminary stuff - things I can do without Sean's help. I am going bit by bit weeding out the "give away or sell stuff" from the "absolutely must go with us to Mexico stuff," and I can see this is going to feel really good. All those bags on the table are clothes - too big, too small, too something - and are going to be given away. Yes, sir. Yes, sir. 8 bags full. One for the neighbor, 6 for the MAF chaplain ministry, and one for the little girl who lives down the lane. Really. I am absolutely amazed at how much stuff we've collected in not even two years in Ecuador. Actually, I'm appalled. And embarrassed. God is really working on my pack-rat heart. And speaking of rats...well, let's just say that it is very interesting what...

Well, the selling off of our earthly goods (for the upteenth time in our married life) has begun. It looks like we have a buyer for our car - Sean is dealing with that today. We've sold our appliances and a few other odds and ends (though they'll stay in our house until closer to our departure date). But, the fact is, we are getting rid of stuff and it is happening fast. Aak! I feel like we are making a terrible mistake by selling all of our things... because I truly do not buy into the "fact" that we are moving. Really. No, seriously. I do not believe we are moving. It isn't that I don't want to move or that I doubt God's plan for our lives in Mexico. I just, honestly, flat-out do not believe this can be happening. Therefore, it is a touch disturbing to see my "belongings" being sold off for what, to my mind, is a make-believe move. People, I have never been dishonest with you. And I won't be right now. I'm crazy. That is a...

I know that most of the people who read my blog, do so for only one reason. Pictures - not of me, nor of Sean, nor of beautiful scenery or interesting things found only in Ecuador. Most of you want only pictures of my girls. Well, I finally have a quiet afternoon and I've spent quite a while putting lots of pictures up of both of the girls just for you. It had to be done post by post - for some reason Blogger wouldn't let me do more than one picture per post. But, just for you, I slaved away all afternoon. I could have been taking a nap, or reading a book...but JUST FOR YOU, I SPENT ALL AFTERNOON POSTING PICTURES! So...enjoy! Keep scrolling down, ther are 8 or so new posts. And don't ever say I never do anything for you, my beloved and devoted readers... (Okay, okay. We use our blogs as a way to document our lives and our girls' growing up years. This will eventually end up in a special professionally printed book that will be treasured by me personally fo...

It didn't matter that it was freezing cold outside, or that the rest of us were inside the restaurant eating our dinner, or that her hot cocoa was getting cold...Brooklyn could not be separated from the kitty and puppy at the mountain lodge in Otavalo. I drew the line when I saw she had removed her coat and swaddled that flea-bitten (and suspiciously sickly-looking) puppy in it. When I made her come in, wash up and eat she cried, "But Mommy, the puppy needs me!"

In the "leather town" of Cotacachi. Something tells me she's really going to have fun at Grandpa Ron's house when we are on furlough...

She loves flowers; her favorite color is pink; she loves Barbies, baby dolls, Polly Pockets and dress-up; she owns and carries more handbags than I do - and don't get me started on her shoe fetish; her idea of a perfect movie is one that involves a princess, a charming prince, graceful pastel-toned ponies, and talking animals; she begs me on a daily basis to paint her nails....

"Yeah, you think this rat is big. You should see that one over there!" (But, being a typical missionary kid, she has not lost her appetite one bit.)

More walking... by jove, I think she's got it! (Another shot from Mitad del Mundo, the equator)

On occasion, a mother just has to post pictures of her precious baby on the world wide web for all the world to see. Grandparents usually bug us if we don't.... She is quite the walker now! Here she is at the Equator trying out her legs in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. (She did great in both, by the way) Yeah, she's pretty proud of her cute little self... More pics to come. I'm having technical difficulties again....

We are apparently battling some kind of illness in the Cannon household. I honestly couldn't tell you just what it is...Maddie has had a pretty high fever but no other symptoms besides grouchiness (no, she isn't teething). I have felt kinda yucky myself - headache, aches and pains all over my body, general malaise - today as well. Sean is just plain tired. But, so far, Brooklyn seems to be fine, though she has said a few things that make me wonder if she doesn't feel a little under the weather too but still has enough energy to play anyway. I'm not sure what this is - it could just be that we are still recovering after our crazy month. At any rate, we aren't doing a whole lot around here besides wallowing on the couch watching movies. I'd write more but....ugh, I feel just so BLAH . I'm going to go lay down. I'm glad to know there are many of you out there who are praying for us right now! Thank you! I'm sure this will pass quickly- it isn...

A little update while I have a moment.... I just keep remembering our great time last week with the work group. What a treat to talk to folks from back "home" and to share with them the experience of blessing our friends in Shell. The church building they worked on will take a long time to finish, but it would never have come as far as it has without that team's help! Here they are, our friends and family from Colorado, standing in front of a circa 1700 hacienda on the way to Shell from Quito... Have I mentioned that I love my parents? They were both such a blessing last week. They really helped out with the team, the cooking, the girls, and Dad even helped out some at the hangar with his aircraft mechanic expertise. The 3 extra days we had with just my folks were so special! Sean mentioned in his blog that my mom and I did lots of shopping...and we did! Such fun! Our stay at a mountain lodge high in the Andes was also a special treat. I cannot tell you how hea...

We are home safe from our fourth trip up North to Quito in a month. It has been a whirlwind month, and this last week or so has had my head spinning 24 hours a day. Great memories...and pure exhaustion that will be remembered for years to come too :-) The fun we had, the experiences we were able to enjoy with family and friends, and the many awesome times really made the hard work of January 2008 worth it. I could sleep for a month though! I'm tired and need to go to bed, but I wanted to say that I'm back and I'll probably be posting some pictures and stories soon. Now it is time to tackle the laundry that has overtaken my bedroom and try to return this family back to a small sense of normalcy and routine. Of course, we're down to just a few weeks now of life as we know it and then it will be time to start all over again with our little move in March. Oh. My.