Happy Birthday to me!

Giovanna turned 13 today. Everyone was a stir as they were getting ready her cake. The cook, the directora, as well as two off-duty tutoras were there to help her celebrate. We took a gift by and visited awhile. We went nearly an hour after the supposed time. When we left preparations were still underway!

School Celebration for Father's Day

We were pleased to be with the kids at San Lucas for the Father's day celebrations. Manuel was the doctor in a skit, Margot was dressed for her role as crowd control, Jonathan was a part of a family of ducks in a gimnastic routine. Fun for all, and, of course, we had boiled potatoes with Ocopa sauce for the adults. Big day! Afterwards all the kids played in the playground together as they waited for the bus.

COMPUTERS!!!!

We are SO excited!! Thanks to our tios at St. Nicholas' , Flower Mound, we now have two computers on which to do our research for school. We bugged Padre Ron about "chat" and "email." He was TOTALLY against "chat," but when we talked about emailing our "Tios" he softened up! We'll see how this all turns out! We are blessed by your caring for us who are so far away from you.

P.S. We already know how to get to the games!!! Bye for now, Chao.

Days Off

Can you tell which school kids are from Casas Hogares? Of course you can't! That's the idea. Being on vacation this week has been great for our kids. They have been able to go to parks and on "paseos" (walks) and break the routine. Yesterday was a big get-together of both casas for a fun time together- both teenagers and little ones. Fortunately the transportation strike was called off and we didn't have to postpone it. Father Ron was in Lima for a diocesan meeting so he wasn't able to come over. Next time!

Right now we are awaiting word from a Rotary Club in the US. They may be able to help us out. We do seem to always have needs. Currently we need to install a hot water system at Sagrada Familia. Cold showers in the winter bring the risk of colds and runny noses. Not to mention they're no fun!

Also, we need "camarotes" in San Jose. Those are the rails on the bunk beds. That is something that has been long overlooked!

We do give thanks for all our wonderful sponsors whom we call "tio" and "tia" (uncle and aunt). We've heard that a number of friends remembered us especially with Mothers' Day offerings since they couldn't be here tu hug us themselves. Besos a todos from your "other" kids!!

Sagrada Familia kids with St,. Matthew's Team

The older kids got into the swing of things with the St. Matthew's team visiting here. You can see the girls attracted to Betty like bees to honey. Edgar enjoyed being the movie-maker part of the time. The fellow in the picture with Edgar is Fernando. I found his documents at an ATM machine and managed to return them to him. Juan Carlos told him God must have wanted us to meet. He has been back twice to help paint! God works in mysterious ways!

Hazel has arrived

Hazel Crossley has been with us since Tuesday. She is from England and will be teaching English at San Lucas for about 6 to 8 mo. We have spent LOTS of time trying to find her an apartment and just settled on one today. It is really nice . Grima, the Principal at San Lucas, is really thrilled to have someone helping teach English. Welcome to Arequipa!

Today we started marking the boundaries for our property in Via Ecologica. It was hard work in the sun. But, we are really excited about it! I'll try to put bright markers in the picture around the property so you can see how large it is. The well has been started and should be done in a week. I'm not sure when we will start the wall.

San Jose kids ready for their chocolate Easter eggs!

A Growing Family!

We just added 26 to our number at Sagrada Familia! 26 baby chicks, that is! (We're hoping they are ONLY for eggs when they grow up!) And, since we're older, we are getting to go to school on Saturday mornings for fun classes: Edgar and José for soccer; Margot for Public Speaking; and Susana and Geovana for volley ball. We´re really excited.

Also, our new psychologist, Pedro Huamani, will get to take us. Padre Ron is hoping in the future to work out a rotation so that Cecilia, the psychologist for the San José can chat with the girls at both locations, and Pedro can visit with the boys at both locations. Pedro has a lot of experience and is really nice, too.

A blessed Easter to you

We want to wish a blessed Eastertide to all our "Tio's" and "Tias's". From Casa Hogar "San José" and Casa Hogar "Sagrada Familia".
¡Que Dios les bendiga!

Movie Day!

This afternoon we all went to see "Nanny McPhee" and had a great time! Would you believe little Tamara (just a month past 4 yrs.) ate a WHOLE box of popcorn and drank an ENTIRE medium sized coke! It was good to have both Casas kids together. It's fun to get out from time to time. Thanks, "Roof Dogs," for providing this opportunity for us!

Still settling in

We're still settling in to our new location. During the recent Synod in Lima Maria Andia went with Padre Jaime to get us some new bedspreads. However, they couldn't resist the temptation to try on some of the beautiful dance costume pieces sold at that location. Aren't they cool? Stay tuned for our pictures when we do the dance contest at school later this year.

Guys and Goofy Gals!

Smiles

Well, the new place seems to be agreeing with the kids. Vicki and Maria A, in front of the new paint job the tutors just completed out front. Also, Jose, Maria A., and Edgar are seen here in front of the new curtains. Each cottage now has curtains thanks to the AMAs of Lima. The last picture is self-explanatory..GOOFY TEENAGE GIRLS!

BUMMER!!!

Well, Beethoven, the dog that wandered in and was loved by the kids, wandered out on Sunday. The girls, especially, were crushed. However, in transit to school the kids have seen Beethoven at home with his original family. After mopping about a couple of days, the kids have decided to set their sights on getting another puppy. To be continued......

OH! OH!

Well, the kids are indeed settling in. Today Vicki and I will be going by to pick them up for church in two taxis. Last night, at a teen's meeting at the church, Giovanna came to ask if SUSANA could have a dog. I said we might be able to do that, and we knew someone who had puppies now. Giovanna said there was a puppy THERE that wouldn't go away and they want to keep it! Guess we'll have to deal with that today. The idea of a stray isn't very cool.......more later.............PRAY for the right decision!!

Daily Chores

Yes, indeed. We've moved, but daily chores still need to be done! We've got to wash out our school clothes, iron tomorrow's uniform, and help wash dishes. Susana (in the purple) does her laundry while Margot finishes up in the kitchen. We have to get the clothes line up soon! Right now we're hanging our laundry over the volleyball net.

Edgar

Edgar turned 12 on Christmas Eve. He has been with us about a year now. Loaned out by an alcholic father to work for a baker, Edgar was taken into care by the court as he was being extremely overworked. Solemn and serious, Edgar is beginning to loosen up. He is a sharp kid.

Houseparents

I thought you'd like to see our houseparents at Sagrada Familia. Left to right: Ricardo is a young lawyer needing any kind of work experience before he can move up; Nestor is the church music director. In back is Luis, a recent graduate as a teacher and agronomist. In front is Zoila, an English teacher needing more hours than school can offer. Next is Ruth, another teacher and administrator of the church COLLEGE PREP school called the "Academia."

By the way, all of these are Sts. Augustin seminary students.

In the other picture is Sonia, our last houseparent. She has been helping at San Jose and now has to say goodbye to the younger kids- always hard.

Move in day