Changes in Weather

Well, the weather has finally gotten colder, it is November in Wisconsin of course, although you would not know it recently. The girls are still getting used to wearing coats and heavier clothes.  They are particular about coats and feel they look fat with them.  This is natural, I went through the same thing on my first winter here in WI.  The younger two, are better at dressing up for winter, but they still think they can wear short sleeve under their coats and be warm. It's hard to explain these things to them.  It hasn't even been cold enough for long underwear and I would have to buy some anyway.  And we have not had to worry about getting boots yet, because there are no signs of snow to come.  I think they are starting to think that it does not snow here.

Our life continues to be consumed by school. We are in between sports and activities. Some begin end of January so the in between lull can be difficult. The girls love to watch movies and we don't mind this except we want them to do other things like play, draw etc.  Milena likes to do crafts, and this is a plus on how to spend the time inside.  We spent a chunk of Sunday doing homework and chores right after church.  Church in English is difficult and the girls get restless if I forget their religious books (which I forgot yesterday).  As a child it I had homework on weekends on a rare occasion.  Here we get homework almost every weekend, and because they girls need translation (and also are not used to doing homework independently), we spend our time trying to divide each other to help them.  This weekend Sucena spent most of it doing homework since she decided not to bring any home this week and we found it all stuffed in her desk at school.  This was a tough week for her.  We continue to work with the girls every day in the transition of being at La Casita and with us.  Being in a family is very different than in an environment where you mostly had to look out for your own individual interest.

This weekend is Thanksgiving.  We had a small celebration with Ginny last Sunday. This Thursday we are going to my parents house.  The Martins are not in town, and most likely we will not stay overnight in Milwaukee. I am grateful that my dad will be home by Thanksgiving. He is going home from the hospital this week. It is truly a miracle that he is home.  His rehabilitation will take  a long time, but we are very happy he will be home.

The distance continues to be a challenge and we are very grateful for the weather so far.  Sometimes I spend 50 dollars a week for gas. It has consumed our budget.  We are hoping this spring we will be able to sell our place. Please pray for us and keep us in your thoughts.

Halloween

All four girls in Costume

I am finally posting our Halloween pictures.  We had Halloween in Milwaukee so I could go visit my dad.
He was still at St. Joseph Hospital at the time.  The girls had two Trick or Treats.  One was with their cousins, Veronica, Angelina and Vini.  The other was by Abuela Martin's house.  There were many changes in costumes, except for Sucena who knew what she wanted to be from the beginning: a fairy.
The girls had a great time, although we did not 'Trick or Treat' until we dropped, and they only got a pumpkin full (which was enough for us).  The pictures below speak louder than words.

We are finding out why this is called a 'process'.  We continue to work with the girls to create a family for all.  There are times when we feel we are there, then something happens and we know we have sometime to go before full integration will happen.  We are cognizant of this and we ask for your thoughts and prayers.  We know this will take time, a lot of patience and help from above.  Enjoy the pictures.

Milena as a pretty 'Madhatter'

Trick or Treating in Butler, WI

Sucena as a fairy

Yesica as a witch

Mirellen as a baseball player
(Thanks Veronica)