Back in the Saddle....

Well, we are back.

Last month was spent out of Mexico and let's just say that re-entry for me has been.....um......tough.

Anyway...we've uncovered the house from the LAYERS of dirt (at least the buildup - can't say today's dirt is gone). I was finding dirt on the windowsills, door frames, a path from under the door to the middle of the room, on the beds, even IN the closets. Good grief. The day we started cleaning; OOPS, no water. Hmmm...have you ever tried to do a major clean without water? It's a bit tricky. We made it through those first couple of days and got water back so we're in business again. I'm starting to get caught up on laundry but RATS, no water again today. New plan. So I'll do a blog update. :) At least we have power.

We've done a major grocery shop. This entails at least 3 different stores or you just don't get it that week if no one has it. Thankfully I only forgot 2 things. We had emptied out the cupboards and such before we left so we didn't have extras so the last few days have been 'strange food' meals. Oh well. Today will be tuna, fruit, and crackers because I have no water to cook with. I'm so glad my kids (or hubby) aren't picky eaters. :) They are glad to be home and picking out the favorite foods again; beans, chilies, avacadoes, but we're all disappointed that our favorite mangos are out of season and therefore gone. They keep saying how much they missed Mexican food! :)

We're also back into the swing of homeschooling. We basically finished our core curriculum before we left for the states. The kids had their summer vacation up there and we're hitting the books again. For the most part, we school year round so that we can be flexible when there are visiting teams, projects here and there, or traveling we have to do. There is a team coming at the end of July so we'll get our 4-6 weeks in before we have a break again. School is taking more and more of my time (where did I get the idea that this time commitment would go down???) and I'm tag teaming all day long.

Alan's been working at the children's home again. It's pretty amazing to see some of the changes. There were new director's brought in right before we left and they've cleaned house quite a bit. There are two new and functional washing machines, two extra female helpers living there full time to help with various jobs and a couple of men from the police force that are volunteering in the afternoons. They've started a couple of work projects but were stalled a bit due to lack of tools; Alan is being the traveling tool man so they're back at it. Hopefully we'll be able to get some pics uploaded in the next couple of days. They also have new kids; up to about 17 now. I'm sure you'll see them in the pictures. Where there is a camera, you'll usually find little ones sticking their heads in! :)

I think that's all for today. Just wanted to stop in and let you know we're here - off and running!