Joshua was the ringbearer in his cousin Ben's wedding this past summer. He was quite dashing in his tux! Super cute. He looks killer in black!

Joshua (with the famous Georgie) and Dwayne as Josh waits to walk down the aisle.

OK so it's only been a LITTLE over a year...sigh!

So here's the newest update. Yes, it has been over 1 year. I'm quite lame at all this and we also know where good intentions land you! :) I have lots of them, including blogging and scrapbooking. Right now I should be cleaning my carpets, so you get the picture. Everything except what I should be doing right now!!

Joshua is now 39 months old (when do we stop counting in months??). Almost 3 1/2!! Amazing. He has gone through many changes in the past year including complete potty training...mostly by himself...Momma helped some but he really was so ready. Big stuff! He had a wonderful summer with swim lessons, hanging out with Momma and Daddy at the cool YMCA pool and an extended stay with his Uncle Tim and Auntie Nettie while we went away for our 15th Anniversary. That was wonderful indeed and I think Joshua had quite a fun time with his 3 cousins!! He also served as the ring bearer in his cousin's wedding (see pics). He also started preschool last month. He is loving it. I think he's coming out of his little shell a bit, too. So fun to see.

Nutmeg enjoyed the time at the cousins as well. Found out that she is now considered a Senior Dog. Yikes. That just means that the Vet wants to see her 2x a year instead of 1x. Don't think that's going to be happening anytime soon. She is still quite jumpy and spry, but sleeps and snores a little more now!! Still a little stinker, tho. Joshua began torturing her about 6 months ago, which is funny sometimes. The dog does not take to this very kindly and lets him know it. They argue like siblings sometimes. Cute.

Dwayne is still working the same type job, working with Curriculum and Assessment as a Curriculum Coach for his district. He enjoys the work. Such a Science Guy!! We have been continuing to lead our small group at church which is wonderful. We love the community and lifelong friends we have made through this experience and are thankful for it every day. He is constantly growing and changing us!!

One of the most exciting things that has happened in the past few months is that we converted. We are completely sold out for Mac's. Goodbye PC's...we are done with you! Sweet! We have had so much fun figuring out our iPhones and iMac. Our slogan is...if you can think it, you can do it. With Mac all things are possible!! So we have been having fun being creative and downloading all our pics and video...think we will do something techie for Christmas gifts this year!!

I have just been loving being at home, taking care of the fam, figuring out new recipes, burning rice (I NEVER GET THIS RIGHT!!) baking cookies some (and trying not to eat them!!), trying to read some (is this possible with a 3 year old who is constantly talking??) and is so thankful that I'm able to do so.

I'll try to post some pics ASAP! Should be a bit easier with this Mac!! :)

2008 Summer Fun with my Family!

Elizabeth, Amie & Hannah doing our toes!

In the pool with cousins Kingston and Preston at Auntie Val's house on her birthday!

Cincy Zoo with Cousin Hannah!

Josh walked right up to Clifford and gave him a hug!

Daddy and Josh checking out the elephants as they drank from the lake.

We went to the zoo on a beautiful day...and really hot too! Little did we know, it was also 1/2 price day, so about 2/3 of Cincinnati decided to show up! It was crowded for sure, but so much fun with Hannah...she always makes it special for all 4 of us! Ok she does a lot of grunt work, too! We love her!

We also got to go back to the Zoo with just Amie, Hannah and Joshua the next month. Many less people there, much cooler and Josh was so much more into it! Josh really loved pushing Hannah in the stroller!

Our first month together!

Here's a look back at our first month together in Guatemala in March of 2007 (click on the slideshow to see the comments!). This little slideshow will give you a taste of the beautiful country and how much we enjoyed being together. We stayed in a bed & breakfast in Zone 10 which is one of the nicest and safest Zones in Guatemala City. The weather was really unbelievable and only rained one day (thankfully, we were not there during the rainy season). The trees drip with flowers there, literally. Such lush vegitation, but no Kentucky bluegrass! And they grow big spiders in Guatemala, too! Dwayne took his job of head spider killer quite seriously as Amie never saw one! Between visits to the Embassy to get our paperwork in order (the guards knew Dwayne by the time we left!) and going to the HyperPiez weekly (like a Super-Walmart...only smaller and almost everything is in Spanish!!) we went to the Hotel Zone which has 2 malls, much like American malls and fast food courts also! Our favorite place to eat was "Pollo Compero" which is Guatemalan's McDonalds, only a lot better and of course, only chicken! Awesome chicken which puts the Colonel to shame, honestly. We ate there probably 2x a week.



Although the stress of becoming parents for the first time was compounded with living in a different place without all the things you dreamed of and spent so much time organizing at home...not to mention feeling a bit trapped because your baby could not leave the country--well technically, we could have gone to Brazil or something, but serioulsy...we were waiting on Joshua's visa to get approved and ended up staying there 30 days. So, how often do you get to spend 30 uninterrupted days with your spouse and new baby? Stressful as it was, it was such a gift. God planned it perfectly. So all things work together for Good for those who love the Lord and are called according to his purpose. We were able to call our families at any time with our cell phone, had cable TV, yes mostly in Spanish with LOADS of Ricky Martin on every channel(who knew?), running water on MOST days and made friends who will be in our hearts forever!

Big Boy Bed

Well, Josh had his first try at a big boy bed at Auntie Teresa's house. As you can see, he was just on a mattress on the floor...surrounded by pillows, no doubt, just incase! But he crashed and didn't wake until the morning. Teresa bought him some "Teresa's House Jammies" in size 4T (yikes! He's so big!) and all was good because his good buddy, George, was there too. What would we do without George?
Maybe I'm a little biased, but I think he just the cutest thing EVER in red. So handsome!

Cook Out with The Waits Fam

Well, we have been having some fun around here! Nanal came to visit last week, we spent the night at Aunt Teresa & Uncle Billy's house and learned how to jump on a bed! Thanks Uncle Bill! It has been a typical summer of swimming, cooking around the campfire (with Nettie and Tim & fam), eating popsicles and loving the outdoors. I will try to post a video or two so you can see Josh in action!