Reading Month

As the month of November closes, I reflect back on all the fun stuff I was able to do with the boys at the Alison Bilingual School. Ever since I arrived (for full time) back in August, the boys want to read more and more each day. At first, it was like pulling teeth. This was understandable when some of them couldn't even read their own language and are in 2nd grade. 3 (of the 6) of the boys are much more advanced than the others.

The oldest, Nelson (pictured above), is in 5th grade and basically fluent in English. He has enough potential to be the next president of Honduras in my opinion, but maybe that's the mom in me speaking. Either way - I believe it wholeheartedly. He can have a bit of a temper, but we're working on that. This picture was taken back at the International Fair in October - where Nelson and I proudly made an Israeli cocktail (minus alcohol, clearly). He was so proud we sold every last drop.

There are 4 in second grade - Daniel, Cristian, Norman and Luis. The best way to describe them is that they are all freaks. I love them for this. I'm a bit of a freak myself. They exhaust me. But "valen la pena" - which translate to mean "they are worth it". This picture is missing Luis, but includes Jose Alexander - who is in 1st grade. This was taken the night I took the boys to the "pajama party" at school. We got to wear pj's to school, read books to the kids, and drink hot chocolate and eat Christmas cookies. SO FUN!

This picture was taken this morning at "Dress as your favorite Character in a book" day. That's a mouthful, but as you can see - it was precious. All the boys dressed up as superheroes. These costumes are the greatest - shout out to whoever donated them a while back. This is Luis and Daniel and one of their classmates. Needless to say, it was a great month at JEC and at Alison Bixby.

On a different note, I head home in 13 days. I can't wait to be with all you beautiful people.

My Week in Pictures

Too busy to post a blog - hope you enjoy the pictures :)

Nelson, Juan David, and Luis after they decorated their first Christmas tree

Sweet Shelly let me paint her fingernails at the soccer game.

LOTS of Christmas decorating going on. All thanks to Harpeth Hills Youth Group!!!

Took these boys to a Pajama Party at their school on Thursday.

My own personal Christmas cheer :)

Yummy food.

Things I Miss

While I do absolutely love being here in Honduras (mainly because of these boys and how easily they have stolen my heart day-by-day), there are a few things I dearly miss. This is my top 20.

1. My family

2. My friends

3. TJ Maxx & Target

4. Real cheeseburgers (not fast food)

5. WALGREENS

6. Eating foods that 1 of the main ingredients isn’t OIL

7. the YMCA

8. Driving a car

9. HOT SHOWERS

10. Chick-fil-A

11. Tank, Maddux, Wig & the cats

12. Speaking english (every now and then)

13. JULIA PARTIES.

14. My grandmothers

15. Church worship... songs here don't actually have a tune

16. Watching the leaves change colors as it gets colder

17. High school and college football

18. Mrs. Wanda's home cooking

19. LAS PALMAS

20. Cooking my own food

Halloween Recap

For those of you who know me, you're well aware Halloween is my favorite holiday (second best only to the birth of Jesus Christ - which I fully celebrate). This picture should come to no surprise to any of you. I had little resources here, and I had honestly planned on not celebrating the holiday entirely until some friends informed me they would be throwing ME (hehe) a halloween party. I decided to buy simple black and white paint and go for it.

I was inspired by the Jay Z music video, "On to the Next One", that I saw "back in college" (that sounds weird). The guys face was painted all white with only teeth and black eyes. As weird as it is to say, I fell in love with the idea for Halloween. Here was my perfect opportunity, and I sprinted full speed ahead with it. I simply added a skeleton nose and was done with it. Hope you like :)