We are only a few weeks away from our long-awaited summer vacation to the United States. We will all be flying to America together, and then I am going to come back to Buenos Aires for a couple of weeks, before returning to the States to enjoy some well-deserved state hopping. In looking forward to this trip, we have been able to reflect on our life here in Argentina... and we like it. It is easy to criticize, complain, and critique a different culture and we have tried our best to take it for what its worth, not compare it to life in the U.S. and enjoy what we have. Some days that is easier than others, but we're doing our best.
We have made lots of friends, found lots of activities, and have sufficient trips on our Mouritsen Family Fun List to keep us busy for the next two years. It has been fun to compare notes with the outgoing families to make sure we do the things they thought were highlights, and it's like Christmas waiting to see who our new next-door neighbors are going to be and if they'll have kids the same ages as ours.
Even after a year, one of the things that trips me up when talking to people about our summer plans is whether we say we'll be back in the winter, or right before fall... or spring... With us being in the southern hemisphere, we're in late fall right now heading into the coldest months of June and July. But we're leaving for the summer months up north and will then be back by the time school starts in early fall... or is it spring? Oh well. Most Argentines know what I mean, or think that I don't know the names of the seasons in Spanish.
Last night, Candace and I went to see the latest Pirates of the Caribbean movie at the "premium" theater near our house: leather recliners, dinner menu, wetbar... the whole 9 meters (we are on the metric system down here). I'm sure this happens a lot, but it was more my choice to see the movie than Candace, but she was a good sport. And I must include the fact that I really liked the first 3 Pirates movies. I liked the same crew with an ongoing quest and the resolution with Davey Jones at the end of movie 3. I know they left it open for more movies with the map to the Fountain of Youth and I know they're going to make a few more Pirates movies, but I was very much disappointed in this latest installment. It would have been one thing to keep to the same shenanigans with Jack Sparrow with the same characters (Orlando Bloom and Kiera Knightley), but they got new people, new pirates, new ships... but what seemed were the same lines... same jokes... same sword fights... blah blah blah. Let's just say that I'm not sure I'll be rushing to see the next one the first two weeks it comes out. Oh well. Harry Potter 7 Part 2, Cars 2, Kung Fu Panda 2, and a few others will have us back at the premium theater shortly.
Following the trend from last week, here are two excerpts courtesy of Candace:
Lily’s Memory
We have tried really hard to keep Lily’s memory alive with our kids. We know that they are young and may have a hard time remembering her in the future. We talk about Lily all the time. We tell stories about her over and over with the hope that hearing those stories repeated will help them remember her. Claire came into Sam’s room the other night wearing a pair of Lily’s old pajamas. Sam looked at her and said “Hey, those are Lily’s pajamas.” I felt so sad to see Lily’s favorite pajamas without Lily, but I also felt so happy that Sam remembered they were her pajamas. It has only been 7 ½ months since Lily passed away. It feels much longer to me. I have prayed that our children would be given the gift to remember her.
Oil and Water
First--we need to jump into the luxury theater craze here...that sounds like a great place for date night!
ReplyDeleteSecond--the big kids learn real fast that taking toys from the little one is NOT worth a bite to the face, or any other place! And yes, it too does pass.
Last--I so admire you both for helping your children to remember Lily. I'm sure that is much more difficult than it seems. You are such an example of faith and hope.
I didn't realize that June and July were cold in Argentina. Shows how little I know. That is great you guys have plans to visit the U.S. We are out of the way in the Tri Cities in WA but you guys are always welcome here if we are en route to one of your destinations. That was sweet about Lily's pajamas. You guys are so smart to keep writing these memories down for your children to read later. I have heard you can print your blog into a book. I just haven't tried it myself yet. I lost one of my blogs because I had my previous Google account taken over. It was devastating. I could no longer access it. And so now, I have two administrators on my blog...myself and my husband. That way, if my account is compromised, I can access it through his.
ReplyDeleteGlad to get the tip on the Pirates movie. I've actually been preparing myself for a let down. I think that's so sweet about Lily's PJ's. I think what you all are doing is great. My kids talk about Lily sometimes, too. We love you guys and often think of you.
ReplyDeleteWe also can't wait to see you next month!