Chocolate Cake, Mickey Mouse, Telephones, and Tupperware

This was by far, the most beautiful and delicious birthday cake I've ever had...too bad I was too sick to enjoy it on my birthday. My parent's brought it from North Carolina, created by a woman who used to be the baker at The Biltmore!

Michael's parents just returned from a mini vacation to Orlando, Florida. Can you believe they went to Epcot Center without their grandson? Noah is holding his favorite of all non-toys, a phone! He loves phones so much that he picks up most things, holding them to his ear and saying, "guh?"

Noah is very close to walking. He can stand on his own for as long as about 30 seconds. This most often occurs when he is concentrating on something in his hands - usually a phone, but sometimes Tupperware! He now likes to hold on to our fingers and walk along, sometimes even just with one hand. He is sure to run as soon as he figures it out...

Peru Bound!

Rejoice with us!! Just yesterday, we received the last of our needed funds to leave for Peru!! Obviously, this is very exciting and something we've been waiting for for quite a while! At this point we are waiting for our visas, which we believe should be ready by the beginning of March - so, that's when we plan to leave for language school in Arequipa, Peru.
The Lord has been so faithful throughout this time of support raising, encouraging us through you - our family and friends, and providing for our every need. While we did not plan to be here this long, it has been a huge blessing to celebrate the holidays and all of our birthdays with family once more. We are humbled to be the recipients of such immense blessings. It is by the grace of God alone that all of this prayer and financial support has been raised and we give him the glory for doing it! We want to go celebrate as soon as everyone is feeling better again.

Rough weekend....

Well, so much for posting every day - this weekend was a wild one in the Salvatierra family. Friday started out well - Laura's birthday! Her parents were coming in to town, as well as my brother Matthew, and there was a big family party planned for the evening. As it turned out, Noah was sick to his stomach for the first time in the afternoon, but thankfully he got over it quickly and was well by the evening. Unfortunately, he passed the same stomach bug on to Laura, who was too sick to have the party, and couldn't even have dinner. It was still great to have her family here; we sang, and ate cake without her :( Laura spent Saturday recovering, while I took care of her and got to hang out with my brother. The fun wasn't over though, as in the late evening I came down with the same problem. I'm just starting to feel better tonight, and I think our family grew from it all, taking care of each other. I must say, I think I get the better end of the deal, having a real nurse to take care of me - especially one as loving and compassionate as my sweet wife.
Noah is getting closer to walking every day!

Snow!

Sunday afternoon, Michael and I took the opportunity to go for a walk, while Noah took his nap and mom and dad were home to "watch" him. On our walk it began to flurry and by the time we came home, it was truly snowing! Michael and I have many sweet memories of snowy walks, so this was a treat. By that late afternoon there was enough snow for us to play with and show Noah what to do in it. The kids on the cul-de-sac were already out, sledding down the gentle slope of the newly frosted street, and making "snow castles" as they called them. Mom remembered a sled that Michael first used while they were living in Germany. She found it in one of the secret cubbies of the basement, in great shape to use! Noah took it all in. We bundled him up and took him around in it. He even raced grandpa down the hill in it! It was so much fun to discover the newness of snow again for the first time, through Noah's eyes.

Then Monday, Michael didn't have school. Snow days are the best! They just make everyone stop. There's nothing like a snow day when you can snuggle up and drink hot cider and be with the ones you love. The snow is healing to me. It covers everything, turning it pure white! It reminds me of my Savior's love for me, how he covers me, cleansing me, making me pure as the snow from my sinful, selfish ways.

"Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD:
though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red like crimson,
they shall become like wool."
Isaiah 1:18

Thoughts, pictures

Hello, it has been once again too long since blogging. Thank you to those of you who check regularly in vain. This time I promise there will be a blog at least every other day (if not every day) for a while, as we have a long list of topics. A few snapshots here, to be further explained....

It is currently slightly more difficult to type, because Noah thought the space bar on the computer was so interesting, he wanted to take it with him. So he did, and we are now awaiting a new keyboard from Dell. So much fun in the last week! Many pictures to come.

Very interesting watching the State of the Union address tonight - more in future blogs.
I'm not a huge fan of all the current administration's policies, but it was an impressive speech. I was also impressed by the clarity and boldness of Jim Webb's response. Like I said, more later.

Anybody else watch American Idol? I got hooked as a music teacher, and now I can't stay away. There was a spectacular blues singer tonight named Sundance - look for him down the road.

Lastly, there have been terrific developments toward our support raising recently. The Lord has been faithful to provide in His timing. We have learned so much through this whole process and lately He has been teaching us how much deep repentance leads to deep worship. Thanks to all who have been praying with us!

Michael

Zoo Pics

Noah was particularly impressed by the friendly donkeys and goats.

This donkey's name was Giuseppe. (c:

Amazonia fascinated him with its big aquarium with lots of big fish

We happened to be walking by the sea lion exhibit while the trainer was doing a demonstration

Six-year-old, Kandula, the elephant entertained us while her

mother peeked in the check on her

1st Birthday Pictures

Thursday, we had the joy of going to Fredericksburg to pick up Aunt Annmarie. She spent the afternoon with us and came to dinner for Peruvian. Noah loved all the noodles, rice, chicken, and potatoes! Then we said goodbye to Am when we took her to the Airport. We hope to catch her one more time before we leave. We opened a couple presents with Noah that night to celebrate his actual birthday.

Friday was a very full day. It was Michael's 27th birthday! We started the day by taking Noah to an 8:15 doctor's appointment, where he received 5 shots! He had to get a couple extra ones now instead of at his 15 month check-up because we hope to have left by then. After we got home and had a late breakfast, we went with Mom and Dad to the Zoo! We had to do something to make-up for all those ouchies. Noah enjoyed seeing all the new animals. We wondered if he thought they were just big "Jaz" dogs (our family pup).

After a good nap, Noah helped us get ready for a joint birthday party for himself, Daddy, and both our Dads. We ordered pizza from "The Italian Store" and just relaxed with family. My whole family was there as well as a friend that used to live with my parents, Azeb. What a blessing it was for her to be there too. Cindy gave Noah an extra special gift, combining pictures from his first year into a beautiful movie slideshow put to special music. It made me cry! She also gave one to each of the grandparents. What a treasure. Noah didn't make it to the movie, though, he was so loopy and feverish from all his shots. He was barely awake enough to enjoy his first carrot cupcake!

He wasn't sure what to do with it at first, but then he finished the whole thing!



Did we have more fun than Noah? Maybe...



A little party with playgroup pals! They all had different animal hats like the one below. They might have stayed on for 5 seconds. (c:

A Year Old Already?

Dear Noah,

Time has never flown so fast as over this past year. You turned 1 year old today, at 10:16 pm. Thankfully, you are sound asleep in his crib right now, finally mastering the art of sleeping through the night. It's hard to imagine that at this time last year you were brand new to the world! Already, you have learned so many things that are merely the building blocks to so many other things. And we are excited to be two of your primary teachers in life. With this task holds great responsibility, as we are finding, but even greater rewards. Even now, your "bear hugs" and belly giggles make being your parents one of the best things in life. You are a treasure, my sweet son, and you should know that we are praying for you daily. Praying that you would know and love Jesus, your Savior, that your life would honor Him and serve others. Your name means "rest and comfort." May you be a soothing balm of Christ's love to those you're with. We pray for your wife, one day, that you would be a blessing to her and lead her well. We pray you would be forgiving of us when we fail you as parents. As you are the firstborn, we have a lot to learn with you too. Thank you for already loving us in your own special ways. The way your face brightens when you see us brings such joy to our hearts. May we seek to love each other abundantly, as Christ does, and may we push each other closer to our gracious God. We love you, precious son!
Gratefully Yours,
Mommy and Daddy

"But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord." Genesis 6:8

Special smiley breakfast pancakes for the birthday boy!

Christmas party

Again, catching up from the last few weeks....

Every year as long as I can remember, my (Michael's) parents have held a neighborhood Christmas party, which has grown in recent years to include more friends and family, and which always includes lots and lots of music. This year Cindy took a whole lot of great pictures, so here are a few to give you a taste of this annual extravaganza.

Michael's parents hard at work in preparation

Annmarie was here and played with Noah and counsins Marlea and Harmony

Noah was passed around, and all had a good time

The latest beautiful tradition - chocolate fountain, mmmm

It wouldn't be a Salvatierra Christmas party without carols sung around the piano

This weekend, as we endured the sad ritual of taking down the Christmas tree and decorations, I began thinking what a special Christmas it was for us. We have been in a holding pattern of sorts, waiting (and working) to see the Lord bring in our remaining support, and we didn't expect to be here for this Christmas. Still, the Lord has his reasons, and it was that much sweeter to be with our family one more year. We soaked up all the music, lights, excitement and anticipation. I can hardly believe we won't be here for at least the next two Decembers, and I have no idea what it will be like to celebrate such a glorious season in a foreign land. At least at first, it sure won't feel like "home for the holidays" - but we will learn new traditions and celebrate with new friends, worshipping the newborn King in a new language. We know it will be beautiful all the same, but I can't help sense a little of the bitter with the sweet as we pack up Christmas and look toward leaving.

New Year, New fun....

Happy New Year! (belated, as usual) Now that it has been 8 days since posting, it's time to get back in the swing of things. The content of some posts may be way out of chronological order, but that's life.

First of all, let's hear it for warm weather! 70 degrees in early January? We're going for a hike in the woods later today to take advantage of it..

We spent New Year's Eve in a rather non-celebratory way - dinner at friends', watching football and reading, reminiscing about previous years. Laura had to wake me up to catch the last ten seconds before the Times Square ball dropped. Noah (and Mom and Dad) need rest, so late night parties are no longer feasible.

Today is my (Michael's) parents' anniversary! They have been married 34 years, which is truly amazing to us. They got married in Annapolis, MD, and we happened to visit there last week - so here are some Annapolis pictures.

It's such a beautiful colonial city, known for sailing, seafood, and the Naval Academy

The beautiful state capitol building

Noah had a great time strolling around the town....

...with Grandpa and a balloon