We leave for Mexico in two days. Or, at least, we fly down to the border in two days and the next morning, do the actual crossing into another country. People have been asking if I'm getting excited, nervous, anticipatory. The answer is, yes. I'm excited about spending extended time in another country; Actually seeing and smelling and hearing the culture unadulterated by touristy commerce. We'll be staying in homes of local church members, which is one of the things I'm looking forward to most. The international church is something I've never experienced.

I'm most nervous, actually, about tomorrow--we're dropping Caleb off with my parents for the time we're gone. I have no qualms about their ability to keep and love him. It's just the being apart that is so weird and heart-wrenching. Like my mother-in-law said, this doesn't seem to affect men as much as women. And the fact that I'm emotional due to pregnancy will only heighten the sadness. I think the hardest moment will be when we drive off after saying goodbye...or perhaps the moment of saying goodbye. I know there will be tears, and have prepared Brian fully for that. :)

We'd appreciate any prayers for safety, both physical and emotional. Both for the team down in Mexico and for spouses, children and friends that are left behind. (we're the only ones with children...but two of our team members are coming without their spouses.)

For many of you who don't know, I am pregnant again! I put off posting it until family made their way through St. Louis and I could tell them in person. It has been quite similar to the first pregnancy so far. My only signs are a gnawing hunger every morning (or anytime I put off eating) and feeling more tired mid-day. As best as I can tell, the baby will be due around Feb. 1st. But given my "history" of early births, perhaps we're looking more at late January.

I personally am voting for another boy, as is Brian. The rest of the family seems to think since we have a boy already, we ought to have a girl next. I'll take whatever the Lord gives us and we'll all be delighted no matter what.

We spent most of the day outside, the men putting up new face boards around the top of the house, replacing older, rotting ones. The house now looks much better. However, somehow during the long day, Caleb got a stomach virus and threw up his stomach contents. He managed a fever of 102.8 and was awfully fussy. The doctor we called said if he's not better by the morning, to call again, but otherwise he should fight off the infection himself.

Deep thought for the day: Bodies are amazing.

Caleb is a waver. He waves at anyone, anything, just to wave.

But the best thing about it is when he chooses to wave. He'll crawl, crawl, crawl and then stop, turn around, sit, look at you earnestly.....and wave.

How great is that?

Last year, when I found out I was pregnant, I felt like I wanted an easy way to share with people what was going in my life...especially regarding the life growing in my body. Now, Caleb is a romping 10 months old and a delight to us and I feel like I should be recording in some way his daily delights.