Ahmed or Yasmine??

And here comes..... JESS IS PREGNANT!!

See the big picture

How your baby's growing: This week's major developments: The nose, mouth, and ears that you'll spend so much time kissing in eight months are beginning to take shape. If you could see into your uterus, you'd find an oversize head and dark spots where your baby's eyes and nostrils are starting to form. His emerging ears are marked by small depressions on the sides of the head, and his arms and legs by protruding buds. His heart is beating about 100 to 160 times a minute — almost twice as fast as yours — and blood is beginning to course through his body. His intestines are developing, and the bud of tissue that will give rise to his lungs has appeared. His pituitary gland is forming, as are the rest of his brain, muscles, and bones. Right now, your baby is a quarter of an inch long, about the size of a lentil bean.



Unbelievable!!! We are so happy!! Just looking at the pictures about the 6th week and we just cant believe how one of 210,000 little guy get inside another weird "egg" and becomes a person, a World changer, a new family!!
We were in Kenya and after Jess got a little late, we got the test at a pharmacy. i didn't know that two lines have to show up in three minutes after 5 drops of urine. After 5 seconds the two lines were there. I thought that it might go away after three minutes and it didn't go.. so we just start looking a t each other, tears and the reality comes in... Baby on the way!! Parents!! Future!! Family!! Education!!God some help!!!

We are a little scared and excited at the same time, we will be a family in last than 8 months... We both don't know if we want a boy or girl...
Jess is feeling a bit a nauseas and a little more tired than the normal, It is hard to look at my girl and see that she is a little uncomfortable with the feeling on the body!
It is all good!!

Blessings!!

Crocs Finally Win!!!

Yesterday it finally came for the Boys U11 soccer team that Eddy coaches. We won the first on the season (2x1) and specially on the "house" of the undefeated team of the season.
First we had the girls played. Jess led the team greatly but, with our goal keeper kicking the ball to their striker, the goal was inevitable. The girls ran until the end but could not put the ball on the net.
The boys, after arriving at the school and being called losers by the other team and students, set together and we talked. I told them that I was tired of being called that and I just wanted the win. Play hard but play fair!! Two minutes before the game started I got one of our player and asked him to guard their best player: "don't worry about the ball or the game, he is not playing today!" and it did worked. Our two rotating guards did a great job! On the half time we were wining by one goal that their defense player kicked in by mistake. They tied the game right at the beginning of the second half and I told them, keep going guys!! At 7 minutes, our mid fielder kicked at the goal, the ball touched the defender and went slowly between the keeper's lags, the ball didn't even touched the net, it was really sow. The team and the parents went "nuts". 13 minutes to go, screams from the fans and coach: "Go Cros, STOP THEM" and it did worked out!! Our first win after the whistle blew felt like a dream.. players on the ground celebrating like the "World Cup winners", parents smiling and my heart so happy.
With some sorrows form the other team we shook hands and told the other team that they did a great job.

About here, things are pretty hot about the Government situation. Was ready announced on the news that on March 4th it will be announce the decision for the future of the President. The Brazilian Embassy highly recommended to us to leave this week yet and just wait outside for whats is going to happen at this Country. We decided in not leaving because of costs and all of the teachers of the school are staying too. We have some food stocked and we will make sure that we have enough for at least a week. We hope the power don't get cut because during the day is already getting pretty hot (102F today). Next week is our spring break and if the things are calm, we are planning in going East to see what we are called for!!

Nairobi- Mashallah!!

It has been an absolute blessing be able to spend some time in Kenya. Nairobi has grown in leaps and bounds since my (Jess) last visit some 23 years ago, when I was a whopping 12 years old... It's much more developed, with movie theaters, shopping malls and western-style stores. We have done a little shopping, watched a couple movies (yay!!!) and enjoyed wearing western clothes out in public!

The conference started a few days ago and what an encouraging time it has been! Over 40 some people from all over the world are meeting to discuss the same people- and see what's on the heart of God for them! Meeting new people and re-acquainting ourselves with others has given us fresh vision... and excitement for the future!

The meeting will finish tomorrow and we'll have a few more days in the city before heading back home. While we have had an incredible time, we are eager to get back to working at the school, our soccer teams and being at "home"... I think we're finally adapting!

Politically speaking, things are heating up and we're trying to be wise and lay low. Being out of the country is helpful, but makes getting back in a little bit more tricky... We will pray, trust and keep you posted.

Photos: Eddy in a market in Nairobi... Some locals playing soccer in the land of sand- nice pitch eh?? (And how about the local with the donkey selling laban, or milk, in the background?) A cool flower in Kenya... Jess and Eddy geocaching outside of Nairobi- near Karen's house, from the movie Out Of Africa...

NVA Crocs Defeated Again...

We had high hopes going into our games today- great practices, overall team improvement- only to see our hopes squelched out by heat, hunger and fatigue. U11 boys and girls lost their games against our fearsome competitor, the girls losing 0-4, the boys 1-13. They both played hard and held their own in the first half, but seemed to completely fall apart in the second. The Crocs play again next week- meaning just one practice to figure out what went wrong and make changes... Eddy and I are both devestated at the sad turn of events- we so wanted to see them win!!

Rumors are spreading fast about the political situation here- we're being told to prepare and be wise. Hopefully all will remain as usual, but if not, internet coverage could be sketchy. We'll keep you posted as best we can!

I threw in a picture of our usual evening meal time-- just to give you a picture of a typical dinner at our flat... Tonight was Pizza night; the crust made with my handy bread machine! (Hand carried over from the states-- Yay for cheap technology!) We make an effort every night to sit down to a meal together and try to relax. We brought over a couple pilar candles to add to the mood and help with the smell in the house/area/nation- predominantly dirt and dust.

We leave for Kenya next week.

Photos: This is the car we get to use which we lovingly call "The Ferrari". We routinely carry more passengers then should be allowed as there are really no seat belt laws and people always need a ride somewhere. This is heading out after the games... Some shots at the game- held at our opponents beautiful campus... Night At Jess and Eddy's Flat- once inside, I peal off the typical outerwear expected here and go Hawaiian style; and check out that tasty pizza!!! : )