America the beautiful

Well, look at how quickly 6 months passed since last I wrote!  And, we are back in the U.S. again, getting rather close to packing a million suitcases full of stuff that we wonder if we should have bought.  This time we won't be back in the states for 2 years, so we're trying to figure out what's a must for returning.  The same process happens every time we are back: (Me in a store) "I need these shoes/curtains/plates/picture frames!  Let me shop around and make sure I'm getting the best deal...  Argh!  I'm so tired of going everywhere trying to find the best deal- I'll just buy these right in front of me.  Wait, do I really need these picture frames??  They might be cheaper and better made and cuter and easier to find, but I bet if I tried really hard I could get them in La Paz.  What do I do????"  Seriously, why is it like this every. single. time.  The struggle is real.

This feels like the craziest trip we've had yet.  Now that we are on a school schedule, our longest time back is about 7 weeks- which is barely enough to get a couple weeks in with parents and trips to see supporters and churches.  That doesn't include much time for fund-raising or relaxing...two very important goals we always have coming into our stateside travel.  Although our kids are a bit more independent than last time, they are also more easily upset by making friends and spending time with family and then having to say good-bye to them. 

And, there are more doctors visits now that we've reached an age where all the kids need to see the dentist and eye doctor, not to mention the random doctor's visits Scotty and I need.  Thankfully, the kids are champs on roadtrips and have 2 10-hour trips and 2 5-hour trips under their belts.  The last 9 hour trip will be Monday!  We've been through 8 states so far!

Summer highlights for Miser kids:

ice water- hands down, this has been the most exciting thing.  Ice in everyone's dispensers!  Free ice waters in restaurants! ("You mean, they just give you as much as you want??)  Crunch crunch all day long.

Swimming!  Pools, beaches, lakes, even one Great Lake

Bikes- Natty learned to ride a bike in about 2 hours. 

New friends- oh, so many sweet kids in all our journeys.

Treats!  We've relaxed our sweets rules a bit for this trip. 

Grandparents- don't we wish we had more time together?

Sandwiches- the cheese variety! the soft, sliced bread! PICKLES!

Summer highlights for Miser adults:

Time to work out

Warm weather

Family

Seeing old friends

Reconnecting with so many precious, faithful supporters- we feel so blessed and cared for.

Starbucks

Shopping!  (A blessing and a curse.  See above.)

So, less than 2 weeks to go before we board a plane Bolivia-bound.  We will be so happy to be back in our home, not living out of suitcases.  But, we are incredibly grateful for these amazing experiences in the homeland.