So our security situation in Bogota seems to be quite bleak. In the past few months I haven’t even been able to go to our big grocery store (among other places) because any crowded place it at high risk for being targeted. I did a major stock up trip when I returned from the states and haven’t returned since. Throughout the city there have been numerous bus bombs and bombs at big shopping areas. We have had to send our maid in a taxi a few times as bombs were going off in buses during rush hour. I asked a security friend how things were going security wise and he said I should be fine heading back to the big store. Things had apparently simmered down.

This morning Jackson and I headed to Carrefour. I knew I wanted to get in and out but also wanted about 3 months worth of cleaning supplies and dry goods like pasta, crackers, etc. So, we buzzed around and skipped having lunch in the mall like we normally would have. We got home exhausted but we had a successful trip! In addition to our necessities we got a pack of their chocolate croissants! Every time I do a “third world country” grocery shopping trip I allow myself a chocolate croissant on the way home as my prize for surviving the chaos!! Carrefour makes the best buttery, yummy, chocolate-filled croissants! A million calories a bite but I burned it off fighting my was through the store, right?

This afternoon once we were settled at home I started getting notice phone calls. 5 explosions had gone off around the city, many close to where we live! I had plans to go for a big walk in a nice park this afternoon but will be housebound!

This is one of the very challenging things about being in Bogota! People look at our Embassy life as being so exciting but there truely are risks for us each day. Kidnappings, bombings, unsettling protests! Pray for our safety. Seth and I have tickets to Aruba in 2 weeks and we have to know that it is okay to leave Jackson and Seth’s mom! Mia is going to get a security briefing from Seth before we leave. This won’t be an exploring Bogota visit! Good thing Joe/Grandan isn’t coming for the adventure!

The biggest threat to me at the moment is a 15 month-old that desperately needs a snack!! That’s all for now!

Yesterday morning we got up and decided it would be fun to pack a picnic and go to the park. We have a few park pictures but no picnic pictures. The picnic didn’t last long because a big dog came and ate Seth’s sandwich 3 mins into our picnic! He was focused on protecting Jackson and it was snatched out of his hand. The owner said “que pena” which means basically “my bad”, not “sorry”!

Our friends Nicholas and Kima had a baby boy last week! We have had so much fun cuddling him and getting to know him. He is such a cute boy with lots of dark hair like his mommy! Welcome, Ben!!

For about 2 months now Jackson has been “walking”, starting with 5 steps and then going back to crawling, taking a few more, back to crawling, you get the idea. It was so funny because we knew he could do it but until he was a fast enough walker he didn’t want to give up the crawling. About a week and a half ago he just took off! He now practically runs around the house! He climbs up onto the couch and races as fast as he can holding on to his bike, making sound effects the whole way. He also practically jumps off the ground already. He is all boy! Here is a video of him walking for all of you that have been begging us to get one out!! He is a bit wilder than normal because Daddy is home for a long weekend and he has been running non-stop! You can hear his constant noise! And if you listen closely you hear him say “beep, beep” when he gets on his bike…and then a bunch of excited shrieking! Also, the house is a wreck after daddy’s long weekend so excuse the mess!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTL1cWnk05E]

After watching him walk, say a prayer thanking the Lord for healing Jackson! We have waited to see him walk since the doctors told us he might never do it and they might have to amputate his leg with the mass! We are well-aware that had the diagnosis been correct or had the tumor not been healed our boy would not be walking today and we would likely still be getting chemo! Praise God for his faithfulness to our little boy!

Yesterday Jackson and I went in the morning to a petting zoo on the edge of Bogota. He was so happy to walk around like the big boys! Here are some pictures!

“Why is everyone stopping to look at the donkey? Let’s keep walking guys!”

Hee Haw

A bit cautious about animals lunging towards him

Baby Llama and Smiling Piggy

“What is THAT, Mommy???” (He had spotted a scarecrow!)