We have spent many hours researching the zillion posts we were offered. This Wed we will turn in our final bid list. Here it is.

1 Bern – High
2 Bern – High
3 Nicosia – High
4Brasilia – High
5 Brasilia – High
6 Monterrey – High
7 The Hague – Medium
8 Amsterdam – Medium
9 Montreal – Medium
10 Canberra – Medium
11 Auckland – Medium
12 Asuncion – Medium
13 Toronto – Low
14 Berlin – Low
15 Milan – Low
16 Vienna – Low
17 Vancouver – Low
18 Mexico City – Low
19 Guatemala – Low
20 Kingston – Low

The decisions were made on a variety of factors like we said. Some of these we wouldn’t be thrilled to go to but we had to have 20 and the list was quite limited when it came down to the end. We should find out no later than the last week of August so we will keep you posted. We are SO ready for the process to be done with!!

We went out for dinner tonight at a casual hamburger place. Kind of like a Chili’s. It has some nicer food but nothing fancy. We were in pretty casual clothes, jeans and sweatshirt type-stuff.  I think we have mentioned before how Colombians tend to dress up. A couple came in all fancy-smancy. He was wearing jeans but with a sportscoat and she was all dolled up. This was nothing too unusual but I was quite the contrast wearing my “Dora the Explorer” Diego band-aid on my thumb and my casual sweater.

We got our dinner and started to eat. (Jackson had his first chicken finger by the way!) I glanced over and the couple was drinking martini’s. Colombians are also quite affectionate. So, although it seemed awkward enough to be a first date they were enjoying each other at close proximity. A few minutes later I saw the waitress bring them this big plate of fried appetizers. At a second glance, I noticed the guy grabbing a plastic glove from the table. She held back and watched him eat for a minute and then put her glove on.  Girls, you probably all remember the first few dates when you said ” oh no, I don’t need fries, I might just have one of yours.” You wanted to be as inconspicuous as possible. It wasn’t really about the eating, you wanted to play it cool. Can you imagine having to put a giant plastic glove on??? I have never in my life seen any restaurants bring out a glove so your fingers don’t get dirty. Is it a plan to help people eat less because it is so socially awkward or is it so you don’t get your fancy pants greasy? I’m not sure but we continued popping fries in with our bare fingers! How uncivilized of us!

After a hiatus from blogging here goes…

This is random but since so many of our friends and family have babies (or will soon have babies) we thought it would be fun to tell you about our favorite baby stuff so far…

Ikea Tunnel- this was a surprise package from my parents when we came back from med-evac. It ties up so you can put it away and it is so much fun for Jackson. On rainy days when we can’t get out this is a lifesaver!

“Goodnight Moon”-this is our favorite bedtime story, at least right now. Before Jackson was born I didn’t know why it was so popular. It has something special about it.  He cuddles right up to hear it! Some of our other favorites are “The Going to Bed Book”,

Gerber puffs and dried fruits- What would we have done without puffs! If you haven’t tried them yet, go try them! The fruits are so nice because when you are out and about it is hard to feel juicy, wet fruits…the dried apples are Jackson’s favorite! They dissolve really easily.

Sleep Sak-Some babies hate these but Jackson LOVES his sleep sak! Recently Sara (Seth’s sister) emailed me a link for toddler and youth size sleep saks. I had to laugh thinking that Jackson might have to turn down sleepovers some day, not because he wets the bed but because he will still be using a sleep sak. For your viewing pleasure I have attached the link that Sara sent me. Don’t worry Jackson will not be getting one of these!

http://www5.jcpenney.com/jcp/SearchDepartment.aspx?SearchString=sleepsack&JSEnabled=false&mscssid=6d562c7f337a848719177a5fbfda1f355xMnVNoVza1WxMnVNoVza1o200BE0D751356993DB8D8FAF2166A27AF3790819321&cmResetCat=true&submit+search.x=12&submit+search.y=13

Backpack- Jackson grew out of the baby bjorn so fast. We loved it but with him being so tall we graduated fast. We just made the investment in a backpack. It will last until he is 3! I hope I strong enough to carry him that long! We are envisioning using it in the mountains of Switzerland if we get assigned to Bern. We have tried it out and although he loves it, he is still 20+ pounds according to our backs and shoulders. We must be really out of shape. We will have to build up to long hikes!!

Razzle Berry teether!- this attracts much attention but is so good for teething! Jackson used it non-stop when he was teething. It is a pacifier that looks like a raspberry. It is all bumpy which makes his gums feel better.

Also on the teething note, Oragel now makes swabs that have oragel in them. We use them quite frequently. They are really nice for traveling since taking the tube ges messy.

Praise Baby Worship DVD’s- these have become a mainstay in our home. I know people think babies should not watch TV until age 2. This is because people think that babies don’t learn at this point. Jackson actually learned to clap watching Praise Baby..but to be honest even if he didn’t learn anything it is so nice to have something peaceful to put on that relaxes him and is pleasant for all of us.

Flowing Vapor Cold Stuff (obviously not the official name but since it works and Jackson is sleeping I can’t get the real name off the package because it is in his room)- Jackson is currently sick with a really bad cold. When I was back in the states I bought him this little vapor machine that has vicks type stuff flowing out. It has been a life savor. The cherry scent is a bit strong but it helps him breath and the tablets last 8 hours! Since he is too little for cold medicine this has been so helpful!

Many things are changing for my family back home.  My parents are starting an entirely new chapter. After 30 years as a pastor, my dad has decided to enroll in Southwestern Seminary in Ft. Worth, as a full-time student to earn a counseling degree. This is an exciting time for them as you can imagine. It has also been a very hectic time. My dad was officially accepted on Monday when he was there for a perspective student day. He toured the campus, got accepted and registered for classess all within a few hours. Classes start August 21st. SO, my parents have to pack up, have garage sales, put the house on the market, find a new house, new jobs, etc, all in the next couple of weeks! My grandmother, Nana, has been living with my parents since 2000. She will be moving to Colorado to live with one of my uncles. She hopes to spend a year in Bangkok as well! It will be a new season for all!

I can still remember when my dad went to my college tour at Baylor with me. By the end of the day, he was ready to register for classes and sign up for student housing too! I think he will really enjoy studying again. He has done so much counseling with being a pastor but I think he will enjoying taking his phsycology degree a bit further.

So, we are sad and excited all at the same time. We have been in over our heads with our own bidding research so it has been hard to process the fact that we won’t be able to go “home” again to my parents house.  I won’t be able to get back home before everything is different. So that is quite sad for me. When I feel like we are so far from being settled it has always been nice to have a home to go home to.

We are excited for them to be in Ft. Worth because we know it will be easier for us to see friends in Dallas without doing another roadtrip with a baby!  We will likely not make it to the Ft. Worth area this Christmas because we have all decided to meet in Houston but if plans change we will definately be planning a shin-dig there to catch up with all of you there! And to meet all of the new handsome babies that have been born since we have been in Bogota!