My Little Caballero

The week we got back, the kids were preparing for the big Dieciocho Holiday that is celebrated here in Chile.  It's their Independence Day and is taken almost more seriously than Christmas.  All of the schools get a week off and fiestas and festivals happen for days and days all over the country.  At Nido, the Kindergartners were working on a special Spanish song, and the rest of the elementary school was learning the tradition Cueca dance.  I was so excited to see the performances.  The night before they were to occur, I was out running around trying to find the costumes we needed (as we had just returned from Hawaii, and I had spent most of the day at the hospital with Joe).   I received an email saying that they would be postponing the assembly until after the Dieciocho Holiday due to some unfortunate circumstances.  Phew!  Well, at least I had their costumes ready for them.  I sent the kids to school the next day in their normal uniforms, grateful for breather, as I still had to show up to Kate's class to put on their class Dieciocho party with all of the traditional Chilean games.  

 At the end of the day, I picked the kids up from school, and we were talking about all of the excitement of the day.  "How was your day, Jake?!  What'd you do that you loved?"  

 "I can't remember."  (That's pretty typical...but I give him about 10 minutes and then he starts telling me all sorts of things).  Then he said, "Well, we sang our special Spanish song and all the parents were there to watch.  How come you weren't there, Mom?!"  

My heart stopped.  "Did you guys have a special practice today?"  Still thinking that Jake's performance had been cancelled.  

"I guess.  But everyone was dressed up."

"I'll go home and find out when you get to dress up for the real thing, Ok?"  

We got home and I got them eating something so I could run check my emails.  What do you know.  The email clearly stated that only 1st-5th grade was postponed.  I felt like the worst mother on the planet.  My kindergartner's first special performance and I missed it.  Can I chalk that one up to jet lag, pregnancy and taking care of my hospitalized husband?  It didn't matter.  I missed it.  Another sigh.  So, I had Jake get all dressed up in his costume and we took some pretty cool pictures.  I promised I'd find a video of it so we could all watch it together as a family.  He loves his costume.  He asked if he could where it to school the next day and I said, "Of course!!!  As many days as you want, honey!"  

So grateful for the resilience of little boys.  

I love him with all of my heart.  Determined to track down a video :)

I got into a Fight and that's how I knew...

 Julie Berryhill got into a fight?  That's completely and utterly absurd.  I would say the very same thing if I weren't there and didn't "witness" it myself.  The experience needed to be recorded as it contributes significantly to my life.

We were still in Paradise... it was three days after Jen and I ran the marathon.  It was the first day I wasn't walking crippled--I actually felt great.  Joe had already flown back home.  We had all spent a fantastic morning at the beach--digging massive holes, enjoying the waves, exploring on the island...and we were getting a little hungry.

So, we packed up the gear and headed back to our hotel room.  Before the kids all ran into the room, they wanted to jump into the pool.  We dropped the stuff off outside on the terrace and then the kids lead out, while Luke and I trailed behind.  As they walked by this man lounging in his chair, blocking the entrance, he said in an extremely nasally voice, "This is the quiet pool, you're not allowed in here!"

Just as a side note.  It was the quiet pool.  But we've been going to this hotel for so long, that we know it's not an "adult only" pool.  Plenty of kids swim in it, they just can't scream and horse around.  In years passed, we have been a bit noisy, and have been asked to quiet down a bit.  So, we know the rules.

I walked right by the man with Luke and once again, he made the comment in an equally nasal and arrogant tone.  I felt myself tighten inside, because first of all, I can't stand arrogance.  And second? The kids weren't even being noisy (they are very aware of the rule). I turned and smiled at him and said as kindly as possible, "Oh sir, they aren't breaking any rules.  We are only going to be in here for 5 minutes and then we are headed up for lunch." I added a few other "niceties" as well.  

I turned to get Luke in, and I heard a few more choice comments and then, "Ok, if you aren't out in 5 minutes, I'm calling security."  Now, a normally sane person would have completely ignored this being and would have calmly called security herself.  Looking back, it's what should have taken place.

But it didn't.

Suddenly, without any forethought, I found my pointer finger in his face and I was yelling, "ARE YOU THREATENING ME?!!!!"  I couldn't see all of the people staring, I couldn't even see where my own children had hidden with eyes as big as saucers.  The last thing I remember was something along the lines of, "You are a jerk!  I can't believe you!!" (With a little more finger shaking at his nose--by the way, Kate likes to use the word jerk now.  She laughs every time she says it.  Wonderful.  Great mother.)

 At this point, I saw from the corner of my eye, Jen and Dad running as fast as they could from the room to see what was going on.  Apparently they, along with everyone else, heard me and since this was NOT a common Julie voice, they were terrified and got right in the guys face to find out what was going on. I appreciated the back up.  Security was in fact called. (We called them).  

And here were my thoughts through the spectacle:  "Did I really just scream at a man?  What is wrong with me?!!  Maybe the marathon did more damage than I thought... or maybe...could I be...is it possible...am I pregnant?!!!!"

I would have liked to have had it end there.  I never wanted to see this incredibly arrogant man again.  I thought I was in the clear until the kids and I boarded our first plane ride.  The 4 of us were walking through first class to get to our seats with all of our carry on's, and I heard to my left, "Wow, you have your hands full."  I smiled and turned to make a cute, little comment, and IT WAS HIM!!!!!!  I don't think he recognized me.  I hope not.  All I could manage was a smile as I pushed the kids along a little faster.  Sigh.  

Remember how we got home and slept for 7+ hours?  Well, what I didn't mention was, I took a pregnancy test before I hit the pillow.  I was still shocked at my odd behavior.  What do you know?  It was positive.  Well, that explains it.  I wonder what kind of personality Baby Berryhill #4 will bring to our family in May 2014  :)  

Home from the Airport and Straight for the Hospital...Kind of

It was already planned. The kids and I left Hawaii on Sunday evening, September 8th, and wouldn't arrive into Santiago until Tuesday morning, the 10th.  Joe found out he had a hernia a few months ago (probably happened a year ago, but took him a while to finally get it checked out!!!), and had scheduled to have surgery on the Monday the 9th.  I felt horrible not being there with him, but if he hadn't gone through with it, he would have had to wait a few more weeks, and he didn't want to do that.  So, we kept in touch with texts as best we could and had good friends keeping tabs on him.  Thanks, Hamiltons!!!  

As soon as we got home, I knew Joe was OK.  I called him and told him I needed a nap and would be over in just a couple of hours.  We all conked out and didn't wake up for 7 hours.  7 hours!!!!!!!

When I looked at the clock, I was completely disoriented.  I scrambled to get myself together and hurried down to see Joe.  Thankfully, Sandra had come to help me, so I could leave the kids sleeping and I headed down alone.  

When I got there, he was walking for the first time after the surgery.  I always forget how slow you really do walk when you've gone through a major surgery.  Poor thing.  But he looked good.  I told him he reminded me of me after my C-section with Luke :)  Shuffling along like a little old man.  I got to take him home the next day.  No exercise for 2 months and the doctor told me he couldn't lift anything more than a glass of water for the first week or so.  Here's to a speedy recovery!!!  Love you, Joe!

Major's Beach (aka The Best Spot in the World)

I have a few more pictures I have to track down and will post soon, but thought I'd finish up the trip with the family pictures we took after a day at our favorite beach in the world, before Joe had to leave.  

My boys

Can't believe everyone was looking in the same spot and smiling!  Wahoo!!!

The Crew.  All we needed were Chris and Kalei!!!

BG and Momo and their grandkids

Love them so much 

Love him forever

Love Love Love them

Best Girlfriends Ever

I'm beyond blessed.

We even had angels watching over us the entire 33 hour trip home to Chile.  The kids were amazing and unexpected strangers came out of the wood works to help me when I was in need.  There are good people in this world.  I'm so grateful for that. 

Zip Zip Zip!

Since Jen and I had more than fulfilled our thrill for the trip, the others got the itch to do something too!  So, Momo, Bg, Matt, Brett, Ben, Gracie and Kate went ziplining, while we stayed home with the littles. 

Gotta love those helmets.  Somehow Mom still manages to look cute in it!

Here goes Kate's first run!

Loved the double with Kate and Gracie!  How perfect is that?!!!  

They LOVED it. 

Love you two.

What a great day! So glad you got to enjoy it!!!

Kauai Marathon

The first I had heard of the Kauai marathon was 3 days before it was to happen, as we were driving to our hotel.  There was a sign on the side of the road warning of it's closure due to the race.  "Oh how fun that it's going on while we are here!"  I thought to myself.  I think I even mentioned something along the same lines to Joe.  

 Friday night at dinner, the race came up.  Jen looked at me and said with a smile on her face, "Wanna do it?"  I laughed.  I chuckled in fact.  The kind of all-knowing-you-are-insane-we-haven't-trained kind of laugh.  "We haven't trained.  No."  Was my reply.

 The following day, Saturday, I was helping Joe get ready to leave for the airport.  We had to leave at 3:30pm.  "So are you going to do it?"  Joe asked.  "Please just don't do anything dumb."  It was dumb.  The most I'd been running was maybe 6 miles.  And, I'd vowed after my last couple marathons, that I'd only do halfs.  They were easier on my body and took less time to train for.  I knew that my muscles would be like shredded pork in the crockpot at the end of this.  "I don't know."  

 I also knew that Jen really wanted to do it.  It was her first race.  She had never volunteered to do a race with me before.  And it would be so easy because the starting line was right outside of our hotel!  Around 2:30pm, Jen stopped by our room.  "Registration closes at 4pm.  Do you wanna do it?"  

 Pregnant pause.  "Yep."  We ran over to the hotel, grabbed a map, and when the lady asked if we were doing the half or the full, we looked at each other and said, "Sure, let's do the full--why not!"  And then we laughed.  

 I came home in time to take Joe to the airport with my number and shirt.  I promised him I wouldn't be dumb and he just shook his head.  "Text me when it's over, OK?"  The kids must have sensed something exciting was about to happen, because the next morning at 5AM, Kate peaked out of her pitch black room with a huge smile on her face and exclaimed, "Good Luck, Mom!!!

  Don't come in last!"  She used to ask me if I won the races.  I had to explain to her that I was never a contender for 1st...I was more of a middle of the pack type of girl. 

Normally, with 4 months of training, I could promise her I wouldn't be last.  Now...I wasn't so sure.  Jen and I promised each other we'd have fun.  How could we not?!  We were together--we'd witness hula shows, Polynesian music, get caught in torrential rainstorms and even see rainbows.     

 We ran the half without stopping and as soon as we turned off to complete the extremely hilly marathon course (biggest hills I've ever run in a marathon before), we decided a walk/jog approach was best.  

It didn't matter how long the race took us.  It was the most fun I've ever had doing one.  I'm sure it was my partner :)  

 Ben, Kate and Gracie came from the end to meet us and run with us to the finish line.  Mom had my kids the entire time and Dad took pictures so we'd never forget the day we signed up for a marathon on a whim.  

 Memories were definitely made.  Loved almost every second of it :)

The best part?  We made our kids proud.  We didn't come in last :)  And I only resembled a cripple for 2 days after the race, instead of the usual week.  Maybe I should do marathons this way more often.  Plus, we got a sweet visor out of it :)  Thanks Jen.

A Few Random Moments Captured...

Out to dinner...

In matching outfits...

In the elevator...

With Momo...

In the hotel...

And getting ears pierced!

I was 8 years old when I got my ears pierced.  Dad did it with his dental stuff--he pierced Jen's and Mom's too!!  He numbed me up and everything, so even though I was crying out of total fear, I didn't feel a thing.  Kate asked me leading up to her 8th birthday, "Does that mean I get to get my ears pierced too?!"  I asked Dad if he'd bring "the stuff" on the trip.  He did.  Apparently Kate suffered from the same fear I did.  There were some tears and just a tad bit of drama.  

When it was finally over and the earrings were in, the entire crew made our way to the bathroom to see Kate check her sparkly ears out in the mirror.  As we all stood up, Jake did too.  And just at the right moment, he saluted BG and proclaimed, "Alright, Thanks Beeg," as he headed for the door, as if he had a huge part in the ordeal.

Jake has perfect timing.  It's a gift.