It's very nice to be coming off of a two and a half week vacation for Christmas. We really needed it. Things can get too crazy around here sometimes and we fall into bad habits, like not following through, or not finishing projects, or not keeping to a good routine.

I really believe that a good, healthy routine does wonders for anyone. I know it does for me. It's too early in the game to claim any "new habits" but we do seem to be more determined than usual. =] 

Today being our first day of the new year went rather well. We accomplished everything we set out to do. We seriously started our Spanish curriculum....again. I hate that that gets put on the back burner too often. But, with some new friends from El Salvador, our desire and motivation is back to learn the language even more.

We met the Morales' a couple weeks before Bruce went to El Salvador. They own a grocery store in the front of our subdivision. They speak very good English and don't seem to mind our humble attempts to converse with them in Spanish. They appreciate it I think. Before Christmas we went over to their home for dinner one evening....an all authentic Salvadorean feast! Pan-fried tilapia, cheese and pork papooses (unique to their country), some type of shrimp and tomato saucy mixture that went over rice (it was delicious!), and a type of coleslaw that you put on a large corn tortilla chip and then smother with homemade salsa. Yum!!! It was wonderful!!

Throughout the evening we got to hear the story of how Jose and Maria came to America back in 1989. Rosa (Maria's niece) and her two children arrived in 1995. They have since developed a commercial and residential cleaning business with over 45 clients. And took over ownership of this hispanic grocery a little over a year ago. Their perseverence and hardworking spirit are quite admirable. Although we've been telling them ever since we've met them that they need more time to enjoy life. They work entirely too much!!

One last thought....we were blessed to talk with Adri and her family on New Year's Eve (their NY's Day). It was so good to hear from them. Adri has been diligent about calling us about every 4-6 weeks. We miss her so much and I know she misses us too. She's talking about making a trip to New Orleans and Louisville....perhaps over the summer. That's a sweet thought to look forward to.