Day 10-11

What a busy few days. We picked up Rachel and Lizzie from the airport and have not stopped since.
We went to the park and played bochas. Rachel played at the park where there is a water section- good for the heat of Las Vegas.
We also went to Pastor Marios house to help with the donations. There was a truckload of blessings that arrived. Veronica could not get over the amount of stuff that was donated. We spent all day yesterday- unloading a truck and sorting the items that were donated. Rachel even got to enjoy organizing with us. We got home after the long day and Veronica and Rachel made empanadas. We enjoyed them very much.

Days 6-9

I am bunching a few days together because we were away from my computer so I could not blog. We have had a wonderful few days...
We got a Cabin in Williams Arizona about 45 miles from the Grand Canyon. The first night we cooked a chicken- it was yummy. We enjoyed every aspect of this trip. The weather was fabulous. It was in the 80's during the day and at night it was in the 50's.
The Grand Canyon was AMAZING. We had a wonderful time walking and checking everything out.
We also taught Veronica how to make a smore... She thought they were YUMMY.
Today we go and pick up Lizzie and Rachel. We are getting real excited of their visit.

Day 5

Paul and Veronica spent the day driving around finding things that Veronica was looking to purchase. When they picked me up from work they both looked tired. We made our plans for the trip to Grand Canyon. Not much else to report for that day!

Day 4

Some of you have been wondering about Veronica and how we know her- so I guess it is time I give you some clarification. Paul and Veronica are childhood friends. Veronica lives in LLavallol, Buenos Aires, Argentina. She is a police officer- does administrative work. She and I have become very good friends throughout the years!

Day 4 was full of excitement. (not as much for me because I had to work) Paul and Veronica started the day off with a round of tennis. I cannot believe they lasted 2 hours since the weather was already over 95- (we had a high of 115 for the day!) Then they decided to take the canoe out. I could not believe that they did not even fall in the water once! They came to pick me up and they both looked a bit crunchy! They forgot sunscreen- ouch! Paul was more red and Veronica was more tan. She has the kind of skin that only tans when in the sun! How fortunate... I just turn red and then right back to my nice white!
Right after work we went to LouAnne's house for dinner and hair! LouAnne is the lady that does my hair- She is really good at what she does. I got highlights done with a trim and Veronica got a trim. We also had the opportunity to play with her two daughters.

By the time we got home we were exhausted!

Day 3

Veronica spent the day at home resting and getting used to the time change. I think the jet lag finally hit her. When we got home she had dinner almost all done. She just needed Paul to grill the steaks. We enjoyed the evening eating, talking, laughing-
Paul was officially on vacation so he was plotting and planning what he and Veronica were going to get into! He wants to play tennis, take the canoe to the lake, play soccer... he wants to keep her real busy in the 115 degree weather!

Day 2

I really do not like having to work when I have company- So I spent the day working and keeping myself really busy to make the time fly by. I picked Veronica up at lunch so that she would not have to be at home alone for too long. We ate lunch together and then I went back to work. Monday nights Paul and I clean the office so Veronica helped us clean.

After cleaning we went to Pannevino- our favorite Italian restaurant. One of the waiters there is from Argentina and he really enjoyed talking to Veronica.

Day 1

I am planning on journaling the visit that we have with Veronica! I don't want to forget the details and I find the best way is to journal the time.
We picked Veronica up on Sunday morning at 10:00. She arrived safe- and bundled up. I brought her a shirt to change into since she came from the cold and I knew that the 114 degree weather would be unbearable with the long sleeve shirt and jacket she came with. We greeted her with a Starbucks latte- her favorite "American drink"- As soon as we stepped outside she because FULLY aware of the Vegas Summer- It was a suffocating heat. We teased her since she kept telling us prior to her visit that she could not wait for warmer weather- She did no expect the heat that greeted her.
We went home to get refreshed- and then off we went... We had lunch at Fados (an Irish Restaurant) so that Veronica could try something different.
After that we drove all around Vegas, first to Liborio to get some groceries- we got some fabulous deals. A whole watermelon for $1.70, then 4 grapefruit for $.99, 6 lbs of nectarines for $.99. WHAT A BARGAIN!
We called it a night early since we were all exhausted.

Cookout

What a wonderful day for a cookout. The steaks were YUMMY. We all enjoyed ourselves very much.

I am so thankful that it is Friday! This is the weekend we have been waiting for a few months now. Veronica arrives on Sunday morning early!

Please pray with me that she has a safe trip!

Enjoy the pictures of the office and the cookout!

UPS or USPS?

Today I brought 4 boxes from home that need shipped to my mom and sister. 2 are for mom and 2 for Lizzie. I have one box completely of my mom's clothes that she had at my house for when she visited. She does not come out as much as she used to so I thought she should probably enjoy using her clothes! (besides I need the room at my house) the other box for my mom is goodies that I got from Pastor Mario and Gabriela- that they got from the donation center. She is getting a box of variety! Lizzie is getting 2 boxes of just goodies from the donation center.

Now the big question is- which method will be the most effective- UPS or USPS?
I have shipped several boxes from my office and for some "odd" reason 2 of the boxes never made it to my sister- which is why I want to make sure that I use the most effective method. I can ship UPS and they give me a tracking number or I can physically take the boxes to USPS and pay for delivery confirmation so that I am tracking it as well.

Tomorrow at the office we are grilling steaks on the portable grill that we have at the office.
Last month was a good month for me with my commissions so I like to take care of the girls for helping me have a good month- so- I will be making lunch for them. Steaks on the grill with baked potatoes, salad and french bread.

I will have to remember to take pictures so you all can see the outcome!

Beat up

I feel so beat up today! I have been sluggish all day. I think I just over did it this weekend. In the process of getting ready for Veronica to come and visit I spent most of the weekend cleaning and rearranging things. I am having a garage sale this weekend to get rid of STUFF that just keeps piling up. Right after Veronica leaves we will have some roommates!!!
Pastor Mario and Gabriela are coming to live with us for a temporary time. They will be here for a few months and then they will be in Argentina for about 6 weeks. Once they get back they will be looking for a place to live.
We welcomed them to stay with us as long as they need. It will be nice to have the house full- sometimes the house is so quiet that I believe having them live with us will make it a little more "lived in".
They are Great people! We will REALLY enjoy having them around. Paul feels like he is in Argentina when we are with them since they speak Spanish with us.
Well, gotta wrap this up so that I can continue to get work done so when I am gone on vacation I can RELAX.

9 days/ 216 hours/ 12,960 minutes

Only 9 days or 216 hours or 12,960 minutes until Veronica Escalante comes to visit. Paul and I are SOOOOO excited for her visit! I am taking a week off to spend some time with her since she is making the long trip from Argentina.
I have already started making plans of what we will do while she is out here.
We are going to get our hair cut, going camping, getting pedicures, getting massages, going to SeaWorld, and..... not sure what else. We are looking forward to her visit.

Bonus.... my sister and niece are coming out on July 28th for a week to visit also. Rachel met Veronica last year when she came to visit- so we thought it would be nice to have her come out and spend some time with us as well.

It is JULY- Can you believe it?????

I am amazed at how quickly this year is slipping through my fingers. Before we know it, I will be shopping for Christmas!!!

This weekend was AWESOME. We spent Friday together just resting and spending time together.

Saturday, Paul finished up 2 of his classes (by taking the final exams) and then we spent the evening with Pastor Mario and Gabriela Alsina. We grilled steaks on the grill and had some salad and french bread.

Sunday was our official day of rest.... and rest we did.
Now- I must get ready for a fresh new day. Lots of work to do- I am focused on getting lots of work done today- since I have lots of piles to work on!

"In everything give Thanks!!!"