1) The other day we received our first package from the USA sent to our home address. We were pretty excited when we go the slip in the mailbox. So we went to the post office to see what we got.
My sweet Aunt Denise sent us a care package with a bunch of little things we missed. Candy, lip gloss - thank you so much!! we all love those and now have a 2 year supply! This really cool roll on paint for kids. They loved it and it smells really good. We love getting stuff from family. Thanks so much!!
2) Drew came home for an hour today to spend some time with Isaac. He's been having a hard time with controlling his bladder lately. Isaac absolutely loves his dad. So to have him come home from work was really special time. He even put Isaac down for bed. (This is what made mommy's day!!) I love to see the two of them play swords or laugh at old mickey mouse cartoons! I love my boys.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Monday, February 26, 2007
The best take-out in Madrid
So one of the bummers about living and working in Madrid is that there isn't really any good take-out when you're working late. In New York I could get just about whatever I want. But when I get special deliveries from the family, it makes up for it. Eryka and the kids brought me a burrito dinner tonight and it was fantastic.
The kids are really funny when they come to my office. Isaac runs straight for the stapler. I don't know what it is with that kid and my stapler, but he just wants to start stapling everything in sight. Stella tosses her jacket as soon as she gets in and she's so excited she starts shouting at nothing in particular. They both start grabbing papers and highlighers, Isaac starts asking for juice and nuts (we keep a refrigerator stocked with different soda and sports drinks, and have a wide variety of nuts and other salty snacks) and they both make various attempts at creating giant mess out of my office (as if it weren't already a total disaster). It gets a little bit crazy for the 3 minutes that they are there, but every minute is a pleasure seeing how excited they are just to be there.
The kids are really funny when they come to my office. Isaac runs straight for the stapler. I don't know what it is with that kid and my stapler, but he just wants to start stapling everything in sight. Stella tosses her jacket as soon as she gets in and she's so excited she starts shouting at nothing in particular. They both start grabbing papers and highlighers, Isaac starts asking for juice and nuts (we keep a refrigerator stocked with different soda and sports drinks, and have a wide variety of nuts and other salty snacks) and they both make various attempts at creating giant mess out of my office (as if it weren't already a total disaster). It gets a little bit crazy for the 3 minutes that they are there, but every minute is a pleasure seeing how excited they are just to be there.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
When one just isn't enough
I'm not sure what extra satisfaction there is to be had out of one more binky. But, hey, it sure made her happy to have them both in there, so I'm not going to think too hard on it.
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Isaac's little prayer
Isaac was a little crazy today. He didn't have a nap, therefore, he was really hyper but he's three so that's to be expected. Anyways, this is how his prayer went tonight...
I'm thankful for my mom.
I'm thankful for when my dad plays with me.
Please help me to be a better boy.
I'm thankful for my sister.
Please bless the baby and my mom when she goes to the doctor.
Please let her bring the baby home.
Please help me to be a better boy.
Amen.
I think I made him feel bad. Poor kid. But after, he said "mom I know how to repent." It was so cute. I'm so proud of him for repenting and wanting to be a better kid. It was really cute how he wants to bring the baby home too!
I'm thankful for my mom.
I'm thankful for when my dad plays with me.
Please help me to be a better boy.
I'm thankful for my sister.
Please bless the baby and my mom when she goes to the doctor.
Please let her bring the baby home.
Please help me to be a better boy.
Amen.
I think I made him feel bad. Poor kid. But after, he said "mom I know how to repent." It was so cute. I'm so proud of him for repenting and wanting to be a better kid. It was really cute how he wants to bring the baby home too!
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
What a great day!
I finally felt good today!! I'm really hoping that the morning sickness is gone but I think it was just a good day. Whichever, I have taken advantage of it. I've been able to get so much done. Little things like taking dry cleaning to the cleaners and having a picture framed but mainly being able to totally enjoy my kids. After school we went to Dad's office to visit for a few minutes before we went to the park. It was really nice to be outside and smell fresh air. The kids had a blast. Isaac is such a good big brother. He loves to help Stella on the swings. At the park by our house they don't have infant bucket swings so Stella is learning how to swing early. Its so cute to see her do it. Unfortunately, I didn't bring the camera, next time. I just wanted to wish everyone a happy and productive day!! Enjoy it!
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
I hope this never happens to me
Two American college students (girls) showed up in church on Sunday and said they were just visiting for the weekend and were hoping to join our meetings. They had already missed our Sacrament services and we told them they were welcome to join us for Relief Society which would be next, and they seemed to vacilate on whether to stay or go. They were kind of guarded in their responses on why they were there, but when we probed a little deeper, they revealed that one of them had her purse stolen at the airport the night before and she couldn't get on her flight to Paris because she didn't have her passport. They were stuck until Tuesday when the U.S. Embassy would re-open (Monday was a U.S. Holiday) and she could get a temporary passport.
They were clearly embarassed by what had happened - the purse was stolen while they were sleeping at the airport terminal. They thought they would avoid the chance of missing their 4:00 a.m. flight by camping out at the airport. They were trying to take turns sleeping to keep an eye on their stuff, but they ended up both nodding off and sure enough, the purse was long gone when they awoke.
The worst thing is trying to deal with this situation in Spain. Customer service here is absolutely miserable, and I can't imagine having to deal with the Spanish in this case. The poor girls had to change their flight, fill out a police report, get directions and more. Essentially, no one they spoke with at the airport was sympathetic or helpful until they finally broke down in tears at the tourist information booth (this was after having been denied any form of help by about 10 other "information" and "customer assistance" booths).
I think they were lucky, or perhaps guided by the spirit, to show up to our ward - essentially the only ward within Madrid city limits with any Americans in it. The Bishop helped them make phone calls to their family and we arranged for them to stay with us Monday and Tuesday night so they could catch their flight early Wednesday morning. We let them borrow Eryka's cell phone so they could go out and see Madrid (as long as they were stranded here, they might as well have some fun) and call us if they needed anything.
So the girl got a replacement passport this morning and they'll be able to get back to their trip. I felt really bad for all the hassle they had to go through to resolve this, but at the same time I'm grateful we were here and in a position that we could help them. It reminded me of the times my Dad would run into stranded college students from Europe in Blanding and help feed and house them until they could get their car fixed or find another rental and get back on the road. I remember what a neat experience that always was for our family to meet new people from exotic locations. More importantly, I got to see my Dad provide selfless service to a stranger. I'm not sure Isaac, and certainly not Stella, will remember this, but I think it's a good family tradition my Dad started that I hope we can carry on.
They were clearly embarassed by what had happened - the purse was stolen while they were sleeping at the airport terminal. They thought they would avoid the chance of missing their 4:00 a.m. flight by camping out at the airport. They were trying to take turns sleeping to keep an eye on their stuff, but they ended up both nodding off and sure enough, the purse was long gone when they awoke.
The worst thing is trying to deal with this situation in Spain. Customer service here is absolutely miserable, and I can't imagine having to deal with the Spanish in this case. The poor girls had to change their flight, fill out a police report, get directions and more. Essentially, no one they spoke with at the airport was sympathetic or helpful until they finally broke down in tears at the tourist information booth (this was after having been denied any form of help by about 10 other "information" and "customer assistance" booths).
I think they were lucky, or perhaps guided by the spirit, to show up to our ward - essentially the only ward within Madrid city limits with any Americans in it. The Bishop helped them make phone calls to their family and we arranged for them to stay with us Monday and Tuesday night so they could catch their flight early Wednesday morning. We let them borrow Eryka's cell phone so they could go out and see Madrid (as long as they were stranded here, they might as well have some fun) and call us if they needed anything.
So the girl got a replacement passport this morning and they'll be able to get back to their trip. I felt really bad for all the hassle they had to go through to resolve this, but at the same time I'm grateful we were here and in a position that we could help them. It reminded me of the times my Dad would run into stranded college students from Europe in Blanding and help feed and house them until they could get their car fixed or find another rental and get back on the road. I remember what a neat experience that always was for our family to meet new people from exotic locations. More importantly, I got to see my Dad provide selfless service to a stranger. I'm not sure Isaac, and certainly not Stella, will remember this, but I think it's a good family tradition my Dad started that I hope we can carry on.
Saturday, February 17, 2007
I love...
I had such a good time in Barcelona this past week. If you ever get a chance to stay in a 5 star hotel for free you should take it! The service is amazing. One example, I wanted to watch a movie one night and we didn't have a dvd player with us. So I called the hotel from the video store and asked if our room had one. He said no but that he'd have one in my room by the time I got back. I was so excited!
Anyways, I'm so glad we went with Drew. It was a great reminder of what I love. I love to go on adventures. Not just the trip but day adventures where I take the kids and we go out and really play hard. Full days at the Zoo adventures. Where your kids realize they love dolphins. Trips to the beach. Where you can sit for hours playing in the sand or take your pants off and run in and out of the water even though its February! Just playing and having fun with my kids. I really loved doing this in the City because I always had amazing friends that would come along. So here in Madrid, I haven't done anything like that because I don't have the friends to come along but going to Barcelona I realized I have two amazing kids that are my best little pals and they are always willing to come along. I love them. So now I'm so excited to be in Madrid. I have a lot of big adventures right here in my own backyard!
I also realized how much I love Drew. He's an amazing husband and he always knows what I need and then he does it! He knew I needed this trip and so at the last minute he booked it. He didn't care about the cost. He just knew I needed something fun and so he made it happen. I don't know what I'd do without him. I love him to death!!
Six weird things about me
Debbie tagged Eryka, but she is too busy/sick/tired/fill-in-the-blank to post much lately so, here I go:
I am awesome at karaoke, but only do it on cruises.
I've dragged my wife and family all over the country and all over the world for my education and my career, but I'm really a homebody and prefer lounging around the house to going out and doing anything.
I sing the same silly songs to my kids that my dad sang to me when I was a kid, and I'm constantly surprised at how much the things I do with my kids remind me of my childhood with my dad.
I'm quickly identified as a foreigner in Spain, but not usually as an American (my cabbie the other day thought I was German).
I love video games and will probably always try to get the latest Nintendo system just for the Legend of Zelda games.
I absolutely love fantasy and science fiction novels and always find it a pleasure when I happen upon a talented new author.
I am awesome at karaoke, but only do it on cruises.
I've dragged my wife and family all over the country and all over the world for my education and my career, but I'm really a homebody and prefer lounging around the house to going out and doing anything.
I sing the same silly songs to my kids that my dad sang to me when I was a kid, and I'm constantly surprised at how much the things I do with my kids remind me of my childhood with my dad.
I'm quickly identified as a foreigner in Spain, but not usually as an American (my cabbie the other day thought I was German).
I love video games and will probably always try to get the latest Nintendo system just for the Legend of Zelda games.
I absolutely love fantasy and science fiction novels and always find it a pleasure when I happen upon a talented new author.
Family fun in Barcelona (minus Daddy)
I went to Barcelona Wednesday night for work and I knew I would be there for two nights, so we got airfare for Eryka and the kids to join me while I was there. I guess "join me" is being a little generous. We were in the same city, but didn't see a whole lot of each other. That's okay - Eryka assures me Barcelona is a fantastic city, and I believe her from the description of her adventures the two days we were there. We didn't get to stay at the hotel I enjoyed so much on my first trip, but we got another fancy place more centrally located for exploring the city:
In two days, Eryka went to the zoo, the beach, saw a water and lights show, toured half the city on a bus, and was actually able to get decent food at decent hours. In Barcelona they understand that some people want to eat at times other than just 2:00-4:00 in the afternoon and after 9:00 at night.
You'll have to ask Eryka for more details. She's currently recovering from the return trip. I foolishly booked her on a flight to leave Barcelona at 11:30 p.m. and the flight was delayed for two hours without any explanation, when they finally boarded they had to be shuttled to the airplane on a bus, and when they landed the stroller she had checked at the gate was not there. They had sent it through baggage claim, and even then they sent it through the wrong baggage claim so Eryka had to go searching all through baggage claim at 3:00 a.m. dragging along two exhausted kids. She couldn't find the stroller and almost left without it until someone else pointed out it was off in some other part of baggage claim. (By way of explanation, I flew home on a different flight on the expensive airline that has flights leaving every 30 minutes since I was on work business. Also the baggage claim area at the Madrid Airport Terminal 4 is astonishingly HUGE. There can't possibly be that many flights coming in at once to that one terminal.)
So it was more than we bargained for getting Eryka home, but I think the trip was worth it. Eryka can't argue with that right now because she's still sleeping. Anyway, here are some pictures, and make sure you go all the way down to catch some awesome video:
In two days, Eryka went to the zoo, the beach, saw a water and lights show, toured half the city on a bus, and was actually able to get decent food at decent hours. In Barcelona they understand that some people want to eat at times other than just 2:00-4:00 in the afternoon and after 9:00 at night.
You'll have to ask Eryka for more details. She's currently recovering from the return trip. I foolishly booked her on a flight to leave Barcelona at 11:30 p.m. and the flight was delayed for two hours without any explanation, when they finally boarded they had to be shuttled to the airplane on a bus, and when they landed the stroller she had checked at the gate was not there. They had sent it through baggage claim, and even then they sent it through the wrong baggage claim so Eryka had to go searching all through baggage claim at 3:00 a.m. dragging along two exhausted kids. She couldn't find the stroller and almost left without it until someone else pointed out it was off in some other part of baggage claim. (By way of explanation, I flew home on a different flight on the expensive airline that has flights leaving every 30 minutes since I was on work business. Also the baggage claim area at the Madrid Airport Terminal 4 is astonishingly HUGE. There can't possibly be that many flights coming in at once to that one terminal.)
So it was more than we bargained for getting Eryka home, but I think the trip was worth it. Eryka can't argue with that right now because she's still sleeping. Anyway, here are some pictures, and make sure you go all the way down to catch some awesome video:
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Business travel
I went to Barcelona for the first time this week. That's right, we've been living in Spain for six months and we hadn't been to Barcelona before that. And the truth is, I still haven't really been there. I have discovered the common routine for me during business travel is to arrive, go to my hotel, wake up in the morning and go straight to work. Then it's either straight to bed because I'm exhausted or right back to Madrid. This time it was right back to Madrid so I could finish working on a draft of another document.
Well, I didn't get to see much of Barcelona, but my quick drive through the city and stay at the hotel convinced me I want to go back. The hotel I stayed at Tuesday night was absolutely fantastic. Here's a link:
http://www.ritzcarlton.com/hotels/barcelona/
I'll be going back this week for a couple of days for due diligence (that means reading a bunch of documents in Spanish for a few days). I'm hoping to stay at the same hotel and I think it will be worth the price of flying the family there so at least someone in the Glover family can enjoy Barcelona. And I'm sure they'll love the hotel.
Well, I didn't get to see much of Barcelona, but my quick drive through the city and stay at the hotel convinced me I want to go back. The hotel I stayed at Tuesday night was absolutely fantastic. Here's a link:
http://www.ritzcarlton.com/hotels/barcelona/
I'll be going back this week for a couple of days for due diligence (that means reading a bunch of documents in Spanish for a few days). I'm hoping to stay at the same hotel and I think it will be worth the price of flying the family there so at least someone in the Glover family can enjoy Barcelona. And I'm sure they'll love the hotel.
Friday, February 09, 2007
I'm caught up!
This is probably the silliest post ever but I'm so excited! I'm finally caught up on laundry!!! For the past month I've been behind and slowly trying to catch up. But I did it today! I just have to finish putting together all the socks. But I'm going to do that tonight after the kids go to bed. I'll watch a movie and fold socks. Have a fun friday night!!
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Exciting Change of Plans!
So our orignal plan was to wait until we got back to the States to get pregnant but then all of our friends started to get pregnant and we started to get a little baby hungry and the next thing you know we're looking for a doctor in Spain that speaks English. So YES! I'm pregnant.
We're all so excited. I'm still really early on but we've had an ultrasound and everything looks great. I've found an excellent doctor. He has me on all kinds of medication to try and prevent a miscarriage since I've had a few. And he gave me medication for the all day sickness. Which has been great except one of the medications makes me extremely tired. But I'll take tired over sick any day! I'm due September 10. Hopefully this baby won't come to early since in Spain August appointments are hard to come by. I'm also delivering at Ruber International Hospital which is the same hospital that the Spanish royalty delivers at. I've heard its like delivering at the Ritz. Sounds pretty nice since our last experience with Stella was a total ghetto hospital. I'm so excited and just wanted to tell everybody because when you see me in a few weeks you'll definatly be able to tell. I'm already showing. What's up with that? I hope everyone is doing well!! By the way, Thank you SO much for all the sweet birthday emails! It totally made my day! I can't wait to see everyone! Love, Eryka
Monday, February 05, 2007
Wanna win something!!
This is really fast but I just wanted to let everyone know about a friend's blog. www.designmom.com Its really fun to read and a couple times a month she has giveaways of really cool things. So check it out! There's a giveaway going on right now but hurry it ends tonight! So go enter.
Love ya all,
Eryka
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