Day at the Expo

First of all: no baby yet. Even after a full day at the Expo on Saturday and another at least two mile walk at the park with the family today, no baby. This really shouldn't be a surprise to me considering none of my children have been born before or on their "due" date but the waiting is what gets tough, and frustrating. We have to temporarily uproot our lives to come into the city where our doctor and hospital are located and this year we are missing our mission's annual SLC (Spiritual Life Conference). The one time a year where all the SIM missionaries currently in Paraguay get together and a team from the US comes to teach, provide child care and worship...all in English. It made me kind of sad and feel lonely as I was making pancakes for dinner tonight to know all our teammates were eating dinner together and probably worshipping together. But, I am not really alone, obviously, as God has blessed me with a wonderful husband and three darling children. And this time, unlike when we were waiting for Sammie to be born (who was, by the way, 11 days "late") we are finding plenty to fill our time.

One of those things was attending the annual Expo. We've been thinking about going for the past three days but it rained and rained and finally on Saturday the skies cleared so off we went. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but it wasn't what I expected. This was a first for our family, going to a "fair" like event with three children. It was kind of a fun feeling, pushing Sammie in the stroller with Dan holding Eli and Toby's hands; the stroller decorated with balloons given to the children; a few souvenirs; the diaper bag draped over the handles; and various odds n' ends filling other nooks and crannies.

Paraguayans are very "kid" friendly so it's not hard to find a place to eat that accomodates children but when Dan picked a place to eat he hit the jack pot. There was a play area where they could draw, they got stickers, balloons, I even got a pen with a notepad and with their meal the boys got chicken squeeky toys and army men. I really should start posting about all the times I have thought I wanted something for the children (ie. an action figure for them to play with inside) when through someone or something God has always provided. Numerous times. Without fail. It never ceases to amaze me how much He even cares about silly, small details like that in our lives. It humbles me.

The Expo's Mascots

Horse show

Boys looking at piranhas

After lunch we spent the afternoon walking up and down the "aisles" checking out different displays for businesses, booths of traditional handcrafts, barns with cows and even a horse show in one of the arenas. There were a few rides off in one corner so the boys chose to ride the trucks that went round and round and to spend some time on a bouncy slide. We were so proud of them for all the walking they did and for their behavior as this was the first time they'd seen many of these things.

I think my favorite quote of the day was as we were making our way to the exit and because of the time, going on 5 pm, the place was just starting to get extremely full of people and "characters". As one particularly odd "character/costume" walked past us, Eli looks at me and asks: "Why are all these people dressed up in costumes?" Good question. Very thoughtful for a four year old, don't you think?

After five hours of walking and pushing a stroller, still no baby. Silas must be awfully comfy where he is. Perhaps God has equipped me with a luxury womb since none of my children are anxious to leave it or on the other hand, maybe its just the craziness that they hear on the outside that keeps them in. Either way we are ready for his arrival. Maybe tomorrow I'll try jumping jacks.