Back in th US

Well Maya and I made it successfully back to the United States last weekend. The trip went a lot better than I anticipated, and Maya slept most of the way. Christmas didn't feel like Christmas this year, at least for me anyway. Maybe it was the palm trees of Puerto Vallarta that threw me off. Or that I really wasn't prepared this year mixed with the fact of having to leave the love of my life in Mexico.

This past week has gone by a lot more smoothly as I focused on keeping my mind busy and away from the thought of being away from my husband. And though it has been smooth, it sure isn't easy. I have been struggling to find work (go figure!), and my "savings" have completely diminished.

Oh and I have another surprise: I'm pregnant! Yes. I couldn't believe it either, and this was totally unplanned. So on top of everything else, I have been scurrying around to get medical insurance for my prenatal care for my babie(s). I say "babie(s)", while stressing the "s", because come to find out... since my last, ectopic, pregnancy was a twin pregnancy my chances for another twin pregnancy significantly rises. And my chances of another are 1 in 12! (I'm talking about fraternal, not identical twins) So stay tuned, I will find out if I am having twins in maybe two weeks. I am also planning a Home birth with this pregnancy.

Immigration
So I had planned on sending in my husband's petition before I came back to the states. But it didn't work out that way. I could not find a money order, in English, in US dollars, in Puerto Vallarta. I found one bank that said they used to, but stopped doing it a year ago. So I had to wait until I was in the States to get a postal money order. Since I finally had everything, I mailed in the petition through DHL on December 27th, it was a whooping $78. Ouch. But totally worth it. I then found out yesterday that it made it to Mexico City and was delivered to the US embassy! Yes! Hopefully it will be approved next week or the week after. *fingers crossed*
FYI: I am filing DCF (Direct Consular Filing), which means that I can bypass the NVC stage by sending my paperwork directly to the US consulate in Mexico City because I legally have Mexican residency with an FM2. It also gets approved faster than if I were to send it to a US lockbox.

If you have any questions, please ask in the comment box and I will do the best I can answering any of your questions. I am Not a lawyer!

Christmas for underpriviledged families

A couple weeks ago I met a friend; while waiting outside the INM office to start my FM2 paperwork.

She is a wonderful, funny, and caring person. Earlier this year she began collecting school supplies for the many children and families who can not afford them. The basic items that we purchase for school, ie crayons, markers, backpack, paper, etc, can easily run from $25 (usually much more)USD. Though that seems common in the US, many families in mexico make less than $15 USD a day.

And as Christmas quickly approaches, my friend has been collecting donations to help out families or a very poor community. They are located maybe 30 minutes from puerto Vallarta, and yet receive no government support. Most children there do not go to school. It is a mile walk to go to school, and during the rainy season of aug-oct the rain makes it even harder for these children. And as for the holidays, there are no Christmas trees or presents.

Below are pictures of some of these families.

A Family standing outside of their home

If you can find it in your hearts to donate even $5, my friend and I are able to put it towards helping these families. Not just for the holidays, but longer term. They live without running water, some of their homes have no roofs, and those that do have to be held down with rocks to keep from blowing away, and they have sheets, plastic tarps and boards to serve as their walls.

***A Donation Box is Located to the Right ***

Thank you for your time and support

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

Because there is no running water,
they pour a bucket of water down the toilet to flush it.

The "walls" of one of the home structures

More "walls"

Mexico is NEVER consistant

I am refering to local buses. Though there is a lot of inconsistancy that you can find all over the place.

Usually On good days, the bus you need will pass by almost every 10 minutes. I did not have this luck yesterday. I happened to need a bus that was going to Ixtapa to visit a friend I recently made, and I waited over 30 minutes. Here that's not the norm. Luckily Maya stayed pre-occupied with the bananas I brought her and juice. I guess I didn't have as much experience on these buses as I thought. Im always forgetful of just how full those things can get. I was reminded yesterday. I was soo thankful I had a seat because everyone tha was crammed together in the asiles looked very uncomfortable.

On the plus side I spent a wonderfully long day at my friend's house. Our daughters played together, and we chit-chatted for many hours. Many. Many hours. I loved it! Though I should have left a lot sooner than we did. The next thing I knew I looked at my phone and it was after 10pm, and Maya and I were a long ways from home. But hey the buses were probably running faster now right? Right?!

Nope.. 5 buses came and went in the 40 minutes I was waiting, but none of them was the bus I needed. And because of my inexperience with buses here I was unaware that they come only once an hour after 11pm. I thought I had untill 12am..

CAUTION! DO NOT DO THE BELOW:

Okay so I was bad. Really bad. It was around 11:30pm, Maya was passed out in my arms and I was sitting on a rock besides a tree, waiting for the bus I needed. A car pulled over and an older woman came out. She asked me where I was headed and I told her. And she told me they could give me a ride. She seemed really nice and reminded me of my mother-in-law. So i got in. There were two other guys in the car, both in their late forties (im guessing). They were extremely nice, and we talked the whole way. In spanish! I know I made a BIG no-no, but I was very proud of myself regarding my conversation skills. I really didn't mean to stay out so late, and needless to say I will never do it agian (without my hubby). Maya and I got home safetly, and I said my good-byes to the nice people and they told me (again) to be more careful. So where ever you people are; Thank you again for giving us a ride, and not being some sort of killer maniacs.