October Polka-dotted News from the Mendezes

We had a busy September, what about you guys?

We're starting to get excited about our move to Santiago, Chile. We've been reading up on everything there - rules about bringing vehicles, pets, and preschools. I'm hoping that Abby can get into one of the bilingual preschools there. Their seasons are opposite the US: summer is in December, January and February. So that will be very interesting.

Abby and I started attending the weekly playgroup in September, in addition to my duties in the International Women's Club, and my Bible study group started back up as well. Joel had a very successful poker night this month (well, not financially successful). We also took a weekend trip to Aviano to stock up.

I also began an online business course. It's geared toward entrepreneurs and teaches you all about starting a business and creating a business plan. It's pretty good, though the homework has pretty much taken over my life at the moment. But it's very interesting, and I'm learning a great deal.

Abby is turning into a real little girl, right before our eyes. I got her a little chair for the living room, and she sits in it like a big kid. Abby is so curious and gets into everything. We've had to start saving toys from being flushed down the toilet. It is amazing just watching investigate and figure little things out. She now "meows" to Puzza. She meows to any animal, actually. We're trying to get her to "woof" to the dog next door, but it hasn't worked yet. She is trying very hard to talk and communicate and is starting to get very frustrated when we don't understand her. We are really working hard on words now trying to alleviate that a bit. Other than that, Abby is doing well, she even ended the month with another tooth! She got one of her molars on the right side.

You guys will be proud to know that I am already indoctrinating her into the cult of scrapbooking!

So that was our September. Our October has already started with a bang -- Abby has chicken pox (hence the polka-dotted title!). It's a very mild case, and she got it from the vaccine she got a few weeks ago. She's already doing much better, but keeping her from the playground and other kids is becoming a pain. She really misses playing with other kids.

So that's it for us. Hopefully by next week we'll be released from being stuck at the house with Abby's chicken pox. We're supposed to be going to a farm visit with the embassy next Saturday. We're looking forward to Abby petting a goat and riding a pony! (This child has very little fear, so I don't think that will be a problem at all.) Plus, Joel and I have decided that we need "date nights" and have signed up for salsa classes begining this weekend. Oh, and of course the Embassy Halloween party is coming up as well! Abby's costume finally arrived in the mail, and I can't wait to get her all dressed up!
Talk to all you soon!

Love,
Julie, Joel and Abby