Who's the bigger kid.....

....Elena or her grandpa?

On the Go

Please excuse the silence from this blog. We've had a full few months since BBS's graduation in April. Here is a recap of the highlights:

We were able to see family in the NW in May. Some highlights were time with siblings & parents, good coffee, trees (clean air!), hiking, meeting our sweet nephew Ethan, a little free time for us while the grandparents took care of Elena, a trip to Fred Meyers (I know that sounds really weird but So.Cal doesn't have Freddy's and I've never found any store quite like it...where else can you get Nancy's yogurt and a pair of Levis on sale?), and a visit with friends from Tijuana (now living in Tacoma) Miguel & Shawna.

Elena showing Ethan (5mos) how to properly look at books

From Tijuana to Tacoma....it had been a year since our dear friends left Tijuana so we were delighted to meet up with them in Portland.

Elena turned TWO. Has it really been two years since that incredible and long labor experience? That 3 month blur of not freaking out at every new newborn sound, figuring out how to nurse in public, and hearing many sweet Mexican women chant "¡aye, que linda bebe....que bonitos ojos....mira la princesa!"? And has it already been a year since she started walking (and falling)? Since she first said "favor" (as in "por favor"--please)? Yep. She is now a little girl who is just as busy, sweet, and inquisitive as the first time we laid eyes on her.

Elena and Richell at a jungle-like fruit/taco stand in Tijuana....what else would a 2 year old want for her birthday than a fresh veggie-fruit juice? Okay, maybe its just a Sorensen thing.

Now that you've traveled with me down Elena memory lane, I'm pleased to announce that Mike and Melissa are the proud parents of Thomas Joseph Lenard (better known as Tommy) born June 7. Something I discovered after experiencing the process of birth with Elena is how much I love it. Okay, labor is labor and hard work but it is also an amazing, fascinating, and inspiring process. I have been honored to be beside both my sisters as they gave birth. So quite recently I've spent a lot of time at Mike and Melissa's. Elena and I spent a week with M&M awaiting Tommy's arrival. He was cozy where he had been all 9+ months so we went back to Tijuana for a few days until he was ready to leave the comfort of his mommy's womb. I was able to travel back without Elena (Super Dad took great care of her for 4 days) to more fully support Liss during labor, delivery and after.

Stephs' mom with Tommy (2wks) and Elena

My sisters and our kids (from left: Erika & Addie, Melissa & Tommy, Me & Elena).

We were blessed with a trip to Big Bear Lake in June. Some friends of BBS gave us a few nights at a time share so we thoroughly enjoyed exploring this place new to us. Another benefit was that Mike and Melissa's is on the way so we got to see them and my mom and sister who were visiting.

Hiking near the Lake...Elena was in heaven with the endless dirt (she's not that unevenly tan), large pinecones, sticks, and streams.

We discovered that Elena loves the swimming pool. She asked to go to "swimming time" each day.

Sisters, Showers and Joshua Tree

What could be better for this mamma's soul....time with my sisters, a baby shower celebrating Tommy's arrival in May, and a day to hike around Joshua Tree Nat'l Park.

A mountain named after my beloved husband (No big deal that is almost kicked our out of shape rear ends!)

Apparently she couldn't handle the length of the hike

Elena was thrilled to be let loose to explore the sand, rocks, sticks, bugs, etc.

Liss and Mike are very loved by their church. They threw a shower for her and over 30 ladies attended....Tommy has a big extended family excited to meet him!

Crossing paths in California...we had a few precious hours between our arrival at Mike and Melissa's and Erika's return to Oregon

Addie (one year old) and Elena (almost two years old)

At her finest

This sums up some of the things that Elena enjoys right now: food, hanging out with mom, being outside and not just stuck in her car seat doing errands all day long. Hmmm, I like all these things, too.

NOT a Box

I suppose one test of the quality of a children's author is how a book they've written effects the little reader. Well, Elena has been inspired by Antionette Portis' book "Not a Box". We've recently discovered the treasure that the Chula Vista library is for children's books. Elena, like most children, has always been a fan of boxes. Right after reading this book, which is about a bunny who uses an ordinary box for extraordinary adventures, she went for the closest empty box-looking object she could find (in this case, a laundry basket). She sat in it and proudly looked through her new book. I suppose she was not actually in a box, she was really in a boat or spaceship.

"Its my Not-a-Box!"

Come unto Me

I've been very encouraged by this short message from Amy Carmichael. As I reflect on it, I realize that the Lord has placed many of these souls (compassionate, caring souls) in my life. My life has been enriched by you so I post this hoping it serve as an encouragement to you in return. You know who you are if these words resound within you.

Sometimes we think of the invitation of Matthew 11:28 as if it had been spoken to sinners burdened by their sin. It is to them, of course, but not only (perhaps not chiefly) to them. That is why the words over the door of the House of Prayer are "Come to Me." Those dear words are to us all, and each time we cross the threshold of that House, our Lord says to each one--calling him or her by name--Come to Me.

In the Aramaic it is "Come unto Me all you who are tired out and carrying burdens." Perhaps the burden that is tiring you out is not your sin (for that has been forgiven) but the sin of another, a soul dear to you. Sometimes it s the weariness of illness, or the tiredness after pain. Sometimes it is the inability to help others as you long to do; the burden of a loving heart can be a heavy burden. The words come fresh as dew to us every morning, "Come unto Me, all you who are tired out and carrying burdens, and I will give you rest."

Edges of His Ways, January 18

Thank you for being examples to Ryan and me and showing Christ to us through your lives. May this rich piece of truth spurn us on to share with and pray for those yet to know a Savior who is waiting to carry their burdens, too.

Highlights from the Holidays

1. The Subaru (affectionately called "the subie") finally experienced snow in Payson, AZ.

2. Mike and Melissa are having a boy! I've named him Ry-Ry after my dear husband but they have some other ideas. We'll let you know his real name in May when he arrives.

3. The Castillo experienced (and survived) all Steph's immediate family and their spouses over Christmas weekend. We also spent time at Mike & Melissa's. I love watching Elena with her family and especially her grandparents.

4. Elena loves her baby cousin Addie. When she first saw her she exclaimed, "baby" and tried to pick her up. Don't let this picture fool you, she played well with Addie & enjoyed patting her and giving her hugs.

4. We enjoyed Christmas eve in Tijuana with our friends Luis & Aide, and much of their extended family. And somehow we managed to sleep that night even with all the fireworks and loud music.

5. The first week of January we resumed classes at the beach. Yep, tough life. BBS was given a weeks stay at a resort in Rosarito so thats where we held classes. It took Elena awhile to be okay with walking in the sand but strangely enough she didn't cry when she fell in the ocean (I'm not that horrible of a mom...I was watching closely, I just didn't expect her lose her balance when the water came to her toes).

Payson, Arizona

We were given a generous gift by some friends from the NW--a weeks stay anywhere we wanted using their timeshare. We decided on a place we'd never been but fit a few requirements: 1. It was less than one full day's drive from Tijuana and 2. It was in the mountains where we could step out our door and be surrounded by fresh air and hiking. What we came up with was a lodge about 20 minutes outside of Payson, AZ. Payson has a small town feel, similar to where each of us grew up. It boasted a Starbucks in the Safeway and had a great park with a lake that Elena couldn't get enough of (she is quite enamored with ducks). We were 20 minutes the other direction from the Mongollon Rim. I'd never heard of it either--think Columbia Gorge without the River. What it meant for us was beautiful vistas, few people, hiking and snow.

Our very own cabin

The week started sunny and ended with snow. This was Elena's first experience with snow--she wasn't too sure about it but did like our snowball fight.

A view of the Rim from below.

A view of below from the Rim.

So this is where vacation with a toddler looks different than before. We found the local library and came back the next day because of its play room and toddler story time. I've not found this type of thing in TJ so we were pretty excited. Oh how life changes.

Another experience with Elena that I am grateful for--slowing down to enjoy the scenery. We spent a lot of time gathering leaves, sticks and rocks and throwing them into the creek. We also spent a lot of time sitting by the creek (ok, I was holding her jacket so she wouldn't nose dive into it) watching things float down and listening to the water. It was a sort of forced peacefulness that I wouldn't have enjoyed the same without her.

Below is a video of Elena's fascination with ducks. You can tell its contagious.

Las Playas con Amiguitos

Here are a few photos of a recent visit with our friends Drew, Bibi and their son, Micah. He and Elena seem to get along pretty well.

Coloring!

San Diego Zoo

I've lived next door to San Diego for over 5 years now and this is my first time visiting the infamous San Diego Zoo. Liss and I took Elena last week. Elena's reaction, before she saw any animals, was "oohhh". Then she saw the ducks, turtles, and fish (near the entrance) and could hardly stand it. She chattered for the first 20 minutes straight.

3 Amigas

These twins have become Elena's buddies at our friend's casa hogar. They're about a year and a half older than her. When we visit, they come running to the gate saying, "Nena, Nena" and Elena squeals with delight. It's good to be known and appreciated regardless of your age.

Fall on the Porch

Fall, as in the weather. The porch has proved to be a great place for Elena to play. Each month something new and exciting shows up for her to enjoy. Lately its been the dried leaves that gather in the corner. There are also brooms that are left outside which she enjoys dragging behind her. And then last week Jonny (a student this year) purchased a skateboard. Who needs to spend money on new toys when these things provide so much fun!

Primer Piñata

This week Elena attended her first kid's birthday party in Mexico (referred to as a piñata). She was thoroughly entertained watching the other kids and exploring the grounds. They had rented two jump houses--one for big kids and another for little kids. She wanted to join the big kids but settled for rolling around in the smaller one. Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera handy to catch those shots. Below you can see her on the left in the pink skirt eagerly watching the bigger kids play.

Elena was completely enthralled with the Mario piñata. She didn't take a swing at him but as you can see from the sequence of events following, she did manage to get a paleta (sucker) out of the deal.