We're Smitten.

Five Reasons We LOVE Santiago...

1. It's beautiful...especially this time of year. It's been at least 80 degrees and sunny every single day since we got here. The mountains are huge and glorious, and it's GREEN...Check out the view from our bedroom window (fyi...this is not our permanent home...we're staying at Vero and Seba's house while they're on their honeymoon).



2. The BREAD...there are 3 stores that sell fresh, hot bread...morning, noon and night, within 5 minutes (walking) of where we're staying! My favorite is the "marraqueta" (pronounced mah-rah-keh-ta...practice rolling your Rs in the middle.) It's crispy on the outside and soft and warm on the inside. Mmmmm...so good!



3. The metro...Santiago's subway system is clean, fast, and gets us to almost anywhere in the city we need to go. Brad's already memorizing the different lines and where they take us. We're hoping to rent an apartment close to a metro station.

4. Chileans looooove babies...if you have a baby, come to Chile, it's seriously the best. If I get on the metro carrying Ben, invariably, someone jumps out of their seat to offer it to me. I've had many a conversation in public places because of Ben...old men asking me how old he is, and then proceeding to tell me about all their children and grandchildren. I love it. The other day, we went to renew my ID card, only to be met by lines and lines of people...we thought it would take us at leat 3 hours to get to the front of the line. Within 15 minutes, however, Chilean ladies were taking me by the hand, leading me to the front, and explaining to the clerk that I had a baby and I needed my ID card NOW! Amazing. My mom and dad always said that having me in Chile was what really bound them to the Chilean people. I now totally get it.

Ben and his friend, Tana

5. Our friends... We cannot begin to express how grateful we are for our Chilean friends. Our transition has been so much easier because of their generous hospitality. In the past three weeks we've recieved numerous invitations to dinner and "tea"; we have a place to stay until January 3rd, while we look for an apartment (we're even being lent a car for part of that time!); and we've been given cell phones (come on, who does that?). Brad and I both know that it's because of my parents' thirty year investment in people's lives here that we're recieving such kindness. We're incredibly humbled, and all we can say is "gracias."

Vero & Seba

Some of you were able to meet our good friends Vero and Seba when they came to visit us in Seattle a couple of summers ago. Vero and I graduated from highschool together, and have remained close friends ever since.

Outside Safeco Field in July 2007...a truly American experience.

After 6 years of dating they FINALLY got married on November 29th. It was a gorgeous wedding, that really honored the Lord, and we're so happy for them. This was my gringo husband's first Chilean wedding, and he was pretty amazed, to say the least. The church ceremony started at 7pm, after which we went to the "fiesta" at the Country Club for a five-course dinner and dancing. We left "early" (at midnight) because of Ben, but the dancing continued until 4am, with a live band and entertainment. Here are some pictures so you can get an idea of what it was like!

The beautiful bride surrounded by highschool friends.

Ben was the only baby at the wedding...oops!

Brad thought this was hilarious...I LOVE that everyone dances in Chile!

¡Chile, Chile Lindo!

We arrived safely in Santiago on November 21st. It's hard to believe that after so much planning and dreaming, we're finally here. As we flew over the Andes Mountains, I was overcome with emotion at returning to this beautiful country I love. Ben did amazing on the flight, sleeping 7 straight hours. Our friends Seba, Fefa and Cristi were at the airport to meet us and take us to the house where we'd be staying for 3 weeks. Our fridge was full of meals that friends had made for us and there were flowers and notes to welcome us (and diapers for Ben!). We feel so blessed by such an amazing "bienvenida." Gracias a todos nuestros amigos Chilenos...en verdad se pasaron.

The Majestic Andes...

¡Viva Chile!

TULSA

We spent Nov. 4th-20th with my fam ily in Tulsa, Oklahoma. My sisters Martha and Jewel live there with their families, as well as my parents. It was great to have quality time with all of them, and introduce Ben to those who hadn't met him. Here are some of the highlights...

Papa Craig meeting Ben for the first time...

Lela and Ben getting comfortable with eachother again...:)

Ben hangin' with cool older cousin, Ethan (8)...

Owen (4) and Simon (3) being silly...

Grandma Steen, Aunt Janie & Aunt Sharron drove 5 hours from Missouri to meet Ben...

Hmmmm...

The twins, Lucy and Maggie...

I LOVE THESE BEAUTIFUL WOMEN!!!

The talented Alexandra and Ethan Kaste...

Aaahhhhh, good times, good times.

Ben & O'Malley

This is Ben meeting O'Malley...Jamie and Andy Alm's dog....enjoy!

THE PLAN

Many of you have asked what we’re doing in Chile. I’ll tell you…we don’t know for sure. We’ve had this dream of living in Chile since dating, and just decided that it was now or never. We have a lot of dear friends that live in Santiago, and we’re excited about reconnecting with them. Our “plan” is to stay for 6 months to begin with, and then re-evaluate. We’ll be staying with friends for the first few weeks, while we look for a furnished apartment, and figure out all the little details. Brad will take some intensive Spanish classes, and hopefully I’ll be able to volunteer with the Church and some different organizations that are near and dear to my heart. Oh, and we have a kid, so he’ll be needing some attention as well. J We feel like this time is really a gift, and want to be intentional about seeking God’s direction for our family. Right now we are spending some time with my family in Tulsa, OK, and will be heading down to Santiago on November 21st. Please keep us in your prayers as we make this transition!

Beautiful Santiago

Leaving Seattle

(***Disclaimer: This post is quite verbose...sorry. So if you’re not in the mood to read about my sappy Seattle memories, skip this one—I won’t be offended. Plus, I know at least my mom will read this one! ***)

We left beautiful Seattle a week ago. The last couple of days were a whirlwind of activity—sorting through belongings and packing 4 big suitcases, moving the rest of our stuff into Brad’s parents’ attic, last minute shopping and errands, and saying goodbye to our amazing family and friends.

It’s hard to believe that after 8 ½ years of living in Seattle, I’m moving (at least for a time) back to Chile. I remember moving into the dorm at SPU and staring out my fifth floor window, wondering if this strange city would ever become home. I remember my giddiness at “discovering” Kerry Park, Magnolia Bluff, Alki beach and Discovery. When I drove across one of the floating bridges for the first time, I could hardly breathe it was so incredible--how many times was I absolutely blown away by the beauty of this place? But, let’s be honest…even though it’s gorgeous, it would’ve never become home had it not been for the amazing people I met here—I even found a gringo husband! I also feel that I need to thank Starbucks for many, MANY cups of coffee and hours of conversation with friends…my time here would not have been the same without said coffee shop.

ANYWAY, Seattle friends and family, you will be sorely missed…but rest-assured we will be back to live and/or visit. Because once you’ve lived in the Northwest, I don’t think you can ever quite get it out of your system.

Brad’s last day of work…

...was Friday October 31st. I took Ben to his office, so that Brad could show him off, as he said goodbye to all of his co-workers. Needless to say it was bittersweet. We’re both pretty excited for the adventure ahead, but Brad learned a lot during his time at Clark Nuber and will miss the friends he made. I think it also makes everything more real…we’re actually moving to Chile very, very soon… without jobs. Craziness.

I couldn’t resist the cheesy picture. Note Ben’s totally awesome cow costume for halloween.

The first of many...

My brother Daniel and his family(wife, Lisa and kids, Joshua and Nora) live in Holland, Michigan. We haven’t seen them since Christmas, and were afraid that if we didn’t make a trip before going to Chile, it would be a loooooong time until we saw them again. Plus, we really wanted them to meet Ben. Sooooo, we decided to make the trip less than 2 weeks before leaving Seattle. Crazy, but totally worth it. We flew into Chicago, spent the night at a hotel, walked the Magnificent Mile, and then drove to Holland. We got to hang out for two whole days and then drove back to Chicago to catch our flight to Seattle. Ben was stellar the entire trip—he did awesome on the flights and long car rides…good thing, since it’s the first of many Box family trips. :)

Brad and Ben in Chicago

Ben with Nora & Joshua

Ben's "Michigander" look

Joshua with Ben

Four Generations

A couple of weeks ago Brad's grandparents drove up from California to meet Ben (and their other new great grandson Carrick). It was really special to spend time with them, and we got to take this picture of four generations of Box men. I love that Ben will grow up with plenty of examples of men who love Jesus. Thanks PopPop and GG for making the loooong trip to meet Ben!

Middle School

Last week Ben and I paid a visit to the middle school where I taught for the past 3 years. My students really wanted to meet Ben before we leave for Chile, so we stopped by at the end of the day, so they could oooh and aaahhh over his cuteness. They were so excited to hold him that they actually signed up on the whiteboard...Ben got passed around from kid to kid for about an hour. Here are some pictures for your enjoyment.

Spanish 2 students...Love them!

Ben's look of patient endurance...

Middle School Awkardness...

5 weeks

It's amazing how so much can change in just 5 weeks. 5 weeks ago today, I was 12 days past my due date and sooooo impatient to meet Ben. We finally scheduled an induction for September 3rd (which happens to be my mom's birthday), and Ben made his appearance that evening at 7:20pm, weighing in at 9 pounds, 8 ounces, and measuring 23 inches. In these last 5 weeks, we've adjusted to being a family, become increasingly sleep deprived, changed a bajillion diapers, and fallen in love with our little boy. We've had a constant stream of visitors (all Ben's fans), including my mom and two sisters from Oklahoma. We sold our condo (we've been living with Brad's parents since early August), and have begun to think ahead to our move to Chile in November!!! Stay tuned for all the changes the next weeks will bring. Here's a link to a couple of video clips of Ben during the last 5 weeks: http://www.youtube.com/user/woolseybox

For some reason the clips are sideways, and I can't figure out how to fix them. Whatever, just turn your head and enjoy them. :)

38 weeks...

So this is pregnant me, two weeks ago...enough said. Come on Ben, we want to meet you!!!

Hangin' out with my papito!

My dad came to visit a few weeks ago, and we had so much fun together. Being the youngest of five kids, it's not often that I get him all to myself, so it was really special. A few of the great memories we made together were going to Snoqualmie Falls (hiking down to the falls, and then sloooooowly back up); going to Mt. Rainier National Park (the first time for both of us--it was beyond words); going to a baby shower for me, hosted by our church small group; and just telling each other story after story. :) Daddy, thanks for coming and hanging out with your very pregnant daughter. Te quiero! Here are some pictures of our time together...

At Snoqualmie Falls...after stopping at Starbucks, of course. :)

My cute papito at some random falls in Mt. Rainier National Park

The MOUNTAIN...

Paradise...seriously, can it get any more beautiful???

A recap of our last 8 months...

December 2007:

What...

the...

HECK?!

And so it begins...

10 weeks...

14 weeks ...

18 weeks...

32 weeks...and counting.

Lest you think we have become all-consumed by this pregnancy, let me include some other highlights from these months...watching all four seasons of "Lost" while trying not to barf...traveling to Mexico in April with our good friends Asobo and Erin...a few trips to Tulsa to be spoiled by my family...wrapping up the school year and saying goodbye to teaching for a while...finishing up the final details on our condo and putting it on the market. August 2nd we'll be moving out of our condo in Redmond, and moving in with Tom & Jannie (Brad's parents) on Queen Anne. As Oprah says, it's kind of a "full-circle" moment, since we started our adventure together on Queen Anne five years ago, and will now return for a few months before heading down to Chile in November. Profound. I know.

Okay, blogging is exhausting...I won't be posting anything new for a while, just so you know.

Oh, the stress of it all!

So...in light of some big changes coming up (baby, quitting our jobs, moving to Chile, blablabla) I have decided to start blogging to let family and friends know what's going on in our life. HOWEVER, I'm feeling a little stressed out about having to come up with clever and profound posts that you will want to read. So that said...prepare to be underwhelmed by my wit, and then maybe you'll be pleasantly surprised. Mostly, I'll just be posting pictures and a few words here and there, so at least you won't have to exert too much effort while reading.