For the first time since we came to Honduras almost six months ago, our family all piled in the mission van and took a little excursion on a recent Sunday. The destination was the San Pedro Sula airport; the occasion was the arrival of three very special girls who were coming from Mexico to spend Christmas with us. The midday sun beat down on us from a gorgeous cloudless sky as we bounced our way to the city. Mandie, who never goes anywhere except to church, hung her head toward the window and simply gaped at the sights the entire trip! I’m sure she had no idea there was so much to see in the wide, wide world. My enthusiasm nearly matched the children’s, who were positively sparkling at the prospect of seeing their beloved Aunt Joy. As usual, the atmosphere in the waiting area of the airport was charged with emotion as scores of people pressed against the security barriers, craning their necks toward the arrival gates and chattering in high excitement. I am always amazed how many Latinos it takes to pick someone up at the airport! We found a space behind the crowd and waited… and waited… and waited. At long last I spied a lone familiar figure moving our way: Cousin Linda pushing a cumbersome cart piled with a generous amount of luggage. Rather a lot, I thought, for one who is just coming for a two week visit. I pressed through the multitude and finally caught up with her just as she headed outdoors into the blazing sunshine. As I grabbed her, she turned to me with the funniest, apologetic expression on her face. “I am so sorry,” she began, “But I am by myself! The other girls are stuck in Mexico City!” Stuck? As in, they’re lost, they’ve been nabbed, or they’re having passport problems? My mind raced through the possibilities. It turned out that Aero Mexico had overbooked by a long shot and apparently Joy and Lauren looked like good candidates to be chosen for standby status. While Linda received her boarding pass with no questions asked, Joy and Lauren were told, “Um, we’re not sure you two can fly today… maybe on the 24th (three days later!)… maybe we can get you a flight to Miami and a connection from there…” Someone goofed, however, and Linda wound up in Honduras with the other girls’ suitcases, while Joy stayed in Mexico with all the baggage claim tickets! Fortunately, the lady at the customs desk in San Pedro believed Linda’s story and allowed her to collect all of the luggage. We had no choice but to leave the airport, since there is only one flight a day from Mexico. While we soothed our hunger pangs and our disappointment at a quiet Pizza Hut, Joy and Lauren were having a blast touring Mexico City, riding the metro, and maxing out the accommodations offered them by Aero Mexico! When the girls showed up at the airport the next day, they still were not promised any seats until they mentioned the fact that their bags had been shipped the day before. This caused some consternation behind the check-in counter, and within a short time they were confirmed to fly! Needless to say, our reunion on Monday evening was quite a bit more dramatic than it would have been if they had come the previous day, and we had a PARTY, as Derek would say.
Christmas in Honduras is mostly celebrated on the 24th, and it means eating tamales and shooting firecrackers, so that’s what we did. We had our traditional celebration on Thursday with some very special treats from “home”, and very special people to share it with. All the Troyers from Erandique were here and we enjoyed a blessed time together, concluding with an “open house” at the guesthouse for the rest of the gringos. Large quantities of coffee, cookies, and other equally ruinous fare were enjoyed by young and old, but especially by young, of which there are plenty around here!
This week brings on the New Year’s celebrations, which on a local level mean more firecrackers and lots of drinking, but in this house we have one thing on our minds and that is another trip to the airport! My parents are coming to spend a month or more, and with them--- well, who knows what surprises are in store for us!!!
Derek's Picturesque Speech:
"Mom, I can talk Spanish now!"
(Mom:) "Really? What can you say?"
"We-e-ell... I can talk it, but I don't really know it."
(Bright smile) "But when I get bigger, I will talk it AND know it!"
I think I know what you mean, Derek.
Who would have thought that it could be so difficult to line up five children for a few casual photos? A very independent toddler certainly adds interest to the poses, if nothing else.
You probably wonder what's going on here, and frankly, I do too. (Aren't the stair-step sizes interesting? I'm wondering how long they'll stay that perfectly spaced.)
And finally, a (rare) Family Valentine's Day shot... 
I find it difficult to buy gifts for the middle child... Anthony is not into weapons and all things wild like my other boys; playing Legos and chess in a quiet corner would be his choice of entertainment any day. We finally settled on a smaller version of the classic, multi-purpose Honduran tool: a machete. A special package from Grandma, a trip to the lake, and some time spent fishing completely satisfied the birthday boy.
A true Brechbill-at-heart, chocolate cake is the standing birthday order, this time with peanut butter frosting and balloon shaped candles, thanks to "Mimi"!
A Honduran birthday party is always a great cultural experience, especially for our children. The main requirements are a pinata and loud music, and if there's money enough, throw in a large pot of chicken and rice, a couple of cakes, and plenty of lukewarm Kool Aid.
Derek was all too happy to take his turn with the stick.
The mad scramble for candy... almost invariably someone gets hit on the head by the flailing stick.
Sharing candy... It's best to not be a finicky mom in these parts.
No one seemed to mind when this poor fellow came by and flopped down beneath the balloons. His bottle is hidden behind him, the dog is barking mercilessly, and doesn't his face look simply hopeless? Our hosts graciously shared the party food and I sincerely hope he remembers being loved, even for this brief moment.
Mandie has an opinion about being on a date with Daddy and Mama.... We're just not sure what it is since she's not actually talking in sentences yet.
Mandie had an opinion about the pool too, and it was this: If you'd just let me go, I know I could swim!
Her self-appointed daily duty of rearranging Mama's messy cabinets.
Oh is this a guilty look or what? Water is the biggest attraction, whether it's the drinking water filter or.............
Daddy's new fish tank! Forget the dolls and the tea parties- this girl is happiest outdoors with her Daddy: petting the chickens, gathering eggs, playing in the vegetable beds, organizing Daddy's tools, climbing dirt piles, and keeping up with her big brother Derek. This is Mandie's kind of life!
