Well, so much for writing regularly on this...life just seems to get out ahead of us sometimes and drags us along. In reality we all have very full days and we all must make choices about what our priorities are. For me writing here has not been a priority at this point. Although I have thought about it I haven't actually moved it to the top of the list of things to get done. No, I don't actually have a list. I do occasionally make list but I don't organize my daily life with lists. I do have some things I would like to say. Welcome Koleson Alexander Abbott! I can't wait to see you! Jessica, thank you for waiting a week so Becky could enjoy her time with us. Now begins one of the greatest adventures you will ever share with David. I remember this stage of life - it is a special time that passes all too quickly, enjoy it and cherish it.Derek and Kristi, I can't believe Abby is about to turn one! Where does the time go? I was so glad we all had the chance to spend some time together.Family is so important! People say that missionaries don't sacrifice on the field anymore because in so many places you can get almost everything you can get here in the US. And I suppose that is true for anyone whose focus is on material goods. For me my focus is more on people. We live in Chile and most of my family lives in the US (a few in Mexico). That means that I have had to sacrifice family. I don't know them. I don't get to spend time with people who are important to me. I don't get to be there for the weddings, the births, the family reunions, the good times and the hard times. It also means they don't know me. And they don't know my kids. One of the hardest things for me was realizing that my mother knew more about my sister-in-law than she did about me. I remember one trip back from the field when Mom was talking on the phone to her. I was jealous. I rarely have that opportunity. Money is an issue. Talking to her was free whereas, calling me on the field was reserved for family emergencies - in other words ... the bad news. It is hard to have a continuing relationship with someone when the only communication you have revolves around bad news. There were also other things along the way that have also highlighted the fact that family doesn't really know us. For some of you that may not be very important, but for me it is. So if you ask me if we make sacrifices to follow God's will I will always say "YES!"With that in mind I hope to write a little bio on each of us. I hope to include some history, what each of the kids is like, what they are doing now and what they are hoping to do in life. I will do my best to be honest. I have never been one of those parents that thinks her kids are perfect. As a parent that is a dangerous position to take. I hope this makes up some for the time apart.