Constitucion

on February 27th at 3:34 am local time a devastating magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck Chile, one of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded.  In fact it was the 5th strongest in the world recorded to date.

In Dallas, TX we were awoken about 7:00am local time from a call from Italo's Dad that they and the rest of the family in Chile were ok.  We were a bit surpised to hear the news because we had not heard nay news reports of the earthquakes but were VERY relived that we heard from Dad before we heard any news reports. 

To drive around Santiago de Chile, you would have to look pretty hard to see any damage of the earthquake.  The city was build to withstand this type of disaster and it did a great job coming through for its people. 

This is one of many gorgeous glass building totally unaffected by the earthquake in Santiago.  There are some cracks in walls and buidling but nothing that you would imagine from such a strong earthquake. 

However-the people of Constitucion de Chile did not have the same fate.  About 20 minutes after the earthquake the beach resort property of Constitucion suffered a Tsunami that caused remarkable damage to their city.  20 minutes later, another Tsunamu hit and 20 minutes later yet ANOTHER one hit-the strongest of the three.  Because Chile has the opposite seasons as the States, February 27th was one of the last weekends priors to the end of summer and the beginning of school.  This particular weekend they were also planning a big celebration with fireworks etc to end summer so the resorts were even more crowded than normal.  There were 100's of people that has camped out on a little island in the river to get a good seat for the firework show and party and all but 7 were carried off into the Pacific ocean as a result of the 3 Tsunamis that they suffered.  Yesterday, we took a trip to see this devastion that the Earthquake and Tsunami has left behind in this city.    

 

This is the island and the water reached as high as the trees.  Here you can see where the sea water and sun has burned the trees after the water resided.  The 7 people who surived on this island said they did so by climbing up to the trees and holding on.  

Within the city, you still see the marks of the Earthquake all around even more than a month later.  

 

This once popular vacation resort in know quite the opposite.  The restaurant row of the city was TOTALLY destroyed and there are piles of rubish piled on top of each in the area where the restaurants once were.  People have been looting anything valuable from this area since the quake and are still seen doing that on the day we visted to see if there is anything they may want or need. 

   You can tell by walking around that the city was once quite beauitful and in fact there is still evidence of God's beauty all around by looking at the beautiful waves breaking agaisnt the rocks.  However, you only have to turn your bag and see the damage that the water caused. 

Now instead of beautiful homes and resorts that overlook this beautiful water, the habitants of this city rest in this houses at night:

Dad has become known as the Apostle of the Tsunami because he has such a heart for the people in the city.  The pastor of the church there is in association with him and they have put on a soccer camp for the kids there and the pastor is following up with each fmaily who came to the camp.  When we were there yesterday he was talking to the familes and asking them what they needed most.  He is brining done about 25 men later this month to help and he continues to follow up with each person he can.  It was really cool to see him at his job in that way!  For now, as I go to sleep in my comfy bed I will remember all the kids I saw yesterday and pray for them as they sleep in their shelters. 

One of the remarkable things about the city is that among the rubble and destruction you do not have to look very far to see a proud Chilean flag blowing in the wind. 

It is great for them to have such pride in their country and determination to rebuild what they have lost.  I am so glad that I was able to make the trip-long as it was (about 15 hrs in all) and hear from the people who live there and minister there what it is really like. 

As hard as it was to see all the destruction, it would not be a typical Frigoli day if there were not laughs and giggles along the way.  We also had 2 amazing meals! 

This was Chicken with Sausage, Muscels and Clams

This was type of pot roast with Eggs and French fried taters.  They had a DELICIOUS Tomotae and Cilantro sauce to go over the meat and it was great!  We also stopped for some chocolate on the way and Italo was VERY excited to find some chocolate eggs with candy in them from when he was little.  Italo ate one and shared the other one with Annabelle this morning.  Both girls enjoyed the little eggs/toy that came inside of the chocolate and they were good toys for them. 

The Boys even got the priveleidge of watching transporter on the TV while we were eatting dinner.  It is funny how boys can socialize with each other.  Just being together makes them feel like they have spent time together instead of actually talking while we ate :)

Silly Boys!

One last photo of our journey is Italo and Bruno posing under the sign for the restaurant we ate at. Translation-the Dirty Old Ladies!  Great to lower expectations of the food before you go in :)

3 days of Parties

The senior version of Italo Frigoli had a birthday on April 30th.  This is the reason for our travels to Chile in fact.  Well here in Chile they party for days.  We had a family party for Dad on his actual birthday, a friends party on Saturday and a church party on Sunday.  Lots of people to celebrate with and for Dad.  Which to be honest-he deserves many more days of celebrations because he is very awesome!  But it was quite the last few days.  Yesterday I blogged about the family party but on Saturday we got up and tried to figure out where to find for an Asado (a BBQ) for the party.  Well-Mom was trying to find food while the biys were STILL trying to figure out to hang the famous LED Light on the pole outside. 

The boys were trying to figure out to SAFELY hang this light and the neighbors heard of BOTH of our dilemias and solved both.  They brought over meat for the Asado AND the husband and the wife climbed up the ladder and hung the light we had been discussing for 2 days right up!  My camera ran out of batteries at the wrong time to capture the big moment but I did capture what Italo was doing while the neighbors were hanging the light. 

She is a good snuggler-but not much a light hanging helper!!

While Mom was still trying to figure out how to get more food for the Asado we got a call from

Sandra that Cesitar was going to be allowed to visit Alessandra in the hospital for a few minutes.  So Mom and I rushed up to the hospital to let the siblings visit about the time folks were suppossed to be arriving for the party.  On the way, Mom got a call that her friend had found a store to get meat and fixins and everyone was taking care of things back at the house.  What a great way for everyone to come together for Dad's party!!!  We had a GREAT time seeing Alessandra and Cesitar took some nice photos of the patient!

Well I took that one ;)

His Self Portrait

And Auntie and Alessandra

After our visit to the precious, we made our way back to the party and everything was in full swing.  We had a DELICIOUS feast of meat, chicken, Tomatoe and Cilantro sauce and lots of good veggies. 

It was a Great feast and all of Dad's friends were a riot!  They are all so silly and like to tease him and everyone else.  I can see where Italo gets his silliness for sure now!  Maggie slept through most of the party but Annabelle eating her feat while watching Nick Jr!  It is funny that my in-laws have DirectTv and you can flip between Spanish and English on the Tv very easily so we can watch all of Annabelle's favorite shows even while we are here.  It has been quite the treat for ALL of us! 

When Maggie woke up the girls had a very nice time playing with some of the other girls but they were VERY frustrated at me and Annabelle for not talking to them.  One girl in particular around 8 yrs old thought we were SO RUDE for not answering her questions or talking to her.  I felt so bad but what can I do.  I guess we did not make a good impression on her ;)  I did have a nice time playing with my girls while everyone else was playing and even got a few good pictures of them playing with MY new toy!

Italo took most of these photos but they are such a treasure to me-both the pictures and the GIRLS!!

We are so glad we get to be with Dad on his birthday and see how his friends love on him.  So happy for all that the Lord has provided for them in Santiago De Chile!

The next day was Sunday and so that means CHURCH!  Annabelle was quite excited to go to church but was a little disappointed that her friend Avery was not there.  I kept telling her that Avery was a LONG way away but she things going to church means seeing her so she was really hoping that was true ;)  She had a great time once we got there.  Both of the girls where with us during the praise and worship and it was really fun to see them BOTH clap and dance to the beautiful songs they played. 

Annabelle ended up falling asleep in this position with her Daddy while Uncle Bruno preached and Mommy and Maggie were at the back of the church walking back and forth.  After the sermon, I brought Maggie back to the front and sat with Annabelle while Italo held Maggie-and SHE fell alseep as well ;)  He was quite my hero that day for putting both girls to sleep especially when we knew it was going to a really hard day for naps.  After the invitation was over they had a really nice presentation for Dad of cake and a nice photo collage of family photos.  Then Annabelle sang him Happy Birthday in a VERY quiet voice.  Good thing there was a microphone!  After the service we had a little luncheon--except none of the family actually got to eat anything except for Annabelle who got some corn on the cob

However not getting food gave us a good excuse to go to the Hospital to met Sandra and the rest of the family-minus Alessandra for lunch at the mall.  The mall was CRAZY busy but we managed to finally eat some yummy Italian food and enjoy the company of the family.  After the lunch we attempted some family photos but did not come up with too many!

O well!

 

First Full Day in Chile!

The first day of a trip always seems to be the hardest for me.  I dont have things down to a rhythm and dont have a good place for everything yet.  Usually by the time you start to feel like you have things down, it is time to leave!  But for a first full day in Chile, things were pretty good.

This morning we were all kind of lazy and girls enjoyed their music while watching Imagination Movers in Spanish!  Annabelle thinks it is hilarious that the song is different and keeps walking around singing-Imagination Hombres...blah blah blah....  My in-laws actually have DirectTV and you can instantly switch between English and Spanish so we can let her watch the show in English but she has started to prefer the Spanish version! 

After milk, apple juice and cartoons, we had a delcious breakfast of Dulce De Leche, bread, cheese and ham!  YUMMY!!!!  It was a little funny trying to convience Annabelle that this was breakfast foods but I finally told her it was lunch and she gobbled it right up!  Maggie enjoyed a banana and some delicous white soft cheese with her bread.  After breakfast the neighbor let us borrow some outside toys for the girls and so we got to go outside and play. 

It is fall here now--but that sun was quite bright and warm as the girls were playing in the yards in the cul-de-sac.  I had a BLAST playing with the SLR camera we borrowed for the trip and tried to take lots of pictures of the girls. 

Then we got to see Cesistar and he and Annabelle went on a little adventure without telling any of the adults.  Cesistar was trying to tell Annabelle not to go past the stop sign but she did not listen-big suprise and so he followed her down the street on their tricycles.  When I realized that she was allowed to go outside with Cesar, I ran outside and BIG SUPRISE-Annabelle and Cesar were no where to be found.  Italo went running down one way in the neighborhood and I went the others.  I found them riding not too far from home and Cesistar was telling me that he had tried to stop her.  It really made me laugh-WAY after things calmed down to listen of my 5 yr old nephew trying to parent my 3 yr old daughter. 

After a delcious feast of Spagetti and salad and avocado, we went to visit the beauitful patient in the Critical Care unit of the hospital. 

The doctors think they figured out what is wrong with Alessandra but have to run test to confirm it and come up with an action plan to help her live with the disorder.  (Later tonight they called to confirm)  She has a disorder called Glycogen Storage Disorder (von Gierke's disease) where her liver holds the gluclose instead of uses it and so it causes severe hypoglycemia.  The only solution is to eat high amounts of carbohydrates every 2 hours or so.  So I am sure they will have a lot to learn and deal with over the next several weeks and months.  She is stil in the hospital but hopefully she will get out tomorrow.  She was a very sweet patient and I was so glad to get to see her again!

We went to the mall for a walk but my kids were missing their naps and were hungry and so things were a little harder than was resonable so we had to take off pretty early. 

Annabelle and Maggie have been enjoying the freedom of being in the car without a carseat but Annabelle has been thrown on the floor several times because she is not wanting to sit down in the car.  It is funny that the thing they hate the MOST about the car rides is what they both seem to want more than anything right now-their safe seats!  We all had a "great" time listening to Annabelle and Cesistar sing in the car-the funniest was Old McDonald where we picked Squirrel as the animal and heard Cesistar say-squeak squeak there...but is sounded more like esqueak esqueak there...So cute!!!

When we got home the girls had some dinner and then I searched ALL OVER the house for Maggie's medicine.  We will have to add that to the list of things we have lost on this trip because I could not find it anywhere.  Luckily the dr gave us samples in small amounts so we had extra in the suitcase so Maggie could still take her antibotic as scheduled.  Hopefully we can find that tomorrow. 

We were planning a big asado for Dad's birthday tomorrow but it is Labor day in Chile tomorrow and all the stores are closing early tonight and are not opening tomorrow to celebrate.  Mom is going to get creative with her hosting tomorrow but I am sure it will come off great in the end.  Right now the boys, Cesar, Italo, Bruno and Dad are sitting on the back porch with a VERY large and bright LED light that Italo has installed; enjoying their man time together!  They are very silly.

Update 1-Flight Details...

On Wednesday night at 6:30 pm we left our home and packed A LOT of bags into the car to get on a plane to go to Chile.  Earlier that day we got a call from the daycare that Maggie had a 102.8 fever.  So we took a trip to the doctor and got LOTS of meds for our little princess-and luckily the doctor was nice enough to give us samples so we did not have to go to the pharmacy before we left.  So-with this devopment-of course I was less than excited to get on a plane.  But we arrived checked in our bags and started to wait to board the plane. 

Everone settled in and Maggie was asleep in my arms before the plane took off-arond 9:30pm.  We were able to get her comfortable in the seat next to us-Thank you Lord for letting us have an extra seat-and she slept for several hours before waking up.  Annabelle was having a BLAST with Italo watching Movers on the IPod and having a great time eatting fruit snacks and whatever else she was given.  A few hous into the flight, I switched seats with Italo so I could get Annabelle to sleep and then the parents were left to sleep....we did not obey as well as our kids.  I think I may have taken cat naps here and there but for the most part we were awake. 

Maggie woke up about 2:30 or so AM and did not want to go back to sleep.  She was super upset and started crying.  After only a few moments of rocking and a bottle of milk she finally went back to sleep.  Annabelle woke up after about 5 hrs of sleeping and was in a pretty good mood.  Around that time, the milk that I gave Maggie made another appearance on my shirt and Maggie's blanket but Maggie seemed to feel better after it was no longer a part of her! 

After we landed we began the LONG journey of getting through customs...

I did not make matters easier by bringing yogurt into their Country!  I had brought all kinds of snacks for the plane ride and then they feed us dinner and breakfast so we did not really break into the reserves.  My kids really like yogurt and my friends had turned me onto Gerber Yogurt that does not have to be refridgerated.  Well, I had a little 4 pack of yogurt that was never opened but we had to go through all kinds of extra things to get into the country because of it. 

When we FINALLY made it out customs we saw a very excited Nonno and Nonna and got into their new Ford Explorer that held all of us AND the luggage!  Quite a feat!

Unfortantly on the way out of the airport, Annabelle lost her VERY 1st and FAVORITE little snuggly blanket.  She has had it since before she was born and was the first thing she really attached to. 

It was very "loved" and she asked for that particular blanket quite often.  We tried to go back but we could not find it on the ground anywhere so someone must have picked it up.  I am more sad about it than she is at this point but she did ask for it at nap time that afternoon.  We told her we lost it and she DID NOT throw a complete fit.  So amazing for her.  Luckily we still have her second favorite with us so she had a blanket to cuddle with during her nap. 

After arriving, we had some breakfast and let the girls play a little bit around Nonno and Nonna's house while the boys went wondering around the city.  The day before we left for our trip we found out that our niece, Alessandra had been admitted to the hospital for an enlarged liver.  When we arrived, they still did not know what the problem was and were doing diagnstics to try to get to the bottom of it.  So-the boys went to the hospital to see their little sister and got a little distracted by events there :)   She is super cute so I can understand being distracted.  Please pray for her and her mommy-they hare really having a hard time and both being quite the troppers while they try to get to the bottom of things. 

While the guys were visting and buying computers I took a nap with Annabelle and Maggie.  I slept about 2 hours and they both slept 5 1/2 hrs!  They were much happier when they woke up and still went right to sleep at bedtime!  Sleepy girls.  Maggie is doing better after a nap a bath and 2 doses of antibotics so we hope tomorrow will be even better!  Looking foward to a good day because we get to celebrate Nonno's 60th Birthday!

 

We LOVE YOU DAD!!!