A diamond is forever...in some cases.

So what happened to "Part 2 of the budget breakdown here in Peru"? I can sum it up in five words.

We. Ran. Out. Of. Money. 

Many factors play into this scenario. Many factors that were unforeseen and unplanned for, many were mistakes, some big mistakes, some decisions were made out of desperation and there were many misunderstandings and overlooking critical points needing adjustment. However, we have learned a whole heck of a lot and let me tell you the next big adventure will have far less bumps in the road after what we have experienced here.

As our budget continued to dwindle and thoughts of actually running out of money approached  I realized one thing of great material and heavy loaded with sentimental value was my wedding ring tucked in our file box in Utah. The thought entered my mind every now and then "Could I actually sell my diamond ring?" After selling everything we own it's literally one of the last things left of value we posses!

Since being pregnant for what seemed like the last three years and having to chubby of fingers to have worn it, the thought of it glistening on my hand had become somewhat of a distant memory anyway.

A week or so latter, when charges to our debit card caught up and we realized we had far less then we thought, a bit of panic set in for Sean. Here we are in April with the real possibility of running out of money and plane tickets that dont depart until July! For the man of the house I can see how this would be quite alarming. I'll admit it was quite the shock for me as well but the shock wasn't followed with the anxiety you would expect. I felt fine. I guess embracing the unknown had rooted deeper within me that I knew, or maybe the looming thoughts of selling my ring had given me a feeling of security. Anyhow at this point I knew now the ring was as good as gone, I just needed to amp myself up to say goodbye.

Some good friends helped me take a look at the situation with a different prospective. Here I have this beautiful ring back home just collecting dust in a file box. Would it bring me joy to think of it actually full filling it's purpose gleaming on the hand of a new bride!? Why yes it would!!! Actually, that thought would bring me joy envisioning it on any hand! Becoming married is a beautiful milestone in life and that ring represents the beautiful union and commitment I have with my husband. Why not let it continue to be a visual reminder of someone else's union and commitment? Let the romance continue!

Next words of comfort were that of a wonderful old friend who reminded me of why we embarked on this amazing adventure as a family and that selling the ring only allows us to continue on and go deeper into our journey together. This is the truth. It would be a beutiful sacrifice to sell my ring only to further this journey. So in that I will always remember the joy this ring brought me and always be thankful for the gift it will be to us as we further dive into this adventure.

I pray the right girl will fall in love with this ring with as much joy as I did and will have years and years ahead of her with her new husband fulfilling all the wonderful aspects of marriage and beyond. God bless the girl who loves this ring for she will be blessing us as well. 

My first and probably last Diamond Ring.

So my sister has found my ring and handed it off to my mother, who took it to get apraised, and what do ya know? Its worth a lot! Hmmm...do I still want to give it up? Its really the only option so ya lets rip the bandied right off! Now we wait.. Putting good energy into this sale and love to those who buy it. 

I'll take this opportunity to throw in a few more of those old wedding photos we never do anything with. 

Amongst the panic of realizing the money is almost gone, Sean posted an advertisement here locally on the Sacred Valley Face Book page: 

Hello friends! 
My name is Sean Davis. I've been living here in Pisac with my wife and three babies for a couple of months now. I'm looking for some work and wanted to let everyone know that back home I was an interior and exterior painter. I do clean, nice work and would love for you to hire me if you need a hand with any paint jobs. I'm open to any other work you may need help with as well! I speak just a little spanish but that wont stand in the way of me doing a good job. If you know anyone who could use a hard worker, please pass my info on. I would be grateful here from ya.
Thanks, Sean.

The add did generate some intrest and even a couple jobs. Yahoo! We knew we could expect far less then what he'd get paid in the states and as it turned out, the bottom line ended up being very humbling. In any case Sean was very, very grateful for the work and generosity of those who hired him. One was a two day job that ended up being a generous 100 soles. Even though thats only about 40 dollars, thats a week worth of food (cooking at home only, which we have finally begun to do somewhat well!) diaper wipes and moto taxi here in Peru for our family of five. The other job was a few days, working out to be 15 soles (6 dollars a day) with the first day just in trade for meals. The meals were fantastic though and I even got to pop in the kitchen for some mini cooking lessons that I've been putting to good use! I would explain the yummy pasta dish but I cant remember the correct way to pronounce it. Petitie or something dainty and delish like that.  I also learned a couple great salad dressings! This is so invaluable to me because they dont sell bottles of dressing here and we have really been missing our greens (partly because I have been to afraid to prepare salad in fear of becoming deathly ill, which did happen to a friend of ours in Lima). Anyhow Maya the home owner inspired me to go for the greens and we have been finally enjoying a delicious salad with our meals. You know It's probably ridiculously easy for most women to throw a few ingredients together and whip up their own home made dressing, but for me thats sooo not the case. I'm a deer in headlights when it comes to making up my own concoctions the kitchen. Luckily Maya showed me a thing or two. I was beyond ecstatic to successfully remember and prepare a yummy dressing on my own. We havent gotten sick yet, and probably wont! However I still wouldn't touch a salad with a ten foot pole in Lima!

Just finished my awesome batch of dressing and mixed it in with joy! Ps. I have no idea what kind of dressing it is...it's just good.

Ok love this one of Zara with her hands over the salad sending it her energy! We dont only pray over our food now, we also "give it LOVE"! Another tid bit we adopted in our friend Maya's kitchen!

The kids are still loving our new place, growing up to fast and melting our hearts with their curiosity and love for the culture and people here. 

Sean and I are bonding and loving each other a lot lately, working on enjoying the journey in the moment and showing gratitude. We're still making spiritual practice a part of our every day and looking forward to more medicine cerimonies soon!

This is a freakishly yummy, pudding cake thing Sean discovered at the bakery. 

I also have some big news coming up soon in the next post! Until then, like 

always, 

Love, Light & Song Dear friends&family~

This sweet lady is frying bread on the street corners every day. The bread is seriously divine! If we pass but dont buy any, she always begs us to come over so she can give Zara and Pax some for free. After she does so the kids never fail with their sweetest "Gracias!" and we offer her what it would have cost. She always refuses telling us "she" gave it to them pointing at herself. So on Sunday Market days we be sure to buy a handful. 

Riding home in the moto taxie enjoying their fried bread.

Beautiful creatures. The cows here are stunning!
...and intimidating as they often rome free! 

Seany getting us a Moto.

The Bull right outside the kids room
window. They check him out daily.