Cruz Lately

We have been on the go for most of the month of June.  We are currently on another scouting trip to the Chorti.  Normally I would blog at night when Cruz goes to bed, but lately I have chosen to go to bed myself because we have just been tired.  Long days of travel (especially with a small child) will take all of your blogging energy, haha.  I need to post Cruz's thirteen month update.  I have the pictures ready, but need to fill in what he has been doing lately.  I hope to do that soon.   I'll also update about this scouting trip soon as well.  Please keep us in your prayers as we travel over the next few days.

I did put together a few photos of him lately that I will share in the time being.  

Cruz in Sayaxche'

Having lunch in Chisec 

A few days of fun in Coban 

He is one busy boy these days, another reason we are tired.     

Father's Day 2011

Because we were traveling we did not get to do anything special for Father's Day.  Last Friday, June 17, was Father's Day in Guatemala.  We were in meetings all day, I was sick that day, and it rained that night so we did not want to get the baby out to go eat.  Sunday, Father's Day in the States, we were traveling home and stopped over in Coban for the night.  It was raining there too, but we did get to go next door to Casa de Acuna for dinner.  Below are a few photos I took of David and Cruz after eating lunch on Sunday at Sarita's near El Rancho on our way to Coban.

Cruz did not want to sit still to have his photo taken.

One of his favorite things these days are rocks.  He loves to pick them up, carry them around, and especially put them in his mouth.  As soon as we walked outside he spotted this fountain-

it was covered in rocks and he loved it! 

 He got really upset with his dad when he picked him up for a picture.

We celebrated most this past Wednesday.  The day started with a Southern breakfast.  I even made biscuits.  We then drove to Santa Elena to run a few errands and to eat lunch.  David chose to eat at Pizza Hut because it was one of the only places that has a/c.  Later that evening we cooked on the grill and enjoyed a nice meal at home.  

Here is a photo of David and Cruz with David's Father's Day card.  I started a tradition of giving him a card with Cruz's handprints on it last year and plan to do it as long as Cruz will cooperate. 

Cruz is such a blessed little boy to have such a great dad like David.  I have often said that it is like Cruz has two mama's because David is soo hands-on with him.  I have enjoyed everyday of getting to see David in action as a dad.  It is a role he is doing very well! 

Cruz's First VBS

Last week while we were attending our mission meeting Cruz and all of the other missionary kids got to attend Vacation Bible School.  Now I understand that there is not much to VBS for a one-year old, but just knowing that he was playing and having fun with the teachers and other kids was nice to know.  From what they told us we think he had a grand 'ol time.

For many years a group from Flat Creek Baptist Church in Fayetteville, GA have been coming down to work with the kids during these meetings.  It is always fun to see many of them return year after year.  Among that group are a few of our favorite people- the Pearson family.  They have been down to work with us on volunteer teams and we have visited with them in their homes.  We love this family and they are great prayer supporters.  We are thankful for the many families such as this one that God has placed in our lives since we arrived on the mission field. 

Each morning we would drop Cruz off and he would get right down and go play.  I will admit that I had anxiety for several weeks leading up to the meeting knowing that I was going to have to leave him during the day.  I figured he would do fine, and he did.  He rarely meets a stranger and loves exploring new places.   I, on the othre hand, missed him terribly!  I know the seperation was good for all of us, but that doesn't mean I had to enjoy it.  The first few days I just had that naked feeling like when you leave home without  your watch or jewelry.  I am used to having him by my side 24/7 and it felt very weird with him not around.  He had a lot of fun and I do not think he even missed us, haha.  All of the new faces and places to explore he just loved.  Even when we returned to get him he would run to us but if we stood around talking a bit he would get back down and go again.  I am very thankful that he did so well. 

Here he is the first morning we dropped him off.  He went right to Mr. Gary.  They became good buddies that week.  I think Mr. Gary and his son Tabb were Cruz's favorites. 

These precious, brave souls were the ones that kept the babies for the week.  There were three in that age group- Cruz and two sweet little girls.  I was so afraid he was going to be too ruff with them.  He is not used to playing with kids his own age and certainly not little girls.  I think he did okay.  If not, they didn't tell me. 

Mrs. Joyce, Cruz, Mr. Gary, and Kim

 

On the last day of our meetings all of the kids did a short program for everyone.  They sang songs and recited memory verses from the week.  It is always a fun part of mission meeting.  Cruz's class just smiled and waved for the crowd, but they were entertaining.

This is who our little boy hung out with for the week.  What a fun group they were.

The theme for VBS was "Big Apple Adventure".  I was tickled when I picked him up on the last day and was handed a bag of crafts that he helped make.  I loved looking through the bag at his things.  One of my favorites was this book the teachers put together.  It had his handprint, some coloring, a family photo of us, and his photo as the Statue of Liberty.  It is precious, and I will keep it forever.

Our little Statue of Liberty

I love that our mission is able to provide activities such as this for our kids.  Cruz rarely ever gets to play with kids his age much less other American kids.  It is good for them to all get together and hang out, especially the older ones.  I think VBS will become a new favorite part of our mission meeting.

Splish Splash

We returned home on Monday after being gone for two weeks.  We were all glad to get back home.  Our trip was enjoyable, but it was long.  Being off of our routine for that long did get old.  I am a little behind on posting, but will try to catch up soon.  To be honest I am tired.  Cruz did not sleep well on this trip which meant we did not sleep well either.  We were up with him many nights which meant having to sit in meetings all day the next day was difficult for both of us.  I also caught a stomach bug that was going around and am still trying to get over it.  The last couple nights we have gone to bed when he did.  We plan to try to catch up on our rest over the next few days in between planning for an upcoming team and preparing for another road trip we have coming up. 

So, with that being said I'll leave you with a little video I took of Cruz last week while in Antigua.  We all loved getting to enjoy a bathtub for the week.  It was a highlight of our day.  Here is Cruz one night playing in the tub.  He got to use a new toy he received for his birthday from his Memaw.  It's the VTech Submarine Learning Boat, and he loves it.  When you hit the buttons it plays music and sprays water.  This video was right before bedtime.  Notice how wired up he was.  That bouncing is his way of dancing to the beat.  That boy is way too busy for sleep these days, haha. 

Five Years of Service

During the mission meeting we have been attending this week there was a time to recognize those who have reached milestones in their careers.  Our company, the IMB, recognizes those who have completed five years of service and every five years after that.  There were a lot of us that were recognized and received service pins.  Many completed five years of service, some ten, fifteen, twenty, twenty-five, thirty, thirty-five, and one couple, George and Helen Hardeman, are completing forty years of service.  Wow, what an example they are!  We will not officially complete five years until late October.

It was a special moment for our little family and one that we are proud of.  It is hard to believe that it has been almost five years since we packed up our things, resigned from our church staff position, said good-bye to family and friends, and moved to Guatemala.  It has definitely been an amazing five years and we have enjoyed each one.  We have not looked back and are eagerly looking forward to see just how the Lord is going to use us in the years to come.  

Our family being recognized for five years of missionary service with the IMB (International Mission Board)

This photo is not very clear but I love the expression on Cruz's face-

Many of you have prayed us through these five years and as always we say a big THANK YOU!

Baby Dedication

I will have to admit that I was sad when I realized that we would not be home to take part in a baby dedication service for Cruz.  I thought about it a lot leading up to Mother's Day knowing that was the time most churches in the States have their services and it would have been the time we would have dedicated Cruz. I knew it was not the end of the world, but was something I was missing.  So, you can imagine my joy when we received an email from our company recently saying they were planning a baby dedication time during our mission meeting.  Tears filled my eyes because I felt God was providing something I was longing for.   

The dedication took place during the Sunday morning worship service.  During that service we sang some wonderful songs in English.  We heard testimonies in English.  We heard a message in English.  It was great!  Apart from not being at home, it was the next best thing. 

We did not know when during the service they were going to call us forward.  So when it came time to take up the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, a tradition for us to all give during mission meeting,  David realized that we left my wallet in the room.  He slipped out to go get it as they were collecting.  Well, right after that they called for the families to come forward.  Cruz and I walked up and David was no where to be found.  What seemed like an eternity was only a few minutes.  During that time I was jokingly introduced as a single parent which was embarrassing yet funny at the same time.  I am thankful our friends took photos for me. 

Cruz entertained the crowd well while we waited for David.  He clapped, smiled, and just put on a show.  He can be a little ham when he wants to.

In the end we had a time of prayer.  It was a sweet moment for me and one that I am glad we got to experience.  When our family and home church cannot be there, we are so grateful to our mission family who always makes us feel loved and cared for.  God is good and He always provides.

My Guy Likes to Party All The Time

Last week while in Guatemala City Cruz had his fourth first birthday party.  Yes you read that right, fourth!  He had two early parties in the States back in March- one with my family and one with David's family.  He also had  a party with our neighbors and friends in Sayaxche'. I had warned David a while back that I planned to go all out for his birthday and I think I have done just that.  We have waited a long time to celebrate such an occasion and we just wanted it to be big and special.   

The party in Guatemala City was a combined party with our little friends Rebecca, Josue', and Kaitlin.  They all have birthday's within a few weeks of Cruz.  Josue' was seven months old when we arrived in Guatemala.  We have been at every birthday party he has had since.  We have always tried to be in the City to attend their parties.  Their mom has even planned it around our trips in.  This was the first year we were not able to be present.  I knew there would be no way we could make it so I planned ahead to do a party with them all four together when we were there last week.  I think it turned out nice!

The birthday kids-

Josue' turned five on May 7.  Kaitlin turned two on May 23.  Rebecca turned nine on June 5.  Cruz turned one on May 26. 

I had brought the leftover decorations from one of Cruz's parties in the States to use for this party. 

I made these monkey cupcakes for everyone to enjoy

We liked Cruz's clown pinata so much that we asked the lady to make a monkey one for this party.  We were a little disappointed when we went back to pick it up and noticed that it looked more like a cow than a monkey.  The kids did not seem to mind at all.

Cruz was a little afraid of this one at first too.  He warmed up to it pretty good by the time the party arrived.

Greeting each other before the party

We did the pinata first and then ate cupcakes.

Gary helped Cruz get a few licks in

Josue', Rebecca, and Cruz

I am not sure what they were all looking at but I love how they were all turned together.

Singing "Happy Birthday"

These kids have always been special to us and we love them.  We used to spend hours playing with them when we were at the mission house.  Now they are spending time playing with our child.  It is so fun to see them all playing together!  I think we will make combining their birthday's an annual event.

Lunch at Chuck E. Cheese's

After Cruz's one year check-up we celebrated by taking him to lunch at Chuck E. Cheese's.  Now that he is walking I thought he would enjoy exploring the place and seeing all of the lights and pushing all of the buttons on the games.  He did have a fun time.  We began our visit with pizza, hot dogs, and fries.

We were surprised to hear that all of the animation and songs were in English.  It took us a few minutes of hearing it for it to register that it was English.  Language learning really messes with your brain, haha.  Cruz loved the music!

He liked looking at Chuck E. Cheese from a distance.

This was as close as  he wanted to get to him.

You cannot really tell it but he was not happy in this photo.   He wanted no part of touching the mouse.

He just recently started showing fear and we are seeing that there are several things he does not like.

We let him ride a few things which he normally loves, but that particular day he was fine until the ride started moving.  We think he was just getting sleepy and thought it was going to rock him to sleep. haha 

He did not like this ride!

Overall it was a fun family outing and we look forward to taking him there again real soon.