The Weekend

On Friday morning we attended an assembly at Cruz's school for all the parents.  The school told us a few days ahead of time about it.  They never mentioned the students so we just assumed they would have school as usual.  School starts at 8:00 a.m.  Well, at 7:33 a.m. that morning (yes, I looked at the clock) the school called to remind us about the meeting and to tell us that the students would not be having class that day.  Really!  At least they let us know before we got there, haha. 

Anyway, the meeting went well.  We met all of the teachers.  They told a little background about the school and how it got started.  We got to meet the other parents.  We got a tour of the classroom and a run down of what they do everyday.  We learned a little bit more about Cruz's teacher and the other students in his class.  It was good.

Afterwards we came home and then David left to go help with a medical clinic that our friends David and Glynis Miller were leading in a village in our area.  He spent the rest of the day there with them.

Soon after he returned home we got a call from missionary friends Galen and Phyllis Groff.  They live in a town outside of Coban and work with the Kekchi.  We got to know them well when we lived and worked there.  It has been a while since we have seen them in person.  They were passing through our way on their way home from a trip to Honduras.  We drove into Chiquimula and met them for supper.  It was great seeing them and catching up with them.  They are sweet people!

supper with the Groff's

Cruz, Phyllis, Galen, and Ben

It was their first time to see Ben in person

On Saturday morning Dan and Obando drove over from Honduras to join us on a visit to the village of Lagunetas.  Dan was doing some follow-up to the institute training.  Before getting started David led them in a time of Bible study.  Afterwards Dan and Obando discussed with them the stove project that we will be doing in their village.   He covered with them all the details and expectations for the project.  We made plans to return in two weeks to begin.  We also made plans to return there this coming Saturday for our next time of Bible study.

Saturday morning meeting in the village of Lagunetas

Cruz had fun playing and running around while we were there

Ben with one of the ladies and two of her daughters

We returned home in time for lunch.  The rest of the day and evening was spent just chilling out.  We had planned to go visit the team at the medical clinic but I was just too tired. 

Ben woke us up around 1:00 a.m. Sunday morning and it was not until around 5:00 a.m. that he settled back down to sleep and allowed us to go back to bed.  Cruz was up around 6:00.  Needless to say it was another long, sleepless night and we were exhausted on Sunday morning.  David had plans to lead a Bible study in the village of Nearar that morning.  He went alone and the kids and I stayed home.  I knew there was no way I would have the energy to hike up and down the mountain that day.  I was soo tired!

Afternoon naps were the top priority of the day.   Afterwards we drove into Chiquimula to visit with our friends David and Glynis and their team from South Carolina.  We enjoyed some pizza there before returning home. 

It was not a very restful weekend (although few are when you have small kids), but we did enjoy getting to visit with friends and having a little fellowship time with them.  David was able to be in three different villages over the weekend and continue making contacts in each of those. 

Baby Shower

On Wednesday I hosted a baby shower for fellow missionaries James and Joy.  They are expecting their first child, a little boy, in just a few short weeks.  We met around noon for a covered dish luncheon. 

The cake and gift table

This was part of the decorations I used.  It was a cute owl pattern that we will keep and use for future baby showers in our area.

The cake 

I took one of the decorative napkins to a bakery in Chiquimula and they put the design on the cake.  It did not turn out exactly as I had expected but it was fine.  You will notice a little indention right in the center of the cake.  Let's just say that happened within less than five minutes of us unloading it from the car and me saying at least five times "Cruz, DO NOT touch the cake!"  Of course, he just had to stick his finger right in the center!!!

me and Joy, the mama-to-be

After our meal they opened gifts

Joy and James

We cannot wait to meet their little boy and add another little playmate to our Chiquimula mission family.

Cruz's First Day Of Preschool

Cruz started preschool on Monday.  He woke up around 6:00 a.m. ready to go.  We took him to use the bathroom and then put him back in the bed.  I set his alarm for 6:30 and told him to rest until the clock went off.  He didn't go back to sleep, but he stayed in bed and was very quiet.  It gave me time to get dressed, put a load of clothes in the washer, and start breakfast.  When he got up he watched cartoons until time to eat.  He always likes to watch Disney Junior in the mornings before breakfast time.

Waking up on his first day of school

For his first day of school breakfast I made him a letter "C" pancake and served it on our celebration  plate.  We always use that plate for special occasions.  I lined his plate with his favorite fruit- mandarin oranges.  He drinks milk with every meal.

He loved it!

He then got dressed and played/ rode his bike until time to leave.

Cruz on his first day of school

I wanted a quick family photo before we left.  We look as tired as we were feeling in this picture.  Ben did not sleep well the night before and had us up from about 1:30 a.m. until he finally went back to deep sleep around 5:00 a.m.  Cruz woke up at 6:00.  It was a long, sleepless night.  Those seem to be normal around our house. 

He was soo excited in the car all the way to school!

Here he is walking down the sidewalk to his school.  He looks like such a big boy!

When we entered his classroom his teacher showed him his seat.  There was one other little girl there but when we picked him up we noticed she had been moved to another class.  I think she was older and just in the wrong room.  There are two other students in his class- a boy named Carlos and a girl named Diana.  

We left him there and he seemed happy. I got back in the car, and I cried.  It was terribly hard for me to leave my child in the care of someone else.  He is with us 24/7 and even though I get tired and want a break at times the reality of it is that I really do not like to be apart from my kids.  I like having them around me.  I like knowing they are safe and in my protection.  I know he will enjoy himself there, but it doesn't mean that this mama's heart is not sad to see him go and grow.

School lets out at 11:30.   We got there about 11:15 (eager, haha)  They were having an assembly outside.  One of the workers opened the gate to let us in so we could watch the end of it.  We stayed to the back so Cruz would not see us.   The school has an American college student from Colorado there for three months to teach English and drama.  He was doing several religious skits for the kids, and sharing Jesus with them.  It blessed our hearts to see it!  They did not finish until 11:45.  I could not wait to get my hands on Cruz!

The entrance to his classroom.

When we picked him up he was glad to see us, but at the same time he was not ready to leave.  He wanted to stay and play some more.  His teacher had just given him a treat bag filled with chocolate cookies, marshmallows, and candy.  He was devouring his cookies as fast as he could.  She said he had cried a little.  They had to go get Harrison (the American college student) to come talk to him in English and calm him down.  Harrison said it worked well and he was fine the rest of the day.  I am glad he is there so that in time of need he can step in and encourage Cruz.  The director speaks some English but that is it.  He is totally immersed in a Spanish environment all morning long.

Here he is showing me his artwork.  He had painted this pretty picture in his favorite color- red.

All the way home he kept showing me his treat bag from his teacher.  He loved it.  I hope he doesn't think he is going to get candy everyday, haha.

He came home, ate lunch, and went straight to bed.  He was soo tired!  He slept for 3 hours (which is normal for him).  He said he had a fun day and I am glad he did.   I hope he continues to like it.

A Cold Day In Lagunetas

On Sunday we had our second Bible study in the village of Lagunetas.  We have had a cold front pass through the last couple of days and it's been a little chilly.  It is always cooler when we travel up in the mountains so we wondered just how cold it would be at our study considering how cold it was at our house.  Looking back I should have known and the kids and I should have stayed in.  It was COLD up there! 

You can see the heavy clouds hanging over the mountains as we traveled.  It started drizzling along the way also. 

This is a view from the house where we meet.  You can see the little dirt road down below that we travel on.

After arriving we waited about 40 minutes before everyone else arrived so we could get started.  The adobe house where we meet has a room added on to it.  The walls are made from the sticks you see below.  Three of the four walls are made this way.  It offered very little shield from the strong winds.  I held Ben really close and he kept me warm.  When you add in the cold with damp dirt floors it really made my heart heavy for this family.  I cannot imagine living like that!  One thing I love about working in such rural areas is that it gives you such an appreciation for the things you have. 

me and Ben

Shortly after David got started the kids and I slipped out and went and sat in the car.  Cruz was ready for a snack. Ben was sleepy. I was freezing.  I put in a movie for Cruz and we sat and watched it together.

chillin' in the car

We rejoined the group just as they were finishing.  The lady of the house made us all a very hot cup of sweet coffee.  She even brought out a glass for Cruz, haha. 

We made plans to return this Saturday with Dan and his workers from Honduras.  We will be meeting with the agricultural students about the upcoming stove project.  David will be doing his next Bible study with them that day as well so that will free us up to return to our other Bible study in the village of Nearar next Sunday. 

A Little Family Fun At Chuck E Cheese

I'll take any excuse to turn a day into a celebration especially when it comes to my kids.  So when Ben turned 9 months old last Wednesday I knew I wanted to do something special.   When I realized we would be in Guatemala City that day I got a little more excited because there are just more options of things to do there.  I decided it would be fun to eat lunch at Chuck E. Cheese and let them play.  I realize Ben is a little small for that place right now, but he liked all the noises and lights.  I think I just like places like that so I take the kids so I can enjoy it, haha.  Overall we all had a fun time and that's all that really matters.

Here's Ben waking up on his 9 month birthday.  I always tell both of my boys "Good Morning, Sunshine" when I first see them.  I love to snuggle them up in the mornings!

me and Ben at Chuck E. Cheese waiting on our pizza to be brought out

Cruz has been there several times before but this time he was really able to enjoy it the most.  He had fun!

eating lunch

Our little family at Chuck E Cheese January 2013

Below is our family photo the last time we were there- April 2012.  We were celebrating Cruz turning 23 months old.  Ben was about 10 days old in this picture.  My how time is flying by!

Fun days like this just make me smile.  There is nothing that I enjoy more than just being together with my little family.  Whether we be out and about or just sitting around at home- I just love being together! 

Cruz's Second Trip To The Dentist

Cruz had his second teeth cleaning on Wednesday morning.  His first dentist visit was shortly after his second birthday.  It was a crazy morning trying to get up, get dressed, and get out the door.  It just seemed like we couldn't get moving.  We finally got Cruz in his car seat and as we were taking Ben to the car he threw up.  We changed his clothes, got everything cleaned up, and got on our way. 

We needed to make a quick stop by the US Embassy to pick up David's new passport.  I went inside to get it and David sat in the car with the boys.  While inside Ben threw up again. ugh!  Cruz's dentist office is not far from the Embassy so I took him to his appointment and David stayed in the car with Ben to clean everything up.  He acted like he did not feel very well, but after a morning nap he seemed fine and did not get sick anymore. Traveling in general is hard enough but, this particular trip into Guatemala City just kept having little bumps in the road that made it extra stressful. 

Cruz did great at his appointment.  At one point he got a little nervous and cried saying he wanted to get down out of the dental chair.  He calmed down and was able to finish getting his teeth cleaned.  He was a trooper.  Here are some photos I took of him-

Here he is waiting to catch the elevator. 

I love his sweet smile here!  He was walking down the hall to the clinic.  He looks like such a big boy.

 (I could not get the red eye to correct without making his whole eyes look black)

He had fun playing while he waited to be called back.

sitting in the dental chair waiting for the dentist to come in

All cleaned up and ready to go!  He's good for another six months.

He immediately asked the dentist for a sucker.  The dentist just laughed.  I had to explain to him that dentists do not give suckers because they are not good for your teeth.  Instead they asked him if he wanted a sticker.  He said he wanted two- a purple one and a rojo one.

After his first dental cleaning we took him to the yogurt shop at the food court in the building and let him pick out a yogurt and topping.  He got strawberry with gummy bears on top.  It was fun and we thought we would make that our dentist tradition.  We had been telling him that if he did good at the dentist he could go get yogurt and any topping he wanted.  He was pretty excited about that.  WELL, we get downstairs and the yogurt shop had changed.  BUMMER!  I was just as disappointed as he was.  So, instead we went to another vendor and got him a strawberry and banana smoothie.  He seemed pretty happy with that instead.

Cruz with his smoothie.  I got two straws and we shared it.

David and the boys

Our first born is growing up and getting to be such a big boy.  It's such a joy to watch him grow and experience life.  He can be a handful but overall he's a really fun kid.