After finishing up school on Friday morning we loaded our car and set out for Guatemala City. Another missionary family had told us about some traffic delays on the route that we normally travel so we decided to go a different way into the Capital. Our trip took us through Jutiapa where we stopped for lunch at Wendy's. It is located in a shopping center parking lot that also has a really nice playground area for kids. After eating we let the boys burn off some energy so that they would nap the rest of the trip. They did.
playing in Jutiapa
Our first stop after arriving in Guatemala City was for afternoon coffee. When you are our age and have young kids afternoon coffee becomes a regular part of your day. It's about surviving. ha
We then drove over to our pediatrician's clinic to get the boys a vaccine. We love this clinic and the great staff that they have there. We have used them since our boys were born.
The rest of the day was spent shopping for supplies. Trips to the Capital can be very tiring because we always travel in with a long list of things to accomplish while there. We spend most of our time running around from place to place trying to get everything done. We don't go in often so we try to make the most of our trips when we do.
On Saturday morning we drove over to the Christian Academy of Guatemala to attend the graduation ceremony of two of our IMB missionary kids. Our mission family is a lot smaller these days so we felt that it was important for us to be there to show our support.
Hannah receiving her diploma
Josiah receiving his diploma
C.A.G. Class of 2016
my boys with Josiah
my boys with Hannah
That evening we finished up our shopping by making a stop at a new store that recently opened- Save a Lot. Several other missionary families have talked about the products that are sold there and we wanted to check it out. We liked it and found several things that we have never been able to buy here before. We always get excited when we find new food items!
new in Guatemala City
My boys LOVED getting to ride in this shopping cart!
Here are just a few of the things that we bought. Canned green beans (regular and French style), blackeye peas, and lima beans were a few of our favorites. We also found Honey Buns, Oatmeal Creme Pies, and some delicious donuts. I'm not sure if we saved a lot but we sure bought a lot. (corny, I know)
Another thing we found there was okra. We love fried okra so that made us very happy!
We stopped for supper before heading back to our mission house for the night. The boys begged us to go to a place with a playland. We chose IHOP. How much playing do you think they did? little to none. They spent most of the time fighting over my lap at the table.
me and my boys
life with these two is rarely dull
On Sunday morning we attended the early service at Union Church. We were all a little excited about English worship.
Afterwards we loaded our car again and set out for the drive back home. We stopped for lunch along the way and then arrived mid-afternoon.
the boys playing while waiting on Sunday lunch
Overall it was a pretty fun weekend. We were glad to be back home but thankful for the few days break we got. Every now and then you just need a change of scenery and climate.
Here is a small glimpse of our life over the past week or so.
I have already blogged about being in Guatemala City last weekend for Ben's birthday. While there we also spent some time doing a few other errands. Our first stop after arriving was the pediatrician's clinic. The boys were due for a few vaccines. They were really thrilled about starting our weekend off with shots- not!
me and my sweet boys at Dr. Figueroa's office in Guatemala City
I couldn't resist snapping a photo of Ben in front of the baby scales. Here is a comparison of him at 2 weeks old and the day before he turned 4. They grow up fast!
Next they got much needed haircuts.
We also did a little shopping. Ben found these boxing gloves and bag at one of the stores and had a fun time playing with them. And no, even though he asked, we did not bring them home.
We celebrated Ben's birthday on Saturday and then enjoyed a special treat on Sunday morning of going to church together. Union Church is an English speaking church in Guatemala City that we like to attend from time to time when we are in the Capital. It was very refreshing to worship and be a part of a service in our heart language. We attended the early service and then drove back home to Chiquimala. We stopped by KFC before leaving the city for a family size popcorn chicken to-go. We shared it in the car as we traveled. The boys loved that idea and said we were having a family picnic. They can be so funny at times!
our family on the way to church in Guatemala City
We have been doing a Flat Stanley project this week and taking him around with us everywhere we go. It's been fun for the boys. On Tuesday afternoon we had appointments at the dentist to have our teeth cleaned. Stanley got to sit with Cruz during his cleaning.
Cruz and Flat Stanley at the dentist in Chiquimula
Flat Stanley has spent a lot of time traveling up and down the mountains this week. We took him to Tunuco Arriba on Wednesday. Here he is with some of the school kids and one of the school teachers.
On Thursday afternoon he went with us to Bible study in Muyurco. The boys took turns toting him on the trail.
The family that hosts us for Bible study had some new baby chicks. Ben loved holding them and playing with them. Both of my boys have always loved the chickens in the villages.
Flat Stanley, Cruz, Ben, and some of the kids from our Thursday afternoon Bible study
We finished up a week of school on Friday morning just in time for the Lubecks to stop by for a visit. Mrs. Diana made us one of her delicious coconut pies and brought it by for a morning snack. I had a pot of coffee brewed and waiting for their arrival. While the boys spent some time watching a Magic School Bus video for our Science lesson we got to sit still and enjoy our company. We ate, drank, laughed, and talked right up to lunchtime. I had put on a pot of taco soup that morning just in case they wanted to stay for lunch and thankfully they did. We ate lunch together and then they headed on into town to run some errands. We always enjoy their fellowship!
our family with the Lubecks
me and my sweet friend Mrs. Diana
I am thankful to have her in my life.
Mrs. Diana's coconut pie
Here are the Lubecks with their new puppets. We were so tickled to see them. She had a local lady make Chorti outfits for them and had just gotten them back. They look great and the kids at Tunuco Arriba are going to love them.
Like all weeks it's been hot around here. Friday afternoon we went next door for a swim. We took Flat Stanley with us. He didn't swim though but instead hung out with me in a lounge chair as I read my Mississippi magazine.
trying to beat the heat on a hot Friday afternoon
Saturday morning we made another trip up the mountain to lead Bible study in the village of Lagunetas. It was quite cool and breezy there so we were thankful to have jackets in the car to wear. The family there also had some baby chicks. My boys chased those poor things all over the place. Below is a video of Ben trying to catch one.
That big smile shows you just how excited he was to be holding that chicken.
While Ben was chasing chickens Cruz was climbing trees. Here he is with Flat Stanley high up in a tree in Lagunetas.
A typical village house. This is where we have our Bible study. You can see Flat Stanley peeking out from the top.
A sweet little boy from our Bible study. Isn't that a cute grin!
another sweet little boy with a cute grin
two of the little girls that came to Bible study
A view from our Bible study host home. It is a long way down! You can see the dirt mountain road winding down the middle of the photo. Our boys often ask us why do the mountain roads have to be so bumpy. We just tell them it's to make us appreciate the good roads even more. And we most always say ahhhh when we get back to the pavement.
I didn't set my alarm last night because I planned to sleep in a little later this morning. Well, the boys woke us up at 5:50 a.m. Who needs an alarm with my two around? ha David is teaching in the village of Nearar today and that will wrap up our fourth Bible study in the past five days. It's been busy but good. My old body is tired though and hoping to spend the rest of the day sitting still. We have a really exciting week planned and I need to get all the rest I can before the fun begins.
Most of our week has consisted of homeschool and getting things ready for our upcoming team. But, when we weren't doing those things here is look at how we spent our time.
On Monday afternoon Cruz and I had our six month dental cleaning. I mentioned in my last post that David and Ben went one morning the week before while we were home doing school. I am thankful that my boys do so well at the dentist and always make us proud. It is rare that we can say that about an outing with them so when they do well we really praise them.
Cruz at the dentist
Afterwards as we were driving across town we got a little entertainment at a red light. It is common here for people to do street acts and then ask for tips as you wait for the light to change green.
This was the BEAUTIFUL sunset we saw that evening.
Another sunset view and also McDonald's in the background. As you can see from the sign the McRib is back.
Here are the boys on Tuesday morning before we started school. Cruz was helping me change the sheets on the bed and then realized it was much more fun to climb inside them and hop around the house. He got his brother to join him and they pretended to be kangaroos.
In our read aloud time this week we finished Charlotte's Web. My boys loved it! To celebrate I made these spider snacks on Wednesday during our morning school break. I used pretzel sticks and melted white chocolate to make the webs. The spiders are plastic.
We also celebrated by making an afternoon visit to a local farm/ ranch that is near our house. It is a beautiful place to go to hang out, ride bikes, and enjoy the scenery.
the boys loved visiting the horse stalls and seeing the horses
there were also a lot of sheep, cows, and bulls
Here is a video of them admiring "a BIG horse"
We invited a few friends to join us. Outings are always more fun with friends. Here are all the kids on their bikes.
Ben riding a horse
Cruz riding a horse
On Thursday afternoon we led Bible study in the village of Muyurco.
I love this sweet photo of David and Ben on the trail to Bible study. It blesses my heart.
Cruz in Muyurco on Thursday afternoon
David has been busy all week getting all the details worked out for our upcoming team and purchasing supplies for them. Everything is lined up and we are now waiting for their Sunday arrival. But, before that we have a retirement party to attend for two of our mission families that will be leaving the field in December. It is the first of two retirement parties taking place soon within our Guatemala mission family. I'll post an update about it sometime next week. Happy Saturday!
