Mi Reina

Several Sundays ago before we moved to Antigua, we were at church in Chimaltenango. The most adorable little Mayan lady who was about Joshua's height (just below my shoulder) came up to me and asked passionately, "Quien es esta reina?"(Who is this queen ?(and believe it or not she was referring to me)). I don't think I've ever felt more complimented, surprised, flattered in my life. She was a beautiful woman. I wish I had a picture of her. She was elderly, small, wrinkled, full of life, and color. She made me feel so large in size and I am just an average-sized citizen of the United States. She also reminded me of the importance of having of having spiritual eyes. Maybe I am a queen. She certainly is. Maybe we all are and we just don't see it. The people here are truly beautiful with all colors of skin, my favorites are all the shades of yummy chocolate (by the way the hot chocolate here is the BEST in the world). This picture isn't the exact woman, just a picture I found on the internet of a Cachikel Mayan woman. Her hair was long and in a braid like one of the above woman's hair. I think the people of the Guatemala are absolutely gorgeous so I added some more pictures. I added the picture of the young girl because of the light in her eyes and her beautiful face. So just imagine the lady from church super small, beautiful, long braided grayish black hair, and light in her eyes. We are all queens or kings or with the potential to become ones. I hope that I can act like one, a true one, who is kind and good and noble. I hope that I can always look for nobility and goodness in others.

(Sorry, but I hope to add a new family picture next time. I just don't have the technical ability to add them from this computer. I need to have a chat with my technician or take a class.)

Scary Lizy, Pretty Lizy (Beware, this photo may frighten small children)

Tonight the kids and I were looking at family pictures on Facebook. We found this one of my sister, Lizy, and I just thought it was really funny how she distorted her face. I had no idea how terrified Noah would be. He started crying and screaming so hard. Poor thing! We had to take him out of the room and change the picture. It made us all laugh though except for him. The older kids think that it is the big teeth that scared him. I'm adding a better picture of her too so you can see what she really looks like.

The Ruins of Santa Rosa

Here is an image of the ruins that we can see from our windows and pass every day when we go into town. Aren't they beautiful?

Antigua

We have moved and are living in the beautiful colonial town of Antigua. We came here for a number of reasons...to be closer to the city where Ryan works and so that I can be in a place where I can be more self-reliant. Our home here is furnished and a great floor plan for a family. We have a hot water heater here and a washer and dryer. I am so grateful for modern comforts! We live in an apartment complex but it is more like a townhouse community. It is a secure little community located within site of a colonial ruin from a 1773 earthquake that destroyed the old capital of Guatemala. Antigua is a historically and culturally rich town nestled in the highlands of Guatemala. This town is surrounded by three beautiful volcanoes. The weather here is eternal spring. It is gorgeous here. I highly recommend this place to any tourist. The kids and I have ventured out several times. Our first night here we celebrated and walked several blocks under a full moon. It was magical. Then we ate sushi. We were all in heaven eating one of our family's favorite meals. We tried Mango Sushi for the first time. It was scrumptious. We found the local library so we are all very happy, especially Joshua. Heidi is learning to read and loves writing. We are enjoying homeschooling in the beautiful place. Our curriculum includes reading, writing, Spanish, math, art, history, science, and whatever else interests us. We have really enjoyed studying the scriptures. The kids love acting out the stories or drawing them while we read. We hope to explore the museums and architecture here. The kids are excited about getting some indoor pets like parakeets and frogs. We are enjoying this beautiful country but miss our home and friends. We look forward to a warm and cozy autumn season back with all of you. (Sidenote: One weird thing I don't get down here are the odd hours to set off firecrackers. Right now it is almost midnight on a Thursday night and the firecrackers just scared me to death...almost. In Chimaltenango we heard firecrackers at 4 and 5 am. Can you believe it? The strangest thing was a pre-dawn music party one Sunday morning around 4 am. Drums, guitars, marimba style, singing, partying. Our friends here say it is for birthday parties. Only in Guatemala, I say, but maybe it is just that way everywhere but Utah, California, Missouri, Minnesota, and Paraguay. You tell me. I've haven't traveled the whole world yet.)

Do 4 year olds know how to...?

Sorry that I haven't written in several weeks. I don't have time to say everything I want to say but I will add pictures since they say a thousand words. Since Elijah turned 4, he is always asking, "Mom, do four year olds know how to eat beans, or potatoes, or do certain things by themselves, etc?" It is hilarious! Last Friday was my last day at the school. The day was bittersweet. I have grown to love the kids but I am so grateful to be returning full time to my role as wife and mother. The experience has been wonderful but I believe I tried to bite off more than I could chew. Joshua will go this last week. He has loved it. The school campus is so beautiful. He is thriving in so many ways, even his waist is growing :). Heidi never returned to classes after the first week. She would cry and just want to be with me so we didn't push it and she became my assistant. She still made friends but wouldn't let me be far away. Joshua and Heidi are speaking a ton of Spanish and it amazes us and their accents are pretty good. Elijah and Noah are understanding more and more every day and even speaking some. My birthday was wonderful. I got beautiful pink roses. We ate the most delicious typical Guatemalan tortillas with beans and cheese, hot chocolate, and carne asada at Chichoy on the road to Atitlan. We hope to provide a more rich Spanish evirnonment for them when we return home. We went to the fair in Antigua and got caught in a rain storm. I caught Noah by the pila washing rags. I planted a square foot garden at the school with the kids. We had a movie party at the school my last day. We attended a wonderful concert by the school's orchestra and choir...and not all in that order. I hope these pictures say more than I can. We love and miss you all.

Happy Birthday!

This week was filled with birthdays. Ryan turned ** on Tuesday and we were invited to Angelica and Javier's beautiful home in the capital. The above picture is the front door going to their home.
Their hospitality was incredible. We truly felt spoiled! Angelica made the most amazing foods! Here is the menu...wish you were there.
Watermelon Juice
Sopa de calabaza (Pumpkin (squash) soup with veggies--it was pureed so even the kids tried it. This so thoughtful because we all call each other the "calabazas" because of Ryan's favorite Spanish sayings, "Que te pasa, calabaza?")
Mashed potatoes with fresh parsley
Barbeque Chicken with Spanish chili powder (Javier is Spanish)
Cake with cream cheese frosting








We had fun yesterday celebrating for Heidi (now 6) and Elijah (now 4). We had a little family party. We ate fajitas, homemade orange juice, cucumbers in lime juice, homemade guacamole, and homemade (not by me) corn tortillas. Then we had birthday cake with rainbow chip frosting. We forgot to get candles so the kids blew out matches after we sang happy birthday. Then we went out to find a pinata, the filling, and presents. Then we went to the movies to see "Ice Age 3" in Spanish. When we got home we hit the pinata and the kids opened their presents. Today we sang again to Elijah since today is his birthday and went to church. When we get back home tonight we will eat more birthday cake. I've included a picture of Elijah talking to his Grandma Williams on the phone. Elijah has had some rough days lately and he claims that now that he is four that he will behave. We'll see...at this very moment he his having another fit.





Here are some extra pictures of the kids playing in the back patio. Also I wanted everyone to see how we wash dishes and can wash our clothes by hand. Does anyone want to guess the system they use with these pilas to wash clothes and dishes? I had to learn from Irma. I like it and now I know how to be a better camper. Guess first and respond and then I'll tell you all how to clean here in Guatemala. I bet you all are smarter than me.