Ready for Ecuador...

In order to get our family to Ecuador, we had to make decisions--some hard, some not--about what to do with our stuff! I made lists & checked them twice and then twice more. (Somehow we still managed to get here without Benadryl! What?!) We sold all three of our vehicles, our storage shed, our four-wheelers, hubby's hunting gear and the kids' yard toys. I planned and packed two years' worth of homeschool curriculum. I packed up all the important things from my kitchen--BlendTec blender, KitchenAid mixer, stainless steel cookware and Rada knives. We packed clothes, books, vitamins, OTC meds (but apparently not Benadryl!), books, shoes, a few special toys and more books!

Once everything was packed up...what were we to do? Eat out every meal until time to go? Where would we sleep? All our sheets were either sold or packed. The logical solution was to head to Hubby's mom's house four hours away. She has two extra bedrooms and a pool and is still only two hours from the airport! What more could a person ask for?

Ainsleigh fell in love with these guys.

We got to meet our great-niece!



And the kids swam like fish all week loooonnnnngggg!

Playing Catch Up--MORE RANDOMNESS!

Youth Group Bowling, The Big One Challenge & Homeschool Game Night!

Hubby & his friend who is also a youth minister decided to try THE BIG ONE CHALLENGE at Fox's Pizza. It was a fun get-together that raised a little money for both youth groups.

These guys came in with a plan and were sure they'd be able to finish this

bad boy off in under an hour

 Unfortunately, they didn't quite make it...

OUR LAST HOMESCHOOL GAME NIGHT FOR A COUPLE YEARS--





JC with our friend, Carlianne

Abi with her friend, Zoi. Would you ever guess that they're the same age?

Playing Catch Up--RANDOMNESS

Homeschool Park Day, Boy Scout Camp Out, & Last Day of Art Class!

JC15 was the photographer here

More action shots by JC15

JC attended a Boy Scout campout with his troop to earn his Wilderness Survival Merit Badge. One thing the boys had to do was to build their own shelter from whatever materials they brought or could find.

Moon reflecting on the lake at the campout.

JC15 & AJ8 with Mrs. Ava Jane

Ava Jane steals a kiss ;)

JC's signature on the Art Barn floor

Playing Catch Up--April 2012, Part 2

In April, friends from church organized the Inaugural Casa de Fe 5K. It was a smashing success and raised over $5000 to help us get here to Ecuador!

Our sponsors

Jump Castle donated by Mr.Charley's Fun Jumps

From left to right: Lexi, Abi, Sophia, Ana Claire and Haley

Cade, Ana Claire, Abi

Tanner, the overall winner

Luke & Hannah, big brother ran the 5K and then ran the 1 mile fun run with his little sister!

Ana Claire with her cousin, Christian

Dena, Ian & Cade

Melissa's dad came all the way from Michigan to run with her! :)

Mother & daughter: Allison & Sophia

As you can see, it was a fun-filled, family event! We are so thankful for those that participated and helped to put it together.

Playing Catch Up--April 2012, Part 1

April 2012--

The kids got to ride an authentic Amish buggy when we attended a Spring Festival at a church in Robert, LA

They also got to meet the Duggars. AJ & AG are here with Joy Anna, Jinger & Jill.
They really are as kind and hospitable as they seem on TV.

AC & AG with Joy Anna and Jinger

My friend, Becky, pierced AJ's ears

And AC's too



We attended a family Easter egg hunt on Saturday before Easter

And had one at our house after church on Easter Sunday

AG with two cousins, Lindy and Ashley

April was a busy month, so stay tuned for more...

Playing Catch Up--March 2012

March 2012--

Hubby, JC and eight others from our church spent Spring Break at Casa de Fe.



While the guys were in Ecuador, Shelly & I took the girls to Gulf Shores.

The girls checking out horseshoe crabs and snails at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab

Shelly with the girls

Our homeschool group took a field trip to the state capitol where we met our Senator, Sen. Sally Doty.

I am working as quickly as I can to get the blog caught up. I can't wait to tell you more about our new life here in Ecuador!