Guatemala Mission Trip

Jason was invited to join a group of nurses and doctors on a mission trip to Guatemala. Before we arrived the hospital lined up a group of patients who couldn't afford to have surgery but were in need. Our group collected medical supplies to be used during the surgeries and the surplus was donated to the hospital.

We flew into Belize and took a bus to the Guatemala border where we walked across the border and boarded a different bus which we took to Flores. We were with a great group of people and the trip went by without a hitch. Was a bit strange at the border and seeing military with guns but we always felt safe.

Watching Jason operate was amazing. I didn't have much to do during the day but I could pop into the operating room at anytime while wearing a mask, clean shoes, etc. and observe the surgeries. Absolutely fascinating!! I got to catch up on my reading while he operated and got to know the missionaries who run the hospital. The sacrifices they make to serve the population was awe inspiring.

Each night we went out as a group. The city we stayed in was quite touristy and the food was amazing. We'd take a bus each morning to a nearby town where the hospital was located. That area was far more desolate and impoverished. 

Belize-Guatemala Border

The street we stayed on

Tikal

Jason giving me a heart attack. I literally was clinging to the steps we were sitting on and he was pretending to fall off. Completely indicative of our personalities.

September

2 Chuck E Cheese Parties in one month, oh my!

Home made applesauce from the apples we picked at Annie's Orchard in Wilcox.

Sick Baby Girl

Audrey caught a bad bug and we ended up at Children's Hospital. We'd never had to take a child to the hospital before so the whole ordeal was new to us. The staff were great but the first 24 hours were quite scary. She had a high fever and was dehydrated. She ended up spending 24 hours in the ICU and one more day in a regular room.  Luckily she was okay. The dr's chalked it up to a virus and never figured out what it was. 

Apple Picking

Jason had a day off so we drove down to Wilcox for some apple picking. The weather was gorgeous and the kids had a blast taste testing along the way.

Misc. August 2013

Audrey had her 9 month check up and is doing great!!

 

So sweet!!

Willem is very into games right now with Uno being a new favorite.

We're loving having Jason around a bit more right now and the kids are taking full advantage of their Daddy time.

 

Each morning the kids wait for Audrey to stir and then they run into her room and get into the crib with her. They love being the first people she sees each morning.

Visiting Jason at the hospital. He's working every weekend right now so it was nice to grab lunch with him. The kids are always thrilled by all the options at the cafeteria.

 

Kindergarten, Preschool & Potty Training

When we arrived home from CA we had less than 2 weeks to get Ms. Ellie potty trained for school. So much pressure!!! Willem was very excited to help and created a potty chart for Ellie. He remembered getting M & M's when he potty trained and negotiated for the same treatment on her behalf, with himself of course being rewarded for helping.

We met their teacher and toured the classroom. Ellie was concerned that their were no baby dolls and Willem was really excited after seeing the playground and some of the new works he hasn't done before.
 

 

By the time school started, Ellie had completed her chart and earned her new baby doll.  Look at that proud Mama pushing her baby around Target!! Ellie totally got the hang of going potty and did great with her first few weeks of school.

 

First Day of School Pictures:

 

 

We cannot believe Willem is a kindergartner this year! He is more than ready and is thrilled to be in Kindergarten. Within the first couple of weeks he came home and said he was pretty sure he'd be moved up to 1st grade soon as he already knew how to do all the work. Luckily he has an awesome teacher who has continued to find ways to challenge him. Ellie didn't love the lack of dolls and the first few weeks would report at dinner that she wanted dolls at her new school. But since has adapted to the Montessori way and loves making nap mats, playing on the playground and doing the Pink Tower work.

 

Audrey can't wait for pick up each day. Though she likes the extra Mom time, she really likes being with her siblings more.



The Zitters Visit LA

We spent a week visiting the Weiss' and as a bonus the Zitters were in town from Holland. It is always such a treat to spend time with them!!

Shrimp Boil a la Wouter

Checking out the 3rd St Promenade

Already a shopper;)

Oom Rik baby wrangling

We spent a day at Disneyland as well and enjoyed the benefits of having someone with a wheelchair. What a crazy trip this was with my immobility!!