Adventures in Downtown Guayaquil

Jorge took the morning off and we took an impromptu tour around downtown Guayaquil. We had so much fun! We first went to the Iguana park then we popped inside this gorgeous Neo Gothic Catholic Cathedral, you can see part of it in the first photo. The whole church was open and I even went into the crypt, that was pretty cool and slightly creepy. After the church we went to the library which was unfortunately a little sad. The childrens area was tiny and you can't take any books out of the library. However while we were there they did give us one free book which Stella loves and is a cute story about two children on an adventure in downtown Guayaquil. After the library we toured an art museum. Tonight in my art class I found out that as a class we were going to tour that museum but don't have time now because of a fire that caused classes to be cancelled on Monday. Glad we went today.

Are you kidding me, look at the size of that door.

The plaza in front of the art museum, Jorge and Stella are near the base of the statue.

Family Home Wrestling Federation

This is what our FHE looked like tonight...

Happy Father's Day Dad, Jorge & Jorge Sr..

Holy moly, I have been so blessed to be surrounded by incredible men. Jorge is just like his dad so anything that I say about Jorge really goes for both Jorge's. They are so patient, loving, thoughtful, fun, and hands on as fathers. I'm so lucky to have them here. Even though my dad may not be physically near me right now he is so awesome at keeping up with my family. He loves to see how things are going here in Ecuador, loves to see Stella and just gets a kick out of everything she does. Im so grateful that he has also been a man of faith and devotion to God all his life. I can't imagine a better gift to give to your children. Thanks dad! I love all the fathers in my life, my dad, my father in law, and Jorge. 

Jorge wearing his new tie and Stella stealing away his card because there was a picture of a monster on the cover.

The nursery kids invited in their dads and sang to them. It was really cute.

Jorge wearing the M&M lei that we made him. This was the only picture that I had of him wearing it... ;) I had to post it because I want everyone to know that I still have the Aloha Spirit. LOL

Warning: this post is graphic

So... After we bought the potty chair Stella pretended with it for the first couple of days but every time after that when I would ask her about using it she would say no. Today she sat on it again all by herself and then got up and got toilet paper and came back and pretended to wipe herself. You can see the little wad of TP in her right hand. (Yep, I'm pretty sure she's right handed) Here's to hoping that she is getting closer to being potty trained :)

World Cup Fever

There's a lot of excitement in the air... The World Cup started yesterday in Brazil and Ecuador plays on Sunday. We were at the little park in our neighborhood this afternoon and all these kids had their jerseys on and were playing soccer.

She's getting so big & independent...

La Pieta, Michael Angelo, St. Peter's Basilica, Rome

In class tonight I gave a presentation on this piece of art. We had to choose an artist from the Renaissance time period and a piece of his or her work. I looked at a lot of artists and pieces but this one stood out to me. I know that I have seen this sculpture before but today it moved me. I think it's because I am now a mother and I feel that it some small finite way I can relate to Mary. I love how real she is portrayed here, not with a crown or a scepter as you often see her depicted but as a loving mother. Her face is calm and serene almost with a confidence that this was Gods will for her son. She is bigger than Jesus and holding him in her lap which is just about as nurturing a position as possible. It doesn't tell us in the Bible if Mary had a moment like this but I really hope she did. I hope that she was able to hold him one last time...