home away from home

zach and i were able to go back to visit Ecuador - our mission stomping ground. two weeks was not enough time to see and do all we wanted, but 5 hours of video and 300 pictures later, i think we had a good trip! here's a small taste of our adventures:

LA CONCORDIAfamilia moya

PUYO

we went to Puyo and stayed in a cute little cabin. we learned about all the plants there that provide natural medicines, and learned about how the Shuar Indians lived

when it rains, it pours!


BAÑOS
saw lots of gorgeous waterfalls and wished we had more days to spend here

OTAVALO
shopping, more waterfalls, enjoying the beauty of the campo

cascadas de peguche

little leslie. zach blessed her when she was a baby and now she is four years old


QUITO
In Quito we spent lots of time with the Cevallos, visited other families, went to a museum, and ate yummy food.

familia Guatemal

familia Cevallos

Capilla del Hombre - a museum of the artwork of Oswaldo Guayasamin, an artist from Ecuador


we could have spend two more weeks there to do everything we wanted to do. guess that just means we'll have to go back!

5.2.09

and it came to pass that i GRADUATED!

thanks to all my fans!

after a very, very rainy day, i was so grateful for the sunshine! it was worth it, being the last college to have graduation, because when we came out the skies were clear! (even though our hair-do's were already down the drain!)




...i thought i would feel relieved...but now as i look ahead to starting my job, the pressure is really on!

i don't wanna grow up!

have i got some news for you. not just any news. it's...
that's right! i will be a real deal preschool teacher!

i will be teaching special ed preschool starting fall '09 in mendon, ut. where is that, you ask? it is in cache valley - out southwest of logan. there is a new school out there called mountainside elementary. i have heard it is beautiful!

i am absolutely THRILLED about this job. i love these little ones and feel so lucky to work with them! i don't have to grow up yet...i'll be in preschool for a while!

after the fact

i know this so SO after the fact - so 2002 - so 7 years ago.
but zach and i made the mistake of starting to watch season one of the show 24.


most of you have probably seen it...like i said.. 7 years ago.
last night we just finished the season and i am totally blown away. she really kills terri? are you kidding? i am so mad at nina right now.

unfortunately i am sucked in and want to watch season 2 asap.
i am so wrapped up in it..like it is so real.
why do shows do this to me?

anyway...
if anyone happens to own season 2 of 24 i would love to borrow it...so my emotional attachment to jack baur's life can continue. and so i can see what the heck nina is doing. grr...she makes me so mad.

friends + cabin = fun!

we had a blast this weekend up at the Croxford Cabin at Bear Lake with our great friends Kip and Alisha! wish the weekend would never end. we played games, watched a movie, ate too many treats, told lots of stories, and laughed really hard - like we always do! thanks for coming up with us, you guys. we are so lucky to have such fun friends.

sorry for the picture being crooked..our 'tripod' was the top of the car!

baby lilac

i have an amazing friend how has come out with the newest, MUST HAVE baby product! the business is called Baby Lilac and she sells baby eye masks.

have you ever tried to get your baby to fall sleep in the airplane, at church, or other noisy public place? there is lots of light, and many distractions. slip on this eye mask, and they drift off to sleep. also great for daytime naps when bedrooms are still too light! check out how cute the designs are...

i really love this fluffy pink one!

the masks come in the following sizes:
newborn-6mo
infant 6-12mo
child
adult

go to babylilac.com to purchase!

p.s. the designers preschooler and husband wear these also!

ultrasound

and everything looks normal!

...like my pancreas, kidneys, liver, and gallbladder.

did i getcha? nope, no baby inside of me, but all my insides are looking good! i had to have some tests after my body was not feeling quite right. the blood work, x-ray and ultrasound all showed i am normal and healthy.


...maybe i can have a more "fun" ultrasound in the future..