1/24/10-1/30/10

Sunday, January 24, 2010

I have NEVER seen a church as packed as ours was today! There were people standing at the back so the stake representative stood up and asked everybody to scoot in and make room. That even included a completely full overflow. Relief Society was soooo full! It was just amazing. There have been lots of talk about the ward splitting in March. We'll see. I'm kind of hoping it doesn't since the boundaries will most likely take all of the people that I am comfortable with!!

Today I was asked to attend a stake music committee meeting. I was really hoping that Sis. Cheney would be there for her ward but she wasn't. For the first time ever, I had to stand up and introduce myself in Spanish. I can't believe I've never had to do that before!! Everybody got a good chuckle when I had to double check with Paola (the music coordinator in our ward who is so amazingly patient with me!!) to make sure I had said the right word for pianist! It also turned out that I was the only pianist there! The other wards in the stake were apparently trying to figure out how we were able to have such a good ward turnout. I told our ward music coordinator, Paola, to tell them that each ward just needs to have a crazy, red headed, gringa to laugh at and people will show up! Our ward choir really has a great time! That is one place that I have never felt like I wasn't wanted/needed/appreciated! There is a great bond with the members! During the meeting, Paola, asked me if I could do the music course for the ward......at least that's what I understood!! I later found out that the entire stake has been invited to participate!! EEK!! I'm sure my parents are glad to know that all the years of piano lessons are finally benefitting other people!!

During my "free time", I looked up the Gringo Loco Pizza place and ended up finding the blog for the Thomas family. It turns out that they moved here from Virginia with their 4 kids. It was so fun to read the blog and hear about somebody else going through the same thing we are!! I can't wait to meet them and compare stories!

Monday, January 25, 2010

Today was my first day of teaching class. The day started with Alysa and Laina both throwing fits and refusing to go to class. At one point I was asked to go back down and take care of Laina because she wouldn't stop crying. When I went down, I found Alysa sitting on the swings by herself when she was supposed to be in class. Apparently she just got up and left. I'm not sure what to do. I spent the whole morning with them and didn't get to work with Morgan and Cole and then I had to go and teach the new class. The new class is a complete joke! The kids don't know any Spanish except for their numbers, colors, letters, shapes, etc.!! I have grades 3-5 but then they tried to add a 1st grader also that can't even write. Seriously, how am I supposed to teach 12 kids at the same time that don't understand anything I am saying and I don't understand anything that they are saying??? Not to mention that each grade has a different schedule for their "specials" so I have kids coming in and out all throughout the class! What am I supposed to do?

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

UGH!! More frustration. I am really struggling at the school. My kids don't want to be there, I don't want to be there, Chris doesn't want me to be there!! And then it hit me when I found out that Alysa's English teacher quit....I can quit!! For people that know me, I am quite stubborn (I actually prefer the term 'determined') and won't give up on something once I start. I am thinking that this might be the one exception! Should I or should I not? That is what I thought about the entire night while I should have been sleeping!

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

On the way to school, I talked to the kids about what they would like. Cole said he'd miss his friends and working in Sully's shack. Morgan said she'd miss Sully's shack and starting the cheerleading club (if she got a spot). Alysa said she'd miss her new friend that speaks English with her. Laina could care less! I am still so torn inside. Everything is telling me that I need to quit but I hate the feeling that I'm giving up or letting somebody else down. I keep reminding myself that I am letting my family down if I don't. What to do, what to do!

Well, the decision was made for me when I approached the owner to discuss my feelings. The way she reacted to me made up my mind. I can not believe some of the things that she said to me about my family, my kids, my character, and myself. This is definitely not a place that I need to be. I offered to stay for up to a week if she wanted. I told her to let me know how long she wanted me to stay and she walked out. I took that as an I don't want to ever see you again so I packed up all of my stuff, got all of Alysa and Laina's books, and we left. I haven't cried that much in a long time! I can't remember the last time that somebody had said things that were so hurtful towards me.

Even though I was an emotional wreck, I still felt that it was the right decision and my family would be better off for it. It will also free up a lot more time that I can do something that will benefit the people here! The kids and I are already making plans for special activities to do.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

It was amazingly nice to wake up when it was light outside and to not have to wake up the kids and fight with them to get ready for school! It was so relaxing! Once Chris left for work, we began the homeschooling. Homeschooling all 4 kids is going to be quite interesting. Morgan is very independent and gets her work done....it just takes her forever! Cole is so speedy but needs a little more help. He always finishes more work than he is supposed to! Alysa is a little sponge and can't get enough work! Laina likes doing work but gets very easily distracted and goes off to play which is great with me! We have the study downstairs that is set up as our classroom and we're working on getting a system going.

I realize it was the first day back at home but it was amazing how much more relaxed everybody was....especially me! I might even get a few minutes to work on some mending.....and updating this blog!!

Friday, January 29, 2010

I am still pretty irritated about how things ended at the school but it really makes up for it by having a day like today!! Even though Morgan has a cold and didn't want to get out of bed, we were still able to get all of our homeschooling done.....in bed! After all of their work was done, the kids played outside forever. I was so happy that they were able to be real kids and run around and use their imaginations!!

We've been waiting all week for our visit to Gringo Loco Pizza tonight. We weren't exactly sure where it was so it took us a little while to find it. It was so fun to get to meet the Thomas family. We actually met the dad and the oldest kid. I am pretty excited to meet the rest! They live pretty close to us and are even in our stake.

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Today was a pretty lazy day. Alysa wanted to do homework this morning and was pretty mad when I told her it was Saturday and we weren't doing homeschooling!

While Chris was at a concrete pour, the kids and I continued to work on a quilt that we started yesterday. I let the kids have all of my fleece scraps and some scissors. I put a piece of fleece on the ground for a backing and let them make up shapes to sew on to it. It has kept them busy for a while! As part of our homeschooling, we are having a humanitarian "club". The kids are helping with projects to help people here. I am so impressed with how much enthusiasm they have!

1/18/10-1/23/10

Sunday, January 17, 2010

We were lucky that all four kids went to primary today without problems. It is great having Alysa and Laina in the same class so that they are together. They have quite the bond with each other!

I ventured out to my first stake choir practice. I've pretty much stuck to the ward level because people know me and it's a little less intimidating. I figured a couple of my friends would be there to help me out but they weren't!! UGH!! Luckily there was one person that I know and she helped me feel a little more comfortable. I have decided that I am not meant to sing in a choir.....at least not for songs that have any high notes! I had more luck singing the men's part!

Monday, January 18, 2010

We had our first day of school today. The school owners still haven't decided what classroom I am going to be in, or when my class will be ready to start. That's fine with me. I spent most of the morning trying to get Alysa and Laina comfortable going to there classes. Laina has the same teachers, but Alysa has two brand new teachers. I took her to her class and her English teacher seemed very overwhelmed. Alysa's Spanish teacher is a member of the church and knows why we are living in Guatemala. She seems pretty nice.

Inbetween dealing with scared, upset little girls, I was working with the older two on their homeschooling in the hallway of the school. What fun, what fun!

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Let the drama continue......today was p.e. The girls flat our refused to go to p.e.! I'm not overly surprised by Alysa, but Morgan was in tears. Cole went but isn't too sure about the new p.e. teacher. I counted that there are 16 new teachers and only 6 returning! There has been a lot of change in the school this year.

Sully is still there working in her "Coca Cola" shack. She makes food and sells candies and toys. Morgan and Cole have been helping her out and love it. We are also trying more Guatemalan food that she makes.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Cole turned 9 years old today. He had a pretty laid back birthday. We tried to go out to dinner but Alysa got sick and I had to take her home. We were getting the jalapeno pizza that Cole and I love!! Chris ended up getting it as take out and bringing it home. Cole got some new toys but the highlight of the night were the goody bags that Grandma Hunsaker sent for everybody. The timing worked out perfectly that Dave (Chris' boss) was coming down and was able to bring Cole's presents! He also brought two suitcases that I had packed and left at his house! It was so much fun to see what was in them!

(Cole discovered Transformers when his cousin, Nate, got all of Uncle Matt's old Transformers for Christmas)

Thursday, January 21, 2010

I am feeling a little lonely at the school. The other teachers don't talk to me and I feel very isolated. It is so completely different from last year. I really miss my friends that were teaching then!

Today was much better for the kids though. Morgan and Alysa both went to p.e. without crying. They even liked it! It's amazing how much fun you can have when you try something new!

Chris left to take Dave back to Guatemala City. I remember the first time he left us in Xela and how scared I was. I have come a long ways!

Friday, January 22, 2010

I love Fridays! We have begun a pizza party tradition on Fridays. It doesn't matter that we had pizza two days ago.....pizza never gets old! Chris brought pizzas (and flowers) from Guatemala City. They were from a place that is the same as Sam's Club or Costco but they were a big disappointment! I'm still enjoying my jalapeno pizza from Giuseppies!

From Chris:

Stopped on the way home from Guatemala City to buy the girls and Kristina some flowers. I ended up with a few more than I had originally planned. I am a sucker when it comes to little kids selling things on the side of the road.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Chris dropped Morgan, Cole, and I off at the market this morning. We are getting pretty good at this market stuff! We know (for the most part) what are good prices and what aren't. We also recognize a lot of the merchants. It is so much fun to get out and walk around and see the people.

In the afternoon, we went to visit the temple site. The workers had already gone home for the day so we were able to actually walk around on the site. We got to go inside and to climb up on the top. It was pretty cool and scary all at the same time.

(Temple Entrance)

1st floor of the temple

"stairs"

This was the worlds most rickety excuse for stairs that I have ever seen!

The kids on the roof of the temple.

The sister missionaries in our ward came to visit this evening. They are both from the states. One is going home in another month and the other just came out a month ago. While we were visiting, they mentioned that there is another American family that is here. They own a pizza restaurant here. It is called Gringo Loco Pizza. I can't wait to try out a new place!

1/10/10-1/16/10

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Wow, what a warm welcoming today. Church was wonderful. I have never had so many people seem excited to have us back in church! I was immediately put back to work playing the piano in Sacrament meeting as well as playing a keyboard for Relief Society. The girls all went to primary classes without any problems. Cole was very hesitant and didn't want to go. His teacher was trying to hard to make him feel comfortable but he didn't want to have anything to do with it! Morgan was gone to class with her friends before I even got a chance to say bye.

Once again, I have fallen behind. It is amazing how quickly life takes over!! We have been working on homeschooling and that has taken up a ton of time!! It is so hard trying to keep up with 4 kids! I can't wait for school to start so I will only have to homeschool 2! Alysa and Laina will be in their regular classes then.

Chris got all of the kids new BYU sweatshirts. They had to all put them on and make their "mean" faces.

On Wednesday, Morgan cooked. The kids had all worked together and planned a "date" for me and Chris. They all got dressed up and acted like they were working at a restaurant. We had Parmesan meatballs, salad, toasted garlic bread, and pasta. It was scrumptuous. The service needed a little bit of work.....they were soooo slow!! It was great though.

We went in to the school this week to decorate our room and get everything ready for the year. I was told that I will not be teaching the class that I had planned on and that I would actually be doing a special English class for the new students to the school whose English level isn't high enough to go into the regular English classes. (The Beehive School teaches 1/2 day in English and 1/2 day in Spanish. All the other bilingual schools here only teach about an hour every other day in English) I have no idea what I am going to do now!

It was also the open house for the parents and I was introduced. I was so proud of myself when a parent came up to me afterwards to ask where a different classroom was and I actually understood what she was saying!! And even better, I could actually answer her! I get so down on myself about Spanish but it is amazing to realize how much I have learned in the past 10 months!

We had a little visitor this week. Alysa was out on her balcony in the morning and saw a little kitten at our side gate. The kids were so excited. They were given strict instructions not to touch the cat. (The last cat we got had ringworm!!) Even without petting the kitten, the kids had a blast playing outside with it. Morgan named it Fern. I thought Dirt was a better name because it kept curling up in the dirt and blended right in. Then we though, Fert. Of course Cole changed that one to Fart. After a while I made the kids come in to do their homework. They were sitting in the study with the window open and the kitten went around the house and jumped up on the windowsill and tried to get in the window. I was amazed at how quickly Morgan jumped up and got the window shut before the cat got in! (Nope, no screens here!) I thought we were going to be stuck with a new pet but the kitten must have gotten bored with the kids inside and it left. We haven't seen it since.

It is the dry season now and all of the crops are gone. The farmers have been burning their fields. This picture was taken from my bedroom window. On the other side of the house there was a big fire and Morgan thought it was a forest fire. She was so freaked out and of course that made all the other kids freak out. I found all four of the kids in a circle upstairs saying a prayer that we would be safe!!

1/2/10-1/9/10

Saturday, January 2, 2010
We finished up at the house in Las Vegas and headed for the airport. Most people would be a little stressed about traveling with kids but I was very calm. I didn't worry about making our connecting flight or anything. It was kind of weird. The terror hit me though when we got on the second flight going from Houston to Guatemala and they started making all of the announcements in English and Spanish. It was at that moment that all of my fears came back! UGH!! I have to work on my Spanish again. To make it even worse, when we got off the plane, somebody said something to me in Spanish and I noticed that my first instinct is to look at the floor! Where did my self confidence go??? I went from being invincible in the states to being the timid little girl that wanted to hide behind her dads leg!! (or in this case Chris' leg!)


Sunday, January 3, 2010
The drive back to Xela made up for the nice calm of the flights yesterday. Can you seriously expect 4 kids to sit in a row with 3 seats for a 3 1/2 hour drive with NO DVD PLAYER??? I can not believe the fighting that was going on. It was probably the worst drive we've had to make. On the positive side though, nobody actually threw up!
It did help me a little to read all of the street signs on the drive home and realize that I actually have learned something and I'm not a complete idiot at this language stuff!
It was so good to get back to the house. I was completely exhausted but I still had to empty all of the suitcases.


Monday, January 4, 2010
Chris had to go back to work today but the kids and I stayed home and went through all of their clothes and tried to get ourselves somewhat organized. It was so nice to have the kids all playing together and going outside to the park. It was the complete opposite of the drive yesterday!
Can I just say that it is FREEZING here! It is nice outside but inside it is an icebox! Chris is very happy with the flannel sheets that I got him for Christmas!! Our bed now has flannel sheets, a fuzzy blanket, a wool blanket, and a comforter and we still have to wear sweats, sweatshirts, and socks!! The idea of having to get out of bed in the morning is not enjoyable!


Tuesday, January 5, 2010
My first venture out! The kids and I went to the grocery store. I am feeling a little more comfortable and realize that I can do this!! (I just have to remind myself....often!) I still find myself smiling at the littlest things that bring me joy here. For example: one chicken bus was trying to make a left turn. A chicken bus that had the right away stopped and let the 1st chicken bus make the turn. The 1st bus gave the 2nd bus a honk in thanks. Now, I realize that most people would be irritated that the 2nd bus stopped traffic to do this but I really like the commrodore between the drivers and the little signals that they have for each other.


Wednesday, January 6, 2010
The kids and I started their homeschooling today. I had a big long table with all of their stuff. Morgan and Cole have the Calvert homeschooling to do. Alysa and Laina didn't want to be left out so I had to make up some work for them to do also. All four of the kids sat at the table for 3 hours working on stuff. I was shocked! I am pretty worried about homeschooling the older two and teaching class. I don't know how I am going to do it all. The more I look at the homeschooling stuff, the more involved I am realizing this is going to be.
We went to visit Chris at work tonight so we could see the progress on the temple. It has changed a lot! I can't wait to get to go inside sometime!

For those who are Twilight fans, you'll appreciate this. For the rest of you, just disregard it! It is sooooo cold here that when I kissed Chris tonight, I thought that that was what Bella felt like when she kissed Edwards stone cold lips! I can't remember his lips ever being so cold!

Thursday, January 7, 2010 The kids and I went down to the Beehive school today to see what is going on. It was weird going back into the school but it was nice to see everyone's reaction to us being there. There are so many changes this year. The classroom that I was planning to teach in had another teacher in it. I talked with Michelle and she told me that there are a lot of students that aren't returning this year, but also a lot of new students. The problem is that the new students don't have a high enough level of English to go into the regular English classes. Instead of teaching the class that I was planning on, she asked if I would teach a special class for these new students so that they can improve their English to the point where they can go back into the regular English class. I have no idea how much (if any) English they know. I will also have kids from 2nd grade through 5th grade. Each grade will be going to specials and recesses at different times. This is definitely going to be interesting. I am pretty excited though because I get my own classroom. I won't have to share it with another teacher and I won't have to go from room to room. I will teach in the mornings one week and then in the afternoons the next week. The half of the day that I am not teaching, I will be able to work with Morgan and Cole on their homeschooling. The half of the day that I am teaching, they can stay in my class and work on their homeschooling or they can help me with my class. This might work out after all.


Friday, January 8, 2010
The kids are still excited to do their school work! Alysa and Laina got a little bored today but they were perfectly content to go play with their baby dolls and let me work with Morgan and Cole.
After a few hours of school work, I make the kids go out and play. The days are so gorgeous here!! I forgot that even though it is freezing inside, the kids can get sunburned during the day!!


Saturday, January 9, 2010
I woke up this morning and I could actually breath out of both nostrils!! Yeah, I am finally starting to get better! My body is still trying to recover from the pneumonia!! I think my immune system was shot and I am just catching everything and anything!
Earlier this week, I told Morgan that I am going to be pretty busy so she's going to have to cook dinner once a week. That was the most exciting thing that I could have ever told her! Her and Cole have been going through cookbooks and looking up recipes on the internet. Well, today the family went to the market. Morgan had a list of stuff that she needed and her and Cole bought all of the stuff that they needed. Morgan did all the talking and Cole was the muscle behind the operation. They did get a little out of control buying limes, but I'm sure we'll eventually eat them all!



After the market, we took the kids to the toy store to use their Christmas money. The girls bought a shelf thing with baskets so they would have somewhere to put their toys. The kids decided to switch rooms again so that Alysa and Laina would be together. The rest of the day was spent moving rooms around and reorganizing stuff.

12/23/09-1/1/10

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

What a wonderful day!! Chris was in Texas with us for only a couple of days before he had to go back to Guatemala. After a trying three weeks of being apart, we are all back together again!!

We picked him up at the airport then went to lunch with Meghan and Tyler. That evening everybody went ice skating. It was so much fun! The kids all enjoyed themselves and didn't want to leave. The adults all seemed to enjoy themselves just as much! Grandma and Grandpa and Aunt Jamie were the designated photo takers and non-skating kid watchers. It was great to be back on the ice after such a long time....even if I was wearing rental skates!!

The Hunsaker crew.

Getting ready.

Tyler and Meghan's Trey hugging Brooke.

Alysa and Laina trying to not hold onto the wall.

Cole, Kristina, Uncle Matt, Chris, Laina. (Yes, Matt is playing with his blackberry while we're all skating....and he gives me crap for reading my Twilight books!!)

The Whitney Family.

Matt and Kristina conspiring to take out the skate guard.

Cole is getting the hang of it.

Kristina, Alysa, Aunt Meghan, Uncle Tyler

Morgan LOVES skating and wants to take lessons. Unfortunately there are no rinks in Guatemala!!

Laina ice skating.

Thursday, December 24, 2009 - Christmas Eve

Apparently it doesn't snow much in Texas but it snowed just in time for Christmas!

The cast of the nativity pageant. Laina, Abby, Jake, Uncle Matt, Brooke, Aunt Meghan, Cole, Alysa. (and others not pictured!)

Laina and Brooke.

Trey once again entertaining all of the other kids! He learned how to growl and thought it was hilarious!

Friday, December 25, 2009 - Christmas

The kids waiting at the top of the stairs to come down for Christmas morning.

Opening gifts on Christmas morning.

The Hunsakers

The Whitneys

The Billings and Grandma

The Hunsakers got a bounce house for Christmas. That was pure entertainment for the little kids!!

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Grandpa and Chris took the kids to see the Princess and the Frog. Somehow Meghan and Tyler talked me into going to see New Moon. I have to say that the books are so much better!!

Grandma and Grandpa with Trey

All the grandkids with Grandma and Grandpa

Grandpa helped Cole make his first pinewood derby car.

Morgan, Laina, Cole, and Alysa with Grandma and Grandpa.

The clan.

Playing at the park while the boys played football.

Thank you Matt and Jamie for having us there and for being so patient with us!

Sunday/Monday, December 27/28, 2009

We drove back to Vegas! I am so thankful for DVD's and redbox. The kids watched a ton of movies again but they didn't fight!! We started out the drive with a car off the side of the road every mile or so. After about 1/2 a day we got past the area where the storm had hit and life was good again.

We were making pretty good time until we got stuck at the Hoover Dam for about 2 1/2 hours. It was so painful to be stuck when we were so close to being home!

Tuesday,December 29, 1999- Friday,January 1, 2010

The rest of our vacation was spent cleaning the house, packing our stuff, and preparing to go back to Guatemala. Chris had to drive the van up to my grandma's house in northern Utah to store it while we are gone. The poor guy has spent more time driving and flying than he has spending time with family!!

Everything is falling into place with the new renters. (Love the Baltzer family!!)

It has been a great trip and it has been great to see friends and family but I am definitely ready to empty the suitcases and be back in my own home. (If you can call a temporary rental in a foreign country my own home!!)