MaMaw and PePaw

This was Robert and Carol's 4th visit to Ecuador.  Jordan began counting down the days 3 months before their arrival date.  It was finally here!!!

We had lots of activities planned for their week with us.  First up, Grandparents Day at Alliance Academy.  Last year Molly asked our wonderful neighbors to go as her adopted grandparents, and this year she was thrilled to have MaMaw and PePaw with her.

MaMaw working on the puzzle with Molly's best buddy, Mia Belen

You can definitely tell these two are related - love this picture!

Next stop - Ganas.  Ganas is our family's new ministry.  It is a home for children whose parents are in prison.  Robert and Carol completely fell in love with all of the kids.

Christmas in October - I do believe October 7 is the earliest we have ever celebrated Christmas. 

PePaw reading the Christmas story.  I love that my kids get to hear every year from their grandfather why we celebrate Christmas.

Time to open presents and hear the squeals of excitement!

And the final gift of the evening was from Luke to MaMaw and PePaw.  He wrote and played a song to them.  Here are some of the words from the song, "You guys are my family and I will always love you.  Even though we are in Ecuador, I will always love you.  You will always love me and I will always love you." Not a dry eye in the room (except for Molly and Jordan who were pretending to listen as they played with their new toys).  I had not heard the song because he wanted it to be a surprise for all of us.  Well, it was a surprise and the sweetest thing I had ever heard.  I hope he is working on a special song for me for Christmas :)

After the Christmas celebration, the next day we celebrated Molly's 6th birthday.  She turned 6 in August.  If we celebrated Christmas in October, I figured it was okay to celebrate an August birthday in October.  It makes me sad that all of our family misses our kids birthday parties each year, so we decided to celebrate a little late this year.

Sunday, we got to introduce them to our church, La Luz.  MaMaw and PePaw even got to see Luke receive his Sunday School award for completing all of his homework each week and learning Bible verses(all in Spanish).

After church we loaded up the car and headed to the Guayllabamba Zoo.  Robert and Carol loved seeing the Galapagos turtles and spending a day as a family enjoying all of Ecuador's animals.  Monday we had a special dinner together complete with Carol's delicious dressing, caramelized green beans, and chocolate pie.  Tuesday, we took the kids out of school early and had a picnic at Metropolitano Park.  The week flew by...  We enjoy every minute we get to spend with family and do not waste one moment together.  Thanks Robert and Carol for your love, encouragement, support and prayers for us.  We appreciate you more than words can express.