Summer's End

It's hard to believe that summer came and went. I guess that's what happens when you spend your summer traveling around the world and visiting with family and friends. Santi and I spent two and a half weeks in Ecuador in June. It was truly an amazing experience. This was the first time he had been back to his home country since he left over 13 years ago. When we first landed in Quito it felt surreal to both of us to actually be there (could have been the lack of sleep or lightheaded feeling from the altitude). This trip was something we have both talked about since we met, and to think we were finally there was unbelievable. We spent our time exploring Quito, which Santi discovered had changed and grown quite a bit since he had left, and traveling around the rest of Ecuador visiting family. Ecuador was absolutely beautiful. I always knew I would love it there, but I never expected that it would grow my love for Santiago and give me a clearer understanding of exactly who he is and where he came from. Our childhoods are such defining parts of who we are as people, and until we went to Ecuador and I was able to see where he grew up, I never fully understood that part of him. He always had a good idea of what my childhood was like because he lived in Indiana for 13 years, understood what life in the midwest was all about, met my family, and spent time fishing and doing all of the other things I enjoyed growing up. I had never had that opportunity. Of course I had met some of his family at the wedding, and his immediate family lives in Indiana, but to meet everyone else and be there, in Ecuador, was a completely different experience. We saw and experienced so many fantastic things. I would be here all day if I wrote about them all! When people ask what my favorite part of the trip was, I have to say the FOOD..and truly experiencing the culture. I have such a deep love and respect for Hispanic culture, and Ecuadorian culture in particular. It has always been part of our relationship, but now I think both our American culture and Ecuadorian cultures will be much more closely intertwined. I love listening to Ecuadorian music, and after purchasing an Ecuadorian cookbook I am becoming quite the cook! I think that the blending of our two very unique cultures makes us a unique couple, and will one day make us a unique family.
Speaking of family...no we are not expecting! I don't know how many times I was asked that in Ecuador...being that I am almost 26 and Santi almost 29 with no children is kind of rare for Ecuadorians. That's where our American side comes in I guess! I have to admit, I have had babies on the brain for awhile now, especially with so many of my friends having babies, but there just never seems to be a "right time". I know people say there never will be a "right time", so I guess at some point we are just going to have to let God handle the timing. We always set a time frame, and then push it back when we plan another vacation or large purchase...it seems like there is always "just one more vacation" or, "let's just buy this for the house first". Lately it's been the search for a new car. Not to mention my fear of who would watch our baby if we can't afford for me to stay home. Hopefully with both of us finishing school in the next year that won't be an issue. I guess for now I need to "give it up to God" and trust him with the solution.
School is starting a week from Monday...can you believe that?! I am astonished that it is already that time of year again! I must say though, I am a little excited. I do love teaching. I am extra excited this year because it will be my second year in the same grade, kindergarten, which I love! I finally feel like I have more of a handle on what to expect and what works and what doesn't work now that I have a year of kindergarten under my belt. I was in my classroom all last week getting things arranged. I must say it looks sooooo much better than last year when I had no idea what I was doing! I have seen my class list so far...16 kiddos, but I won't get my hopes up because I will be at 20+ by the first day. This year should be extra interesting too because instead of all Spanish speakers I have one child that speaks Arabic and one that speaks Vietnemese. I have also made the decision to blog about my classroom this year. Teaching is such an inspirational career, no two days are ever alike, and to be honest I have some really funny things I would like to blog about! Hopefully it goes well.
Well, for now it is off to make dinner.

Summertime and the livin's easy...

Well, I can remember just a few weeks ago I was thinking summer would never arrive, but here it is and boy it came fast! Today I enjoyed my first official day of summer and it was grand, although I must admit I am already bored. Thankfully we have a busy summer of traveling and hosting visitors ahead of us, so I think I better enjoy the boredom while it lasts. This weekend I enjoyed catching up on my cleaning and soaking up the sun on the Salt River with teacher friends. Poor Santi is busy at work trying to get ahead before we leave. We leave for Ecuador in less than 2 weeks now, and I have plenty of last minute travel details to keep me busy for the next few days. My brother is coming out for a visit on Friday and will be here several days. We are looking forward to seeing him! I am so excited about everything we have planned for the summer, and I am so grateful that we are able to do these things. This trip to Ecuador has been a long time coming and I know that Santi is truly excited to return home. I am also really looking forward to learning more about where he grew up and seeing the beauty of his home country. I am also excited to meet many of his family members and old high school friends that I have never met! I know it will be an amazing trip and one we will cherish until we are able to return:) Shortly after we return from Ecuador I will be heading to Indiana for a week to see family and also attend the wedding of Deanna, a good friend from college. I am so excited to see my family and friends and be home again in Indiana. I cannot believe it has been almost a year since I have seen my mom!!!!! That is ridiculous if you ask me. I think we need to be making more trips! It's hard being so far away, but I am constantly torn between the life we love out here and the world of opportunities that we have and the nagging feeling that we should be closer to family. I hope sooner than later we can strike a balance.
On another note, Santi and I have joined a "Home Team", or Bible study through church and it has been a real blessing. We meet once a week with a group of couples our age, eat together, and discuss the message of the week from church. I have been praying for a long time for God to bring us some married friends our age that we could relate to and develop relationships with. At work, all of our friends are single for the most part, so it is difficult to find friends to relate to. The best part is, we also discovered that we live just one street over from the only other couple in the group who does not have kids! It's so nice to finally feel like we are connecting with people out here. I can't believe we have been here almost 2 years! Time flies!

Well...I will post again with photos of our experiences in Ecuador!

Back Home Again in Indiana...and Other Random News

Well...it's hard to believe that spring break has come and gone. I guess time flies when you're having fun. We are not ready to go back to work tomorrow but that's life. Unless we win the lottery we are going to be working many more years!
It was really great spending time relaxing with family and friends. We spent the first part of the week in Jasper with my family. We did some shopping and went to North Vernon to see family. We even got to go to my cousin's daughter's birthday party and see all the little ones. It seems like every time we go to North Vernon the number of little ones has multiplied! They are all so cute and growing so quickly.
The second part of the week we hung out in Bloomington. We got to check out all of the new places in Bloomington and spend time with Santi's family. We went to Oliver Winery which is always a hit. Of course we picked up some wine to take home. On Friday night Santi's old boss Susan hosted a game night at her house just like old times. It was great to sit around and talk with everyone. We really miss that gang! We went out to Bears and Nick's after game night and stayed out the latest we have in a LONG time! I got to see Jen and meet the new guy, so that was really nice. We felt so old out at the bars again...it seems like only yesterday we were up and down Kirkwood every weekend.
Poor Totti and Rossdale (our parents' dogs) are having a rough time. Rossdale is getting so old and he is starting to look it. He is almost 11 years old! Poor Totti just had surgery to get neutered and now he has torn a ligement in his leg and has to have surgery again!
Our baby Tevez stayed with a friend of ours in Phoenix. He had a fabulous time playing with her dogs Annie and Daisy. Unfortunately I think now that he is back home he is either really really worn out or he is missing Annie. I think they became pretty good friends. Santi and I really missed Tevez and we are glad he is home. We took him to get groomed today and went ahead and shaved him to prepare him for the hot weather ahead. He looks like a total dork but at least he will be nice and cool.
We also went out to the house today and what a shock! It is getting so close to being finished! It is now painted, has a driveway, a garage door, kitchen cabinets, walls are painted, backyard privacy wall is up, and some of the light fixtures are in. We are getting SO excited! In about 7 weeks we will be moving in! The countdown is on!
Well...seeing as tomorrow we have to go back to work, I better get off the computer and get ready!