Snapshots and Tidbits

(Or at least that was my intention when I started writing. Maybe we should re-title it, 

"Almost Every Detail From Our Trip Thus Far")

Thursday, August 22nd

We arrived in Quito late last night, and after a very windy ride to our new home for the next few months, we settled in for a good night’s rest.  Today we have just been taking it easy and trying to get things somewhat organized.  I have a feeling that we will just start to feel settled when we will head to the next place!

We wanted to share just a few of the happenings from the past couple days:

We met our family at Garcias for lunch before we headed to the airport on Tuesday.  This worked out wonderfully!  We got a whole side-room to ourselves and we really loved the time with our family!

Precious moments with our amazing family

At the airport we were informed that we would need to pick up our checked luggage in Houston for our layover.  (I had called the airline earlier and was told they would keep it for us overnight since we were on a long layover).  It was a little stressful trying to figure out how we were going to handle 6 large checked bags, 3 carryon suitcases (all too large for Malachi to help), 3 extra-stuffed personal items, a car seat and a 3 year old!  But with no choice, we had to make it work, and God provided.

Both of our dads prayed over us before we left and our youth pastor from our teen years, Kevin McGinnis (also part of our extended family) prayed over and anointed us.  Very special moments for us all!

Goodbyes were said and we tearfully trekked through the crazy world of airport security.  It was an extra blessing to have Kristina and Donny, Kurtis' sister and brother-in-law (both flight attendants), come along with us to help us manage it all.  We also enjoyed getting to be with family a little bit longer.

Malachi did a GREAT job on our flight to Houston.  Thankfully it was a short flight!

Staying entertained 

After tracking down all our luggage (we were relieved it at least made it that far), we waited about an hour for our shuttle to the hotel.  Although we were tired and hungry, we both had an understanding that this was just a little preparation for what we could experience in a new culture.  So we embraced it as much as possible and entertained the little guy as best we could.

We rested well at the hotel and then had to check out by 1pm, so we slept in, swam a little, packed up and headed back to the airport on the final part of our trek.

We got to the airport about 5 hours before our flight.  I have to admit, I was a little frustrated we had to go so early, but it ended up being a good thing.  We had time to put important Ecuador contact info in all of our luggage, Malachi and Kurtis got to go on a fun tram ride for free, and we were able to sit down and eat some of the best airport food I think we've ever had!  

Getting all of our bags labeled with S.A. contact info

Kurt & Kai Kai enjoying the tram

Although our large amount of luggage was hard to manage, God always provided a cart (or 2), or a person to help us any time we needed it!

A sweet moment

We boarded our flight knowing that we had a 5 ½ hour journey ahead and we were a little nervous about how that would go with the little one.  He once again did great, which was impressive because he was exhausted and in rare form by the time we got off the plane.  We needed all the patience we could muster as we stood in line after line to get through immigration and customs.  The poor kid was just done by then!

Two of the missionaries that we are staying with from Extreme met us at the airport.  Definitely a welcomed sight!  They handled finding two taxis for us and joined us on the hour long twisty-turvey ride home.  Malachi and I were quite a pair in the back seat...  

Malachi doesn’t get carsick like I do, but we have found that when we mix exhaustion with a vehicle, things can get messy.  So  I sat there, holding out a wet wipe incase he couldn’t keep it down, while at the same time trying to keep my cookies.  Sorry if that is too much info, but I’m glad to say we both made it with all cookies intact!  Malachi fell asleep and the last 15 minutes of the ride was a breeze. (I am learning I need to always keep an extra bag with me, just in case).

We are living in a room with a bathroom attached in a home being rented by one of the missionaries of Extreme.  This home is where they hold a 40 day retreat for young adults with a desire to seek our God’s will.  We are so thankful for a nice place to stay with people who can help us get accustomed to life in Ecuador!  We didn’t do much unpacking last night, just crawled in to bed and we all slept like babies!

This morning we woke to cheerful laughing from two kids of another Extreme family.  They are hanging out here while their parents go on a much needed vacation.  We are thankful God provided some friends for Malachi to play with as he gets settled in.

Here are two favorite quotes from our travels so far:

*As we were taking off from Houston:

                  Emily heard Malachi say enthusiastically (with a pacifier in his mouth): “Mommy, we are going to die!”

                  Emily: “What?” 

                  Removing the pacifier from his mouth, Malachi said: “We are high in the sky!”

                  Emily:  "Oh!", with a huge sigh of relief.  
                  Boy the difference a pacifier can make!

*Kurtis’ favorite quote from the trip: 

Emily: (Sternly during final landing) Put that pacifier in your mouth!  Your ears are going to hurt if you don’t suck on it, so suck your paci now!

*Just now Malachi walked over to the OPEN window in our room and said:  “Ahhh, what a beautiful day!”  (Guess he appreciates being out of the heat as much as we do)

We are taking about a week and ½ to get settled and then Kurtis and I will start language school.  Looking forward to getting familiar with the beautiful city of Quito!

Much love to you all!

A view of the city from our new home