Feb???

I know it's Monday, but that's about it! The days seem to melt together here and I'm always so amazed at the end of the day when I reflect back on all that has happened. Saturday was a work day for us. Jeremy finished his wall, but will have more brick laying ahead of him. Christian finished the door frame and hung the door. Danielle and I painted the key box and had Christian hang it for us! Danielle, Susan and I (with some help from the kids) also took on the task of cleaning up Dirty Dog, one of the four strays that hang around. She enjoyed a hair cut helping to cool her off as well as get rid of many mats that where pulling on her skin. We still have plans to give her a bath, but we didn't want to do too much in one day because she was behaving so well.

On Sunday we went to church with the kids and out to lunch, It was so nice to eat lunch with them, because most of the time we are separated for our meals. We hung out and played a bit and then walked back home. Jeremy and I walked with Dayana all holding hands the whole way. Then it was time for 'team building' at the beach! We were bodyboarding for hours (and don't worry, we found the 45 waterproof sunscreen Mom!) It was nice to share the time together playing in the ocean. Paul and Susan (our hosts) joined us. They are such wonderful people full of love and wisdom.

Today beagn a new adventure - Camping with the kids! The day started out with us hanging around the orphanage waiting to find out what was going to happen when (a common thing here in Ecuador where the motto is, "Hurry Up...and wait!). Finally, after a few odd jobs, lunch and some awesome bonding time with the kids. We loaded up the bus and Paul's truck and headed, all 30 of us, into Manta to spend the night at Allan and Pearl's Casa (home). Jeremy helped the boys set up all the tents while I doucmneted the event with our video camera. Once they were set up we had some more play time with the kids jumping on the trampolene and other creative activities. AT one point one of the little guys, Jan Carlos, fell off bike and cut his knee pretty bad. I don't do well (as many of you know) with blood and all that but I picked him up (although in my effort not to look I smoked his head on a tree branch..oops...but hey at least I didn't pass out)! They took him to the hospital and he got 4 stitches. We then enjoyed hamburgers, soft drinks and some yummy birthday cake. They have a tradtion here that has the birthday-e's face smooched into the cake. We did that and it degraded into an all out cake fight. Fun but nasty. We got some good video's of that!

Anyway's we are about to settle down and watch a movie with the kids, Open Season 2, and then they arew all heading out to the tents to camp out (we, however, are going to 'rough it' in beds in the house...I know, wimps)! Tomorrow we are going to get up and make lunch, after a pancake breakfast, and hike up a mountain behind Allen and Pearl's house with the kids! Then we are going to com back for a pig roast and more hang out time with the kids.

What an aweseom opportunity we are having out here. Everyday I find myself loving these kids more and more.

Amanda (with a little help from Jeremy where it gets 'longwinded')

We have to go watch the movie...so no editing...forgive the mistakes!