Around and about

What I wish I had a picture of is the incredible rainbow I saw on Monday at the boys' school. I've seen so many rainbows here in Guam, but none like this particular one. The boys' school is right on the water (poor them) and when I dropped them off on Monday my friend Amy and I sat outside to do our Bible study. We looked off into the ocean and saw the rainbow with it's brilliant colors. It touched the water at both ends and in between sailed a catamaran. Then I noticed that there was a double rainbow above it, also touching the water at both ends. We were both kicking ourselves for not having our cameras, but thankful for the blessing. Above I've posted a picture of my sign class that just ended, one of my moms group, a picture of Haven and her friend Eamon goofing off at the sink during their sign class, and a picture of Haven's neighborhood buddies. On the bottom is my pineapple. A friend gave me this pineapple before she moved almost 2 years ago. I planted it and for a year it just sat there. When we had to move last summer I took all of my plants but left that one. I don't really know why. I guess I had just given up on it. My friend Tennille asked me about it a few weeks ago and I told her I left it in the garden. Lo and behold they found it with this beautiful pineapple growing. It took a while for the plant to reveal it's fruit. I just needed to be patient. Lesson learned. Speaking of patience, we're not sure now if we're heading to Jacksonville. Newport is back in the picture and hopefully we'll know more by this weekend. Stay tuned! I'll try to post some video soon and a link to Tom's Flickr pictures.

mom and dad visit

We had to say goodbye to my parents a few weeks ago after a week long visit with them here. During this visit I felt no pressure "to do", but just desired "to be" with them. They came to hug the kids (and us :) and Cole, Jack and Haven were so happy. I just loved having them here with me to sit with, visit with, enjoy the kids with, watch TV with, etc. etc. We have missed family and can't wait to come home. During their time here we stayed at the Pacific Island Club for a few days, which is essentially a giant playground for the kids. I laugh because what I have wanted to do since we arrived here dad did the first day there - windsurf. Unfortunately he couldn't go too far or he would have been lost beyond the reef. The picture of the windsurfer above is him. There is also a picture of the view of the PIC grounds from our window.

Hong Kong

For those of you that did not know, we recently took a 4 day vacation to Hong Kong. Our trip to the states left summer gave us enough miles to get the whole family there, and with miles to spare! Before we left I remember mentioning our trip to a few people who commented about the long flight (4 1/2 hours). I had to laugh because 2 years ago that just would have felt like a nightmare to avoid. However, after traveling back and forth from Guam at over 20 hours we can fly anywhere! Actually, the kids were great and we had an incredible vacation. We stayed at the YMCA and had a great big family suite that overlooked the harbor. We did a city tour on day one, a walking tour to the really neat science museum the second day, and Disney the third day. Jack kept commenting that he wanted to stay there forever. The kids loved the excitement of the city, the sights, the sounds, and of course Toys-R-Us. I would highly recommend this family vacation to anyone traveling to or in this part of the world. If we had one more day we would have made the trip to see the Giant Buddha, the largest sitting Buddha in the world. Here are a few pictures.

It's been a while...

Wow, it's been a long time since I've last posted. Sorry! I guess I'll start by giving a little update on the kiddos. Cole is finishing 2nd grade in a few months. He's been struggling quite a bit lately with anxiety about going to school. Once I get him in the door, which can be quite tough, he seems to do fine. Things are getting better. Baby steps! He recently got a new bike and has really enjoyed riding. He is also learning piano, taking tennis lessons every Saturday, and just started swimming lessons yesterday.

Jack cracks me up. He smiles so much his face must hurt. He recently decided to learn to ride his bike after Cole bribed him with marshmallows. Now he wants to ride his bike all the time (that is, when he's not playing lego star wars). He enjoys preschool and is all smiles there too. When he's home he loves to play on the playground across the street, and with his friend Avery.

Haven is my haven. Her name is so perfect for her. I love having her with me as I go about my days. She is very easy going and no matter what we do she always tells me "I had fun" when we get in the car. She'll walk up to anyone and ask them "what's your name?" (though I usually have to interpret for her). Her response to how old are you is always "I four". I smile every time. She is potty training and has had a few dry days over the last week. She and I take an sign language class together and it amazes me what she knows.

Tom already has one foot out the door already of Naval Hospital Guam. Though this has been a good life experience for him in many ways, professionally he is ready to move on. He has many stories to share and I tell him he should write the book he's already titled "Ships ahoy, man overboard". We sure have enjoyed having him around over the last 20 months and will miss that. He's anxiously awaiting orders to Jacksonville and also starting to think about his orthopedic oral boards which he'll be taking in July.

Though I'm ready to get back to the states I sure am going to miss this little island, and my wonderful friends. Though there are days I miss working and I think about what my future might have in store for me career-wise, I wouldn't trade this season of my life for anything. We've grown so much closer as a family here in Guam and I am thankful for this time. Lately I've been getting involved in a few new activities here. I've always wanted to learn sign language and now thanks to my close friend Jeni who teaches here, I am getting started. When I worked at Westborough State Hospital a few years back I had to visit the deaf unit often and really wanted to be able to communicate with those patients. I also started a moms group a few months ago. We originally met in navy housing but we quickly grew too big and now we meet in the hospital chapel every Thursday and are an official moms group/playgroup there. On alternate Fridays I am involved in a local MOPS program which also started a few months ago. I'm hoping to get some more diving in before we leave here. Time is passing so quickly and before I know it I'll be starting the packing-out process. We'll be on "boonie furniture" by mid-April. The boys finish school in May and I'll have to say goodbye to all of the staff at Southern Christian Academy. That will be one of my most difficult goodbyes.