Beach pix--vol 1--Wyatt's birthday celebration

glum smile :)

action shot!

S and I (covert elephant climbing)

G wasn't much for pix this particular night

The elephant was jealous of W's quaffed mohawk

G did not agree to this picture--but since he was on the second level he dealt with it

Limbo putt-putt style! Course Aunt Leigh thought this was a great idea--until someone went face first into the turf

I would say Landon is on his crackberry--but it's an iphone--so I guess that makes it his crackphone? not as catchy

Oh man--i love this picture--come over to my house and we can practice a bit more Shannon--I got my own ddr set!

Shannon's debut in dancing games :)

Favorite recent photos

frustrated

UPDATE: 

1. vacuuming floor and then having your throat swell up because of the dust--sucky
2. pulling weeds in the garden until your hands are swollen--not a fun job
3. mowing the yard with a motor-less mower--hot & hard
4. re-mopping your floor because you jumped into the creek with your puppies after a hot days work--AWESOME!!! 
   

ah the blessing of having a cold creek to jump into whenever you need it, and pups that always make you smile :).  Thanks God for a hard days work.

as you all know, coming home from a vacation can be exhausting. The house is a wreck right now as no cleaning has been going on while the dogs were here this week being watched. Trying to clean it all up and I think our vacuum is making the house dirtier! We are replacing the flooring in the apartment next door which is costing us a lot, and everything just seems to be falling apart. Of course that is an exaggeration, but that's how it feels. I need a new vacuum, and possibly a new floor in our apartment as well. ~sigh~ Anyway--just needed to vent out some frustration at our little nagging things around the house. Hope your day is going well :).

p.s. Anyone got a vacuum that's cheap and works well???

my day out in London

Thursday afternoon Dave went back to Belfast to see his Grandparents. Helen, Sylvia, and Mervyn had dessert tastings and other wedding related things that day, so I decided to have a day out on my own in London. I had two major things I wanted to see, Westminister Abbey and King's Cross Station 9 3/4. These pictures are in reverse order of how I took them that day. I
--I was so excited to be here!!! But it took me a bit to find it--it wasn't really halfway between platforms 9 and 10 :)
--The famous guards
--half of the palace and fountain in front of it (taken with timer on camera)
--an odd bird I saw (look at his feet!)
--the only picture I was allowed to take inside Westminister Abbey--which was actually in the garden behind
--In front of Westminister Abbey (camera propped on my bag for the right angle)
--The front of Westminister Abbey
The back of Big Ben and the parliament buildings
--I didn't have any problem finding people to take pictures for me--It was quite nice traveling along through the city alone

in and outs :)

Well-we're in London! Our house sitter for the week e-mailed me these pix of Gertie from her phone. She got her new pink tag this week--cute huh? We have some pretty cute dogs I must say :).

Saturday is Helen's wedding and she seems to have it all together. We met her fiance yesterday, and he's pretty fun. Dave and he get along well--they give each other a lot of crap, but each seems to return it with as much gusto, so I guess it's ok, lol. Not sure what the plans are for today, but I'm sure Mervyn will inform us when he and Sylvia get back from town, lol.

Yesterday was extremely wet, so we hung around Helen's house, played Scrabble (i won), and had a nap here and there. Dave and I hadn't had a full night's sleep in two days, as we left for the airport 1:30 am on Monday morning and were on the plane Monday night. We did get 1st class on the way though, which was EXTREMELY nice and fun to enjoy together this time around.

Tomorrow Dave is heading back to Belfast for the day as his grandfather is not doing so well (please pray for him), and I will be staying here and sight seeing. I'm going to Westminister Abbey and Kings Cross Station. I've never been in Westminister Abbey, and am quite excited about it (as a lit. major for sure). Kings Cross Station is where Harry Potter gets on the train to Hogwarts, lol, and they actually have a platform 9 3/4 now as the books are so popular. There's even a trolley half-way through the wall there like they are passing through the barrier (you know what I mean if you've read the books). I can't wait to get my picture taken with it!

Well, that's all the info for now! I'm sure I'll have pictures to post soon. TTYL!

Gertie's first walk

The day we decided to keep Gertie, Erin had a bag of fun stuff for her to send home with us.  In the bag was this adorable pink harness, a leash, and puppy food.  It was a fun surprise.  

This evening Gertie, Sleepy, Dave and I went on a short walk.  There is a little loop near our house that is about 2 or 3 blocks long.  Gertie walked the whole way (except when a big dog scared her and she refused to walk for a minute or two)!  I was very impressed.  

She gets tired very easily and sleeps a lot of the time at the moment.  She and Sleepy have been sharing a bed at night (it is TOO cute), and I think this is helping her transition a bit more.  

With the help of our friends, Gertie has spent a lot of time out of doors, (they let her out during the day when we are working) and she is making a lot of progress with training to "go" outside.  We are thoroughly enjoying having a puppy again :).  I think Sleepy is a bit annoyed by her following him around constantly, but I'm sure he'll love her once she can play with him a bit more.  Well--that's all for now!

Pup's for sale!!!...or else we may end up w/ 2 dogs

UPDATE: Leigh and Dave are getting a new puppy tomorrow!!!! We're taking the girl and bringing her home around noon! Her names is Gertrude, but we'll probably call her Gertie for short.  So excited...and a little nervous. More detail, and I'm sure pix, soon!
These guys are pretty darn cute--sure you don't want a puppy? I'll bring it to ya!!! They'll be ready to be taken home--shots and all--next Saturday!
This one is a girl--we really love her!


the only boy!!!

another girl



The three individual pix are the ones left to adopt!!!

a few short thoughts

~you realize the value of a baby's smile when you meet one that does not have one--one who hasn't had enough touch, emotion, love, and care in its life to muster the energy to learn how to smile. The joy that comes from making a baby smile, coo, and giggle is amazing because you know it is a healthy thing. In that moment the baby feels well, comforted, and loved. Door of Hope is an amazing place. Babies come in weighing their birth weight or less at several months old and, in just a couple of months, grow strong and healthy in that loving environment. Every person that works or volunteers there must love and adore God and children--even the house keeper and the secretary. The smiles on those children's faces show how much they are loved and adored daily. Each child is held, smiled at, called by its name, cuddled, and cared for. Each child is celebrated, photographed, praised, and raised to love Jesus, even if they're not old enough to speak His name. I would gladly go back to love on those babies some more--and am already planning to next year. If anyone has a place in their heart for some place like this, I ask you to donate to them. They always need diapers (called Nappies over there), formula, baby food, and much more. If you were considering getting me something for my upcoming birthday, PLEASE send a donation to them instead. Their website is: http://www.holeinthewall.org.za And you can go to their "donation" tab to find out how to send them money from the USA. They are an amazing organization working to reach abandoned babies and their families for Christ. I can't think of a better place to send my money.

fun pix

So I know I haven't posted in ages (thanks for the reminder S), but I promise to catch you up on my feelings on my trip, etc, when I have time to sit and think about it. Here are a few pictures from G's game the other night that Dave and I went to watch. I love that they all get their names on the back of their shirts!
--an action shot of Coach Shaun :)

I'm here!!!!!! And I can't believe it :)

When they called my name out Tuesday afternoon to say I'd made the flight, I was ecstatic! I said, "Did they just call MY name" to people who didn't know my name so wouldn't really know anyway :). The flight was long, but great. The first half I was in economy in the middle seat (ugh), so I didn't get ANY sleep at all. I was sat in between two African men from Senegal, and I had a great, involved conversation with one of them. He was a 41 year old man who looked to be about 28 (I was aghast when he told me his real age). He has a duel citizenship between the U.S. and S. Africa, lives in L.A., has 2 kids (4 & 16), owns a really cool business (but just sold it because he wants to spend time in the important things in life--family and god), he designs all sorts of things he sells, he's a Muslim, and he eventually wants to move back to Dakar where he's from. He talked most of the time, but it was extremely interesting and made sitting in the middle so much better.

Once we landed in Dakar, Senegal to refuel, my new friend got off (we made sure to exchange facebook names, lol), and I moved to business class. ~sigh~ There was something wrong with a gage or something, so we had to stay for a couple of hours in Senegal. The up-side to that was--I got to see the sun rise in Africa for the first time! It was scrub brush land mostly, and had lots of apartments. As we lifted off we had a champagne breakfast (though I just got o.j.--what was I thinking refusing champagne????) and 3 diff. courses. I laid my seat ALL the way back, took out my full size fluffy pillow and blanket, put on my fluffy eye cover and inserted my earplugs, and promptly fell FAST asleep! It was wonderful! I was sat beside an oil tycoon (crazy eh?), who flies all over the world looking for more oil and jumping from rig to rig.

Today was my first day at the baby house. Things I learned on my first day: 1) how to feed more than one baby at a time 2) how to entertain 3 babies at a time 3) how to pick up a baby while holding another 4) how to chart every intake and outtake of a child 5) babies are not that fragile---really :)
I took loads of pictures, and it's just my first day! I can't wait to show them all to you, but I won't be able to put many up. We are only allowed to post profile pictures or non-full face photos of the babies, but I will try my best to get a few. I worked a long day. Trying to keep 13 babies fed, diapered, burped, and happy is a huge job with only 2 to 3 people at a time. But it's a good time. Will post more later! I love love love you all and miss you too!

UPDATE

Well--i didn't make it out today. I'm flying on a standby ticket, so if the plane is full i don't go. Today was overbooked, they even asked people to give up their seats. Tomorrow is overbooked by 26, so I'll not be going tomorrow either. Sigh. SO, I went ahead and got a ticket (standby again) for Wednesday, which still has some slots. So pray there aren't a ton of standby people and I get to go Wednesday! I may extend my trip a few days (or at least one) so I can get some extra time in SA. Anyway--that's the news for now! I bought a wireless pass for the airport (since I'll be spending some time in it for the next couple of days) so I'll be on Skype and Facebook if you want to talk! Love you all!

So long for now!

I'm going to Africa!!!!! I'm so excited! You can check with Dave for updates, but I should be flying out tomorrow (Monday) at 3:50 pm. Last I checked there were 7 seats left on that flight--so pray I'm one of them!

I will miss all of your smiling faces and conversations, but I know that you'll be there with me in spirit. I love you all! God ended up blessing me with over $1000 in support for this trip---PRAISE THE JESUS! I tell you, if it was up to MY faith to get things done, everyone would be outta luck! But God came through, even though I wasn't really expecting him to!!!

Don't worry, be happy--as old Bobby sings--cause everything's gonna be alright (another bob--the marley)! I will take LOTS of pictures of those babies (oh I love them already!!!) and all the wonderful things that happen in S. Africa. I will publish most often through facebook probably, because that seems to be easier internationally (w/ uploading time and such). Family--I'm in good hands, HIS hands, so be at peace, and PEACE OUT!

It's a....PUPPY!

So Sassy and Sleepy's puppies were born yesterday and we got to see them this afternoon. They are SO CUTE! There are four girls and one boy. The lady said the puppies could be sold in less than six weeks, so if you want one you need to speak now! Only 3 girls and the boy are for sale (they're are keeping the pure white girl). All the puppies (hers and our one) are for sale for $200 ($150 to family). Here are some pictures of them! Enjoy!

Sassy and her puppies


This is the boy <===we really like him

all white one--no spots at all--so far :)


She said you can't tell if they'll be long or short hair yet, and probably won't be able to tell for several months, but they sure are cute!!!

awesomeness

tan lines

Dave and I worked again this weekend at NOC. We had our first raft trip of the summer on Saturday and it went great! Dave was nervous--but he enjoyed it, and I was so glad he did! I think he was just over-thinking everything. We had a morning alpine tower yesterday morning and that went well too--plus--we got great tips this weekend! Sooo...I got an AWESOME pair of sunglasses as my treat to myself (with my tip $). I will post pix of them when I get home today--they are SO COOL :). They're turquoise aviators. yeah i know--awesome huh? You're jealous I can tell ;). Saturday night we got together with our friend Philip and taught him how to play Settlers (the coolest game ever--Shannon you know you love it). Yesterday afternoon, after we got off work, we went kayaking with the LDP that are down here from Canada right now. It was my first time in a boat in a LONG time--and I was nervous to say the least. But, I tried rolling and I got it...well...when I was practicing anyway. The times when I just accidentally fell over I had to have some help--ugh--but I will get it if I just get in a boat more often. I want to--I just got to get off my lazy butt more often this summer and get in my boat! It was fun though :). This morning I dropped Dave off to carpool with a friend down to NOC. He's working there several more days this week (praise Jesus--we needed some more clocked hours). Then I went to the coffee shop in town and called all the schools in the area. I'm trying to observe at a different school every day this week and possibly get some job applications in the door too (even though most of the schools have position freezes at this time--they'll be off in July), so I can get put at the top of the position waiting list. Well, that's all for now! Pray for Dave today as he may be getting a call back about a job application and position!!!

It's Saturday right?

^me in the school library during planning period :)
All of my assignments are turned in and now all I can do is wait to graduate in a few weeks. Well, I guess I'm technically graduated now, since I'm not actually walking or anything. They'll just mail me my diploma some time early June. Anyway, every day feels like a weekend now. I don't have to plan anything or do anything really, just observe. I have been helping with organizing in the classroom and setting up several online quizzes and test, but other than that I don't do a whole lot. Every morning I think, what day is this? I still have to get up early, but it's so much easier now! I'm working at NOC on the weekends (was on the alpine tower last Friday and Saturday), and have my first rafting trip this Saturday afternoon! So does Dave, but he's not as happy about it. He doesn't really like raft guiding, but I told our boss she could put him on the list. He just doesn't like the entertaining part of it, because some groups really are hard to please. But, if he's going to be working at NOC all summer, he's going to have to guide, so he might as well get comfortable with it. Our group this weekend is 12 yr olds; kids are so much easier to guide and generally have a lot more fun too! Anyway--that's all for now!

Winter has come for the last time....hopefully

It's snowing here--quite hard actually. It's been snowing on and off since yesterday afternoon. Sunday I sat out and burned my shoulders while grading papers in the yard. Monday it's snowing. So weird. Most people around her expected this though. It usually snows in April at least once. My host teacher was just telling me the other day she remembers watching the tulip blooms fill up with snow one year. That's now! I've been fighting a snotty cold for the last week, and though it is getting better it seems to be lingering. Should be fun for our anniversary tomorrow :). I think we'll probably celebrate on another night though, since Wednesday is usually busy. I don't mind telling you, it almost slipped by me this year. It's been so busy with trying to finish my Teacher Work Sample (only the hugest amount of work a student teacher has to turn in analyzing every last piece of information you have gone over for the last two months) and focusing on teaching. Dave got better last week, but still has a runny nose. I'm so ready for a break! I can't wait till the weekend! I will be working on this and that during Spring Break, but not getting up early every day. We had a two hour delay this morning because of snow, and MAN was I excited when the phone rang at 6 a.m. to tell me I could go back to sleep for 2 hours! I am glad we had school today though. I think if we had any more snow days they would have had to do Saturday school, which no one was excited about. Anyway, that's the news! Three more days of student teaching and then I'm basically done! See ya then!

break-ing news

Two weeks folks! Two weeks until Spring Break! I just want you to know I'm pretty darn excited. I mean, I'm SOOO ready to sleep in and do fun stuff that's doesn't involve high schoolers and 6 am mornings. Don't get me wrong, I love my students, I'm actually gonna miss them, but I need a break from the drama! Sometimes I catch myself trying to tell them things they can't possibly understand or even remotely would take my advice on. I want to say, "You are so wrong for each other--get out now!" and "Wake up people, you're life started 17 years ago, you're driving it now, so don't expect mom to pick up the pieces," and, last but not least, "I am NOT YOUR MOTHER! I told you AT LEAST 15 times when that paper was due AND it was on the board, so it was up to YOU to REMEMBER IT!" They are such lovely children :), really, mostly, well I love them anyway :). Anyway--I don't even care where I am during Spring Break, but I'm going to enjoy every minute of it!!!! Of course, it WOULD be nice to be camping Easter weekend with my lovely older sister and her wonderful family...i really do hate last minute decisions here :)...alas the life of a farmer I suppose. I truly am my mother's daughter with the whole being early and knowing everything in advance thing though. Oh well. Of course, if that doesn't work out, I might be heading to the beach with most of the other family members, which would also be lovely and relaxing, though it does involve much more car time than the mtns....about 10 more hours to be exact. Don't worry mom, I will tell you if I'm tagging along before.....Thursday morning of next week :). Can Dave come too? Just thought I'd ask :-D..I love yoU! That's the news for now! P.S. If you got an e-mail from me but can't open the attachment please let me know!!! It's pretty important :)