....I wish I were a dancer...

Renee has been in dance classes since she was two years old. She was born to dance! I have observed a lot of dance classes and recitals over the years. Some children like it, some are pushed to do it, some resent it, some are scared to death of it, and some just plain live to dance. Renee dances in the house, walking along the path, dances all the time!

When I was a kid, there weren't dance studios in town or after school classes. I guess I was deprived. I do think that if there had been I would have asked mommy to let me join. I have this jealousy of Renee when she dances, wishing I had the chance! Now I am too sedentary to make a split or leap across the stage!

Last evening was Renee's last dance recital in Jamaica and for that I am sad. I must admit I only had eyes for my girl last night. Now that she is entering a new stage in her life, I have to wonder when the next time will be that I will see her dance under the stage lights. So I thoroughly enjoyed the evening. As a matter of fact, I have gone to the rehearsals every day for the last two weeks. I became a dance mom I guess I could say!

She danced three dances and they were stunningly beautiful. One was a duet that she actually choreographed, the next was a duet with a male dancer that is from the Bahamas, and the third dance was her entire dance class. Just beautiful.

There were pictures of the dancers at the entrance. Here is Renee between 2 pics of her.

and pics with her friends after the show. Many of her teachers were at the recital as well. A very lovely evening.

..something else checked from the Bucket List!

Today was Jamaica Zoo Day! And a great day it was! Since the countdown for departure has begun we have been clicking things off the list! I think this might be the last "tourist" day we will have until we leave Mandeville and head to Montego Bay to fly out.

Jamaica Zoo is located in Lacovia, Saint Elizabeth. It was only an hour from the house. It had real animals, haha! and a restaurant.

 When you first enter there is a playground and then a place where you are able to handle certain animals. The certain animals that Renee and I really don't want to touch!

The Parrot was more to my liking!

...mommy missionary....

Amazing how many people you meet when you have children. True anywhere you live, yet I find on the "mission field" children make ministry opportunities that sometimes you would never anticipate. I know this to be true because we lived on the "field" without children in the eighties and now with our girl on this field since 2008.

From violin performance opportunities, dance recitals, art exhibitions, school life to birthday parties! Renee's birthday falls right in the middle of exams so we try to schedule her party around the school exam schedule so her birthday party was on Saturday and what a time it was! On Friday night we had a photo shoot with 7 girls and on Saturday we met at the neighborhood pool with 15!

I called it the 16th birthday/graduation/farewell party on the invitations. Most exams were finished by Friday, so all the kids were in a celebratory mood! Because Renee's birthday falls in hurricane season I also had to pray for good weather. Can't have a pool party in the hurricane! Thank God the weather was good on Saturday and the party a success! After four years of the same school friendships, our relationships with the parents have deepened and God has used our family to bless not just the students lives but also the parents. They come from all walks of life and we have one common denominator....our babies!

16 reasons.....

                                              Happy 16th Birthday Sugar!

I turned 40 the year you were was born. It seems like yesterday! Here are 16 reasons and counting why I admire you.

1. You are an artist, you have shown me that there are no mistakes on the canvas. You just cover it with gesso and start over.

2. You are a dancer, you have shown me freedom. Freedom of movement and expression. Freedom to display the joy that just has to come out!

3. You are a violinist, you have shown me that even the most difficult of pieces can be mastered. Music isn't to be played, music is to be felt.

4. You are a voracious reader. You enjoy reading a book over and over and over. Your books are your friends and you think deserve another read!

5. You are a diligent student. You have shown me that studying is worthwhile, not just for good grades but for the pure pleasure of working hard and being proud of it.

6. You forgive. You have shown me that relationships are special, holding on to hurt feelings really doesn't make anyone feel better, so why not just let them go.

7. You don't fight. You have had opportunity to bite back yet you hold your tongue. You have shown me self control and discipline in how you manage your conflict.

8. You stand tall. Something I have never been privileged to do since I am so short. You hold your shoulders back and walk with confidence. You have shown me that you love how God made you.

9. You love God's word. You have shown me that reading your Bible is a given, even when the night is late and you need to sleep. His word is important to you.

10. You love music. Filling your ipod was so easy. You like all kinds. You have shown me new artists and music worth listening to. Your ipod is inspirational, playful, romantic, and classical!

11. You are easy to please. You have shown me that you are not demanding and manipulative. You are easy, not high maintenance!

12. You are so grateful. You are grateful for small things and huge sacrifices. You recognize limitations and are so appreciative not just of your family but even those who do the smallest thing for you. You are thankful.

13. You pray. Praying just seems natural to you. You pray for me and instantly I am changed. You've shown me simple faith, simple trust.

14. You are flexible. Typical here something can be scheduled and after a lot of work it is cancelled. You just roll with it. That amazes me.

15. You are a leader. You know where you are going. You have goals and desires, wants and wishes and are figuring out how to bring them to fruition. You are a leader of people, you are a great motivator and teacher, in dance, in church, in teaching violin.

16. You are beautiful. You have shown me that it is not just outward beauty that matters, but what is on the inside that truly counts.

I am so grateful for you my little girl who stands taller than me!

Homeschooling Field Trip...part 2

We left the fishing village and headed toward Rest. In Rest we took a left toward Alligator Hole! Sounds like a fun place, doesn't it!

When we arrived at Alligator Hole, it was a man sitting at a picnic table and a couple small buildings. I headed toward one of the buildings and he called out to me...hey, I'm over here! Deacon was his name and he was our guide! I asked him about the alligators and how many we would see....his response, none! We have crocodiles! OH GREAT!

Renee is not so sure of this place! Here she is checking it out!

And this is Deacon! A wonderful person that indeed felt badly that we didn't get to see a croc or a manatee. He said if we come back Thursday, we would see some!!

We jumped in the canoe and down the river we go!

The closest we got to a crocodile was the skin in the Interpretive Center.

It wasn't all in vain though! The day was so hot, so the breeze off the water was delightful and we enjoyed the company of Deacon!

We went on our way west to Alligator Pond. The road was horrendous. It was an adventure for sure! Walked the beach there for a bit and headed home to Mandeville! It was a great field trip!

And our treat to end the day.....chewing on some yummy sugar cane!

Our Homeschooling Field Trip....a blast!

For a long time I have been planning a field trip to celebrate Renee's four year long journey of homeschooling American History. Finally yesterday was determined the day, and what a great day it was!

We left the house at 8:30 and headed to the South Coast. Our first stop was Monymusk Sugar Cane Fields. There is a huge production for the making of sugar cane. After speaking to persons that work there we find that production had just stopped for the day so we couldn't tour the facility. We saw the fields, the wagons, the workers residences, the factory itself and the steam coming out of the smokestacks.

 

 We left the sugar factory and headed north and then west through RaceCourse, Springfield, and landed at Milk River Hotel and Spa.

The sign that directed us to the Spa said #1 in the World. How could we not visit a place with that kind of credential?!

It was really a fun stop! We enjoyed our 15 minute mineral bath and lunch there at the hotel.

When we left the spa we noticed a sign for Farquhars Beach. It appeared to be really close to the spa so we went to check it out!

Surprise it was a fishing village not a swimming beach. So here are some shots from our visit there rather than a swim!