Beach Day and Books of the Bible

Friday was Anne's end of the year "Beach Party".  She was a bit apprehensive about it because they were not actually going to the beach.  Last year for Pre-K, we took her to a school at Jacksonville Beach so their end of the year party was over the top!  At the Ponte Vedra Country Club on their private beach.  You can read about that day here.

This year there were many more children and trekking them all out to the beach for the day is a huge task!  Especially from Orange Park. So they brought the beach to the kids......

Of course, cooking out is a MUST!  Hot dogs for everyone!

Photos with friends by the tree!

They brought the sand to the kids!

Jarod and his friends stopped by for lunch......

Then we played with sidewalk chalk....

And bubbles!  You have to have bubbles!!!!

Hula Hoops are also a must!

Kaleb was a pro!

Snow Cones!  Also important on a "Beach Day"

Along with playing in the pool!

And being splashed by friends!  All in all it was a great day and made many fun memories!

 Changing topics a bit......

Today during church, Anne's class got up and recited all 66 books of the Bible.  They have been working on it all year.

Waiting for church to start.

A little nervous but getting through it.

Can you see the concentration?

Daddy, ahem (excuse me), Pastor Russell, handed trophies out to the children afterward.  Anne is so proud!

All the kids did a GREAT job!!!!!










Yesterday we had family photos done.  Can't wait to share them!  We have not had our entire family photographed since Anne was a year old.  It was time.  I will get them back at the end of the week. 

Jarod and Anne have 2 1/2 days of school left and then they are taking off with Papa, Nana and Uncle Ray to Lake Martin in Alabama for a week.  Russ and I are already wondering what it will be like without the kids for a week!  It's one thing when we shell them out to others to watch while we take off for a long weekend getaway - but it's entirely different when we are going to be home the whole week and they are not.  This is definitely a first for us.  During the day - I'm excited about it.  At night, I lay awake and worry.  It's a mom thing.  I know they will be perfectly fine and they will have an absolute BLAST!

When they return, we enter into about 4 weeks of busyness before things settle down again.  Scout Camp, Youth Camp, Dance Camp, VBS, etc.  Lot's of fun ahead........

Einstein is in the House!!!!

Jarod has a final Science report due tomorrow.  He had to choose a famous Scientist, do all sorts of research on him and then give a report to the class dressed as the person.  Jarod chose Albert Einstein.  And here's what we put together.....

I think he looks pretty authentic.  After all - it does run in the family......

 Even if there are a few family members who are not very happy with their looks.....

I think they both may attack us in our sleep.......

More From ApParent Project

I follow ApParent Project and Shelley Clay on Facebook and she is constantly posting new and exciting things that are happening in Haiti.  Of course, last week I posted the latest video from Donna Karan showing the artisans making the beads.  So fun to watch them at work, see the children and the smiles.

Clay from the Central Plateau in Haiti

Shelley has been to China and back purchasing beads to go in between the ones they make with the cereal boxes. They have even begun to make their own from the clay in Haiti.

How cool is that?

I cannot wait to see what they will do with these!  I am continually amazed at all they are coming up with!  Shelley keeps things moving forward so that more and more Haitians can be employed and their lives can be changed.

They have recently opened an online store. 

Check out the items that can be purchased online at Market Haiti

Here are a few other new designs:

Rope Necklaces

New bracelets

Bracelet sets

The sewing program is getting under way as well.  With fun items like these:

Jewelry Bags/Coin Purses

IPad Bags!  Love these!  May have to buy an IPad just so I can carry one! 

She has also begun employing Metal Workers and I just received a few of these:

Hand Crafted - 6" tall.  Each one is different.  They sell for $6.00

They are already gearing up for Christmas this year and this was posted on Facebook this morning:

Christmas Ornaments!!!!

I absolutely LOVE these!  Our Christmas tree is decorated with ornaments that we purchase each time we go on vacation or from something meaningful that has happened over the years.  Russ forgot to get one when he was in Haiti last fall.  But it was that trip that started this journey for me.  Some of these will definitely be adorning our tree each year. I have heard rumor of Tree Garland as well - made from the cereal box beads.

How fun is that?

Last, but not least - I want to thank everyone who has been involved with this ministry.  You have purchased jewelry from me, you have ordered your own jewelry and had your own jewelry parties.  You have spread the word and you have prayed for these people.  I have never been one to get involved in any particular cause.  But the Lord has placed this so deeply in my heart - I know I'm in for the long haul.  I have become passionate about this.  It is exciting to be involved - even if just a tiny bit.  This jewelry is literally going all over the world and Shelley Clay with the ApParent Project is making a difference in her community.  She's inspirational!  Lives are being changed - forever!  That's awesome!

Thanks again to all who have helped collect cereal boxes!  I'm shipping off another 450 this week.  They are beginning to arrive in Haiti - in time for those Christmas preparations!  These were posted on Facebook yesterday!

Esaie and the boxes

Dede

I don't know about you - but these photos make my heart soar! 

Until next time.......

*Photos from Shelley Clay - ApParent Project

Family Camp Out/Jarod's 1st Court of Honor

Now that Jarod has crossed over and become an official Boy Scout, he goes camping once a month.  His camp outs are each for two nights and he goes without Dad.  He loves it.  But this month was the annual "Family Camp Out" so the rest of us were able to join him.  Seeing as how I had not done any kind of camping since our 6 weeks in a Pop Up in Oregon, I decided it would be fun to go along.  I will say that as the day approached, I became more and more apprehensive.  Not because I don't like to camp.  I feel like I'm a trooper in that area.  But it's an awful lot of work for one night!  (We couldn't stay two because Russ had to preach on Sunday morning, of course).  But, I will have to tell you that once we were there, all set up and sitting in our chairs - it was just what we all needed.  Sometimes you just have to get away - even if it is only for 24 hours.  A change of scenery is all you need.

Here are some photos of our scenery for the weekend at Osceola National Forest near Lake City, FL:

 Jarod didn't waste any time - he began fishing right away.

 Russ began to set up our tent

 Our little helper

 Anne helped Jarod as well

Hammering in the stakes

 Blowing up the air mattress

 Home away from home

 All set up for the weekend

 Ocean Pond

 Jarod and the other Scouts went out in the canoe

 Cooking dinner

 Swimming during sunset

 Jarod

 Beautiful

 Smores!!!!!

 All tucked in the the night

 Playing in the sand

 Breakfast!

 We went for a morning walk

 Love this little girl!

 More time in the canoes

 Love this pic - watching the water

 More fishing - he had a nibble - but no big catch

 Dinner time

 Court of Honor - Jarod receiving his Scout Badge

 Reciting the Scout Oath

 Receiving his Tenderfoot Rank - Yay Jarod!

 Receiving special patch for participating in 20 mile hike

 Normally Jarod stays both nights for his camp outs.  We had to come home on Saturday so Russ could preach on Sunday.  Jarod wanted to come home - he was exhausted!!!

So was Anne! 

A great time was had by all!

Also this week, Anne had her Kindergarten program at the school.  It was so sweet to hear all the Kindergartners sing!

 Our little singer

This pic is just for fun!  She tucked herself all inside of this box so it looks like she disappears.  Cute!

The kids have 6 1/2 days of school left and then our busy summer begins.  Lots of blogs to come!  Until next time.......