Adelup Point

Today we visited Adelup ("look before you leap" in Chamorro) Point aka the Old Governor's Mansion/Complex. Legend has it that taotaomona's (island spirits) live here. I read the sign that says that AFTER I walked around the complex. I might have been a little more on edge if I read it at the beginning of our little adventure! I also found out that Adelup Point was also the location for a leper colony, how interesting! They sure did have one beautiful view in their misery. If you want more history, there is a picture of a plaque in the web album telling all about it. Here is just a taste of what you will find in the album...

Chamorran girls and Logan hanging off the statues commemorating how the Chamorran men helped the American GI's to locate the Japanese during the liberation of the island. I thought it was kinda funny.

Here is a statue commemorating the march to concentration camps that the Chamorrans were forced to do upon capture of the island by the Japanese. Thousands were forced from their homes and made to do heavy labor. Many men were killed just because of their sheer size and for fear that they would be a threat to the Japanese.

Chris standing in front of the old mansion which overlooks the water.
Check out the different colors of the water. That's one of my favorite things about Guam, how blue the water is.

Sorry this pic is sideways but I could not figure out how to get it to stay straight. These are stairs leading up to the Governor's Mansion (the locals say it's haunted).

Japanese Pranks

The Japanese are weird...but then again, so am I for putting this video on my blog!

Blessings in 2007

Last night, on New Year's Eve, I made a list of blessings that have happened to me over the last year. I came up with 10 but here are the top 5:

1. RYLAND! The Lord brought me through the darkness of a horrible pregnancy (IV's every other day, 30lb weight loss, hard delivery, etc) and produced a beautiful, HEALTHY baby boy!
2. Our new home- Against all odds the Lord gave us a great new home with a garage AND a huge kitchen which was something we prayed for. We were told that we would not get into a house (any house) until after the baby was born and that we would definitely not get the house that we wanted. Guess the Lord had other plans for us because both things happened! WOO HOO!
3. Guam- As some of you may know already, I've had a hard time adjusting to this place. BUT after over a year I'm finally happy here! (This has been a HUGE struggle for me!)
4. School- I could not be happier with the school that Logan is attending. He has learned so much already. He has started reading (I can't spell things to Chris anymore!) and has become a whiz at math. Tyler loves his teachers at the CDC also. He only goes twice a week but I'm comfortable leaving him with them and he always has a good time.
5. Mom- I know that she'll kill me for putting this on here but I truly count this has one of my blessings. My mother has had quite the struggle over the last few months with things that I won't mention but she has slowly come to depend on the Lord for strength. I continually see her relationship with Him blossom and that for me is AWESOME!

Ok so I listed my top 5 here. I encourage you to come up with your own list of the last year and reflect on the many blessings that you've been given. May the Lord reign blessings on you in the New Year!

Fiesta Time

We had a good time going to Tess's house (she works for Chris) today for a traditional Chamorran fiesta. It was to celebrate the new year and the beginning of the Fatima, a Spanish/Catholic tradition. There was a ton of food and I had Tess point things out to me so that I could take pictures for everyone. I wanted to show you the local fare here but I unfortunately forgot the names so you'll just have to go with the descriptions I give in the web album.Photo taken by Logan...hence the dark blob in the corner...probably a finger...

Salmon salad, anyone? A traditional dish on the island when you find yourself at local fiestas.

Spidermen

The video never loaded in the web album but here it is...

You know you wanna come for a visit...

Soooo what's the weather like where you are?? Here it's beautiful and 87 degrees. It's not that humid and there is a slight breeze coming off the ocean. We spent some time at the beach today. The waves (which is unusual for Guam) were rather big. It scared the kids at first...guess they don't remember the waves in NC!

I just had to throw this picture up here to entice those of you that are contemplating a trip out here.

This picture isn't as clear as I'd like it to be but it was taken pretty far away. It's of a tree here that has just begun to flower. Some of the flowers on it are yellow and some are pink, which I thought was odd...a tree w/ two different colored flowers??

My little heroes...these costumes are courtesy of Auntie Christy and Uncle Chris. They did not want to take them off....Tyler actually threw a fit! I think Chris is scared that they will take after a boy we knew that never took his off....I mean he even swam in it!! There is a great video of them in their costumes in the web album. It should be the last one in the 122807 folder.

I have no idea what they are thinking here but they sure are looking intently at each other's popsicles!

Morrison Look-alike Meter CONSPIRACY!!

I'm telling you I can NOT catch a break! Not one of those darn meters veered towards me at all! It's like Chris cloned all of them! SHEESH! Oh well...at least two of them have MY blood type...now that's something to brag about!

Morrison Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Family trees - Genealogy - Celebrities - Collage - Morph

Morrison Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Family trees - Genealogy - Celebs - Collage - Morph

Morrison Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celebrity - Collage - Morph

New Seat

Ryland got his Christmas present in the mail today and he seems to like it a lot. Man, I wish I had this when the older boys were babies!

Dueling Race Cars

This afternoon we played with remote control cars that Mamaw and PapPap gave the boys for Christmas. Chris had more fun playing with it than Tyler did so he took over for him. This picture is of Logan and Chris facing off. There is an even better picture in the web album that I wanted to put on but it's sideways and I can't figure out how to straighten it. It's taken from behind Logan who is facing Chris and looks like it's straight out of a western showdown, I'm expecting a tumbleweed to blow by *cue the whistling music*. They had a great time playing with them up until the batteries went dead. Then Chris hopped on Logan's scooter (courtesy of Grammy!) and rode around.

Here's one of Tyler and I. I look kinda weird because I'm the one taking the picture and I wasn't sure that I was aiming it right.Yep, Ryland had about enough of the fun. He watched the cars zoom by for a while but then go bored...hence the screaming.

Here is a little later and in a lot better mood. Check out his shirt!

NOTE: See more pics in web album.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Logan, the Sky Angel Cowboy!

I saw this on youtube and wanted to share. It made me think of why we truly celebrate Christmas. Everyone gets so wrapped up in shopping, decorating, cooking, etc but on this Christmas morning give thanks for the Son that was born and died to save each and every one of us. God Bless you all this Christmas season.

Jingle Bells...Guam Style!

I heard this on the radio the other day and had to share it with everyone. It's sung to the tune of Jingle Bells.

Jungle Bells

Here we are on Guam.
Without a hope of snow.
But through the spreading palms.
A typhoon sure can blow.

Santa Clause will know,
What the tropics will allow.
Instead of riding eight reindeer,
He'll ride a carabao.

Chorus:
Ohh, Jungle Bells, coconut shells,
Sticker burrs all the way.
Oh what fun it is to ride
In a two wheeled carabao sleigh.

Be watchful everyone
He'll send a telegram,
That today he'll be on Guam.
Send out by Uncle Sam

Santa will be here
To see what you have done
So let's all greet him. Ha! Ha! Ha!
And join him in the fun.

Chorus:
Ohh, Jungle Bells, coconut shells,
Sticker burrs all the way.
Oh what fun it is to ride
In a two wheeled carabao sleigh.

Week of Giving--Part III

Saturday started off with a trip to see Santa at the exchange. Yes, for those of you wondering, he is a chamorran Santa! The boys weren't at all frightened like past years. I think they figured out that this big guy with a beard actually gives them things! Logan has received several candy canes this year and it's a matter of 2 minutes before he drops/breaks them. He then has a fit. I say this because it has happened SO many times that it's become comical...not to him of course.
Later on in the afternoon we delivered toys and clothes to needy families in a village at the north of the island. We only managed to get a few pics taken because we didn't want to offend anyone. I wish that we could have captured the squalor that these poor people lived in. I saw some houses but a lot of them lived in makeshift houses made from corrugated tin roofing for walls.

This picture was of Logan and Tyler on a mission to find some boys to take the presents from our van. We had the van loaded with presents for boys but everyone was very timid and we almost had to lure them over. Once they got the idea that we were giving them toys then they started coming by the group load. The image in my head of the joyful faces will live with me for a long time. I feel very blessed that I had the opportunity to share in this experience as well as teach the boys that it's important to help the less fortunate. I've been blessed abundantly in my life and I feel that the Lord expects me to be a good steward of those blessings such as giving whenever I can of time and money. (Note: For those that have never been to Guam, yes, those are boonie dogs in the picture. They are stray dogs that live all around the island. Thankfully these were friendly!)

Next we come to the evening time... This is when all the FUN began. We went to Andersen Air Force Base to take part in the Rota Walk. It's a street on base where every single house is decorated. A lot of people give out treats, toys, etc to the passing children.

Now this is weird and my husband tells me I sound like a stalker but I recognized a woman who does a blog that I visit regularly. I told her I saw her blog and I think I stunned her. I swear I'm not a stalker!

There was one particular house that had an airplane fly overhead and drop candy down to the waiting children. I've got pics of it in the album. We had a very scary moment though. My friend's little boy got lost and we were looking for him for about a half an hour. That was a heart stopping 30 minutes but he was found safe and sound...thank God!

Week of Giving--Part II

Tyler goes to the CDC (on base daycare) twice a week. He went regularly when I was pregnant/sick and has formed quite the bond with his teachers and the students. Plus it gives mom a needed break for errand running! On Friday they had a Christmas around the world party. Tyler's class represented Thailand. If you notice the hat that he's wearing in the pics in the photo album they are similar to hats worn in Thailand. He made all of the hats for his friends too...he loves crafts! The kids all did a book exchange also. Below is a picture of the gift that I gave to his teachers. I really like this plant (forgot the name of it) but if you plant it in full sun the leaves will turn pink! If you look close you already see them starting to turn colors. I planted one of these in my backyard.

Here is Tyler with his teachers, Ms. "Nette" and Ms. Rosie...missing is Ms. Joleen (we missed you!). Logan...who never wants his picture taken, had to jump in on this one. ;-P
See the album for a video of the show they gave the parents.

A Week of Giving--Part I

We have been SO busy this past week that I'm almost looking forward to Christmas GOING rather than coming! I'm going to have to break this out in multiple posts because I have so much to share. We'll start with Tuesday:

Logan's school provided entertainment and food for the homeless. They sang Christmas carols and handed out hot meals along with snacks for them to take. There was also donations of clothing. It was incredible to see the influx of people that were homeless. I saw a lot with mental disabilities as well as physical disabilities. They were like lost souls roaming the earth. My heart really went out to them.


On Wednesday, our friends John, Rocki and their son, Jeremy came by with presents (cool matchbox cars with buildings) for the boys. They were thrilled and have not stopped playing with them. I'm digging Ryland's stuffed guinea pig...I've never seen one of those before...it's so cute! The Brown girls would love it!

Big Pimpin'

Yes it's that time in another child's life where I torture him with hats. This time I've only got one hat to torture him with and it happens to look like he's pimping in it. Someone today thought he looked like a painter. He was pretty agreeable with letting me put it on him and move it all different ways. Who knows...maybe I finally have one that LIKES to wear hats! Don't you just love that shirt! It totally fits with the hat! He's got the makings of a hollywood star!

This week

Things have been a little bit hectic here. We've had one surgery and four sicknesses plus we've had construction going on (we erected gingerbread houses) and some bell ringing (see the web album if you are curious). Chris is recovering nicely and I'm feeling better. Logan on the other hand is having trouble shaking what he has and Ryland now has his first official cold...courtesy of Logan! Tyler is the only one that this hasn't affected....YET.
Here are a few pictures of the last couple of days...

A rare moment with these two!

Our family picture at the SAME place that it was taken last year, the Hilton. We went for the Christmas model train that they do every year plus the Guam Adventist Academy did bell ringing.

Here is Chaplain Miller and his family, Jenn, Promise, Adam and Benji. We met them there and went out for a very LOOONG dinner at Vitali's Italian Restaurant. It took FOREVER to get our food. Sorry guys! Hmmm...I distinctly remember seeing the SAME train with our favorite Brown family last year...time flies when you're missing people!

The boys enjoying the train and how funny...they match! Benji and Tyler are inseparable and Logan likes to tag along with Adam like he's the older brother he never had.

Here's Adam doting over Ryland. He's such a sweet boy. He actually used his own allowance to buy Ryland a rattle when he was born and he was only 7 at the time! He has a great heart.

Today

We decorated cookies today. Logan and I were feeling a little under the weather but we still managed to eat some! They had a good time and quite the sugar rush afterwards. It's all worth it for the memories. I give a thanks out to my friend Theresa who made the cookies for us and provided us with the decorations. What a great friend!

Ryland had a good time in his exersaucer for the first time. I think the boys overwhelmed him at first because they banging around on it but now he's comfortable in it. See more pics of today in the photo album.



Tonight the boys were having a good laugh doing what boys do.

Mr. Mischief

I let the boys help me with breakfast this morning. Mr. Mischief here thought he would continue making the glaze for me. I turned my back for one second and found this....

Yesterday he swiped a bag of pita bread from the counter and tore it open. I found pita rounds strewn all over the floor with little bites taken from them. He apparently was using Logan as target practice for a frisbee throwing contest.

Below are some pictures that I took last night. This is a very common scene here. I've never seen such beautiful sunsets than I have here on Guam.

Around the Island

This is something we like to call Engrish. Read VERY carefully and REMEMBER you can not enter the 2 floor without your costume!
Yep this is a beach resort..."Guam Style".

Notice the lovely tables for you to enjoy your lunch under the hot, I mean, beautiful Guam sun!

Our lunch at the family style restaurant, VIP House. My new favorite is Walnut Shrimp. It is SO good. The shrimp is fried and tossed in a light sweet cream sauce with walnuts. See more pics of our day in the photo album.