Dolphins, Turtles, Birds, and Jellyfish...oh my..

Our day was going to start with a boat ride...but t was too foggy and the company offered us an afternoon trip instead.  SO, we decided to visit the Sea Turtle hospital first.  It was amazing what they have been doing for conservation, rehabilitation, and education there.

Allison swimming with her prosthetic.  

Here's Iron Man and Little Bit keep ing post for the dolphins....they had such a blast!  This was the one thing we didn't do over winter break that they REALLY wanted to do....go on a boat ride...so the dolphins were icing on the cake!!

After all of that...hey why not top it off with some relaxation on the beach!! RIGHT!  God blessed us with some awesome oceans and I am of the belief everyone should enjoy the beauty at some point!  Usually there are a few small shells along the shoreline but today there were several Man O'War washed up. I just thought this was absolutely beautiful!!  Hope you agree.  (Thanks Steve Jobs for my great camera on this iPhone 4S!)  

Man O' War aren't really a jellyfish....

You Don't Say.....?

Ok, so Little Bit is always entertaining with things he says...but this is an example:

Little Bit (standing on the step in the swimming pool....dunks himself and stands back up.):  "MAN, its WET down there!!!"

ME: "Yes....yes it is."

Leprechaun Hunt

I have never done this...and frankly never heard of it until my brother's girlfriend suggested it for our kids to do.  I am so glad she organized this because they had SO MUCH FUN!!!

Following the shamrock clues!

It was quite amusing because the kids made Leprechaun traps the night before and put them out with "bait"...gold coins and marshmallows.  When they woke up...the Leprechauns had flipped the traps everywhere and no one had caught one.

Breakfast was supposed to be Lucky Charms....but someone stole all the marshmallows!!!  (HAHAHA...)

Almost through the rainbow....

At the end of the search, the Leprechauns were nice enough to leave some "loot" in a pot for the kids.  They had a blast....

Racing toward the prize...

And not for it to be all falsehood and fiction...we did even have a lesson on how a Leprechaun loves his prized possession: his pot of gold.  BUT God loves each of us more than that!  He made each of them special and loves them always.

Thanks to my great friend for putting all of this together!!

SPRING BREAK

Yeah...Spring Break is here.... Now the one thing you must understand is I have never been excited for spring break....but we are going to Texas!  It is such a blessing for me to be able to show these foster kids what life should be like.  I am blessed that their judge thinks so too!  (Some of you may know traveling 1200 miles with foster children is not always an easy task!)

SO, we leave tonight for a 14+ hr car ride...yes this is done overnight so the kids SLEEP....plus side; no restless, bored, children....downside; we are all tired the first day.  OH well...small price to pay.

Wish me luck...and pray for us!

Concert

Iron Man had a concert tonight....it was all the first grade classes.  They did an awesome job.  Although he didn't want to.  He was so afraid to sing in front of "everyone".  I was really praying that we didn't have a repeat of the Christmas program.  (Our kids at church do a short musical program....at which Iron Man faced backwards nearly the entire time....of course I was proud that he was up there!!  Little Bit sat off stage with the Children's Pastor.  :)   I was proud of him too...because he wasn't throwing a major tantrum!  Yes, we foster parents celebrate everything we can!!!!)

ANYWAY, Iron Man did great....he was singing and doing motions too!  I also met one of the other parents from our class.  She was telling me how she gets reports on Iron Man.....her twins are proud of the progress Iron Man has made so far too!

Thank you God for using me to help these boys.  I pray that you will allow me to teach them something everyday.  Use me to show your love!!

CAMP

I am so excited to be a part of The Camp Movie launch team.  I just had the chance to preview the movie.  I couldn't wait to see it before....now I want to drag everyone I know off to the theatre!

Honestly, our church has been involved in Royal Family KIDS Camp and I wanted to volunteer but haven't been able to get the time off to go.  I have heard the stories and have witnessed the changed hearts and minds of volunteers.  But nothing will prepare you like this film.

(Side note...we have a weekly 'dinner & movie' night at our house...and I decided to let my foster children watch this with me.  I was not sure about doing that because they are 6 & 8...but then I felt that they have lived the life like the kids in this movie....so they have probably witnessed worse. And I don't regret my decision at all!!)

As the movie starts, we get a brief look into Eli's life.  There are suggested things that went over my kids.  (Eli's mother dressed for a "date" or more likely work prostituting herself as well as the implied beating with a broom handle that Eli received at the hand of his father.) Poor Eli experienced a 10th birthday like no one should...his one gift was a ride in ambulance and a journey into foster care.

We also meet our leading 'adult' Ken who decides that to land another client he will go along with volunteering at summer camp.  He breaks every rule, runs into a girl from high school, and falls in love.    His rebellious side has to test every limit.  Which makes his pairing with Eli perfect.  These two push every boundary and test the waters constantly.

The real breakthrough come when Eli finally jumps into the pool.  At the moment he drops his towel, you can see the fear in his eyes.  Eli pushed past that fear of rejection and embarrassment of the scars his little body hides (both physical and emotional) and as he does, the connection between Eli and Ken is made...and there is no turning back!

One of my favorite lines of the movie is when Ken realizes his "whole life is fake and camp is real."

Again, I do not regret allowing my young kids the chance to join me in watching this.  Also, as a former social worker in child protective services, I can assure you - yes, unfortunately these things happen.  And they happen more than they ever should.  However, God placed a burden into the hearts of Wayne and Diane Tesch and the lives of children across our nation can be changed one week at a time.

Watch the trailer below, pray, and get involved in joining to help the millions of kids in foster care!!


The Camp Movie Trailer

Happy Valentine's Day

Love is.....

...smiles & big sweet dimples....
...hugs...
...being called Momma...
...helping you express your anger...
...bedtime snuggles...
...helping you read...
...Eskimo kisses...
...tickles...
...tantrums...
...bath-time fun...
...notes in your lunch...
...holding hands in the parking lot...
...fighting for you and what you deserve...
...special trips...
...surprise gifts...
...seeing you grow...
...keeping you safe...



To all the children that are 'mine'....I love you all and pray for you each and everyday.  May God continue to hold you, guide you, bless you, and keep you safe.