Service Learning Project

Some of the classes here in Fairfax County require the students to do "Service Learning" as part of their grade.  I think it's an EXCELLENT idea!  

Zion's class talked at length about different ways to earn their hours.

He decided to make something,

sell them,

and then give the money to charity.

Mike and I agreed to match his start-up costs, 

so he put in $10 and we put in $10 and he is making these bracelets.  

( FYI - *they are made from rubber bands)

His charity is Operation Smile.  

You can watch a video about what they do below.

Zion has also decided that he wants to be a surgeon so he can do these surgeries.  

I love this kid, and I love that he has a heart for others, and a heart for children.

He is selling his bracelets for $5 dollars and $4 will go to Operation Smile.

One dollar will  go back toward supplies.  

If you would like to order one - we would appreciate your support.

Super Bowl special pictured below!!!  

Other color options include up to three of the following colors:

white
black
orange
light blue
dark blue
teal
light green
dark green
pink
lavender

Also, if you would like to make a donation directly to Operation Smile (*tax deductible) instead of buying a bracelet,  please let us know how much you donated so Zion can keep track of his efforts.

THANK YOU!!!!

Oh January....

Well - It's cold and snowy and we aren't in Guam anymore folks!

OOG - we miss your warmth!!

Flashback to the end of 2013 - and I have to share an AWESOME 3-day conference with you.

It's called Xtreme Winter and it was!
We went with my brother's church, (New Covenant) as tag alongs and we had a great time.

Here are the photos / videos from an amazing 3 days of speakers and music.

We saw:
Jaime Grace, Building 429, Third Day, NewSong, Skillet, For King and Country, We As Human and Unhindered

Where's Waldo?   err... Mike and Zion??

Mr. Talk Box in the house!

NewSong!!

Third Day!!

December stuff.....

Because I love all things Christmas....

Our Christmas time activities has it's own blog.

(I'm taking up all the cyber-space I can folks)

Check out Christmas 2013 here.

November highlights

As October ended and November rushed in.... the boys had a four-day weekend that brought friends from Mississippi.  

We had a great weekend visiting!!

October highlights

 The month of October rushed in some cooler temps and some great company.

We saw MANY friends from Guam, and had all our parents come and visit.

One of my cross-fit mamas from Guam, Jennifer

Cool weather running clothes - getting back on the wagon
I ran 80 miles for Charity in the month of October 

I gave in to Zion's persistence that the squirrels need help finding food for the winter
It took them a while to figure it out, (about 2 weeks)  but then, they were regulars at the feeder.
In fact, by the end of October, I swear they looked fat!   


Mid-October my mom and step-dad came.
They watched the boys so we could head to South Carolina for friends wedding.
We had a great weekend and it was so much fun to see so many additional friends that came for the wedding!

My step-dad also did a lot of the "honey-do" list that was waiting for Mike.
(He was on crutches from an Ultimate Frisbee injury)   

On the way home from South Carolina, we stopped in North Carolina to see my cousin's new baby.

Mike is so smug because he got her to sleep and then I couldn't steal her from him.  TURKEY! 

We also volunteered for the Marine Corp Marathon and got to see yet another Guam friend running the race.  DARN it was cold!   But most of the runners seemed better adapted than I to the temps!

It's really not fair that this was the 15 mile point and she looks so amazing....but I still love her!  

My dad and step-mom came toward the end of October, and my dad did some "honey-do" items too!  

Had a cool illusionist show at church!  

Halloween!  

Happy October!!!