Life is so good

Life is so good. Everything seems to be going our way. Austin has one more final before finishing with his third semester of medical school, (which means we have been here for one whole year already!) and is about to get another 4.0. He was elected vice president of AMSA, his teachers are fighting over who gets him to TA for their class, and he was chosen to be on the Welcome Committee during the break, which means that tuition is lower as a result. We had to vacate our house yesterday while they sprayed for bugs, so we spent the day at the pool at the Marriott. The timing was ironic and totally uncharacteristic of Austin of Austin to "play" during test time, but yes, he went swimming during Finals week!.. And got a mighty sunburn as a result. Poor thing. It takes more than sunscreen to make up for a year of being indoors. What are the chances that we run into Austin's Microbiology teacher while there? Well, we did and she whispers, "I'm not supposed to tell you this, but you got a 95!" Yay Austin! Test scores haven't even been disclosed yet, but he knows now that he got a 95% on his Micro final, which is pretty awesome considering this was another NBME- the National Exam. Go Austin! 

My days feel productive and never long enough. I have been hired to write scripts for kids to do group fitness along with a cartoon. As I understand it, it's part of the CORE curriculum now. Kind of cool, right? Currently, I write the script and notes for the cartoon animator who will then make a video clip of what I wrote. Eventually, I may get to be the voiceover, but we shall see. It's been a fun little side job. We may not have much income, but I feel very blessed to have little bits here and there through teaching gymnastics, Vasa, blog writing, and now this. It almost pays for groceries in a month.... almost. I'm excited to announce that my YouTube channel is now a reality and is up and running, now I just have to keep up. I called it JFY Fitness- pronounced "Jiffy" and short for "Just For You." I thought it was clever and I can play on the name. Anyway, here I am: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=UUb3IOyICsI3NwnKugSta6Rg

My birthday was a great time. Austin took me out for dinner- our first time going out on the island- to a place called Serendipity. We may have spent a little much, but we had the best time. We ate on a balcony that overlooked the port. It was pleasant outside and quite breezy. They brought a type of palate cleanser to start us off along with bread and then we both treated ourselves to a yummy dinner. I had a honey teriyaki salmon dish while Austin had a steak- the first in a LONG time that he has actually enjoyed. I can't remember the last time when he cleaned his plate, but he did that night. Eden even had a blast. She was the show to everyone's dinner- those eating and the staff. She did really well sitting at a table for dinner and ate a roll, some veggies, and 2 full glasses of ice. That was a hit! Ice. Who knew? 

Just when we thought we were stuffed and ready to go, they brought out a cheesecake with a sparkler on top. What a birthday! The whole restaurant, it seemed, joined in singing "Happy Birthday," but I just couldn't blow it out! Good thing Austin and Eden let me blow out a match while they sang Happy Birthday the next night so I could get my wish. Our good friend Joanna was so nice and made an ice-cream cake for me. That is a HUGE treat here! 

Again with the blessings, we were fortunate to meet Donna Peterson, one of Dad's patients at the port this week. She was very kind and so friendly. Her family came on a cruise and stopped here for a day and were so nice and brought a package from mom and dad. It was like Christmas! Eden and I looked so cute in our new outfits today at church and Eden has her own make-up. What a girl! She loves it. 

I have to note that Eden loves climbing. That's her new thing. She will climb anything and everything with a ledge. She is also really good at floating on her back. That all started when we were lucky enough to stay at the Marriott. I don't know where it came from, but she loves lounging back and could almost float on her own if I let her. 

Yep, so we have a happy family and count our blessings every day. 

Spoiled We Are

It could have been the worst week ever and I wouldn't even remember because we are in heaven right now. thanks to a generous dad, we are enjoying a week stay at the Marriott. Boy is that an understatement. Enjoying doesn't even come close to describing how happy we are. It's funny how you take for granted the little things. There are so many luxuries that make life so wonderful. I had almost forgotten because you get so complacent with living in humble circumstances and learn to make do with what you have. On one hand, it is a great experience that really puts life in perspective, seeing what really matters and what material things are unnecessary. The other hand is really grateful for modern conveniences and that somewhere in the future I can look forward to these "luxuries" again. The list of such luxuries is a long one, but these are a few things Austin and I are taking full advantage of while we are here:
- pillows
- hot water in the kitchen sink
- a kitchen sink
- a shower big enough to turn around in and shave!
- toilet paper holders
- towel racks
- a dryer and the smell of clean clothes
- a washer inside the house
- an oven big enough for a cookie sheet to fit into
- a fridge that is taller than me
- mirrors tall enough for Austin to see himself in without hunching over
- a kitchen table
- hangers enough to hang clothes
- a laundry basket
- Air Conditioning (free of charge)
- ground level entry
- a bath tub
- clocks that actually tell time
- a counter in the bathroom

... and that's not even taking into consideration the nice things, like a fully furnished kitchen, complete with blender, two bathrooms, a separate room for Eden, a dishwasher... did I mention that we are having a good time? This week could not be long enough.




This is something you don't see at our house: cartoons! What a lucky girl.

Austin and I aren't the only ones enjoying ourselves. Eden acts like she owns the place and runs back and forth up and down the halls oohing and awing. She loves the pictures and couldn't be more fascinated with so much to look at. Did I mention there are buttons? Oh yes! Buttons on the dishwasher, microwave, oven, lights, and so many doors to open! It is fun here.

Austin commented that he likes St. Kitts. Yes, well, living here, I can see why people would. Even the weather is nicer when you are staying at the Marriott.

The other highlight of the weekend was, of course, Conference. Conference makes us feel like we are close to home. It really was powerful and we loved every minute of it.

Eden loves Conference too. She could watch Motab all day. It's true what they said- children are sensitive to the Spirit and could speak marvelous things if their mouths were to be opened. I might have mentioned it before, but there are a few things that make me feel like a good parent. One is that Eden is a good "mommy" to her baby doll. The other is that she learned how to pray. It is the sweetest thing. She clasps her hands and bows her face into them while she whispers her little babble talk. It was my greatest desire to raise a child of faith; this is a great start. She knows who Jesus is too. thanks to mom, we have a bunch of Greg Olson photos hung around our room. If you ask her where Jesus is, she will show you.



We sure miss chasing the birds and having grass right out the door to play on. This will surely put a smile on your face (Sorry I don't know how to rotate it):