Much ado

about nothing..........

Since Zion's program last Wednesday night, we have had a very regular week.

Michael's team did win their soccer game on Sat.  which is awesome.

Bad news is: 
It was an 8am game; 
Isaac and Zion were sleeping in and Mike went to the game with Michael without the camera.  
So no photos. 

Otherwise, school / work / homework / soccer / swimming / church.........all the regular stuff.

But COMING SOON!!!!!!

This weekend is Seabee Ball - photos to come.

AND THEN................ spring break is around the corner and we are all chatting about,

 EPIC SPRING BREAK

We wanted to take a trip, but found out that we can't use our military passports to travel anywhere except back to the good 'ole U.S. of A.  (of course, we would LOVE to be back in the states) but also figured while we were on this side of the world - we might as well see something different. 

SO.......instead of spending $500 on passports, and then $2000 on plane tickets, we are staying on the island but pretending like we are on vacaction. 

Stay tuned for all of that fun.

I am NOT a runner

Many folks have commented on my Nike app posts on Facebook.

It is a pretty cool app for only $1.99 and uses my phone's GPS system to track my runs.

It talks to you, (*if you want it to, male or female)

It'll tell you your pace and/or your time, depending on your settings.

You can also have a playlist of songs, (although, it's illegal to run with earbuds on base my hubby said)

So,  Thanks a MILLION for all your kind words of encouragement.

They really do help keep me motivated, as I try to teach an "old dog new tricks"

You see, I am not a runner,  I was NEVER a runner.

I was on the track team and played softball, but those are speed sports - not distance and endurance.

I am a TERRIBLE runner.

I'm like a turtle.

but I have found an amazing parallel to life in running.

Hebrews 12:1-2
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up.  Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.  2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.  Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame.  Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne.


I haven't found that place where runner friends say they just "keep going"

Each step is a continual, "don't quit, keep going"

I don't love it.

Some days I feel better than others, but never feel "love" for sure!

But I have things that weigh me down

I have things that trip me up

in running, and in life

My plan is to keep going,
with my eyes on the champion

one 


step


at 


a


time

Oh the Joys of Sunday afternoons

Sunday afternoon

Is anything better?

I don't think so.

A special THANK YOU to the Cyr family for a great time sharing their new TOYS with us!!

the men folk

Zion and Mike (the two most fearless)

 Michael and Isaac in the tube being pulled by Mr. Cyr - what a nice guy!

Photo credits:  Debbie Cyr

Camp Rock

A few weeks ago, Michael and Isaac both went on a field trip to see the play "Beauty and the Beast" performed by local high school students on the island.   Zion was disappointed that he didn't get to go.  Of the three, he is the one that appreciates "The Arts" the most.

So sitting at the pool on Thursday afternoon, one of the swimmer's mom, Maria, hands Sam tickets to another play, "Camp Rock".  After a bit of discussion, turns out, she has extras for me and Zion to go to.

A great night out!

Some great acting / dancing and singing by the students!!  

And of course, more fun with great friends!!!

photo credit:  Samantha and Ellie Gillam

Just a snip of the Grand Finale ...............Zion asked if we could go back next weekend.  :)

Got marrow?

Got bone marrow? 

Of course you do!!

I'm gonna share mine,

 you should too!

That's all I got in the form of a rhyme, but seriously, have you ever considered registering as a bone marrow donor?  

Mike and I did it years ago in South Carolina, but we have moved so many times since then - I don't think they could find us. 

I never thought that much about it until I saw a Facebook post  on January 14th from Navy friends quoted below:

"Ok, so here's the news: Mike's been diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on Wednesday night. They admitted him immediately and started low dose chemo and several other drugs. He's doing fine, we're both a little shellshocked but surviving right now, more updates to come."



January 15th - "UPDATE: Mike got the pic line, no port in the head early morning minor brain surgery for that. Then chemo day1. Sunday will be another chemo day, so this weekend will not be so fun for the Ansley household. Unless you consider toxic chemicals and vomit fun. jk So crappy weekend to come, prayers needed. Spending night so won't be updated for a few."



Later the same day:  "UPDATE: Mikes been back in surgery for about an hour. Only patient this morning. Positives..great parking on the weekends..score! All his blood work is looking tons better. So just a little brain surgery today followed by chemo. Oh and they brought him a big tv. Today is the day!"



January 20th - "Good day for Mike, off oxygen for most of the day, had the intrathecal chemo (in the head chemo), which went well. Finished off the "Red Devil" chemo this evening, he was able to walk 7 laps around 4J tonight"
 
January 24th - "Life has forever changed, Mike has not exactly been dealt a Royal Flush.  Anyone have some spare bone marrow? :)"


Yep, this is where you come in.
 
Don't know what to do?
Here you go: 
 
If you are in the military or work for the Department of Defense: 
Click here to find a local military hospital that is taking walk-in registrations
 
Don't see something close to you?  
Click here to get a kit mailed to you.
 
Not in the military?   Click this link.   You can enter your zip code and it will give you the nearest registry location and also drives happening in different cities.
 
Don't think this blog applies to you?

This is our friends Mike and Krysti Ansley -
 
 

This is what Leukemia is doing to his body.  Please help.

St. Patrick's Day

I don't know if Mike or I have any Irish heritage;
And certainly Michael and Isaac don't............
but hey, I don't need but a small reason to make sugar toast with green sprinkles!  :)

yes, the eggs are green too!

(*half-way through with green teeth, nice!)

and a few Maxine quotes for this St. Patrick's Day,
because I suspect I will be her in 25 more years.

Love that Ellie!!

I feel a deep sense of "mothering" over Maddy and Ellie.
I think the main reason is because their mother is one of my dearest friends, but also because I knew them as little ones in Panama City Beach Florida when Ellie was still in diapers.  And maybe also, because they are girls, and I don't have any of my own! 

So this morning at the gym when Sam told me Ellie was dancing with her culture class at the Exchange, I was on the scene!!  So excited to INVITE MYSELF to watch Zion's bestie and support her activities.

Despite the CRAZY heat, she did a great job and of course, was ADORABLE!

We love you Ellie-Belle!!!

(*Ellie on the right - no idea about the girl on the left)

weekend in review

Friday - Tsunami hits the island- Mike works all night and into the morning

Saturday - Swim meet for Zion / soccer game for Michael
(not enough players showed up to play - sadly, they had to forfeit the game) 
Mike still putting in hours at the office.

Sunday - time to enjoy the weekend

Seriously, I am sad to say that we have not been spending quality time with the Gillams.  I don't know why, the time together is always good.  But Sunday we fixed that.

Sunday afternoon at the pool

Kevin and Sam - actually exercising

Zion and Mike - diving for pennies

Followed by dinner at a new spot on base

really well designed Irish Pub - looks just like you would think if you have ever been to Ireland,

seen an Irish Pub on a movie - The kids are happy, with the "game room" complete with pool tables,
dart boards and a shuffleboard.  It also allows for the parents to finish attempt to finish an adult conversation.

Not the best group shot - but this is the gang!   Complete with our wet heads from the pool!

the weekend happenings.............coming soon!!

Everyone with ADD knows what a blessing from God it is to have a friend that leans more toward OCD.

Laugh if you want.

I AM NOT KIDDING!

Angel was my organized friend in San Diego.
Could not have survived my life without her.
My friend Kelli too..........but darn it, she didn't live across the street like Angel did!

Here in Guam, Thank you Jesus, for Sam.

All her ducks are in a row, and if not, she has a plan to get them that way by the count of three.

So.........while I am still working on weekend laundry and dishes, pop over to her blog and check it out. 

CLICK HERE!

Tsunami - the rest of the story

In the military, we have regular gatherings called a, "Hail and Farewell"

Typically,  most jobs in the CEC (Civil Engineer Corp) are only two year jobs.

So at any given time, you have someone new to welcome (hail) and someone leaving (farewell)

They usually involve food and drink, and gifts and sometimes some good natured jokes and stories about the folks leaving.

Remember our super cool camping spot?

Nice right?

This is GabGab beach.

The location of our Hail and Farewell on Friday afternoon.

Burgers and dogs are on the grill.

Guys are playing volleyball.

Kids are playing in the sand and water.

The Police pull in - lights'a flashing

I noticed it, kept talking (not surprising right?)

The guy says there is a Tsunami Warning and the beach is being evacuated.

There was some chit chat in the crowd of folks and I heard someone say, "It's a joke"

I kept talking.

More Police cars arrive.

The skipper makes an annoucement that our party will have to be moved to higher ground.

STINK..........I guess it's not a joke! 

OPPS!!  I admit it.........I never listen to the news.

Even in the car, my tunes are "newsfree" using my iPod.

I am thankful for the police and the work they do for all us "non-news" people!! 
(and there were a LOT of us at the beach yesterday afternoon)

Take 5

I love music

I really love music with a message

and I love, love, LOVE that technology can add to music with a message using video.

Please take 5 to watch this video.  (click here)

So sorry that I don't know how to embed it directly into the blog.

Last but not least, if you don't have 5 minutes, slide the counter to minute 3 and watch the last 2 minutes.

AWESOME!!!!!!!!

Frisbee

Mike has become an ultimate frisbee fan.

It's sort-of like football - except with a frisbee.

I think (*maybe) he played it a couple times at Texas A&M.

Anyway,  anything outdoors can be played year around here in Guam.

Here are a few photos of Mike playing ultimate.

Parenthood (The TV show) and Autism

Are you a fan of the TV show Parenthood?

If so, you may have seen this.

This 32 second video brings me to tears........

You don't have to be a fan of the show to feel a parent's pain.

I believe that everyone has a dream-like idea about life and parenting.

We want the best for our kids, and when something is wrong, we want to fix it for them.

Sometimes, our kids have a problem that we can't fix.

Such is the case for families with autistic children. 

Such is the case for the us.

The TV show Parenthood brings to the "big screen" a real look at autism on a day to day basis.

If you watch the show, you know what I am talking about.

The character Max has a form of autism called Asperger's Syndrome.
The same diagnosis as Michael.

If you don't watch the show: 
Here is a brief description

Asperger syndrome was first described by Viennese pediatrician Hans Asperger in the 1940s, who observed boys who possessed normal intelligence and language development traits but were experiencing challenges with social and communication skills. Though it was classified as a separate disorder from autism in 1994, many professionals feel that Asperger syndrome is simply a milder form of autism; they use the term "high-functioning autism." Separate or not, it is a very real condition that can have a significant impact on affected families.

Autism Speaks

Autism Speaks is the nation's largest autism science and advocacy organization, dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families.


I am always available to talk to anyone that suspects their child has any form of autism. 
You are not alone.