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.