Happy Birthday, Bubby!

Today is my boy's seventh birthday. It is so hard for me to believe that he has been with us seven years already. It seems like just yesterday I was changing his diaper trying to keep his tapping feet still. My world revolves around him and I cannot express the joy he has brought into my life. He is a wonderful child. He is finally easy to take care of and makes me laugh on a regular basis. It is wonderful being the mother of a Power Ranger. I regularly have to dodge his powerful blows and ofter chase him around showing him my Power Ranger moves. Occasionally, he begs me to show him one of my moves.

I was in Fort Lauderdale this week for a couple of R&R days and when I talked to him on the phone he told me that a swing at school fell on him. I was immediately alarmed and asked him, "Bubby, did you get hurt?" He said, "No ma'am, I just did a Power Ranger move and saved myself!" I have laughed at that for days now and when I got home he demonstrated how he did it. I must say it was impressive.

Since we have had so many pre-birthday parties with our family members that have visited in the past couple of months, we won't have another one today. We have a few gifts for him and we will either take him swimming or possibly to see Space Chimps if it is playing here. You can bet though, the day will be all about him. Oh, I forgot, everyday is about him!

Happy Birthday, Sweet Man!

(The above picture was taken on our last snorkeling trip to Negril when Bubby found the huge sand dollar. He was not pleased with me when I forgot it in the sink of the hotel room.)

I'm A Cliff Diver!

Well... okay maybe not a cliff diver but definitely a jumper and I have pictures to prove it.

We took Todd's family to Negril. While we were there we took them to see the cliff divers and eat supper at Rick's Cafe. That night we watched the divers and Todd took the boys to jump while we paid the dinner bill. We returned the next day for more fun. Jacob and Tripp were thrilled and ready to go but Bubby and I were leery. Todd was indifferent. Grammy and Pappy simply watched and took pictures and videos.

I must confess I didn't actually jump from a cliff but I did jump from two of the platforms. We had a good time.

Here is a view of the platforms from the very top. The lower level by the ladder in the water is only about 2 feet high. The next level is about 8 feet and then the highest one was about 11 feet high. Those are Todd's measurements. I think they were higher. I know they seemed higher when you are looking down at the water.

First jump!

Bubby kept telling me that if I would do it, he would do it, but he never did. I think the huge belly flop he did last time pretty much convinced him he didn't want to jump from too high. We all tried to convince him, but I was really okay with him not jumping. I don't want him to become a daredevil. I figure that will be fewer trips to the hospital for stitches or casts.

Sinuses completely cleaned out!

Higher level!

No turning back now!

It really helped to scream.

It was hard to time my breathing. I would exhale as soon as I jumped and by the time I hit the water I had no more air to exhale so lots of salt water flooded my nasal passages. It was a wonderful cleansing!

Here's the proof:

Negril, Jamaica

L to R: Steve Puffpaff, Dale and Patti Coad, (our area directors), Gary and Peggy Pyatt, Stuart and Wendy Brown, and Todd and I. Missing are Tom and Brenda Lantz, and Steve and Pam Livingston.

This past weekend, we were blessed to be able to join the other missionaries on the Island at a retreat in Negril. This was our first time in Negril and it is beautiful just like the rest of the Island. We were able to get a little rest, but not much, because there were so many activities available that Nathan had to experience.

The hotel offered two pools, a jacuzzi, and of course the beach which offers all kinds of water sports. It also had a small restaurant where we were able to eat most of our meals. The main highlights of the weekend were snorkeling, going to the water park, and experiencing the cliff divers at Rick's Cafe.

I took over one hundred pictures, so instead of trying to pick and choose which pictures to use in this one post, I will use them in several posts. Howie and Sherry will appreciate the mileage I can get out of this trip like I did from the trip home for Christmas.