Trip to Children's Museum

Liam had Veteran's Day off from school. I took the kids to the Hands-On Children's Museum that focuses on art for kids. They have a recycle emphasis exhibit. We brought recycled material to donate. I had no idea I'd be bringing in our recycled items, only to have to lug home three times more of it. They had bins filled with the stuff for kids to make "art projects" out of! Junk looks a lot better under the black light they had in the room where you did the artwork (which isn't evident with flash photography)! Here's some pics. from our day:

Yes, we're still here!

Thanks for checking-in. I promise to try and write more. Lord knows I've needed the outlet. I just don't have the words (nice words anyway!) to describe all that's been happening in our lives the past few weeks. We are having a rough time in having to make a change of plans from the reason we first came to Florida. We try and maintain things as normal as possible for the kids' sake. I honestly can't let myself think about the whole situation. I only allow myself some moments of that, but mostly have to keep my mind set on the day's activities in order to be able to function as a mother and keep things rolling.

Yesterday, there occurred a huge and heavy distraction from my own piddly (in comparison) problems. Another police officer was shot and killed (the third in as many months) here in South Florida. In fact, it happened very close to where we live (from our home we heard the endless sirens screaming right after it happened. We turned on the television to see what it was all about. We found it happened right on a street where we were to be driving down the next hour. We made plans to take an alternate route).

It was a morning of police and news helicopters, police cars, all hovering and scanning looking for the cop killer. He had nothing to lose with living under two life sentences already. He was armed and very dangerous. Soon, all the schools in our county were on lock down. That meant Liam's school too.

I got together with Isabella to pray for them to find and capture this person they were looking for. In fact, we prayed specifically for him to be caught within the half hour. Much to Isabella's delight (she was giving God hugs!), we found our prayers were answered within 10 minutes. He was caught.

When I picked him up from school, Liam described lock down as fun and as scary. He told me that someone had killed a policeman. The kids had to sit together in one corner of their classroom on the floor.

Soon after all of this happened, the Space Shuttle landed safely. Isabella and I went outside to see if we could see it returning or hear the sonic boom like we could last time. We didn't see or hear anything even though it was a beautiful clear day outside. At least the bad guy was caught, and the Shuttle returned without exploding. But sadly, one family is in mourning for yet another murdered police officer.

This evening, there was an ambulance outside at our next door neighbor's house. Their oldest son (7 yrs. old) has a cancerous brain tumor. We love this family dearly. Their boy is one of the sweetest little guys I've ever known. We immediately thought it might be him having some sort of crises. One of my good friends and neighbor phoned to tell me there was something happening next door. I went out front to see. Their other next door neighbor came outside very concerned as well. It turned out to be their younger son. He had had a bad asthma attack, but he was fine. They were taking him in as a precaution. His young mother went with him. She's been through a lot with her older son's illness. I felt for her with all that they've gone through. I wasn't able to talk with her before the ambulance left, but I gave the dad a hug, and a hug to our other neighbor who has become a very concerned "grandma" to this dear family.

Our problems sure are small in light of all of these things.

Saturday

I do have a lot to update on, but don't have time right now. I'm posting some photos of Isabella at her dance class (pictured here with a fellow student, teacher, and teacher's helper). She usually goes every Saturday morning, but had to miss today because Liam had to sing with his class at a Craft Fair at school at the same hour.

Bad Blogger, Bad Blogger

I admit it. It's true. I've been really really really really bad at blogging lately. I love to write, but haven't been inspired to do so lately. In fact, I'm feeling uninspired in general. I don't know what it is. I think we're all in a bit of a funk around here these days. We're trying to figure-out what life is supposed to look like for us. And we just haven't been able to see it yet. We're not satisfied with where we're at, what we're doing. We want to be more effective, more relevant, and more fulfilled. Not to mention, able to survive here in South Florida where the cost of living is astronomical.

I guess that's why I haven't had the creative mind to sit down and write anything interesting for anyone to want to read. It's sad because writing has always been so important to me. I used to keep a journal (started when I was 19 and wrote EVERYDAY until I was in my early 30's or so). I still jot down some things we've done in my agenda to keep track of time and events. But nothing compared to the writing I used to do.

I apologize for those who have checked-in, hoping for something more interesting to read. I will come up with something to stir my creative juices soon. I'm sure!

Party Photos...

Isabella with her party guests.

Happy Birthday Isabella!

Today my little girl turned four. Four years ago, she was recovering from having had her clavicle broken. She got stuck after her head emerged at birth and the doctors had to perform this procedure for her to make it the rest of the way out.

I look at the photos taken at her birth where she is crying and I'm holding her. It's bittersweet to see not knowing if she was crying in pain (most probably) or just the normal crying from being in a new world. At the time, she was easy to settle and she soon became quiet. When she was feeling the pain, she'd cry out again, but it wasn't hard to comfort her. She is like that today. She tolerates a lot, she is determined. She doesn't do things just to please people. She doesn't care much what other people think.

On the other hand, she is very compassionate, nurturing, seemingly "old" for her age, bold and mostly fearless, focused, organized, concerned, tender, thoughtful and loving.

She is Isabella. What an incredible person she is to know. We are so blessed to have her in our lives.

Killer Haircut....And Long Day!

Edilberto got to emerse himself in Brazilian company today. We went to a community event hosted by a local Brazilian church. We met and got to know several nice people. One lady asked if she could get a group together that I could teach conversational English to.

We hung-out waiting for free haircuts. The kids and Edil all got them. I almost cried watching Liam's beautiful hair fall to the floor this afternoon. I like the longer wavy surfer boy look, but he had to have "the spike." Now he looks just like two other boys in his classroom. But he's happy and can't stop looking at himself in the mirror!

Liam certainly became instantly more confident and bolder with this new look. In fact, he went into the gym where some young boys were kicking a soccer ball around. He was upset that they wouldn't include him. He came to me all whiny. I said to him that he just had to get in there and take the ball and play. Just jump in and play and don't ask if he can. He was surprised at the permission given, and took himself right out there and boldly got into the game. The boys were passing him the ball almost instantly when he approached it that way!

We were about to leave when someone nabbed Edil to donate blood at the blood mobile that was outside. The kids and I played while we waited, and got to know a young woman who almost passed-out after giving blood. We hung-out with her drinking juice and eating chips until she felt better.

This morning, we had Isabella's ballet/tap class. She was a little tired for it this time, but stuck with it the whole hour. Our day started early with this and we have just returned home from everything. It's almost dinnertime, and I still have sheets to put on beds and a few other things to do.

Today in South Florida

Before we moved to Florida, someone told me that "everything" happens in Florida. Honestly, the local news day is usually very eventful. Today's happening:

Pilot Sits Stunned and Bloodied After Crash

This happened right up the street from our house! I pass the airport this plane took-off from every day as it's right next to Liam's school and quite near our house. It was amazing to see the video of the pilot all bloodied and just sitting there in the cockpit with no plane around him. Incredible that he lived through this. The accident held traffic up on the main freeway for hours.

Foto blogging today!

I'm at the tail-end of a migraine here, so today's entry won't be much in the way of writing, just of a few recent photos:

Edilberto at work loading a container to ship out to the Dominican Republic:

And some pictures with Liam:

My Time Flies!

It's been a week since our uneventful weekend. This month is going by too fast for me. In review of this week, I began picking Liam up from school two hours early to see if the shorter day will help him to adjust to school. So far it seems to be helping. We'll see how this week goes.

Isabella and her dance class pal are already catching-on to the ballet and tap moves. It was so much fun to watch them yesterday morning at their dance class. Liam went to work with Edilberto at the thrift store. I picked him up on the way home from Isabella's class.

Edilberto had to go the Port of Miami to ship a vehicle and a container this past week. They were out there on a day when there was a massive police search for a cop killer. Earlier in the day, four officers were shot by this person. Very sadly, one died. It was a stressful day for South Florida (this has been happening a lot these days). They did eventually find the guy close to midnight. Edil had no problem on the road getting home (even though there were blockades all around). It was unnerving having him and his coworker out and about on a day like that. He said he saw police cars everywhere. We could hear the helicopters flying around (the perpetrator had made his way north to the county where we live.) It's almost like being back in Brazil!

We had a delightful time with our new pastor, his wife and their three children last night. We had dinner at their home. Liam and Isabella had such a fun time with their kids playing out front in the old, established neighborhood lined with old trees with tree swings, and lots of neighbor kids playing together. It was so nice to be in a place like that. We are thankful to have met this wonderful family. We related well and felt close to them after a very short time together. It was a much needed and refreshing time.

Pretty Uneventful Weekend

It's sad when I can't think of anything to write about to keep our blog current on a daily basis! I haven't been very inspired lately. Edilberto has been very tired this past week. He had this Saturday off so at least he had a nice long weekend. Hopefully, we'll all be ready to start the week again early tomorrow morning.

We worked around the house (inside and out) this weekend. We really didn't do much else. We hung-out with our neighbors yesterday and part of today. I cleaned-out the kids' room and rearranged it (it looks very cool! I moved Isabella's bed out from underneath Liam's top bunk (obviously, they're not attached), and now they have a fort under there! I put their dresser up against it so that it partly blocks the "fort" and makes it more private. Hopefully the messes will all stay hidden in their fort from now on. (doubtful!)

What else...I did tons of laundry. The kids and Edil went for a swim in the neighborhood pool, the kids rode their bicycles. Edilberto painted the back patio cement floor. It looks very nice and clean now. Still so much work to do out there though.

Isabella had her second ballet/tap lesson on Saturday. Her teacher is so full of energy and fun. She's absolutely wonderful with her students (so far, there's been only 3 max. in the class - which makes it almost a private lesson! Saturday, only one other little girl showed-up so there was just the two of them, their teacher and the teacher's young assistant in there.) It is so much fun to watch them. Isabella is so committed and concentrates intently for the entire hour of class. I really am impressed, I must say!

More Wednesday....

I just had to share this. It makes us sound as poor as church mice (which we are at times - especially between checks and deposits) but the fact is, at the moment, things are tight. This morning, I opened the fridge and saw what was in it (should say, what was not in it), and simply said, "O.K. Lord, there's nothing here, and nothing in our bank account at the moment. You've got to do something!" (not in a giving order sort of way, of course, but with a sincere, matter-of-fact tone). Then I went on with the day.

Edilberto phoned me this afternoon. He had just made a pick-up at someone's house (items to be donated to the thrift store). On rare occasions, people will tip him or others who make the pick-up or delivery. Edilberto usually declines them. Especially since many are elderly people on low-incomes. However today, the gentleman who offered Edilberto a "tip" (not really a tip considering it was a lot more....$70!) and, looking at him as he handed it to him said, "This is for groceries!" Edilberto said he'd normally decline, but since he had been praying to be able to buy groceries specifically, he knew it was an answer to prayer. The man was very moved by what Edilberto said. We are very thankful that God knows our every need and never leaves us. He wonderfully provides and reminds us of His care.

Wednesday Addition

The kids and I have been under the weather (fevers, runny noses, etc.) for days and days it seems. Liam missed school again yesterday, but I sent him today. He wasn't yet 100%, but doing much better than he was. We were all lying around yesterday in hopes that a lot of rest and liquids would help. I even read an entire book (finished it at bedtime). I can't believe that I got away with that! The kids were great just laying low and playing together.

The book I read was one that's been on the shelf and I've been meaning to read. It is about a man named Dan Baumann (whom I have met and whose sisters I know) and is about his imprisonment in Iran, aptly titled, Imprisoned in Iran. I remember sending a fax to the Iranian embassy in Switzerland in 1997, to put pressure on for his release. It is quite a story!

Family Life

Here's a random gallery of family photos taken from July - August:

Home From School & Guest Blogger

We've had two days absent from school already. Unfortunately, Liam and Isabella (and now me I'm afraid) are under the weather with fevers and sore throats. So, Liam's been home with Isabella and I.

Edilberto just came home very tired working hard in the heat.

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Guest Blogger, Liam, a story as dictated to Mommy:



Lightening Liam's Greatest Day of the Week

Once there was a planet that was broken into pieces from a meteor. It was broken from a meteor. And when the meteor broke, Lightening Liam saw that meteor hit that planet. And when it broke, Lightening Liam zoomed into action. When he saw that, he started to go and put the pieces together of the planet. And then, once when he was done, the planet was perfectly like that. And then it happened to another planet, and he did the same thing. But he didn't care. He started to go back to his house and then he started a video called, "Lightening Liam." And then, in the show, Lightening Liam was a team of all of the Lightening Stop. Lightening Stop is the whole super hero family together. And then, when earth broke into pieces, he fixed it! And then he started looking at that L-I-A-M. He thought he just wanted to put his name "Lightening" and so he put Lightening only for his name. Then he started to think that name was kind of funny. He changed his name to "Power Jet." And then he turned his name back into "Lightening Liam." And that's the end of my story and the video. Bye Bye!



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And now a contribution from Isabella:



A Butterfly Went On A Flower

A butterfly go'ed on a flower, but it got away. The blue one got away mostly. And there was a whistle on the train, because it had the whistle up. There was an airplane on the top and I couldn't see it. And people was down there and they couldn't see me. And I went down the hill and up the hill to get a blueberry to put it in my pail to make a banana pie. And I walked down the street to sit down on the grass and got my kitchen and hurried-up and hold my kitchen very tight. I got a chair for me and my dolly. I got a picture and my mommy go'ed out with me and took a picture and I got my pillow and I got the yo-yo and Liam was out there and I got the flower and a butterfly for my mom. I buyed it because I was making interesting thing. and I took my baby doll and I got a ball of Liam's and Liam played with it. And Liam got it. And then, I got my other baby doll, and I got my frisbee. And I got a the toy elephant and I got my chair another chair that was a butterfly one. And I got my jacket and put it on outside because it was a windy day. And I go-ed out in the rain and Liam got his hat to go in the rain and he stepped in puddles and he loves stepping in the puddles. He played in the backyard with his bike and he played on his bike. He go-ed on the grass and Daddy is teaching me how to do my bicycle with holding on and looking. I got a whistle and I whistled without the whistler. I got a robot and fixed the robot and I went in his car and I fixed the car. I got mommy's computer and I got a heart for my mommy, a paper heart. And I love my mommy and I got my mommy a flower. I got Pepper and Daisy (the cats) outside until she slept on mommy's bed. And Liam was there. The End.

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Anything to entertain them when they're home sick!!!

The Goofy Goober Girls

Hanging-out together this afternoon, Isa and I goof around with the computer camera:

Computers Everywhere!

Funny the weird things that happen when you just don't have time. Today, I got two phone company representatives come to the door. From the SAME company. They didn't know the other had been there. They wanted to sell me their phone plan. I told them I didn't like the company they work for and that I was fine with the company I have. I didn't oblige them with and answer to "How much do you pay for your phone bill per month..." I didn't go as far as to say it was none of their business!

Another knock at the door was the Fed. Ex. guy with a box. I looked and noticed the brand of our computer on the box. I knew exactly what it was. It was my first computer that we had returned to the store because it had a problem. The store obviously had it sent back to the company. The company had our problem on record and thought they were supposed to repair it and send it back to me. In the meantime, I had already exchanged it at the store for another new one! Now I have two for the price of one. Tomorrow, I will phone the company to tell them what happened and see what they want me to do.

I still haven't had time to set-up my e-mailing program to begin to properly communicate with people. I feel terribly about this, but life has just been so busy with settling (and now settling into a school routine with Liam and all that he's going through with the new long hours of the day), and all the computer situations that we've had since we arrived. I apologize profusely to everyone who's been waiting to hear from us. We really miss everyone and look forward to being in touch again. We love and appreciate you!

Sunday - and a new week begins!

When one enters a new week, one wonders what the week ahead will hold. Liam was funny this evening when I told him school was tomorrow. He said, "Finally, it's a school day again!" I was happy to hear that.

I didn't post on Friday, but we've already had a note home from the teacher. It was the situation I mentioned in a recent post about one girl who had her arm around Liam while waiting for parent pick-up after school. I knew I should have spoken with the teacher the next morning. That afternoon, Liam sat in the backseat reading the note his teacher wrote to us. "Mommy, what does K-I-S-S-I..." My reply interrupted him, "Kissing?" I knew right away what the deal was.

Yes, I had to talk with my son about hand-holding and kissing and how it's not appropriate at school. At the tender age of 6 years old! I returned alone to the school to talk with the teacher after dropping off Edilberto and the kids at home. I wasn't going to go through the weekend without talking with her and explaining my reservations at seeing the little girl's arm around Liam. The following morning too, she had been waiting for him and latched onto him the minute he entered the playground before school started. I didn't talk to the teacher then because Isabella was having a fit wanting to stay with Liam at school, and I was dealing with her and it distracted me.

We had a good talk with Liam telling him he did nothing wrong, but that he just didn't know the boundaries and that now that he does, he knows he shouldn't do those things. So hard to explain to a six year old. I just kept it simple. He was mortified and embarrassed on Friday, but by today, Sunday, he was very relaxed while talking with me. I reminded him of the rules at school. He seemed to understand.

I'm really hoping for a normal week at school with no incidents. I need a breather after last week. Please please!

Crazy Week!

Two days before Liam's school started is when we found out we'd get a pastor/minister's discount on his tuition. That is, therefore, when we registered him, and when I received the list of school supplies to purchase. That is when too that I knew he'd need to have uniforms to wear and books to be purchased. TWO DAYS before the first day of school!!!

The whole time I kept wondering if we were doing the right thing. We really can't afford to send him to private school. It is a step of faith for us to be doing this. It is already extremely difficult to live in Florida with the high cost of living. It has been a challenge for us to say the least.

After handing over a check for registration and first month's tuition (faint), I went into the room where they have donated uniforms. I'd been in there before but there wasn't much in Liam's size. This time, however, there was a huge bag full of every kind shirt, pairs of shorts, pants, P.E. uniforms, and even baseball jackets in his size! All in brand new or barely used condition. I was teary eyed when I saw them there. I felt it was a sign that we were O.K. and it was a good thing what we were doing. Had there not been anything there for him, I don't know how we'd have had uniforms for him within two day's time for his first day of school.

I had some used books on hold in the office and I picked those up a couple of days later. We have almost all of his books. I got a couple workbooks brand new on Ebay. That saved me at least $30.00!

Yesterday was his first day. He was actually giddy in the van as we pulled into the parking lot and he saw all the other children walking in. He was cute sittng in the front row and introducing himself to all the classmates who sat in his vicinity saying, "We're in class together!"

There are 17 kids total in his classroom. His teacher is very nice, young and energetic. He likes her.

Today, his second day of school, he didn't want to go this morning, he didn't like wearing a belt. School was too long. On and on he went. He relented and got into the van. When I picked him up this afternoon, he said he didn't want to go home yet. He wanted to stay a little longer at school! Apparently there's this girl, who had her arm around him while they sat on the bench with their class to wait for parents to pick them up. I saw her there when I pulled-in with the van. He told me tonight at dinner that she told him he was cute THREE times. He's 6 years old! I think I need to talk to his teacher! Hmm...

Anyway, I notice he is more attentive when I talk with him. There seems to be a new sense of responsibility in him. He is loving this new big boy status of being a part of a class. I feel that we are doing the right thing for now. I can see him thriving in this situation. I am open to homeschooling if in the future something changes and we decide that at that time it is best for him.

I'm also really enjoying my time with Isabella. Today we read books, did puzzles and had some nice chats. She and I will be volunteering in Liam's classroom soon and often.

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EDILBERTO'S LATEST NEWS: Yesterday was extremely frustrating as he and two other guys were loading a very large container to be shipped to Haiti this weekend. The two tractors they use BOTH broke down. It was a sweltering hot day. Frustration mounted as time was limited to get the job done before the container was to leave. Today, after persistance and prayer, they got the tractors working, worked late, and got the container filled and ready to go! We are very thankful they had success. The ministry in Haiti will be very thankful to receive this shipment. I will try and post photos and more details later.

Sunday Night

It's late but thought I'd check-in here. A very busy week ahead, which I tried to put out of my mind this weekend. I felt like living in a safe bubble of denial of all the things we face this week so I could enjoy the weekend. Liam could possibly be starting school on Wednesday. Our lives will change radically if this is the case. It is all pending on whether or not we get a minister's discount or not. I don't remember if I'd talked about this yet or not. Homeschooling is still an option. Either way really. He could do the private school for a time, and then homeschool if we all feel that's a better option for him. We really want him to have this classroom experience though. I think he'll really enjoy it. And I'll be there in his classroom a lot volunteering (which, I am happy to say, is required!!!)

Anyway, we will probably know tomorrow if we qualify for this discount or not. It's nervewracking as I will have to scramble for the rest of Liam's books and uniforms by Wednesday!

We went to another church (have been there twice so far) and think it might be a fit for us. They are a fairly new group (having been meeting for only about a year) and it is small. The only other children are the pastor's children and a baby and a couple of babies on the way! Our children have really enjoyed attending though and have felt welcome there.

I met the pastor's wife for the first time tonight. She immediately invited us over for dinner. We scheduled for the week after next. We found out about them through internet searching. They are a church that welcomes people from every level of seeking (from doubters, to committed Christians). They are focused on loving and serving the community. They are about meeting and loving people where they're at. Kind of right up our alley I'd say. I also like that they meeting early on Sunday evening. It's nice to have all day Sunday to hang-out as a family and then off to an evening gathering to finish the day and begin a new week.

One thing I thought of the whole evening was that two years ago on the second Sunday in August, my father passed-away (even though the actual day of the month was the 14th). I remember that Sunday as we agonized all day knowing it was happening. Then at around 6:30 p.m., he left us.

My Son Hates Going To Church

My son hates going to church. And I can't say that I blame him. It's hard to find a church body where kids aren't perceived as an inconvenience to be shuffled-off to Sunday school. Do you think they know they're not wanted around the adults?

Here's what I know to be true....When a child has committed him or herself to following Jesus, and invites the Holy Spirit into his or her heart, the Holy Spirit is the same size inside that child's heart as it is in any adult's heart. That child can and should be nurtured in their faith so they can grow in maturity. That would mean they should know that they too can hear God speak to their heart, obey Him, pray for someone in need, have a word of encouragment for someone, and generally display the love of Christ in an outward way to those around them.

What happens in most churches (meaning groups of believers meeting together) is that those children aren't looked at as equals in the faith. Granted, there is a lot of maturing to do physically, emotionally and spiritually. But it is important for that young child who has faith to be free to express their faith in many ways and taught to do so. In doing so, they are having their own experience with Jesus and not relying on only knowing Him through his or her parents' relationship with Him. They will have their own story to tell about how they know Jesus.

Children can oftentimes more effectively show the love of God to others without inhibition and with a greater level of sincerity and innocence. Faith like a child is something to aspire to. Hearing a child share about God's love and their own story of what He means to them can be very profound and touching. It can soften the hardest heart. It can break down the highest walls.

I've seen it in action. At the nursing home. I sat next to an elderly woman who immediately said, "I don't need to talk to anyone. I'm fine." I said, "Oh, no problem," and turned to the woman on the other side whom I had already been talking with, wanting to respect the first woman's desire to sit quietly with nobody talking with her. Isabella, my 3 year old, came along and touched the unsociable woman's arm. She has a way of looking deeply into someone's eyes. The woman was surprised at her intensity and kind smile. She immediately started engaging in a conversation with Isabella. Isabella got very close to her and was reaching her hand out to her, which the woman took in hers. The woman's countenance changed. A smile broke out on her face. Soon, the three of us were chatting away. She began to share her life with us. Her company was a joy. And I felt she thought ours was as well.

Flashback to Sunday at church. Liam had questions regarding communion as it was being taken. Apparently, we should have shuffled-off to a "crying room." Now, if my son was just goofing around and making lots of noise, I can understand the glares from the woman in front of me and consequent "suggestion" that we move it into the crying room (which I never even knew about as we are new and don't know all the "rules"). However, my son had some very legitimate questions, I replied to them in his ear, we were sitting in the very last row. I had no idea that teaching my son was somehow disruptive. It is the general consensus as that Sunday was the very first time they were trying out having the kids with the adults for the worship time (and the other children stayed in a group in the back corner of the room with their Sunday school teachers rather than dispersed to sit among their own families. That might have been a little too much!)

We have been looking for a church body to be part of in our new town. We have a lot of new friends at this church, and they've always welcomed our children very lovingly outside of the actual church service. I know this is just one person's bad response (the tone was not loving, but I also know too that she had no idea of the issues we've been having with our son's dislike for church). I find this is an all too often a typical attitude towards children in the church. We plan to maintain the friendships we have made there, but will find a church group to commit to where we are sure our children will know they are welcome and will look forward to being active participants.

Having to Decide About Your Child's Education

I am in a dilemma regarding Liam's schooling. I feel I have two wonderful options, however, both with their sacrifices, both with their benefits. One being the private Christian school that we've been thinking he'd be going to, the other being homeschooling. Public school in our area is not an option.

I have always wanted to homeschool my children. However, as I know my son, I realize that he is happiest when he's in a small group setting. He was really against being homeschooled. Lately however, he seems to be content with the idea. He seems to feel the same as going to the private school that he's come to know from several visits there.

We thought we'd be getting a bigger break in the cost of the private school than we were offered. There's still a possibility to get a bigger discount on tuition, but it is still up in the air. The positive about homeschooling is applying the money we'd be paying into tuition, to a lot of extracurricular activities like piano lessons, athletics, science camps, etc. I have also discovered a very organized and supportive homeschool association network in this area. They have organized get-togethers throughout the year. There is also an athletic association for homeschoolers that offers many types of sports.

When I met with the principal of the private school the other day, she was very excited for us to be a part of the school. She wanted us to bring a very missional aspect. I told her about an idea I had to mobilize the students of the entire school to adopt a clean water project. Fund raising and bringing clean water to a village in a country that needs it. Perhaps even taking some students to Africa to build a clean water system for a community. She was thrilled to hear of some of the ideas I'd been thinking about. I was thrilled that she was so desiring this type of thing for the students. She stated that academics are important and that they have very good academics in the school. However, she said that they really want the emphasis of the school to be outward in focus, for the students to learn to be selfless and to serve those who are in need. To be world changers in that regard.

I believe the same thing could happen with a homeschooling association. I just have to figure out what God wants us to do in all of this. Whether it be working with a school, or with a group of homeschooling families. We want to be an influence in our community. To love and serve those around us who the Lord brings our way. To make a difference where we are. To be in an environment that would nurture these things in our children. There are so many decisions to be made. We have to know soon as the school year begins in mid-August here in Florida!

O.K., So the van broke down....

It all happened on our way out to what was supposed to be a birthday lunch for me on the waterfront somewhere. I had chosen Thai food. We ended-up at Subway in a not so nice shopping center. The van had decided to break down on our way to lunch.

Edilberto pushed the van with me and the kids in it, off the road and into a gas station. At least the van was courteous enough to decide to stop right in front of one. We took the kids to the Subway sandwich shop to get something to eat and into an air conditioned environment (it was 90+ degrees F. today), while Edilberto met the tow truck that eventually showed-up, got a ride to our house to pick-up a second van that, thankfully, we are currently borrowing, came back to get us, we all followed the tow truck about 15 miles to our mechanic's shop (who by now, unfortunately, knows our van well), dropped off the sick van, and tried to proceed back to our original destination in the borrowed van.

It was a long drive back. We were all thirsty and tired. We never got to our Thai restaurant as none of us had much of an appetite anymore. We decided to check-out an upscale mall that we'd never been to. The shops were the usual, but the food area was beautiful, marble, Italianish looking decor with nice lightening. I had a very well made, delicious and refreshing strawberry/banana/vanilla yogurt smoothie, and the kids had gelato. A nice family moment was had at last.

Back home, Edil made me a nice dinner, against my wishes we had cake and ice cream and heard the "happy birthday" song (I wasn't in the mood. By then, we were all a bit cranky and exhausted).

Thankfulness kept things in perspective. Thankful that we're all healthy and together. Which makes it a happy birthday after all!

A Floridian? Who me?

Well, today was the day I gave up my Washington State driver's license for a Florida State driver's license. They wouldn't even punch a hole in my old license to let me keep it. "Not if you're becoming a resident in Florida," I was told. It felt very odd. All I've ever had since learning to drive was a Washington State license.

I was not surprised to see at the department of licensing, due to what I've observed on the road, the steady stream of traffic violation payers who were coming in to pay. Several with suspended licenses. South Florida also has the worst record for road rage in the nation.

Which leads me to the observation about the way many populations of people drive here. I often see people driving leaning on one shoulder against the door in a slumped position, talking on their cell phone, or just plain acting like they'd like to figure-out how to take a nap while driving, all at accelerated speeds racing to the next red light. It's simply baffling to watch. And no, it's not the retired population who seem to drive this way. It's probably hard to imagine for anyone who's never been here to know just how badly people drive in South Florida!

So, here I am. A Florida driver. Let's just hope I don't form any bad habits on the road. That's doubtful. I probably drive more like the retired and age-ed Floridians who've moved here from the Northeast. I refuse to pull-out onto the road until it is clear. So stop honking your horn back there already or I'll shoot! (just kidding)

Been a bad blogger lately...

It's Friday night and I thought I'd stop by and say hello to anyone who may pop-in to see if I've updated here. Sorry to say, I haven't had much to say the past couple of days that would be very interesting to read about.

Hmmm...what about the weather? It's been very hot here in South Florida. Humid, 90+ degrees.

Ministry News: At Missionary Resource Network, there was a boat donated a long time ago that was supposed to be getting repaired by someone. That someone was paid and didn't do the work. That has finally been sorted out this week (after a long battle) and the boat is now being repaired by another person. This boat will be sold as a fishing boat and the money will be put towards the purchase of a boat that will be used for mercy ministry in the Amazon Region.

The kids did great

The kids and I took our first trip to a nursing/retirement home on Saturday. I'd been wanting to start taking them for some time, and there was an organized trip for the kids from church. Edilberto wanted to come but it was his Saturday to work at the store. It all worked-out well going with the group from church initially. The need is great here in Florida to visit those who have nobody and are nearing the end of their life. Having already had this in mind, I was glad when I heard the kids were planning this visit and we could join in.

Isabella did very well, as I knew she would. She is especially wonderful with babies and old people. She is very caring and has no reservations in reaching-out to others. She very quickly engaged in conversation, reaching out to hold someone's hand. She delighted the grandmas and grandpas there with her smiles and hugs and willingness to talk!

Liam was very reluctant, as I knew he would be. At first, he seemed completely resistant to the whole idea of going. I soon realized that he was anxious and a bit scared about it. On the way there, I assured him that he didn't have to say or do anything. He could just stick by me. That seemed to help him.

Liam warmed-up to the program when he saw a boy, who he knows and is a couple of years older than him, very enthusiastically visiting with the residents of the home. He asked Liam to come and meet one of his friends (a very sweet old woman he knew there). Liam wanted to tag along with this boy.

Isabella and I were engaged in conversation with a very nice woman named Irene, when Liam came to me and asked if he could go with the group to another wing of the home. I heard that they were going to visit the Alzheimer's wing. I didn't think it'd be a good idea for him since he had been anxious about the whole visit to start with. One of my friends in the group said she'd watch him when he said to me that he really wanted to go (after I mentioned to him that he might not feel comfortable and maybe shouldn't go). I agreed to let him go since he was so enthusiastic.

He came back a while later seeming very happy and content in participating. I was relieved. He had had such a big change of heart! I was proud of him.

We plan to return to visit the people we have met during our first visit. I am definite that a couple of people Isabella and I talked with will not remember us when we return. I know that some of them will though. And even if they don't, if we can bring some moments of companionship and love to someone, we will have done what we set-out to do.

Some Recent Photos

Busy with her babies!


Daisy & Pepper

Narrows Bridge - Gig Harbor to Tacoma

"Galloping Gertie" - 1940

As a 7th grader in Southern California, I once saw an old film in our school library about a bridge that buckled, twisted and fell to pieces in the wind over the waters of the Puget Sound. Its nickname was, "Galloping Gertie." A second bridge was built to take its place, which stands today, the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Little did I know at the time, that I'd soon be living in Gig Harbor, Washington, and using that bridge all the time!

We were in Washington State during a large portion of the construction of a second Narrows Bridge (that runs parallel to the other bridge)to accomodate the growing traffic flow between the Peninsula and Tacoma. We watched with fascination the process of this huge bridge being built. It was the largest construction project happening in the United States. It was a painful process for the community with gridlock, long-delays and constant changing of lane configurations. Today, the bridge is opening. We know lots of people who are attending the opening ceremonies. Although we're not there to see it, we can get a glimpse of it on live webcam!

(Click on the post title for link to the webcam.)

The fish are looking happy!

I'm sitting here watching the four remaining (yes there were five - one departed last night) fish enjoying their evening feed. I'm happy to see that Onion and his (or her) friends have the energy once again to swim to the top and chase the flakes around. Liam named the little black bubble eyed fish "Onion." (I don't know why he did, but it is a cute name for him.) I took a trip to the fish store, bought new filters, and an aeration rock and a pH tester. I think we're good now. Hopefully! Probably nobody cares about any of this, but for me, I was glad to see the little guys doing well again.

We went to a beach BBQ/baptism today. We took our neighbor and her foster daughter. The kids had a great time with her. The party continued back at our house in the new kiddie pool out back. All kids were exhausted by the end of the day.

Today was a blur...

Woke-up with a lovely migraine. What a way to start the day. The kids were stir-crazy having to stay inside with me, their cranky mother, all day long. Took some strong migraine meds. and the worst of it was over about an hour later. Still, the medication made me feel groggy. I didn't have much success at anything today. I feel sorry for my kids as I wasn't in the greatest of moods. Tomorrow's a new day.

Edil went to Costco yesterday to pick-up the new computer (exchange). I haven't even had a chance to take it out of the box yet. Today wasn't the right day with my head hurting. Also, the computer guy has to put all of our software onto the new computer. He's away due to a family emergency. At least I have a so-so computer to use until we finally get onto the new one!

I saved our fish today. They were looking very lethargic (we have 5 of various goldfish varieties in a 5 gallon tank). A couple of them were looking blue just hanging-out near the top of the tank. I replenished their water supply with some fresh H2O. They have all perked-up. I also took out some rotting plants. I'm sure that helped things out in there!

What I'd like to do in heaven

surf with the dolphins...




Woohoo!

The Computer Verdict at Costco

I'm thrilled to say that everything went well at Costco. They were very helpful, no detailed questions, gave me a full refund, and even got on the phone to find the nearest Costco that carries the computer we want to exchange (unfortunately, they didn't carry them there). They were, in every way, very helpful! The Costco we need to go to now is 40 minutes further north from the Costco we were at (which is about an hour from our house). A bit inconvenient, but best option compared to any other options of getting another computer. We are going there tomorrow to buy it! Thanks again, M & M.

The Jig for Monday

It's the end of the day here and I thought I'd just jot down some very random thoughts from the day.

To all you from our church who read this blog...just want you to know that we pray for you and especially for the prayer requests that come through via e-mail.

Didn't make it to Costco today to exchange the new computer because the computer guy brought the computer here (the one to be exchanged) after lunch and I wasn't able to go in the afternoon. Hopefully I'll get there tomorrow. I'll let you know how it goes!

Had an emotional moment this afternoon when I showed photographs to my kids from a friend's website of starving children in Africa. There were a couple of very shocking and graphic photos that got the kids asking a lot of questions. They seemed stunned and shocked and wanted more information. They've seen kids who are extremely needy whom we've worked with in the past, but of course, the photos of the children in Africa are hard to comprehend. Instantly it puts things in perspective.

Edilberto and I are really missing our friends, so please drop us a line when you can!!!

Technophobia

As much as I am amazed, in awe of, and thankful for technology that has gotten me back into touch with so many people from the past, helps me keep updated on dear ones around the world, and gives us a normally convenient and fun way to keep people updated on our lives, I am equally frustrated with it sometimes.

What frustrates me is, like everything else, the market is driven by demand; which in itself is fine. However, it seems that companies aren't happy with the natural demand that there is and will be. Companies have to create an over-the-top demand by building things to break, forcing the consumer to have to replace things much too soon after they've already spent a small fortune on something.

I recently saw a news story about a man who had a light bulb that was passed down to him by his grandfather. It was dozens of years old, but still worked. He didn't have any heirs to pass it down to, so he donated it to a museum. They certainly don't make light bulbs like they used to in his grandfather's time (Note to museum curator: Please be careful not to drop it!)

Likewise, when computers (particularly laptops/notebooks) came out, it seemed the hardware lasted for a very long time, outliving software technology and the demands for the hardware to run more quickly and with more memory, and therefore, having to be replaced or upgraded. Nowadays though, the hardware of computers are obviously made to break down much more rapidly. It seems also that sometimes, in making them so delicate, they don't even last through the process of delivery to the store and come to the consumer already defective because of some slight nudge they suffered en route.

I have heard that iPods were made to last for 2-3 years. Batteries too are another obvious example of being more and more expensive, but having shorter and shorter life spans. My brother-in-law used to work for a battery company and confirmed this plot to be true.

I wonder: How do we stop being at the mercy of companies who are becoming increasingly greedy with all the technological advances? (Which are hard enough to keep up with, and sometimes altogether impossible to do so with when your investment soon becomes obsolete. - Which is another thing that happens much faster than ever before.)

Maybe I've hit middle age when one starts to no longer have the stamina to keep-up with the ever changing technological landscape. I'm not at the place of throwing my hands up from the keyboard though and going back to the old fashioned letter writing. As much as I love letter writing and think that it is very charming and personal, I'm afraid my hand would have to do a lot of training to get back into shape for holding a pen.

Does this bother anybody else? It's really bothered me lately to think about all of this, especially in light of all the strange, never seen before flaws on different computers I've been using lately.

The Way I Feel About Machines Lately

Cartoon by Dave Walker. Find more cartoons you can freely re-use on your blog at We Blog Cartoons.

Friday

Well, a very nice man brought his computer guy over to our house today and they took away our new computer to get all of the software backed-up. We're trying this route, taking it back to Costco to exchange for a new one and putting our software back onto the new one. If Costco won't exchange it, we'll probably send it back to our friend who gave it to us for him to exchange. Or, send it to the company to get it fixed. The fastest way is for us to exchange it here, so hopefully, that will happen. We're getting it back on Monday from the guy who's backing it up, so hopefully we'll try and exchange it at Costco then. I'll let you know what happens!

I have to give this computer back on Sunday (the one I'm on now) to our friend who loaned it to us.

We had a good 4th of July. We were with our next door neighbors. We did get rained-out of our BBQ though. Our kids and the neighbor's two young boys had only been in the kiddie pool for about 20 minutes, when the lightening started. So we moved the party indoors at their house. We had some other friends come over as well. In the evening, we did fireworks since the rain had finally stopped. Later, some other neighbors came over to do sparklers with us. We watched the panoramic display of fireworks flying over the entire neighborhood! It was a fun time just hanging-out with everybody.

Update: No dead bodies in the backyard to report about. (See previous post). Liam saw me looking out the back window the other day and joked, "Any dead ladies out there today, Mom?" He got me laughing. I guess that's now our sick joke.

Our Backyard

It can sometimes be interesting living with a university (in a large building) right behind our house. The building itself is in the distance, but the unpaved parking lot extends to the edge of our property (and it's not usually full enough for the cars to reach near our place).

Today they had some kind of Fourth of July BBQ for the students. There was a two-story building sized blow-up of a Florida Marlins baseball player and the Florida Marlins van. There were games, music and food. It’s 2 p.m. and the party has already been packed-up. The kids liked seeing the gigantic baseball player from the back window, but he’s been deflated now.

About a month ago, we had a horrendous rain storm with nerve-wracking lightening strikes all around. The storm passed and a couple of hours later, Liam came to me and said that something terrible was happening in the parking lot and that maybe I should go to the window and see. I looked out and saw two people who seemed like detectives with clipboards walking around a woman's dead body.

I unglued my children from the window (Isabella was especially curious). I'd seen scenes like this before in my life, but the children didn’t need to be exposed to this. I told them to go and play in another room. I made sure the blinds were drawn so they wouldn't be able to keep watching. Isabella came to me with lots of questions. I just answered her honestly that someone had died and I didn't know how.

The two people near the woman had measuring tape and were measuring around the scene, taking detailed photographs of an SUV near the woman. The SUV's driver's door was wide-up. She was lying on the ground several feet away. There were rain puddles all around. I wondered if she'd been struck by lightening in that storm. I wondered if she'd be hit by the SUV. I saw no other police people around, and didn't see anyone else coming to the scene.

Oddly, some of the university students were arriving in their cars, parking in another area, but not even taking a second look at the scene they were slowly driving by. Also, a man from our neighborhood walked out there to find out what was going on. On returning to the neighborhood, I noticed he was laughing and wondered why in the world someone would be laughing walking away from a scene like that.

About an hour went by and nothing seemed to change outside. The two detectives were walking around the scene continuing their investigation. But there were no other officials arriving to the scene.

I saw one of my neighbors from two houses down sitting out in front of her house. I wandered over across the lawns to ask her if she knew what was going on in back. She didn't. I told her there was a "dead body" out there. She just looked-up and said, "Oh, that's not a body, it's a dummy. They do that all the time out there. They're just students." I remembered seeing a brochure advertising the university and the mention of forensics investigation training. Oh my goodness....I was relieved and embarrassed that I'd been "had" for so long! I have had dramatic EMT training with dummies before, but it didn't even occur to me that this was the case. I quickly told the kids about what was going on. And I made sure that they saw them when they carried the poor red haired lady life-sized doll back to their building tossed with head bobbing over their shoulder! We all had a good laugh.

Daisy and the Lizard

This evening, the kids were out near the front door of our home. Daisy, the calico cat, was giving one of her big loud "MEOWs" that let us know she's brought us a "present." Isabella came running in to me and informed me of the dead lizard Daisy was showing them that she'd gotten. Only, the dead lizard got up and started walking away. Apparently, Isabella informed me, "Daisy was only joking with us that it was dead!" I love Isabella's take on things!

I need a crash-course on fine arts and antiquities. When we get a donation of valuable items, we try and research them to know their worth. I find it very interesting to learn the history of these items. Recently, an elderly woman, who appears to have been originally from New York, passed-away. Edil was called by the retirement home to come and take away whatever was left there. There were several signed and numbered lithographs, some beautiful sculpture table lamps (which are worth quite a bit it seems), some furniture, and even some black and white photographs from this woman's life, including photos of her and her husband and who I guess were her sons. There were pictures from vacations, cruises, golf games, times together with people who seemed close to one another. I find it very sad that there seems to be no family members nearby who cared about these things (esp. the photographs). There was an address book that made me think of perhaps calling people with her same last name and seeing if there is anyone who cared about having these things. But then it seems that they'd have known of her passing and would have been here to help her or at least, to collect her belongings. Or they'd have been passed-on to them already. One wonders if she was disconnected from them for a reason. It's hard to know what to do with her photographs. I suppose we'll put them in a shoebox and have them stored for some time in the store to see if anyone will claim them in the future.

Interestingly, one of the artists, who is well known from what I've researched, has the same last name as this woman. I wonder if they were related.

Through the Kindness of a Friend...

I am on a borrowed computer at the moment so I am able to come here and post! Liam and Isabella's swimming teacher has graciously loaned me a computer. L & I had their third swimming lesson today at their teacher's house. They are doing great! Liam can now jump into the deep end and swim to the other side and come up for air. Isabella is doing well at going under and coming up. She is so cute diligently practicing this while kicking her legs. She can almost swim alone but still holds on to her teacher's hand with one hand.

We are looking forward to the 4th of July holiday as both Edilberto and I feel like we can use the break! Edilberto's very busy at work. Within the next 10 days they will be sending two very large (40 ft. long) containers filled with clothing, a tractor, furniture, tools, washer/dryer, and a lot of other things, to ministries in the Dominican Republic and Haiti. They are also sending a hydraulic dump truck to a ministry that serves the town in garbage collecting (in Guatemala).

We've been tested in technical and functionable areas of life (our patience and perseverance have been tested, that is.) We just spent a lot fixing an electric window in our van that wouldn't go up. It first happened while we were on our way home in a tropical downpour of rain! Now there's a bell to alert us of a door ajar that won't stop dinging even when the doors are closed! As you know too, we've had endless computer problems. Our telephones have also been a problem in getting them to work properly. They weren't installed well either and will have to be redone in the kitchen area! Nothing too horrible but just enough to feel weary with all the little problems adding up. Things that should just work don't seem to!

I have been really enjoying the kids though and marvelling at them as they grow and learn things. It is exciting to see! I look forward to be together with them and for us finding a place to serve and to be an influence in our community.

That's about all I can think of in updating about life at this time.

I can't believe this!

Day two with the new computer and suddenly, the screen goes very bright. I can barely see the words I'm typing here, but just wanted to let you know that, unbelievabely, it looks like there's more technical computer problems in our life. After calling technical support, it sounds like it is a problem with the computer motherboard. Which means, I will have to send this beautiful new computer off to be fixed. Unless I can borrow someone's notebook, I may not be here for a while. I have no idea how long this will take.

Just Arrived!!!

Just two hours ago, the much awaited UPS man came to our house. He couldn't understand why the kids and I were so gleeful and excited to receive a box that, from the outside of it, looked as though we were awaiting a boat propeller. He didn't know that inside there was actually a wonderful new notebook computer arriving. I have been in withdrawals with all of the computer woes I've had in the past several weeks. Thanks to dear friends of ours, we now have a beautiful new and wonderfully functionable notebook in the family! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, M & M. We are very blessed!

Keeping-up on the blog has now been made easy. Very soon I will update on life. But right now, I've got three pages of e-mails to go through!

The Goings-On....Tuesday

Well, today hopefully will be much calmer than yesterday. That is when I had my first experience with the open head wound of my own child. Seeing my little boy with blood streaming down his face and all over his hands was horrid. You'd never know I worked in primary health care, taking care of wounds much worse in the now seemingly very distant past! I'm just weak in the knees when it comes to my own children.

It all started when Super Hero Liam decided to dive into his sister's lower bunk bed. It was draped with blankets to make a "fort" and therefore, the bottom of the upper bunk wasn't visible. "Slam" went the forehead into the metal (fortunately, there was that blanket hanging over it so the blow was less than it would be otherwise). It was sufficient enough to open a 1/2 inch wound on his forehead at the hairline.

I got him to sit down once I realized what had happened (before that, I was screaming at his sister thinking she'd smashed something over his head in revenge for his early tormenting her. Once I realized, I apologized to her, of course.) This all had happened while I was vacuuming. I got on the cell. phone to get Edilberto home to help. At that time, I didn't know how bad it was or wasn't.

We took him to an urgent care and the doctor was nice and didn't stitch him. He should have had a couple of stitches, but like his mother, he is a nervous patient. The doctor had mercy and did a butterfly bandage on it. Liam had a fit when we got home and the neighbor kids wanted him to swim with them in their pool. He can't get the wound wet because it would all open-up again. That was the deal for not getting stitches, I reminded him.

The good thing that came out of it was, since it was past lunchtime by the time we got Liam fixed at the doctor's, we noticed a charming looking little Cuban Deli across the street from the Urgent Care. We had lunch there since we were all starving. It was soooo good. We'll definitely be returning to that place sometime. The owner was a very friendly older chubby Cuban man, who was very happy when we raved about how good the food was! He even gave the kids some rice pudding with cinnamon on it for dessert.

On to other things: Edilberto has a very busy work week. There are, I think, three containers being shipped to Haiti and the Dominican Republic. I will update when I get the details.

Very Cool: We got to see (FROM OUR BACKYARD!!!)none other than the SPACE SHUTTLE Atlantis fly by. Woohoo!!! We were jumping up and down and hooting and hollering. The afterburner smoke stayed there for at least 30 minutes after it went by. Amazing. We had the launch on television for the countdown, then on lift-off we ran outside to see if it was possible to see it. There it was within a second or two. Amazing. Maybe we'll go to a launch one day.

The Testimony of a Broken Man

Click on the title of this post to see and hear a moving testimony. I don't know anything about Robert Schueller, or the "Hour of Power," but the guest interviewed here has quite an amazing story. Watch and you're sure to be blessed and encouraged in your faith!

In a Slump and Feeling a Little Blue

I don't allow myself to indulge in sadness for any length of time, but I have to admit that lately, I have been feeling defeated and at times, heavy hearted. Getting started in a new place, setting-up and organizing house (when there's little place to put things) and making it a home, establishing a routine with the kids, getting out to meet people and looking for opportunities for the kids to make friends - it all can be quite overwhelming at times. I feel like I've accomplished very little in the past few weeks. Some days, I feel like a failure in the simplest tasks.

I know a lot of this is natural with motherhood. There is very little to show for the hard work you've put in all day. The kids can undo what you've done in the home in a split second! Looking on in victory at the freshly vacuumed and scrubbed tile floor, you can be sure that some sticky juice will be spilt moments later, mixed in with muffin crumbs. The laundry never stops piling-up no matter how many loads you've done. All this is normal. Most days I can handle it. It's just that I am so behind in a lot of other things, maintaining the home has kept me from all the other tasks that I have on hold. And the pressure mounts.

O.K., this is going to be past me someday soon. But as evening came, I felt like another day had passed and there was not much to show for it. I have this urgency in life to make every day matter. I suppose today was about encouraging Isabella in her hard work in finishing the floor puzzle she and I were working on. And about working on assembling a train track with Liam. Those moments had to be what mattered. I can do the rest tomorrow and the next day and the next.

We did have a great time yesterday (Sunday) afternoon. We had a family day at the beach. It was the first day since we've been here that we had a beach day (other than being at the beach for the air show). The weather was perfect, the water deliciously cool for the 90 degree weather, the waves soft and perfect for playing in. The kids loved it. They didn't want to know about their shovel and pail and all the other gear we lugged onto the beach. They just wanted to play in the water. So all four of us spent most of the day in the water. I was in my element!