Our Beloved Jeeno

Dog Walking

When we came to Grand Cayman we had to leave our adorable black Labrador, Jeeno behind.  I am still deciding if we should go through the extensive process to bring our puppy from the United States here.  It will cost us nearly $1000 (OUCH!) and he will not be able to come for about 6 months after the process is started.  This means that our friends that have been so gracious to watch Jeeno for us would have him longer than we have had him.  I am starting to feel leaving him with our friends will be the best decision.

In the mean time, we are walking dogs from the Humane Society.  The first time we walked 3 puppies which the children named Cloey, Rocket, and Daisy.  Cloey has since been adopted out!  I didn't bring my camera the first time, but I will be sure to bring it from now on.

Just yesterday we walked 2 dogs...

Mayetee (May-ye-tee)

Pauli

We took them to Governors Beach.  They didn't like the water, didn't mind the sand, but preferred the shade much better.  It has been a great opportunity to love dogs that live in kennels and help the Humane Society.  We also get our puppy fix.  Once we get a car we will be able to foster a dog for a weekend.  Joie is really excited about this.  However, I think she is looking for a water loving dog so I don't think we will be fostering these two.

Joie, Ally, and Leanne

Joie and Alley with Mayetee and Pauli

Everyone but me;)

Enough dog walking, let's bury Jayden!

Snorkeling 12-29-11

 I finally saw the Green Moray Eel that many snorkelers were seeing off the Treasure Island Resort beach.  He is probably about 5.5 ft long.  Although his face is a bit scary and he moves like a snake I didn't get scared until he appeared to look straight at me.  Then it dawned on me that I was wearing striped shorts that probably looked like a fish even though they were zebra print.  I won't be snorkeling with those anymore even though the Green Moray's gaze quickly shifted away from me.

 I love when you can see the sun's rays shining down on Earth and you can even see them in this underwater picture; it's like God is pouring out His love on His creation.

 Here are the Sergeant Majors and a Bluehead Wrasse that were swimming right next to me.  I think they were waiting for me to feed them, but I didn't have any food.

 I can't remember the name of this fish, but it's known by the black dot found on both sides near it's tail.

 

These little blue guys can be seen all over. 

Christmas Morning 2011

 In their stockings I put a cute little Santa's note to appease Jayden's imagination and 20CI for ice cream ONLY.  We all love ice cream, but our freezer is too small to keep it on hand.  I didn't want to purchase junk and I knew they would love having the freedom to buy ice cream when they wanted it.  This has temporarily taken the pressure off me to decide when or when not to have ice cream.  They ask every night and if you buy the ice cream individually like we have to it gets expensive, so I feel the need to limit it.  

 Jayden also got some Littlest Pet Shop Animals.  Since we arrived in Grand Cayman he stopped playing with his WWE fighter guys and has been enjoying playing LPS with his sister, so why not have his very own.

 Yay, presents!  Only one present each this year.

 Joie loved her new Littlest Pet Shop...

Jayden wasn't thrilled with his Battleship game at first, but after playing it he enjoys it a bit more.  It's a great game for increasing his patience.  He has always been a "right now" type of person.

Christmas...

Why do we have Christmas trees, stockings, decorations, and feel forced to give gifts to everyone we know?  Over the last few years the enjoyment of the "typical" Christmas celebrations have lost their glamour.  I find that I am a big scrooge and stressed out about buying gifts for people.  I want to give gifts that the receiver will love and use, but when people are so blessed why and what do you give.   Why do my children need to be showered with toys and things that they may never use and why oh why does Santa exist?  My daughter of course,  knows mommy and daddy are the gift givers, but my son is adamant that Santa is the one that gives the gifts.  I tried to tell him last year that Santa wasn't real but he wouldn't believe and this year I allowed him to keep believing his beliefs.  As Christmas has come and gone I think I should have told him who fills his stocking.

It's a bit of a challenge to step out and go against what the norm is, but as I read this blog post by Anne Elliott I began to think...is it really that hard?  They took down their Christmas tree before Christmas!  I love the idea, but at the same time, it's been a tradition and for so many years I looked forward to it.  I don't look forward to it anymore.  Will my husband or children miss it if we start a new tradition?  Or will they embrace the new.  I think it's time for a change.  I read in Keeping Life Simple by Karen Levine that if you no longer enjoy a tradition STOP DOING IT!  Pretty simple.

I am not sure what Christmas will be like next year, but I am going to take this to prayer and allow the Holy Spirit to lead my heart.  He has obviously been trying to get my attention in this matter and I am finally starting to see.

What does this mean for all the other pagan holidays we celebrate??

Our Christmas tree

 

Our Christmas tree this year was given to us, totally AWESOME! We didn't have to purchase any decorations this year; we made our own.  We were also given stockings just in time for Christmas.  Some friends we had made were moving back to Colorado and didn't need them.  We were very sad to see them leave but thankful for the stockings and marker board they left behind.  Jayden wanted a stocking soooo bad!  

Christmas ornament

Jayden made this one at a church we attended..