PADI certified

It's official...Jacob is now certified to teach all levels of diving!

I'm back...

  I disappeared for a bit because we left Grand Cayman Feb. 1st.  My parents are really enjoying the fact that the children and I have been staying with them since we got here in Las Vegas.  I wonder if they are ready for us to leave?  Haha,  probably not.  Once we leave we will be gone much longer than three months. 
 Aside from a couple days here and there it has been SO cold here;  I can't keep my fingers and toes warm.  I guess I am more acclimated to warm weather, but I often day dream about living somewhere that experiences all 4 seasons.  I'd either turn into a popsicle or hibernate during winter if I ever lived somewhere that was truly cold. 
  Well today is my 30 birthday, 2-22-12.  That looks pretty cool; 2-22-22 looks even better.  Since I don't usually do anything special for my birthday maybe I'll start planning a big 40th birthday bash.  Oh I just have to do that!  Yay for being 30...a little older, a little wiser.
 
<3 Jacqueline
 

Easy beaded Anklets

Joie made a bracelet for Rocket

 Alright!  These pictures were being difficult.  They didn't want to be shared on my blog, but my persistence paid off.  Here they are!!  Not exactly the way I wanted them, but oh well.  Sometimes I have to let go of that perfectionist in me.  I see it in both my children sometimes and how being a perfectionist is stressful!  We are human and imperfect unable to be flawless.  Luckily, we have a God that is so merciful and patient and loves us unconditionally.    

Jayden's hemp bracelet is my favorite.  I had to search the internet to remember how to make it

On the right, the anklet is a simple braid with beads added for fun.

Fostering Nipper a.k.a Rocket

This is Nipper.  A pup we walked the very first time we walked dogs from the Humane Society.  Joie and Jayden's friend, Aly, named him Rocket.  All of us agree that Rocket is a much better name than Nipper.  What do you think?  We weren't allowed to foster any of the puppies the first time we walked dogs, but last week we were able to foster Rocket.  Joie had so much fun playing with him on the beach.  Check out these adorable photos. 

He's gonna be a beautiful AWESOME companion!

 I was completely astonished that Nipper was so willing to be buried in the sand.  Total Beach Pup!

Squashing sand castles

or eating them.

 There is something about having a dog that makes a home feel more homey.  When I visit the Humane Society I wish I owned a large piece of land so that I could adopt a few of the dogs that are currently living in kennels at the shelter.  It's sad to think that many of them will spend their lives there.  As much as I would love to adopt them all, I have to say it was nice to have Rocket stay with us for a few days, but it was also really nice to give him back to the shelter.  Owning and caring for puppies and dogs is hard work!

Tortugas

 Do you know the meaning of Tortuga?  The thought to know never crossed my mind until I moved to Grand Cayman, formerly known as Tortuga.  It means turtle in Spanish.  Grand Cayman was a refuge for pirates back in the day and turtles were one of the delicacies they feasted on.  Turtles were easily caught and kept alive for fresh meat.  Turtles are still a staple food here.  We have tasted turtle burgers and turtle soup.  The turtle burgers are mighty tasty especially if they aren't the frozen kind.   So far, we like Paradise Grill's turtle burgers best.  If your ever come to Grand Cayman you have to eat a turtle burger or soup and conch fritters...Yum!  Billy Bones at Treasure Island Condos has the best conch fritters in my opinion.

Grand Cayman local beer, Caybrew, and Conch fritters from Calico Jacks

Turtle burger

 Because turtles were hunted for food their population decreased and thus the creation of Grand Cayman's turtle farm.  

The turtle farm raises turtles to be released into the wild and also for consumption.  Sometimes visitors are lucky enough to be involved in releasing turtles.  Tortugas are released multiple times throughout the year.  A popular release is during Pirate Week.  Here are some of the photos we took when we went.

A pond/pool for guests to swim with turtles that will be released into the wild

 

 

 

 

 

 

10 week old turtle

 Jayden holding the baby turtle

and Joie...

 This picture was captured underwater

 

Jayden and Daddy swimming with turtles

 

A picture of me taking pictures...


Please don't mind the large white border surrounding these pictures.  I am still learning how this whole thing works.  For some reason my text is attached to my photos in half of this post.  Oh well.  =)

Let the creative juices flow:)

Joie and Arden have been having so much playing outside. We have been outside almost all day lately so I haven't been able to post pictures and share about it. I have to catch up. I am truly enjoying having both Joielin and Jayden outside interacting with new children, playing and learning. Before the last 3 weeks I was having trouble getting them outside. I am loving this!

The head piece Arden made