SPH CUP 2nd PLACE TEAM...SPH EAGLES!

After coaching the high school team for four years, we've finally placed in our own tournament! The girls were split into two teams in the tournament, so some of them didn't even play in the championship game; but as you can see, they were all very proud of their accomplishments as a team. We focused all season on being one team, relying on each other's strengths to cover our weaknesses, and becoming better by working hard. I am so proud of all of these girls!

Making PB & J Sandwiches

We're working on procedural writing in English this unit, so we started by seeing what the students could do. One student did an amazing job. His first instruction was "YOU CAN NOT USE YOUR HANDS!" Imagine his surprise when I used my mouth to follow his next instruction, "PICK UP THE BREAD!" I eventually used my hands to make him a snack, but oh we had fun going through instructions that were less than adequate!

BIG BLESSINGS IN THE HOSPITAL

Some students from SPH came (along with parents) to visit me while I was in the hospital recently having ACL reconstruction done on my right knee. When you're alone in the hospital, the bright faces of children go a long way to making the day better. Audrey, Nadia, Andari (sisters) and Kevin stopped by to bring me non-hospital food, smiles, and 2 hours of fun conversation to break up the monotony of a 2-week hospital stay.

Big Sister

Ella didn't know what to make of "the new baby" at first, but she has quickly become the BIG SISTER. Isn't this just adorable? There are a lot of pictures of Ella kissing her little brother. That's good because, being just 18 months old, there could be a lot of reasons for Ella to be not so loveable. But she always does the loveable thing! hahahaha

Ella's little brother

This is Ella's little brother....EZRA! He's about 6 weeks old now, but here he was just a day or two home from the hospital. Isn't he cute? I haven't been able to spend much time with him as of yet, but that'll happen soon!

The Sun Sets...

I love this picture! I took it just before we got the boat out of the water at the lake...isn't it awesome!

But this picture is more than just a reminder of a great sunset. It's a reminder to me that even though the trip home was a bit too short, the end of one thing is always the beginning of something else.

And there's always another holiday to be had!

A Long Day at The Lake

After a Sunday morning at church, Bethany's family, some friends and I went to the lake to go tubing. So much fun! As you can tell from AJ's face though, we were all a bit tired when the time came to pull up to the boat dock and head for home.

A relaxing day at the lake was just what the doctor had ordered. I think we all enjoyed resting in the sun (or shade), going for a quick walk, bbq hot dogs, and just hanging out with friends.

Best Friend...In Boston That Is!

Kendra and I always manage to fit in a weekend visit when I go home for the summer. This was taken at the end of our visit, just as we were packing things in the car to head to the airport. Visits with Kendra always feel much too short and go by much too quickly.

We had a great time catching up on life, shopping...lots of shopping, showing off photos from the last couple of years, and just basically enjoying good times with a good friend.

It's funny how the friends we made in college seem to stick with us for a lifetime. And even though since college either Kendra or I have been half a world apart, it's never diminished our friendship at all...

Like Mother, Like Daughter

Jen & her little girl Kearsten...had hoped to see them while I was in the Bay Area, but no...they moved to Southern California. And they lived less than half a mile from my sister!

Anyway, notice the family resemblance? Kearsten is the cutest little girl with a great smile! It was fun to watch her run around just enjoying the freedom of movement.

It was great to see Jen also, to catch up a bit, and just enjoy time with someone I hadn't seen in a long time. I hope we can find time to get together again the next time I'm home.

STOP...IT'S HAMMER TIME!

I really love spending time with my nieces and nephews. None of my nephews were in this shot, but then again, they weren't invited! I was staying with my sister Orlene in Orange, CA and we took 4 of our nieces for a week.

Obviously, we spent time doing a little woodwork. Their Uncle Jeff bought them each their own set of tools and helped them build birdhouses and pencil boxes with secret locks! Then their cousin Dustin got them picture frames to decorate.

On top of that, we also spent time at Disneyland, read books, played games...Twister was a favorite...and just enjoyed hanging out. What a fun way to spend a week!

San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge

Okay, so it's not the best photo ever taken of the Golden Gate Bridge. In fact, you can just barely make the top of it out over the trees in the background! But come on, gimme a break! Have you ever tried to take a shot of something you're seeing while in a moving car? I had it especially difficult...my friend Suz, who was driving the car, was in a hurry so we weren't exactly going slow! Haha...

I'd put a picture of Suz on here, but the only one I have was taken at the end of a long day, and we both agree it's a terrible photo! But at least it's a memory of a fun day with a great friend!

San Francisco was just a minor stop during my trip home this past summer, but it was a part of one of my favorite days of the 5 week trip.

1 Year Old, Already?

It's sometimes hard to believe this little sweetie is already a year old. Little Ella has grown so much! Here she is, getting ready for a snack. Auntie Tewy had to pull out the camera...with a twist! Ella could see herself in the view screen while I took the shot. I think she was trying to figure out how she was able to see herself! Anyway, it's just a fun memory.

The Aftergame Show

This is really what that lunchtime game was all about. Students and teachers coming together...for more than just lessons in the classroom. We ended with prayer and a good ol' "EAGLES!" cheer because we're really all on the same team. It's amazing how differently the students look at their teachers after we take the time to just goof off.

Not just a coach

Sometimes, the coach must play! This was taken during a lunch time game between a team of six 5th graders, and 3 teachers (Mr. Jason - guys b-ball coach, Ms. Melissa -5th grade teacher, and myself). It was all in good fun. The student team had won a tournament involving 8 teams of 5th graders. Final score...28-16. We had a lot of fun, but...oh my!...were the teachers hot and tired when it was over!

3rd place Team

This is about half of the team that won 3rd place in the SMP Girls' Basketball SPH Cup 2007. They weren't as excited about 3rd place as I would have liked them to be, but as I said, 3rd place is better than no place. They learned a valuable lesson though...success only comes with hard work. So, next year they're out for 1st place!

Too Cute!

One of my favorite spots at Bethany's house...a chair you can sleep in! But in this photo, Bethany's two eldest children (Madison & A.J.) wanted to look at photos of my family. I didn't know this photo was being taken, but I like it! I call it "Too Cute!" because of A.J. gorgeous grin!

College friends...

They say the best friends in life are found during college. This is one of the best friends I found...Bethany. Her home and family are regular stops for me during holidays. This photo was taken over Christmas. I'm sure we were either headed out to shop or had just come home from shopping...that's always on our agenda!

Long time best friend

That's Patti & I...we've been best friends for years now. Through thick and thin, we still enjoy the moments we get together. When this photo was taken, we hadn't seen each other in nearly two years...so it was off to have pizza and beer, an old favorite from the years of softball.

Christmas with Orlene

There's nothing like spending the holidays with my big sister Orlene and her family. Here they are...Jeff, Orlene, Dustin & Jenelle. Christmas morning is always full of laughter, smiles, good food, and great fun.

Dinner at The Eastern

Ahh...dinner at The Eastern...our usual choices...Sweet & Sour Chicken, Mayonnaise Prawns, Broccoli & Mushrooms, Lemon Chicken, and Beef slices. We're creatures of habit when it comes to ordering dinner at this particular restaurant, but it's always good. And if you finish a dish, they'll refill it...for free...as long as you eat it all!

Reading with Ika

Visiting Mekar Lestari is often very exhausting. After 30 minutes of spinning kids around, swinging them by the arms, and just generally having a blast exhaustion sets in. So I sat down for a quick breather...that's when Ika decided it was her turn to have fun! She climbed up to snuggle with her favorite book...we sat there for 20 minutes as she pointed out all the wonderful pictures in the book. Spending time with the orphans at Mekar Lestari is one of my favorite things to do here in Indonesia!

My buddy...Edu

This is Edu, one of the little boys at Mekar Lestari, the orphanage that we help for our Christian Service project. I first met him 2 years ago, and every time we visit, he comes looking for me so that I can take his picture. This is his "cool" pose. I'm not sure what he was saying to me, as he does not speak English, but he thinks he's the bomb! One of my students taught him to say that!

Kindergarten

This is one of our kindergarten classrooms, a bit later in the morning on Tuesday. Because of water damage in the building, the 3 to 5 year olds had to move up with the "big kids." Some of them were just a bit frightened of us scary big people!

Difference of Opinions

Indonesians don't seem as threatened by the flooding as we are! This man was out in the thick of it, riding his bicycle down the street. Apparently, he had somewhere very important to go!

Flooding in my neighborhood

Apparently, flooding in Lippo Karawaci is rare, but this is what we woke up to Monday morning. From the Bridge, where this photo was taken, the water on the road was nearly a meter deep. That's roughly 3 feet for you Americans!