For My Sisters

Have you seen this video yet? Totally makes me laugh, and love our swim team even more. Go USA!

Call Me Maybe

Warning...this song gets embedded into every cell in your brain from listening even once. Seriously good underwater robot among other things totally makes it worth it!

Ugh

A little gift from Jamaica. I am always amazed at the amount of dirt/debris leftr on the floor when I sort my families laundry. Never had a dead, smashed lizard before... Good thing I have Luke to pick up and throw away gross things for him mom.

Jamaica Funnies

Real moments from our vacation...

Grace being fed up with getting her picture taken

We saw this face a lot in Jamaica

 Graceful I am not. This felt so much more fun then the pictures show.

 Sophie had an unfortunate run in with the gate at our villa. Being ever so stylish, she developed a perfect triangle wound and black eye. After the drama, I said a prayer of gratitude. The closest hospital, a  rural, Jamaican one, was well over an hour away.

This just makes me laugh. It looks so weird and Jason is forever closing his eyes in pictures.

Luke was such a good kid on this trip. He was super patient with his mom wanting to take pictures of him all the time. Once he even told me that he didn't like getting his picture taken, he was just a good sport. Sweet Kid.

 Until this night...and then Luke was done with pictures.

Ya mon...cool snorkel

Jamaica

 Our trip to Jamaica was wonderful. Because we were visiting my parents as missionaries, we really got to experience much of the country. Most of these pictures are of the beautiful places we saw. I didn't feel comfortable taking pictures of the poverty and challenges of living in Jamaica. I was most impressed with the faithful Latter-day Saints we met with my parents. They deal with challenges so outside my experience and comprehension, it was very humbling.

We went to church with my parents in Ocho Rios at the small branch where they served for a year. Sacrament meeting was conducted by Bro. Paul Lester. He was baptized the first week my parents were missionaries and now is in the Branch Presidency.  Paul bore an amazing testimony of gratitude and contentment with what the Lord has given us. The Spirit bore witness to me of all he was saying, I felt his message resonate in my heart. After church my parents took us to visit Paul's home and I understood even more the strength of this good man.

Here are my kids in Primary. I guess Grace didn't want her picture taken...

 My Mom with Jody Ann and other sisters from Ocho Rios.

Our family with Marcus and Bro. Gail

I don't want to sound overly dramatic, but meeting these Saints has impacted me so much. Life changing.

Here are more of the fun, touristy things we did...

 All of these pictures are from YS Falls. It had to be our favorite place in Jamaica. We were surprised that they let you climb and jump off some of the low falls. Hands down, favorite place to swim of all time. The water felt absolutely amazing.

  

Grace with my parents on the ride up to YS Falls .

 Grace and Sophie both gathered their courage and jumped off  here. Of course after mom and dad went first!

 

 This is the view from where we stayed in Treasure Beach. After a bit of a fiasco with our first hotel, we totally lucked out and ended up here. I have never stayed in a more beautiful place.

 Playing at Treasure Beach

 Grace really is my beach baby. This girl adores the sand and salty sea.

 

  Sweet Noah picks me flowers all of the time. Just about every time we are outside he will pick a flower and bring it to me.

 Gracie and I loved this outdoor shower. It was totally private and super fun to shower in.

 Such a good trip. So glad we are home. I have honestly never been so happy to sleep in my own bed. I am grateful we were able to go. I hope it impacted my kids at least a bit. I know Jason and I learned a lot. It was so good to spend time with my parents! I have to admit I am super happy they are coming home in a few months.