January 2009. . . Calling all Snowbirds ~ Part II !!!

[peach3es]

Did you ever say why you're over there? Is it work-related or just for an adventure? Regardless, you're much more brave than I am!

I'm not sure if I said it before. We were sent by our church in the US to partner with the Arab church here. We study Arabic, do relief and development work in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, teach Bible and English, among other things. Pretty much do whatever we're asked to do by the Arab Christians and church leaders. Scot is a Reverend. Ooooooo! It's a pretty cool place to be. And we're on the lifetime track, so we do 4 years here, one year in the US, etc. until retirement. At least, that's the plan!

We requested that this term be extended and our time in the US be shortened because our youngest son started kindergarten in the Arab school this year and we felt it was important for him to experience some immersion prior to returning to the US or else he'll have some trouble when we come back next school year. The original plan was for us to be in the US beginning this past June. We delayed for 6 months. It's all good. But boy, am I homesick!

 

[jenjolt]

I just realized that today is 100 days until my Disney trip! I hit double digits tomorrow!!!!

Now I'm ready to party!


I just might have to let poor Disco Dale in for this celebration!

Congratulations I'm getting close!! A week from today I will hit 100 days!! What is more exciting is my mom is coming into town tomorrow night to celebrate my birthday with me on Thursday LOL! That was one of the gifts from my hubby a surprise visit from my mom!! YAY!!! Of course it couldn't be much of a surprise because I had to clean my house before she arrives OOOHH!!

Oh and more good news YAY!! My hot water heater works again... so I took a nice long shower last night and loved it!! I had missed hot water more than I knew LOL!

 

[trixiequilts]

I really need to get ready and go to WalMart. I need to get a few more things for DS's birthday. He wants me to make Mickey head cut out cookies for his class! And I am making a homemade ice cream cake for his birthday celebration here for Friday night!

Do you have a Mickey head cookie cutter? I've been wanting one! I wonder where I could find one?

 

[jenjolt]

QOTD: I want a picture with Mickey and also when we go to Crystal Palace I have to get my picture with Pooh, Tigger, Piglet and Eeyore!

And it's my 30th Birthday today!!! My hubby gave me a new Nkion digital camera for Disney! He couldn't wait and let the kids give it to me early last night! I'm so excited now I can get my pic with Mickey with my new camera ! The most exciting part was that he said it was for WHEN WE GO TO DISNEY! He's not as obsessed as I am with Disney and is worried to be spending money in this crazy economy but he'll come around. Last time he was a big kid the whole time we were there.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

What a great gift!! Enjoy using it at Disney!!!

 

[MindyLuvsMickey]

WE CAN DO IT!

I have about 30 lbs to lose. Not before Disney, just in general. I think 15 before Disney would be a good start for me.

 

[peach3es]

Congratulations I'm getting close!! A week from today I will hit 100 days!! What is more exciting is my mom is coming into town tomorrow night to celebrate my birthday with me on Thursday LOL! That was one of the gifts from my hubby a surprise visit from my mom!! YAY!!! Of course it couldn't be much of a surprise because I had to clean my house before she arrives OOOHH!!

Oh and more good news YAY!! My hot water heater works again... so I took a nice long shower last night and loved it!! I had missed hot water more than I knew LOL!

Another birthday? HAPPY BIRTHDAY a little early!!! Man, we are going to be partied out!

 

[jenjolt]

I really need to get exercising! I'm almost running out of time for it to make a difference. I have to be consistent, starting tomorrow!

Trixie..if you motivate me I'll motivate you!! Want to be exercise buddies? I really need to be more consistent on exercising too even if it is evening walks LOL

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Do you have a Mickey head cookie cutter? I've been wanting one! I wonder where I could find one?

Yep, actually I have two! I got one at the Disney Store at the Orlando airport in 2007. I found that it was too large and the ears kept falling off of the cookies. I got a new one in May at the kitchen store in DTD. It's smaller, I'm hoping it works a little better.

 

[MindyLuvsMickey]

I'm not sure if I said it before. We were sent by our church in the US to partner with the Arab church here. We study Arabic, do relief and development work in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, teach Bible and English, among other things. Pretty much do whatever we're asked to do by the Arab Christians and church leaders. Scot is a Reverend. Ooooooo! It's a pretty cool place to be. And we're on the lifetime track, so we do 4 years here, one year in the US, etc. until retirement. At least, that's the plan!

We requested that this term be extended and our time in the US be shortened because our youngest son started kindergarten in the Arab school this year and we felt it was important for him to experience some immersion prior to returning to the US or else he'll have some trouble when we come back next school year. The original plan was for us to be in the US beginning this past June. We delayed for 6 months. It's all good. But boy, am I homesick!

peaches~that is REALLy cool. What a great adventure for your children.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

I'm not sure if I said it before. We were sent by our church in the US to partner with the Arab church here. We study Arabic, do relief and development work in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, teach Bible and English, among other things. Pretty much do whatever we're asked to do by the Arab Christians and church leaders. Scot is a Reverend. Ooooooo! It's a pretty cool place to be. And we're on the lifetime track, so we do 4 years here, one year in the US, etc. until retirement. At least, that's the plan!

We requested that this term be extended and our time in the US be shortened because our youngest son started kindergarten in the Arab school this year and we felt it was important for him to experience some immersion prior to returning to the US or else he'll have some trouble when we come back next school year. The original plan was for us to be in the US beginning this past June. We delayed for 6 months. It's all good. But boy, am I homesick!

That is very neat. I'm glad you are enjoying it so much!

 

[jenjolt]

I have about 30 lbs to lose. Not before Disney, just in general. I think 15 before Disney would be a good start for me.

Me too..I would really like to drop the pounds..Come on Snowbirds we can do it. I'll even break out a spreadsheet for us or something or at least ask sharadoc to make one!!! I got my pompoms Let's get moving!!

 

[jenjolt]

I'm not sure if I said it before. We were sent by our church in the US to partner with the Arab church here. We study Arabic, do relief and development work in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, teach Bible and English, among other things. Pretty much do whatever we're asked to do by the Arab Christians and church leaders. Scot is a Reverend. Ooooooo! It's a pretty cool place to be. And we're on the lifetime track, so we do 4 years here, one year in the US, etc. until retirement. At least, that's the plan!

We requested that this term be extended and our time in the US be shortened because our youngest son started kindergarten in the Arab school this year and we felt it was important for him to experience some immersion prior to returning to the US or else he'll have some trouble when we come back next school year. The original plan was for us to be in the US beginning this past June. We delayed for 6 months. It's all good. But boy, am I homesick!

Peaches your family is doing an amazing work!!! You guys will be in my thoughts and prayers!

 

[MindyLuvsMickey]

Trixie..if you motivate me I'll motivate you!! Want to be exercise buddies? I really need to be more consistent on exercising too even if it is evening walks LOL

Let's all do it together. I need to work on my food intake. I love to eat.

 

[Monny2AE]

So I started working on a countdown calendar to give to the kids on Christmas when they find out about the trip! On Christmas morning it will be 27 days until our trip. Each day on the calendar tells how many days until we leave. Then each day of our trip tells them a little something about what we will be doing that day!

I'm so excited!!

What a fun idea to tell them a little about the trip each day!

Someone on this thread (please forgive me for not remembering who it is) mentioned they made a countdown chain or something that they found on the Disign board. Whoever you are, could you point me in the right direction to find it? Thanks!

I made a countdown calendar from Disney's website for my kids. I printed the pictures in B&W so my son could color it but we haven't gotten around to coloring September yet . He liked decorating it with stickers and he loves to cross off the days and tear off a page to reveal a new month.

Here's the link to make one...

http://disney.go.com/magicartist/calendars/index.html

 

[jenjolt]

Let's all do it together. I need to work on my food intake. I love to eat.

You're on!! We can do this!!!

 

[MindyLuvsMickey]

If i spent as much time outside running as I do on the Dis, I'd be a size 2.

 

[trixiequilts]

I have about 30 lbs to lose. Not before Disney, just in general. I think 15 before Disney would be a good start for me.

I think that's a really good goal. Not too crazy, but enough to make a difference.

 

[peach3es]

If i spent as much time outside running as I do on the Dis, I'd be a size 2.

Yeah...me too!

Here's to getting in better shape! I'm using Sparkpeople for weightloss and am pretty faithful at doing my 3-4x/week 45 minute elliptical trainer workout. I sometimes add a little toning stuff, but I HATE that!

 

[Monny2AE]

I'm not sure if I said it before. We were sent by our church in the US to partner with the Arab church here. We study Arabic, do relief and development work in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, teach Bible and English, among other things. Pretty much do whatever we're asked to do by the Arab Christians and church leaders. Scot is a Reverend. Ooooooo! It's a pretty cool place to be. And we're on the lifetime track, so we do 4 years here, one year in the US, etc. until retirement. At least, that's the plan!

We requested that this term be extended and our time in the US be shortened because our youngest son started kindergarten in the Arab school this year and we felt it was important for him to experience some immersion prior to returning to the US or else he'll have some trouble when we come back next school year. The original plan was for us to be in the US beginning this past June. We delayed for 6 months. It's all good. But boy, am I homesick!

I was wondering why you were there. You and your family are such wonderful people to give so much to others.



I finally got around to taking pictures of my pictures (so they aren't the best quality)

Here's me my hubby in 2001 at Crystal Palace while on our honeymoon...

And here's my son and I on the ferry boat at Magic kingdom in 2004. He was 6 months...

 

[BellaSoleil]

Goodmorning everyone!

I'm here....with my cup of sweet tea.

QOTD answer: I really hope Ariel is at the Princess Breakfast. I want to meet her.


Happy Birthday, Monny2AE!!!!

I'm not sure if I said it before. We were sent by our church in the US to partner with the Arab church here. We study Arabic, do relief and development work in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, teach Bible and English, among other things. Pretty much do whatever we're asked to do by the Arab Christians and church leaders. Scot is a Reverend. Ooooooo! It's a pretty cool place to be. And we're on the lifetime track, so we do 4 years here, one year in the US, etc. until retirement. At least, that's the plan!

We requested that this term be extended and our time in the US be shortened because our youngest son started kindergarten in the Arab school this year and we felt it was important for him to experience some immersion prior to returning to the US or else he'll have some trouble when we come back next school year. The original plan was for us to be in the US beginning this past June. We delayed for 6 months. It's all good. But boy, am I homesick!

Peaches, that is amazing! I kind of figured that was why you were there, but it's so great to hear all the details. I'm very proud to call you friend!