Lahloos and Other Tales

Doors and Windows...

The old adage is true...whenever God closes a door he does open a window! 

Thank you all so much for joureying with me... for praying with me and for being such a huge encouragement to me in all ways (spiritually, mentally, professionally...)  The past few days have been a bundle of peace...THANK YOU! 

Just today I got two Facebook messages...both that were so encouraging that I burst into tears reading them.  One was from an old friend who experienced a similar job situation as I had.... she too had come through it...and now on the flip side is seeing how God had a different plan for her... I am so glad she shared that with me... I had been feeling so alone...like I was the only one in the whole world who ever got terminated with out cause from a job I loved!  It really helped me to see again His perspective... that God really does have a plan and a purpose for me... even for me being "stuck" in Cayman (smile!)

The other message was just that...proof of why He sent me here!  Thank you Jesus for showing me this fruit just when I needed to know that you had me here for a reason. 

I keep a file... a "never quit" file... things I pull out from time to time to remember why I keep on in youth ministry... notes from kids, pictures, drawings...there is even a poem in there someone wrote long ago that had nothing to do with me...but it was a great poem written by a 7th grader that was so deep and thought provoking it keeps me reminded not to underestimate Jr. highers!!!

I got a note from a graduated Sr. from this past year... this student has had a HUGE spiritual awaking this summer...he wanted to thank me for the impact I had on him... and to encourage me to continue to be a "Spiritual Sisiter" to the students!!  It made my YEAR!!!    Needeless to say, that too will join the ranks of my file... 

I remember when God called me into Youth Ministry... I remember where I was and what I was doing..while I have rarely questioned the call...I had forgotten the promise he gave me that day... I clearly remember knowing that He would always keep me excited and passionate about Youth Minitsry...he has too... despite how much of a failure I have felt like this past year..I have remained passionate about reaching teenagers for Christ!   

We head back to school on Monday morning to start another year... I am sad for summer to end (although the kids are really excited to start another year!!) I too and ready... ready to see what this year holds... ready to grow and push these kids into a deeper relationship with Jesus!

Wash, rinse, repeat...

Today I came across a post on Facebook that really got to me.  I thought that I had dealt with all these old feelings about what happened in TX.  I was sure that I was over being “terminated” b/c I was doing a good job… but all those feelings came back again today…

 

I hate this.  I hate that TX still has its grip on me.  I miss those kids… we were ready to settle in and really make a long term go of Youth Ministry in that particular community… we were so sure that THAT is where God wanted us for the long haul.   It just hurts so much.  This past year the 9^th graders that we started with all graduated.. we all had plans to have this amazing graduation bash to celebrate… we all had plans to do that awesome overseas missions trip… things that were in the works when we were forced out…

 

Forced out by lies, jealousy, misunderstandings and gutless actions by two pastors who should have known better… they really have the art of manipulation down to a tee.  They knew exactly how to get me to leave and force me to keep my mouth closed.

 

 They spread a lie about me needing counseling for anger issues… issues that they themselves created.  I was told that I was insubordinate, yet I never got any memos, warnings or written reprimands that said so.   I was told that I wasn’t involved in the greater Conference… yet I was several committees and planning things for district wide events… I was told I didn’t participate in church wide events, yet those events were not talked about in staff meeting or shared with the staff so that everyone was on the same page. 

 

I am not able to sleep tonight b/c I can’t stop thinking about all of it… the betrayal was the worst… two people who I had confided in as friends both went and shared everything I had shared in confidence with them to the two pastors. 

 

I have spent this past year in paradise…. It has been a nice spot to try to do some healing.. both mentally and spiritually.   Work issues here have also been tough… but 1^st years in new places tend to go that way.  The transition from church ministry to working at a school was harder than I thought it would be!  I think I made the jump well… I am geared up and ready for year #2!   

 

I pray tonight that God would heal my heart… I have focused on forgiveness all year… most days I have to keep saying it over and over… that I forgive… that I forgive…I forgive…  I feel so unworthy… I am not looking for pity… this has been a real struggle for me.  I have felt like such a failure despite knowing in my head that all of these events were in the works and out of my control… I know it wasn’t my fault… I know that all I did was follow my passion and calling to show those kids what a relationship with Christ is all about… buy man oh man does it hurt..

 

I guess this is a little of the rejection that Jesus must have felt and dealt with… knowing that he had done nothing to deserve the treatment yet having to endure all this pain and still have to forgive them in the end!!!! 

 

I have been angry!  Angry that I didn’t get to see my plans to fruition… angry that I wasn’t allowed to tell my side of the story or even say goodbye to the kids.  Angry that when we tried to handle the situation like professionals we were the ones to made to look bad.  Angry that when we tried to talk to the bishop he dismissed us out of turn.  Angry that I didn’t have the money to sue for wrongful termination!  (they told the kids they could talk to them about us leaving b/c of legal issues!)    But that isn’t the real reason why I am angry! 

 

I think the real reason is that MY plans were messed up… and that is just selfish.  Obviously God had other plans!  As I write this, I am seeing my selfishness in all of my frustration.  Maybe the cliché is true… maybe God had us there for those years “for a time such as that”… Maybe all I was there for was to get to know Kara… maybe all I was there for was to plant the seeds for those kids to grow deeper… maybe I am not the harvester, but the farmer who does the ground prep and the planting!  ????? 

 

I feel like I have all this gunk still inside and I want it out!  I want to stop having it rear its ugly head… I can forgive, but do I have to like what happened?  Do I have to like those people who hurt me and my family?   

 

If you think about it… can you continue to pray for me?  Pray that I will find that peace that  passes all understanding… pray that I can continue to forgive daily… and pray that I can move on! 

 

Big Summer Post

I just realized that I haven't blogged at all this summer.  This summer has been absolutely amazing! It's the first time in our 11 years together that we didn't have to work over the summer!  When you are a youth pastor, summer is your big season...kids are out of school...there are trips, programming, mid-week stuff that doesn't normally happen during the busy-ness of a school year. 

When you are a teacher instead of a youth pastor life is a whole new experience!  All year long I had built in vacations, normal weekends and months off over summer break...and the best part of it all is all four of the kids had the same exact schedule!!!! 

Rick did sign on to teach summer school, the extra cash was a huge bounus, especially with moving and needing to purchace bunk beds, and a few other things to make our new place work for us!  Other than that, we haven't worked at all! :)  Breaks are so nice!

We are coming up on one more week of summer for Rick and I, and two for the kids (we have a teacher week to head back to!)  This 1st summer in Cayman has been lots of fun! 

We moved!  Our new place is great.  It's about 1/2 the size of our 1st house here...but we realized that we weren't using much of the space of the other place.  It was HUGE... the kids had plenty of room to play...but the rent and the utilities and the distance to work, town, friends and the beach was putting an undo strain on our budget!  The last day of school we started looking for a new place as close to the school as possible! 

What we found is perfect...it is literally right across the street from the enterance to the school...we could walk if we really wanted to (and I am sure we will!)  It is two bedrooms, each room has it's own full bathroom!  It is two floors (the kids LOVE having an upstairs, not sure why, but they do!) The best part, is we have a POOL!!!!  We are in a #7 in a row of 9 townhouses...  we also have a full size USA washer/dryer....which is a big switch from what we had before!   Our kids are now all fishes, as they live in the pool! 

Right next door, our neighbors are also a Triple C family...Toby's friend Daniel and Noah's classmate Simba are over all the time.  It is fun having friends so close!  It is also nice to live nearer to other friends (The Benders!) and to all the stores we frequent weekly! 

We had our first visitors too!!  Grandpa and Jo came for a glorious week!!!  We transformed the kids room into a guest room (our go go gadget room!) and we had fun visiting beaches, our pool, and even exlporing the reefs of George Town on the glass bottom boat!  A week was too short, but we hope to have them back soon (don't want those passports to go to waste :) 

Here is an update for each person!

Noah:  Will start grade 3 this year!  We stopped by the school to show Grandpa and Jo and he found his desk with his name on it ready to go!  He is our builder and engineer boy.  He loves to build, construct and create.  His newest thing is collecting sea glass (glass from broken bottles on the ocean floor) and making sea glass pictures.  He sold me one of a palm tree that is quite amazing!   Noah is almost 5 feet tall...and we have the same size feet (he's in a mens 6!)  At the beginning of summer Noah also had a lead in the church muscial "Amazing Grace Race" he was the Reporter/narrator.  He did a great job (four shows!) And they were even broadcast on TV! 

Keighley: She will be in grade 2 this year!!!!  She is excited to move "upstairs" to morning care. Her goal is to make "Most Outstanding Student" this year.  She missed it by one point last year!  She is almost toothless...loosing or about to loose many teeth!  She is getting taller...she loves to read, and is very artistic!  She is constantily drawing, painting, coloring, and her newest thing is paper folding!  She keeps us busy..and loves to sit and chat!

Isaac:  He starts Kinder this year and is most excited to wear the real uniform (Prek just wore PE uniforms) He is excited to have his own belt!!  He is our best swimmer...if the kids are trying out a new skill they only get confidence if Isaac has done it first... this was true for jumping the "Cliffs" at Smith cove, for doing flips into the pool, for being thrown by daddy in the ocean!  If Isaac can do it, so can they!  

Toby: Just turned FOUR!!!!!  He will be in PreK this year (meaning all Grangers will be in one builiding!!!)  The week of his birthday he began jumping and swimming independantly in the pool!  He also will swim out to us in "deep" (5ft) water at the beach.  He LOVES Thomas and is the best track builder we have had!  Most mornings we are greeted with a HUGE track built all over the living room! 

Rick: As usual Rick is doing great and forever looking for a fun hobby or project to do.  Since moving he's put painting on hold... but has done a lot of reading this summer... :)  He taught 8th grade US history for summer school and had fun with it!  He found out last week that he is moving from 6th grade to 7th grade Science this next year!  He's excited for the switch.  

Me:  After being sick for the last 2 weeks I finally went to the doctor...now I am feeling tons better... while there I learned that I really need to drop some weight!!  I hate diets and I really don't like exercising at all!!  But I am committed to dropping the pounds!  So I began the South Beach diet this week.  So far so good!  Like I said I hate diets...so please pray for me as I continue on this path. 

I also have a new schedule for the school year, one that I am really excited about!  I get to teach 6th-12th Grade Bible!!!   I am excited to have all the kids! 

Summer has been a great time for all of us!  The kids are ready to go back to school... and Rick and I are also gearing up for another year!  I will miss sleeping in, and having a free time to do whatever we want!  So we will soak in the last days of summer and then move our beach time back to Fridays!  

We welcome all vistors!!!  We'd love to see you... we have two weeks off at Christmas/New years, and two weeks off in April!!!!  If you want to see the island and not us...feel free to crash at our place anytime throughout the year!!! 

Check out my "Summer in Cayman" album on Facebook to see pictures! :)

Fishing Expedition

Noah loves to create, loves to build and loves to invent new ways of doing the mundane!  He's amazing!  For days he was bugging Rick to help him build a cross-bow...he charged up the saw by himself to show daddy that he wanted to help and to get the project moving... with charged saw, they cut branches and fashioned the cross-bow... it really worked too!!  Noah's fascination with said cross-bow lasted about 20 minutes and he was on to something new and better...

A fishing pole!

He ripped apart the weapon and designed a fishing pole... it's not his own design mind you...it was a stick, some parachute cord (ripped open and picked apart!) with a paper-clip hook (which he tied on himself)  He spent the rest of the day trying to figure out what to use as bait...with me scampering around behind him telling him that he couldn't keep food in his room/bait bag overnight or animals would come in to get him! 

He decided on bread for his first fishing trip... which after two days of non-stop begging Rick took him down to a dock not far from our house.  Off he walked, pole in hand... I was not there to witness his first trip.... Rick has that story!  But I was at home to hear the triumph of success...

He actually caught a fish with his homemade pole and paperclip hook!!!  Of course he threw it back in to live another day... but he CAUGHT A FISH!!!

This brought me back...to what feels like not so long ago of a few fishing trips I took with my best friend...we'd take our gear and head for the Yellow Breeches... our favorite spot was under the covered bridge.  We had our rubber worms, and bobbers... we'd climb down under the bridge and cast our line out...  I was 8 years old, and wasn't really sure what i'd do with a fish if I did catch it... but that wasn't a problem I'd ever have to worry about.  Sometimes we'd fish from the top of the bridge...a few times we fished from the swinging bridge... it was fun...and gave us something to do in the summer...

Today, we trekked back to the dock...this time everyone was there to witness the attempt... bread and now pineapple in hand... Rick helped him put the bait on the hook...and sure enough he was swarmed with a few different types of tropical fish!  (I never had that kind of luck in my fishing days!)  Keighley, Isaac and Toby quickly got bored and ran off to play on the beach... But Noah stuck with his task. 

About 20 minutes later, the others had wondered back to the dock...we were sitting there and suddenly there it was: A FISH ON THE HOOK!!!  He had done it!!!  He was so excited...we all cheered and were so surprised!! 

2 fish in as many days... wow! 

I can just hear it now... "where did you learn to fish?"

"In the Caribbean sea with a homemade pole and a paperclip for a hook? Why?"

 

Summertime in Cayman

AHHHH...it is finally summer here for us!  I know that it has been a really really really really long time since  I have posted, there is a good reason...but I am back..and it is summer at last!

The last few months of school/work have been a blur of assignements for the kids, choir programs, end of year awards, graduation (both pre-K and high school) as well as all of the end of the year "paper work" that comes with being a teacher. 

The most asked question of expats this time of year around here is "When do you leave and where are you going?"  For us, it's an easy answer... "We are not leaving!"  Sometimes we get strange looks like "Why would you stay here for the summer..you are Americans..???"  Other times we get " Why not, it's a vacation destination anyway!"  Mostly we get "oh...that's great..!"   We are excited to be hanging around the Caribbean for the summer! 

The kids are excited about daily beach runs (taking turns at our three fav. spots), the fruit for dinner, and the ability to stay up late and not have a bed time at all!  (Last night they all fell asleep in the living room!!) 

I am excited about not setting an alarm clock at all...not having to be up at 5am sure makes me a happier person!  I too am excited about our beach time and of course just relaxing at home and not doing anything.  (also blogging more :)

Today we headed out to Rum Point...it's a total tourist trap..the cruise ships bus people here throughout the day... but on a Monday w/ only 1 ship in port and all the local kids are still in school we had the palce mostly to ourselves!  They have beach chairs and hammocks..a nice bathroom and a food stand (We took a bag of snacks, sandwhiches, and fruit to keep costs down).  The best part about Rum Point is the water.  Not only is it crystal clear, but the max depth is about 3 feet...and its that deep for about 1000 yards out!  The kids can play, "swim" and hang out really far from shore and we don't have to worry about them much at all... Toby stays close to shore naturally...but the others are all tall enough that all they need to do is put their feet down and they are safe..there isn't an undertow!!! 

We had a lovely day (with friends to boot!) Our friend Kathryn was with us (along with some new firneds Emily and Chris) she scored a "local discount" on a water tricycle ($20 USD for 6o minutes) and we all got to go for a ride!!  It was a quite the workout..but  a lot of fun! 

We are also looking for a new place to live.  We love this house, don't get me wrong..its the best place we've ever lived!!  I love the space...the kitchen, the rooms... but the commute is long and the utlities put us just at our budget each month.  We started looking for a new place the last day of school (Friday) and have come up with a few options that are literally 100 yards from the school!  One option has a pool (it's a complex, a row of townhomes)  another is a house (no pool) and another is also a house (no pool, but a huge yard).  The savings on rent, gas and ultilies would be great...and give us a cushion.   Keighley is excited about walking to school! 

This week our kids are in the children's choir musical... Noah, Keighley and Isaac all have main parts... they are doing a great job. Keighley esp. loves this!  They have worked since Feb. on this show and it's really come together well. 

Rick will be teaching summer school...two days a week...and he has some Cadat Corps stuff this summer too.  One of us (both if we can swing it) might go to Orlando to do some shopping for the new school year... other than that...we have no plans... :)

This is our first summer that we both don't have to work full time!  It's heaven!  We are all on vacation for the next 70 days! The life a teacher is great!!  Work really hard for 10 months and get two full months off! 

Time to go get ready to see another house and gear up for some stir fry for dinner!  YUM!

Economics

When I was a kid I don't remember getting an allowence.  My mom took care of all the things that I needed, I don't remember working for an allowence, I was expected to do chores throughout the week and especially on Saturday (laundry, cleaning day)...but it wasn't for anything, it was becasue my mom told me to and it my contribution to our family (or at least that is what I was told smile) 

Now that we have kids we wanted to help them learn how to manange money from a young age, but both of us didn't want to pay them to doing things arond the house that are regular contributions to living in a large family... we have figured out something that works for us and our kids...

There are a few ways the kids (mainly Noah and Keighley) can earn money.  The first is through our "special treat" system.  When we catch our kids doing something good we offer a special treat.  They can have a small candy or a nickel or quarter depending on the act of kindness shown.   The other way is by doing "extra homework".  We print off worksheets for math, spelling, handwriting etc and they can earn anywhere between 5 cents and 25 cents depending on the worksheet.  They each get some birthday money from grandparents that they usually keep part of it to spend later. 

We provide all the food and basic needs like clothes, school supplies, toothpaste etc.  What has been fun to watch, is the kids starting to understand economics...when we are out and they want to buy something they have to weigh the decision to purchace or to save...

Yesterday, Rick was at the office supply store to buy some posterboard.  Noah asked if he could by a sketch book.  Our first response was going to be "No, we can't afford it" but before we could say anything Noah said "I have 10$, how much are they".  He was ready to spend his earned money on something that he really wanted.  He had weighed the "cost". 

At dinner last night, Noah and Keighley have to do a clean up chore (one does the table and one sweeps the floor)  Noah offered to pay Keighley to do his chore.  Keighley didn't quite get the idea that she would do hers and then get paid to do his (by Noah).  But it got her thinking about spending and earning. 

That same evening, Rick was painting on his new posterboard and Keighley came in wanting to paint with daddy.  She asked if she could have some poster board too...the response was "No, but you could buy one from daddy"  She ran to her room, brought back the price listed and started working!  The result was a art project that she spent clost to an hour working on with extra care b/c she had purchaced the supplies herself  (Noah also bought a piece and is still working on this huge drawing of the airport!) 

It's been fun to watch them grow and learn.  When we are at the grocery, Noah might buy a new kind of juice or a candy bar that we wouldn't noramlly buy.  Keighley likes to look around and really weigh her options.  She is most prone to buy art supplies (we have a great selection of stuff, but if she wants new watercolors or speical paper she will save up!) 

This system isn't a normal "chore/pay" cycle...but it has really worked for us.  And it has helped them to afford to do things that we can't do all the time.  We have seen them really appreciate special things.  When Noah goes to the skate park, he has to pay for it himself ($4 per 1/2 day).  Instead of skating for a few minutes and running off to play at the playground next door, he pays his money and spends 2+ hours practiceing and skating all becasue it was his hard earned money that got him in the door (it's quite a few worksheets to earn $4). 

We have started to talk about tithing and giving as well.  I am so excited and proud of them as we have guided them down this road to earning, saving and spending! 

What has worked for your family in teaching these things? 

A little medical history

Other than a quick post on Facebook, I haven't really talked a lot about what has been going on with me medically.  So, here's the story!

About a year ago, I felt an odd "lump" in my neck (right where an adam's apple would be if I were a guy)  It wasn't really that big, it wasn't painful, it didn't interfere with breathing or swallowing... I didn't have health insurance, and we couldn't afford a doctor visit, a specialist or a hospital stay... so it went unchecked. 

About a month ago, I woke up one morning and my neck was really swollen...my chin was also swollen..it was really strange.  I also had what appeared to be two bites side by side that were open... they hadn't been there the night before... that morning I called our doctor (we have good insurance here!!) During the exam, he found the lump that I had found a year ago.  The swelling, it turns out, was from a probable spider or insect bite in the night (not uncommon living in the Caribbean!) 

The doctor ordered me to have an ultrasound of my neck, the nurse suggested that it may be related to my thyroid.  The next week I went for the ultrasound...totally strange and silent experience, the tech did not say one word to me the entire 25 minutes we were together! 

The follow-up with my Doctor led to a referral to a ENT (ear, nose, throat) guy at the hospital.  That appointment was today! 

In my experience, my two favorite doctors have been my surgeon from when I had my hip surgeries and an Indian doctor I had in Thailand!!!  This doctor has moved into the #1 spot.  He was great...very down to earth and did not try to sugar coat anything.  He listened to what I had to say.  He examined me, looked at the results of the ultrasound, and almost sounded as if we had wasted our time coming... BUT...then recommended two tests and gave me three prescriptions!

Today, I had a fine needle aspiration (not as bad as it sounds) they used a very small needle to get fluid from the "cystic mass" in my neck...this will be tested for cancer.  It didn't hurt at all...but NOT swallowing while someone has a needle in your neck is a lot harder than the doctor made it sound! :) 

The second test, was blood work to check my thyroid.  The doctor suspects that it is over-active, or was at one time, this mass formed and my thyroid is having a hard time regulating itself!  (thus the meds!) 

All thsese tests will be two weeks in the making.  So, we wait! 

I am not too worried at this point, b/c I don't know anything!  The doctor seemed encouraged that the fluid he drew was clear, a good indication that it is NOT cancer!  At the same time, this type of cancer is very treatable with very little aggressive treatment.  

In the meantime, he is going to try to "suppress" my thyroid for a few weeks to give it a rest, he thinks that my body is overproducing a hormone b/c of the mass and so to suppress it would give my body a chance to regulate...all this while we wait on the official tests about what is really going on! 

Thank you for your prayers.  Please keep praying.  At the moment it looks good,and it looks like I won't need surgery or major treatment!  

 

The catch up post

Wasn't it just Christmas break a few days ago?  All my intentions of blogging have gone out the window.  Break morphed into gearing up to go back to school/work, which geared up for semester exams, which led to Isaac's 5th birthday and right into today as we get ready for Noah to turn 8! 

A lot has happened in the last few months...that and I kept forgetting to pay my yearly fee for typepad and Rick graciously got me all fixed up just the other day!

So, here is the big catch up post....

As hard as it is to belive, we have a 5 year old Isaac Benjamin Granger.  I can't believe that it has been 5 years since my first semester at Gordon Conwell, 5 years since meeting Kristin, Joe, Meredith... 5 years since moving from Hong Kong back the states, 5 years....holy crow! 

Isaac is a wonderfully sweet boy... he loves to swim, play Indiana Jones on wii, he loves school, reading, and his love for Thomas has not yet ended.  Right before his birthdy we scored a HUGE Thomas anthology at the libary...the cover was tearing off and they said we could buy it for .25cents!!  The book goes for $25!!!  SCORE!   Isaac loves ethic food, especially chinsese which we went out for the day before his birthday!  The waiter even surprised him with a cake...

That evening, for the thrird year in a row, Isaac promptly got sick! 

This has begun the immeidate clamping down and attempts to ween him off of sucking on his fingers.  He has resisted most attempts, but he is the one that brings any and all colds/sickness to the family!!!!  Finally, Monday, I taped his ring and pinky fingers together so that he cannot access the middle and ring fingers together... he is a tad fragile, but it seems to be working! :)

Noah turns 8 tomorrow!  This is also unbelievable... just 8 years ago I was living at the Farm, Rick's mom was alive... I was packed, showered, hair blown out, I took a Tylenol PM, I was ready to have our 1st baby!   My friend Danae surprised me with a visit... Helena, Amy, Megan, Momm, David, Karen, Dave all came to see us and to meet Noah (who wouldn't be named for another four days...and it was almost Virigl that won that battle!)  Rick's mom also surprised us by coming along to the hospital at 5am with us... it was so wonderful to have her there with us right before... she was the 1st to know "It's a boy!" 

Noah is a very special kid.  He is wicked smart...he loves learning...he's like his daddy in so many ways...he just "gets" it...he can figure problems out in a whizz...he loves reading, legos, wii, skateboarding, swimming, buidling, spy stuff, writing, and MASH!  He wants to learn Korean and would like to move back to Hong Kong!   He's almost 5 feet tall and his feet are only four sizes smaller than Rick's!  

He's the one that made me a mom...he makes me so proud! 

In other news, life in paradise is fun.  There are crazy politics and silly frustrations at work...but the kids are fun (and that's why I'm here right?)  I finally feel that I have had some break throughs with the kids... my 10th graders are very special to me....as are the Sr's.  But so are my 11th and 9th graders...all for different reasons.  So for them, I spent the day baking cookies to surprise them Monday...125+ heart sugar cookies to let them know that I care! 

I have escaped this round of family sickness...but I did end up at the doctor this week..I woke up Monday with a swollen neck and two sores under my chin...my doctor gave me some antibotics and some cream... he also found a "small mass" about an inch up from my collar bone (where an adam's apple would be if I were a guy)  On Friday, I had an ultrasound and I need to go back to my doctor next week for the results...

The "mass" does not hurt nor does it effect my swollowing, or breathing.  It has not gotten bigger and I can't find any others.  The tech for the ultersound was disconcerting b/c she didn't speak to me thorughout the entire procedure... not even a "hello, how are you?"  I am not too concerned, but I wouldn't mind prayer either!  Either way, I am very thankful for our insurance! 

Not too much elese is going on... the water temp and the air temp have been matching lately, and it's been too cold to go to the beach ( i know it's freezing to cold in PA!!!)  but it's been chilly here for us beach bums too!  :) 

Children's choir started again on Friday and the kids are all excited...Keighley and Noah are going to audition for "main parts" in a few weeks!  In the meantime, we are glad to have our weekly date nights back without having to pay a babysitter! 

Now you are all caught up...I am going to try to post a few times a week...I miss writing!

Caribbean Update...

It has been awhile since I have posted and updated everyone on life in the Caribbean.  We are still blissfully happy with our world down here...

Today, we are preparing to host the school staff at our house for an American style thanksgiving meal.  It's potluck style, so everyone is bring something to add to the table...we are hoping for some great caribbean food...I think jerk turkey would be yummy. 

In the meantime, I am doing laundry, making pies, and having the kids clean up their rooms, playroom and bathrooms.  Rick is scurrying about getting tables and chairs from the school amidst a "Pink Ladies Baraar" (No, I didn't misspell 'bazaar' that is what all the signs say all over the island!)

The kids are doing well, we had a bout of a stomach flu this past week.  We think Toby brought it home  and had it a week ago Saturday...from there it went to Keighley, Isaac and Noah all on Monday night...It hit me Wednesday and so far has skipped Rick totally!  Thankfully, we were able to enjoy our weekly date at Fidel O'Murphey's Pub...we go and grab a bit to eat to share (usually a turkey club) play some rummy and watch rugby or UK football. 

All four kids are in Children's choir with the church.  When I say kids choir, I don't just mean what you think I mean..a group of kids getting together over sunday school to practice a few familar songs and sing them a few times a year in front of "big church"... no, no, no....

I am talking about a full on, full fledged production...with costume changes, lights, makeup, tryouts, professional photo shoot, the works!!!!!!!!  Our kids were given a scholarship to be able to participate...Keighley is in heaven!!!  She loves it...all of it...she even got an understudy part, a solo in a song that she will preform in 2 out of the 4 shows they do!  

The whole thing is a bit overwhelming, but the kids are enjoying it...even Toby (whom everyone adores...he is known islandwide!!!)  It also has given Rick and I some much needed date time...Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings we get about 2 hours to go out, kid free, and do whatever we want!  This is how we found the pub! 

Work continues to go well...I do not do well with politics so I am working through keeping my head down and not saying too much.  I have a very interesting role and I don't think that anyone who has my job will ever actually be allowed to do it!  So, I do what I am told and teach my classes.  I am enjoying teaching very much.  I get to teach the 9-12th graders Bible. 

Rick is finding his feet with Science and Math, there is a great SEN and Math department head who are working with Rick on all the kids who need extra help and those who are way ahead of the pack.  He gets along well with his co-teacher (who is Barbation and has been in education for 45 years!) 

Noah is finishing up his football season (that is caribbeanfor soccer), he has enjoyed learning the game, but its been hard learning curve, these kids have been playing since they were infants and they have little patience or tolerace for a big white kid who doesn't know what he's doing!  Noah continues to do well in school, he is leaps ahead of his class in reading and math...we are looking at having him tested for promotion to 3rd grade (the system down here is about a year behind) 

Keighley LOVES school!  She made principals honor roll for the first quarter.  She loves her teacher and classmates...especially loves having little girls to play with (life with three brothers isn't always a tea-party!)  She loves to sing, dance, and preform.  She also loves the beach!  She loves to snorkel and her new favorite beach is Smith Barcadare. 

Isaac is reading!!  They have him working on site words and word families in PreK!  (PreK is a year head and then somewhere they fall behind!!)  His handwriting has improved and he loves Mrs. Bender to death!!!!   He too loves all things beach and underwater.  He also likes jumping off the rocks at Smith B too! 

Toby is the sweetest little munchkin.  We took our 1st ER trip for a head injury with him last month.  He has recovered well and still talks about "the medicine up my nose" with great disdain.  He tolerates preschool, he'd rather not go but stay home and play Thomas all day.  I wish that we could keep him home with one of us...he's the only one who didn't that time home! 

We are very much settled in...our house with its empty walls and sparse furnishings is home!  We love all the space!  The other day the kids caught a baby ignaua and brought it home.  They kept it as a pet until sundown and then set it free.  I hung my wash out in the caribbean breeze to air dry in the bright sun.   We will have tons of new friends over later to celebrate this time of Thanksgiving in all our lives! 

Tomorrow we will have our Granger Family Christmas decorating time!  Two whole bins we packed were for Christmas!!!!  We love this season.  Rick will load my school computer with Christmas songs and we'll start the countdown till school break!!! (Dec. 17-Jan 3).  In the meantime, I will turn 34 next week!!! 

Life is good! 

Day after Shock...

Is it normal or possible to go into shock the day after a traumatic event? 

Yesterday there was some excitement around our house...after avoiding the ER for the last 7 years, we made our first trip yesterday.  While I had my money on it being for Isaac, Toby made this first trip possible. 

It was a normal Saturday...kids were up and playing, I had started laundry, Rick was blogging, and talking with his dad on Skype.  Keighley and I were outside hanging up clothes and we could hear the boys bouncing around on their beds.  They have  a sweet set up in their room that is perfect for bed jumping. Three beds lined up in a row, not a foot between them...even little Toby can leap from one bed to the next. 

From outside it sounded like they were having a great time.  Our kids are huge risk takers, so having all three jumping seemed like no big deal.  I heard a "boof, thump" and a cry...I figured some one had knocked into someone...no big deal.  The crying continued and I banged on the window...to get them to stop.....

"DADDY!!!! DADDY!!! DADDY!!!!! COME HERE!!!!" Noah was screaming in his "i -am-too-scared- to -move" voice.  I bolted inside.  By the time I got to the boy's room, Rick was coming out (his second trip back there) He told me to stay there...but that only meant something was really wrong... (he wasn't sure how I would do with blood).  I rounded the cornor into the living room, to find Toby sitting stuned with a HUGE gash in his forehead.  Blood dripping everywhere. 

The gash was hanging open and was the about a 1/2 inch wide and almost as long.  It looked bad.  Rick was calm...I was calm...Toby was worried about the mess (his Thomas unders were messy with blood).  Rick got some gauze on his head, I had Noah load everyone in the van and off to the ER we went. 

Issac, Keighley and Noah were all freaked out, and we had them stay in the boys room until he was bandagaged... Isaac and Keighley were crying and we had them start singing to Toby to make him feel better.  While I got Toby in the car, Rick talked with them about being brave for Toby, that he was going to be ok, but we had to move quickly and stop crying. 

We arrived at the ER, Rick dropped me and Toby off and went to the school to pick up our insurance cards.  When I walked in, NO ONE WAS AT THE TRIAGE DESK!!!!!  Here I am, holding my little guy, whose bleeding from the head, and NO ONE IS THERE!  Around the cornor at another desk was the "resistration" I bluntly asked if anyone was going to help us, she said "yes", I said "soon" she said "yes".   Apparntley, you have to register BEFORE treatment...this didn't seem right to me..

We got into triage, the nurse was awesome!  She took Toby's pulse, gave a sticker, and tylenol all in about two minutes.  She assesed that stiches would be needed. No shock to me there!  We were taken back to the "surgury" room.  Toby was calm, and cool.  Worried about his temporay band-aid falling off.  Someone got us a story book, and Toby loved it!

Another woman was ushered in, also with a cut on her hand from a boning knife!  She was annoyed to have to wait.  After about 5 minutes she got up mumbling something about "They can't forget about a baby and an old lady" 

By that the doctor came in.  He was very friendly, took one look at Toby and got the nurse moving on new gauze, but this time with "numbing" stuff to stop some of the pain and to help when it came time for stiches.   He also ordered a seditive to slighlty sedate Toby.  He was defending this choice when I chimed in with "do whatever you think is best to keep him from freaking out while you stich him up!" He laughed, and off the nurse went again.  The seditive was administered through his nose, and that was the worst part of the whole thing for him!  He hated that!!! 

10 minutes later, Toby was loopy and "high" and was babbling about Thomas and Percy and Hiro all hiding from Spencer (which actually is a story line for a Thomas video), he had the doctor cracking up!  The doctor started by giving about 5 shots to numb the whole area, they he put in one internal stich to pull it all together.  8 external stiches later he was done...I kept telling Toby how great he was doing and complementing the doctor on how small the stiches were...the nuse said "well, he studied in plastics" THE DOCTOR WAS A PLASTIC SURGEON!!!!!!!

We got two perscriptions (pain and antibotics), no getting his head wet until the stiches come out...and come back on Tuesday for a dressing change!   That was it!  In and out in an hour! 

Today, as I was reflecting on all that happend...I started to freak out a little!  I wasn't freaked by the blood!  I wasn't freaked by the gash itself...but if he had hit in a different direction he could have been killed! 

I am super thankful for Noah who stayed with Toby but called for daddy!

I am thankful for Rick's cool head and combat life saving training...he knew just what to do and kept Toby calm too!

I am thankful for the staff at the hosptial and especially that a plastic surgeon was on call yesterday (a simlar thing happend a long time ago on a youth trip....bad accident, head wound and a plastic surgeon who was on call!!!) 

I am thankful that Toby is 100%  ok!  He doesn't like that he has to still have a band-aid, and he's not thrilled about keeping his head dry.  But he is playing and laguhing and being silly Toby today! 

I am glad that this was our 1st trip in 7 years.    I am also thankful that we have insurance and that the two perscriptions we had to get were less than 10$. 

Who knew jumping on a bed could be so dangerous!

What a difference

Today as I sat in church I was reflecting on the last year. 

A year ago, I was full in doing a pumpkin patch with lots of political church crap which marked the beginning of the end of our time in Seguin. 

Today, I was sitting in a church listening to a great sermon given by the Youth Pastor (who, for a change wasn't me!) with a great youth worship team leading us.   After church, we had new friends over, who came with four additional kids who are the exact ages of my own for an afternoon of playtime fun...I actually had adult conversation time for two hours straight!  We then headed to the beach, where we all played in the crystal clear Caribbean sea until it started to rain.  WOW!  What a difference!

We spent two years in a place where we had no friends...the friends we did have were  parents of kids in the group (which is hard to have friends who also are members of the church you are working for...also learned that you shouldn't always trust those friends b/c they end up sharing what you thought were confidential conversations with other people!)  but no friends that we got together with for a game night, or  play dates, or meet up with for dinner..... we tried to have people in our home, but it never worked out well (our place was so small, and they were usually uncomfortable that we were a family of six living in it so they didn't ever  want come back!)  

We have been here 70  days...we've had 6 different families over for dinner at our house...they've each been over multiple times.  Our kids have made so many friends that they also see outside of school.  I have colleagues at work who I can share things with and I know they won't run to the principle and "tell on me".  I am also working with colleagues who are super professional and are also striving to do excellent work. 

We always keep our eye on the international job bank scene....Rick belongs to a serivie that emails him with job openings..(same place that we found out about Triple C here in Cayman!)  A few have popped up recently that really sparked our interest.  One in China and one in Turkey!  We got a giddy feeling about the posiiblities!  Going back to China would be awesome (it was in Schenzen, just across the boarder from Hong Kong!)  Turkey, well, the name should be enough! 

As I sat in church this morning I realized....I am in no hurry to leave here.  We really feel that God brought us here as a blessing...as a reward...as a way of telling us that he loves us and is giving us this time to heal.  He's put us so that we could relax and recover.  That we could learn to love life again...to step out of our fog of depression...love our children they way we are supposed to and to love each other too! 

The water was crystal clear today....  I followed a sting ray as it skimmed the bottom looking for food...I held my youngest and splashed my daughter...I snorkled with Isaac and caught Noah as he swam by me.  I watched as they all played with thier four new friends...building sand castles and rolling down the sand hills created in last week's storm.  I talked with a new friend as well...swapping stories of living overseas. 

My life has taken a 180 from a year ago and I am so thankful and so happy....What a difference!