"7 stars 7 stars, the kingdom is all ours..."

Stephanie my fellow Haiti team member wanted to get a tattoo to commemorate the trip and asked if anyone wanted to go get one with her.

You know I raised my hand!

After getting "the business" from a supposedly good studio, and being irriated at them, (boo)
I found Guru Tattoo who was nice and not uppity and was happy to have us as customers. Also, they didn't play death-metal music over the speakers 24-7. Thank you.

Corey, a fellow SJSU Art alumni, was my tattoo artist and completely professional and polite and not a mouth-breather. He didn't give me any crap for not wanting any black, outline or otherwise. Thank you.

Stephanie got L'Union Fait La Force (French, "Union Makes Strength") written in script on her back.

And I got the constellation of Christ on the Cross.



You can only see 6 stars in this pic, the last one's right around the corner, if you will.


Now I get to be a VBS counselor for Westgate this week and try to avoid kids grabbing my left arm. ;)

long wait

Here's what the wall looked like before



this is what the church mural looked like when I (we) finished.

It's about 8 x 8 ft....I think.



You can kinda see it, like where it is in the church in this photo. Up in the front on the left side of the choir.

Fear not, we have returned safely...

(this is a duplicate of the post I put on the Haiti blog, FYI)





...But not until we had:

Rode in the back of 2 trucks 4 hours up-country on a rocky dirt road, which they call Hwy 3.
Never before have I seen a highway that runs through two rivers and everyone's okay with that.
This is not to say it was incredibly fun and a gorgeous drive.
It totally was.
My backside was worse for it. Especially considering that when we arrived at the Citadelle, we all rode horses up the mountain to see it.

I won't say much about the much there is to say about the horse/horseman conundrum we all experienced. Only that for a country that struggles to bring in tourists, those guys...not helping. Somebody call PETA.

If you're like me, and you've never pondered the greatest fortification in all of Hispanola, I'll give you the skinny on it. (If you're a history lover like me, you can just click here)
It was built by a crazy general of the Haitian army who was convinced that the French would attack him and he would need protection.
Alot of protection.
So he enslaved many many people to build this huge castle-like structure only to never be attacked and later killing himself.

The best part of the tour was the lack of safety.
In the US or even in Europe, if you visit a major site like this, they'll say you can't go here and you can't touch that, and they'll have all kinds of ropes and guardrails to keep visitors in line.
Not so at the Citadelle!!
All of us could have fallen to our doom several times-- and it was great.

After our full color history lesson, we got back in the truck beds and checked into our hotel in Cape Haitian.


This is what the city really looked like as we drove through town.


And then from out of nowhere, our hotel popped up, that looked like this.

Which to me, was BIZARRE.
And made me feel squidgey.

But I was tired and incredibly dirty, so I just rolled with it. I felt cowboy solidarity that day because I, and everyone else, had never had so much road dirt caked on my face and hair, and eyelashes and braces ever before in my life.

Even though, our shower didn't work and our toilet didn't flush.
No complaints.
I was happy because there was a pool.

Even though, the food took two hours to come out of the kitchen,
No complaints.
I was happy because there was food (in a country which has serious food shortages).

Even though, right after we went to bed, the power went out and the A/C turned off.
No complaints.
Kevin and I had our own room, our own separate beds (50's style!) and there was so much to be thankful for otherwise.

We all swam in the pool, hung out with Kristie and JeanJean and their kids once more and then loaded up to go home the next morning.

Funny tidbit: The airline that we had scheduled our flight with went out of business between the time we booked our tickets and the time of departure.
So! JeanJean in his infinite and amazing resourcefulness transferred our tickets to TortugAir .

(Turtle airlines, they're slow, but they'll get you there!)

We flew on the big turtle plane (19 of us, Joel went ahead on another flight, poor guy) to Port Au Prince, then bussed over to the other airport to fly the friendly skies back to Miami and then finally to SFO at around 10:45 last night.

Most of us were running low on health-angels on the final flight home. Poor Stacy got the brunt of it, but Tom and Kevin and Kacie and probably several others that I didn't talk to were feeling ill.
I was only sickened by the completely terrible and horrible movie that I couldn't stop watching.




I wish I could express to you all the internal spiritual stuff that bumped around inside of us during the week and the culmination of it all.
I can't speak for anyone else, because we all respond in different ways.
I know that I have to go out again, whether in Haiti-- or in Sri Lanka, or Pakistan, or Mongolia or Jakarta.
I know that we lived in REALITY for those 10 days. Our american lives here are a facade or illusion or scrim that keeps me out of the loop.
I wish I could say definitely that I know I'm supposed to pick up our family and be an overseas missionary
or
that I'm positive my calling is here serving who I serve now, doing what I do.

I really don't know. I'm waiting on God to give me a big sign, I guess.
Kacie said she thinks God takes volunteers in addition to those he gives big signs. And I think she's right, and I don't know what to think about that now.

But I know that it felt really right to be in Bohoc, feeding the hungry kids rice, giving them clothes, and showing them that I love them the best I can (which comes out awkwardly I'm sure).

I'll try to keep my ears and mind open, and I'll let you know...

touchdown

I'm back.

WHEW!!!!!!

I have to take GiGi to the airport now to fly back to big D, but I'll post more later.

Baby Sunday

I will be far far away on Tuesday, so I'm posting photos early.

I have to make it quick because Baby R has been up for a while and I've been busy scurrying around making sure we have everything we need packed in our bags.

We went to Gilroy Gardens yesterday for a corporate picnic. And to my surprise, I liked it.
We didn't ride the giant garlic ride, but Baby C and Kevin rode the giant strawberry ride.
It had South Bay pride, and it was cute.



Tiny Thayers love carousels.


We were WAY past Baby R's naptime.
So I used alot of ice cream to keep the peace.




After he covered himself in chocolate soft serve, we intentionallywent to the water part of the park and washed him off.



Now, no baby love for the next 10 days. :(

Go to my mission blog for posts while we're there.

team foxy

Check out our Haiti Team.




I do believe we're the cutest team I've ever seen. And Kevin's not even in it! ;)

Can you see me trying not to show my braces, there in the back?

Despite appearances, there are some tough chicks that have construction and serious athletic experience. Good thing too, because I have none of that.

I got more information on the murals, two in the church, and two in the dorms. Paint and brushes are packed. Now I just have to figure out what they're gonna look like...

like a Survivor challenge

UPDATE: The plan has changed, see below...

Allow me to list the variables to painting a last minute mural in Haiti:

Can't bring anything bulky or heavy
which pretty much rules out rollers, pans and cans of paint
No projector
No clue where it's going or how many are needed
Must finish within 5 days, when not teaching craft lessons
hot weather and possibly rain
Must paint solely using feet and toes.

Okay we don't have to use our feet,
But you can see why my head might explode at any moment.

Pack as many brushes and tubes of Liquitex as possible.
Because we can't bring cans and we can't bring any no-no chemicals on a plane.
And a few sketches.


And then pray that it all comes together.

Oh man, it should be interesting.

Good thing I'm the official team blogger, so I'll keep everyone up to date while we're there.
(Yeah the layout sucks, but hey, I got other stuff to do.)


Points awarded to s/he who knows what movie this is from!

Baby Tuesday

Last Baby Tuesday before Kevin and I get on big-jet-airliner(...and then an itty bitty rubberband powered powered plane.)
I'll be honest, our mortality is weighing heavy on me. I'm going to do everything in my power not to get in harms way, but prayer everyday we're there is much appreciated. I want to come home to my babies.


We took a trip to Joe's house while Kevin was gone [for 10 days!]
Here we found that the Scooby playing cards he had, stuck to the kids' heads.


We also found that Joe owns the Care Bear movie. On DVD no less.
I think they pulled all 300 of his movies off the shelf and then did little jigs on the pile.
Look out bachelor pad! My kids are here!


Secret shots from before this morning's ballet class...


Her "classmate" was squeeeeeeling with joy.


She totally has the best tutu in the class.


I think she's stretching. 'Wouldn't want to pull a groin in "tiny tots ballet."
'Might put you out for the season.


Weekly Starbucks treatie. Today it's vanilla milk and strawberry coffee cake.
I love this skeptical look. Very pensive about what I might be doing taking her photo at Starbucks.

look out! 'hairbrain's in charge!

Behold, Kevin and I are in charge of the "Arts and Crafts" for the local kids when we're in Haiti.

I normally don't jump at the chance to be in charge of something.

I can lead but I don't get all excited about it,
and later I come up with a long list of stuff I screwed up and am embarrassed about.

But here we go, I'm at the helm.

So the stats are,
3 sites
2 sessions at each site
100 kids at each site.

We have a budget, but all of you were so generous to give to our trip, that I can go over the suggested budget and do really good crafts.

My idea: tie-dying.


Yes, it's messy, and slightly expensive. But it's really fun, and they can really use the end product. I never saw tissue-paper-flowers included on that basic need list..."food, water, shelter, paper flowers...:

This undertaking means I need to find 300 boys A-shirts a.k.a. wife-beaters, by Thursday. And they need to not weigh too much so we don't down the plane with them.

I have this quiet fear that half the kids will show up already wearing tye die and they will know more about than me.

We're also planning on doing the good ol' standard pony bead bracelet. If you've ever gone to a Christian summer camp, you know what I'm talkin' about.

And Kevin will be teaching origami. I will just be handing out the paper there, because it makes my head hurt.

And finally, I'll be facilitating a bracelet-making craft for women at 4am on one of the days we're there. (Because at 4am, it's not hot, and it's before they have to go to work)

Hopefully all of this will get me out of having to swing a pick axe. :)

THANK YOU!

Our funds for Haiti were due today and we raised all $3,000.00!!!!

THANK YOU EVERYONE!

Am I ready?

UPDATE: In addition to the funds received on this sidebar--->
we have had $ sent by mail, and my painting sold for $1,000.00!, so the actual total right now is:$2685.97. I think I should receive one more check in the mail for 400.00, so that would take us to our goal of 3000.00!


Aurora asked me if I was ready for Haiti, since it's less than two weeks away until we leave.
And instead of directly emailing her back, I'm blogging.
Share the love.




Well, I am ready, and I'm not ready.

I have the mindset, I'm ready to go do something dynamic and difference making.

But logistically, I'm kinda all over the place:

1. I haven't sorted out what stuff I'm bringing to donate to the village and what supplies I need for the arts and crafts I'm supposed to be in charge of. We have a maximum weight limit of 38 lbs of luggage for 10 days, that includes supplies and power bars, etc. You can see how it gets complicated.
I did go out and buy the trusty long cotton mission skirts from Goodwill. If you're not familiar with the concept, on like 90% of all mission trips, all women must wear long skirts and sleeves of some sort. It's kind of annoying, but the idea is to match the Christians of that culture/country. And usually the local Christians dress super conservatively. I bought an extra frumpy dress to wear to church in Haiti.

2. I want to find someone to watch our dogs while we're gone. Poor Gwynnie's gonna have enough to deal with with my little powder kegs, I don't want her to have to worry about walking them, and making sure that Frankie the Sprinkler isn't peeing in protest to our absence. I thought I knew some friends to take them, but they're going out of town. Arg.
UPDATE: Mark (without consulting Lisa) agreed to watch our four-legged-babies while we're gone. Whew!

3. I have to make a "how to" manual for everything in our house, like our oven, our TV, our computers. And I still wanna make 5 casseroles to freeze.

4. Our dishwasher is broken. Gotta get that fixed before Mom comes.

5. Franklin needs to go to the vet. He's got sinus problems. (I wish I could neti pot him!)

6. We need to go to the travel clinic and get our malaria pills, etc.

I regret that I couldn't buy all the stuff I wanted to buy to take with me, like a poloroid camera, astronaut food, new crocs, sweatable bra. But what I have I'm sure will suffice and will force me to get creative, which usually works out for the best.

her first masterpiece

No seriously.
I can't believe she did this:


The photo doesn't do it justice. It looks better in person.
I hung it in the hallway because I'm so proud.

Sure I'm biased, I'm her mom. But I also have credentials, and this composition has great balance, and use of color, and rhythm.


Here she is at work. It's paired with her still life I call Whimsical Grapefruit.

I really am impressed that all I gave her was a giant piece of paper, a palette of paints and two brushes, left her in the front yard while I mowed, and she came up with an abstract expressionist painting.
She knew when to stop painting and say it was done.
Amazing.

and it smells nice too

Would you have guessed this mask would take me four hours to complete?



Yeah, me neither.

It's made completely from eucalyptus leaves and I made it for the local HIV/AIDS fundraising gala, called Unmask the Mysteries.
I don't have the dough to attend the ball,
but apparently I have 4 hours and table full of leaves to contribute.

It was encouraged to somehow represent the organization that the artist represents.
It doesn't really say "Beautiful Day," it more looks like I'm representing "Quietly Underwatered."
I just wanted to make a pretty mask that the type of person that goes to these things might buy and actually hang on their wall and could possibly match their sofa[s].

It's a sofa-art season for me, isn't it?

Baby Tuesday

Baby C had her first ballet class this morning! She was over the top with excitement. More than Christmas. She even insisted that I carry her to and from the car so she wouldn't get her ballet slippers dirty. A big thanks to Grandma for making her tutu and taking her, while I was at the pedi's with Baby R. And thanks again to Auntie Dianne who bought her leotard and slippers. She looked like a [tiny] pro.

UPDATE: When I went in this afternoon to wake her up from her nap, she was laying on her bed asleep with her ballet slippers on. (she pulled them back out by herself and put them on.)


"Yes, thank you very much."





Baby R, in the meantime is getting into competitive baby sumo wrestling. The object is to throw your tiny, chubby opponent off the red table.
Obviously Baby R is the victor here.
Loser, not pictured.
His Dr. said that he's ahead of the curve on speech* and has a big head, but not too big. haha. He's a perfect specimen.

*His words include:
Uh-Oh
No
Ahviv (Olive, the cat)
Dog
Go
DaDa (which can pretty much mean anyone he's happy to see)
MaMa (also means, I want ____ now!)
Off
and possiblly "buh" for bird, but not sure

My wheels are always turning

So I'm considering wandering away from the crochet idea for this years HIV Christmas gifts. I kinda suck at it right now, and I started looking through other ideas. And I came up with two.



Keep in mind when you vote, that it's very likely I'll be personally making all 100.

Because I'm crazy.

And totally incapable of motivating anyone.

thanks to my "village"

Thanks Bennett for inviting me to the Pawnshop Kings show. It was really good.

And thanks Joanne for coming with me, because I needed "going out accountability."

Otherwise it would have been all too likely that I would've decided not to go and sat home and watched Dirty Jobs.

And finally a big big thanks to Kevin's parents that watched my little ticking time bombs tonight. Especially since I accidentally locked Baby C's (precious precious) blankie in the car and took the keys with me to Santa Cruz.
I'm sorry about that, and I'm sorry I was late getting back.
And THANK YOU FOR CLEANING MY KITCHEN!



Tomorrow morning, I will try the unthinkable. Pushing buttons for church service with the babies for 30 minutes before the sunday school teachers get there.
So many wires and so many shiny expensive devices.
And then I have to keep them both awake until 12:30.
I'll let you know how it turns out...

shhh

...I'm posting this video that I'm in, and I'm not sure if I'm supposed to or not...

hey look what I did

And here's another late night creation.

Guess when I promised the customer I'd have it to him?
Tomorrow morning.

Yeah, that's how I roll.

I filmed me painting it and peeling back the white parts (finally!).

But I have to edit it down, since it took me like 2 hours to paint n' peel.

I'll post it when it's snipped and little.

tonights project

It's a rough draft of the cover (front and back, laid flat)
and an example of an inner page layout
for the informational booklet we want to give everyone in a few months telling about all of the compassion projects that the church does.

I hate the way "Where do you fit?" looks, but otherwise it's going in the right direction.

I have to show it to the team tomorrow night.
The pressure's on, because I shot down someone else's idea and explained why the puzzle piece idea is better, and now they'd better be impressed or they're gonna go back to his plan!

Those are real photos of real people that we support.
If you'd like to know more about them, here are their links:

Cute little baby girl
Redhead with Peruvian boy
Guys with boxes
Girl with chubby baby boy
Guy with kids hanging on him
(he's part of the couple who got our easter painting procedes!)

Welcome Baby M!

Devon had her baby!

Hooray!

I'm pretty sure she did a home birth, I haven't gotten details yet on how it all went down exactly.

But hooray!