Happy Fourth! (a little late...)

We enjoyed spending our 4th of July with close friends (practically family) and celebrated the 82nd birthday of their dad/grandpa, Jim Cook. We had illegal fireworks (oops...) but it was too much fun lighting them and watching the amazing colors and sparkles to really worry.
We spent part of the night on Skype (web chat) with Patrick, and the whole group joined in!

Yesterday Bethany spent the day with her boyfriend celebrating his 16th birthday! They even let me take a picture (not happily :])

While Bethany was at camp, her degus (they're kind of like mini chinchillas, though I think they look more like Kangaroo Rats) got out, and when I went in there to try to find them, I almost had an asthma attack! So, as a "welcome home" project, Bethany is doing a miniature version of Clean Sweep. She's absolutely loving it! Or not...
Our friends are coming over today to help her move furniture so we can get to the dirty work. The end result will be worth it!

Well, it has been 2 1/2 weeks since Patrick left for Guyana. The girls have been at Church camp all week, so I have had the house to myself!

I wanted to share some pictures of Patrick (for those of you not on facebook).

This morning he was on "Good Morning Guyana" and then at a press conference. They are trying to get the word out about the medical free clinics, and also about the buildings they are constructing.

If you do have a facebook account, make sure you type in New Horizons Guyana in the search window. There are a ton more pictures of what they are doing.

Thanks for checking our blog out! Leave a comment if you get the chance!

Susan

OK, obviously I have a lot to learn about posting the pictures and such. Sorry about how confusing it is. Hopefully you can follow since I can't figure out how to fix it. I really, really need to work on this!

Susan

Pictures from Patrick

I decided today to share some of the pictures Patrick is taking (and having taken). I appreciate seeing what he is doing, and wanted to share it!

Here is Patrick on his first look at the sites...still in the clothes he left Tucson in...Behind him is the existing school on the site, they are adding another school on the same lot.

This is the site for the clinic

This is the Port of Guyana. All the supplies for the buildings, and the medical supplies had to be brought in on a ship in semi trailers, off loaded, then hooked to trucks and taken to the various sites. Apparently this was quite a process. First the ship docked backwards (cranes away from the dock), so he had to pull out and turn around. But they did finally get them off-loaded, and on their way to the various sites.

Bethany

Had to share 2 pictures...one of these things is not like the other!!

Susan

I have to share a picture taken at a recent wedding...

We are coming up on 19 years, and I still love dancing with Patrick!

Speaking of Patrick, he has made it to Guyana, but his luggage still hasn't...I bet he is tired of wearing the same clothes!!! (blech!) He went out and looked at the construction sites yesterday and hopefully will share some pictures later today.

His email address is: jtfguyana@hotmail.com

His actual address to mail things is a bit more difficult. It has to go through the hotel they are at, and will take at least 2 weeks. But here it is:

Patrick Keenan

C/O Pegasus Hotel

Seawall Road

Kingston, Guyana

I will share pictures as I get them, I will also share what the girls are doing here on the homefront to keep ourselves busy.

I hope you enjoy my try at "blogging!"

Susan

Well, life got much more interesting today. Patrick deployed to Guyana (that's in South America for those of you who wonder) for 3 months.

It is much different now, with older kids, not as stressful. But they also don't keep me as busy anymore!!

To catch you up. We totalled our 18 month old Chevy Trail Blazer about 3 weeks ago. We are very thankful that no one was hurt! 5 people walked away from a very serious accident. So, to add stress to my life, we had to quick find a new vehicle, that was friendly to my back, that fit in our VERY limited budget. So, on Tuesday, we bought a 2001 Mercedes Benz ML320. It is gorgeous, and in awesome shape (I'll add pictures later). The inside looks brand new. The outside has a few dings (it is 8 years old), but is in really good shape too. it drives like a dream, and it is awesome for my back!

Wednesday we ushered in a new year for Bethany....I can't believe my baby is 15 years old!! (again, I'll add pictures later). She is so grown up!! We decorated her door, took her out to dinner, and made her wear a crown!!

Thursday and Friday were spent getting Patrick ready to leave...

Saturday, we had brunch with our girls, then took Patrick to the airport....we are all sad, but 3 months will fly by!!