The President came to Key Biscayne

Saturday afternoon President Bush spoke at the Miami-Dade College. On his way out, he came to Key Biscayne for lunch. It was pretty uneventful, but still interesting to see. There is a lot of security around our island and Miami anyway because of illegal immigrants that try to cross to our borders. All the time there are reports on the news of boats full of Cubans trying to come across to our country to find freedom, jobs, safety. Once their feet touch the sand, they are given rights that allow them to stay. If caught in the water, they are deported back.

This city has been quite the cultural experience for us. We have made a lot of South American friends at our local pastry shops, grocery store, blockbuster, dentist office, neighbors...We now know how it makes you feel to be the minority. It gives you a different perspective on day to day living when you're the minority. We've tried to embrace their culture, and feel lucky to have had this chance to meet them in such a personal way. And we've certainly brushed up on our spanish......tener un dia hermoso.....adios para ahora (have a beautiful day...bye for now!)

P.S.......

This should probably be it's own post because it's so cute!! But I couldn't help myself - our adorable Ava!!! Guess who dressed themselves today?? Thanks for the laugh Kristen!

Birthday Girl!

HAPPY 32nd BIRTHDAY KRISTEN!! We hope you have a wonderful birthday weekend and a great year. I hope I look as good as you at 32! We love you and miss you!!!!!!!!!!!

Kristen on Miracle Mile when she visited in January

Eye Candy

So...I don't really know what eye candy exactly means, but this to me is what I think it is. We take a stroll along the beach after dinner when Josh gets home early enough and we catch it almost always as the sun is just gone. Since the sun sets in the east...it doesnt set on the water, but it still lights the water in such a pretty way.

Can You Come Down?

I could not get my internet explorer opened fast enough to post this to you. Since Josh and I created this blog, I have realized that people do actually look at it. And since I have your attention...I felt led this morning to share this amazing peice of God's word that Oswald Chambers so beautifully translated into a inspiration to strive for in our lives. I hope you will look to God's blessings today, and find them a breath of fresh air for you.

Can You Come Down?

"While ye have light, believe in the light." John 12:36

We all have moments when we feel better than our best, and we say - "I feel fit for anything; if only I could be like this always!" We are not meant to be. Those moments are moments of insight which we have to live up to when we do not feel like it. Many of us are no good for this workaday world when there is no high hour. We must bring our commonplace life up to the standard revealed in the high hour.

Never allow a feeling which was stirred in you in the high hour to evaporate. Don't put your mental feet on the mantelpiece and say - "What a marvelous state of mind to be in!" Act immediately, do something, if only because you would rather not do it. If in a prayer meeting God has shown you something to do, don't say - "I'll do it:" - do it! Take yourself by the scruff of the neck and shake off your incarnate laziness. Laziness is always seen in cravings for the high hour; we talk about working up to a time on the mount. We have to learn to live in the grey day according to what we saw on the mount.

Don't cave in because you have been baffled once, get at it again. Burn your bridges behind you, and stand committed to God by your own act. Never revise your decisions, but see that you make your decisions in the light of the high hour.

My Utmost For His Highest

Oswald Chambers (1874-1917)

2 Years!!

Monday Josh and I celebrated 2 years of marriage together!! This past year especially has gone by so fast. We celebrated at a great little restaurant in Miami, and the food was outstanding. We had dessert at Icebox, where Oprah's favorite cake is made. Yummmm!! We thank our families and friends for all the love and support you've given us during these first few years of marriage.

"For it is in loving, as well as in being loved, that we become most truly ourselves. "

Daphne Rose Kingma

Easter

Josh's Dad gets the opportunity to work from the company owned Key Largo house a few times a year, and we got to join them there for a few days last week. It was also Ruth's spring break from her first graders, so she came all the way south to Miami to relax for the week!! We all had a wonderful time together. It was special getting to spend Easter with them. We love our families and miss them so much!!!!!!

Easter morning sunrise

Easter morning after the sunrise service - a beautiful day!

Steve and Ruth on our back patio!

Relaxing!!!

Girls Just Want To Have Fun!!!

And that we did!! Mom came down last Wednesday and stayed through the weekend with us. We had so many things on our list to do, and just about accomplished them all! Her trip was a mix of relaxing at the beach, shopping, eating, and enjoying the sunny relaxing lifestyle that Florida is. Most of all, we just enjoyed being together. It was very special to spend such a nice time together that we don't often get. We showed her a taste of everything here....Lets just say, I had to push her back on the plane! Warning to those of you who haven't been to Miami: You might become addicted!!

The beautiful Fairchild Tropical Gardens. Coral Gables, FL.

Blown glass sculptures throughout the gardens.

Enjoying a fresh papaya smoothie at Fairchild.



A form of Bird of Paradise

Enjoying Dulce de Leche, the BEST Gelato on South Beach!!


Gotta love the Ritz Carlton, Key Biscayne. What a treat!



The Art Deco...my favorite thing about Miami



Our newly arranged apartment!


My cute husband

Cheers to Miami!!!!!