Cai & Jazzy's Double Birthday!

I still need to get some pics from my mom to complete the slideshow, but here's what I have so far. Jazzy's birthday was today and Cai's is in 2 weeks. But, since we won't be seeing any family even close to his b-day, we figured we'd do a double celebration! Cai indulged in his 2 current obsessions. He got a black Spider-man costume and ran around singing "Spectacular Spider-man." For Jazz's bday, all day, playing with his talking, interative Wall-E toy. I had already taken her to Barnes & Noble for a "girl's night out" where we gnoshed on yummies at the cafe and she got to pick out a couple books. Fun times, but 6 hours in a car all in one day is pretty exhausting.....

Well, here it is, the finale! Tomorrw Jazz heads home and we breathe a momentary sigh of relief before we spend the next 3 weeks, breathlessly preparing for the arrival of our boys. Each child received a scorecard of their performance over the week. Logan was good in most all areas, but was advanced in his individual footwork skills, meaning he had the ability to effectively execute individual technical moves. Jazzy was equally good in most areas, but was advanced in her shooting accuracy and power. All in all it was a really great experience for them and they're both way excited about playing soccer on a team in the fall. Can I get a HOLLA! for the end of summer!

Soccer Camp-Day Four

I don't have much to say about Day Four. And that's all there is. Here's a pic.On another note, the kids did one of their last crafts today. This one was REALLY hard, but the end results looked great!

Soccer Camp-Day Three

Pretty awesome stuff today. They practice most of the morning, working on essentials, them have 2-3 World Cup matches of 15 minutes each at the end. After each the kids sit down in their groups and the coaches make a few individual kids (different each time) stand up and be acknowledged for the some awesome display of skills in the previous game. Guess who got acknowledged today? That's right - LOGAN!!!! They said he got 2 World Cup saves, had a couple great tackles and 2 goals! Yup! Soccer Superstar! He kicks butt on the soccer field and plays harder than I've ever seen him play!

I also saw Jazz execute a few tackles, a save and assist in a goal. Super awesome! They're having fun and loving it!

How to buy a child in 10 hours

People have often asked us, "Why Haiti?" That question is considerably more difficult to answer than what people might think. Africa and all of its troubles are featured in countless reports, articles and fundraising efforts, but Haiti (which is far worse off in many respects) is largely ignored by the US. Truth is, Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and its child trafficking and slavery issues rival that of any country on the planet. It is discomforting to know, devastating to watch and see first hand. Check out the article, pictures and video from the NBC Nightline exclusive that aired the other night by clicking here. While watching and reading, try to remove yourself from the comforts of your spoiled, self-centered, American life and ask yourself, "What if I were so poor I could not afford even the smallest bite of food to keep my child alive? What if the only option I had was to give her to someone whose promises of a better life I believed, but knew deep down were not as true as spoken? What if fate had chosen for me to be born Haitian instead of American?"  

Once you have watched and read, I encourage you to not just walk away saddened, disturned or worse, apathetic. Do something. For HIS Glory Outreach is a ministry that supports an orphanage and community outreach program in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.  Though they currently have well over 100 children in the orphanage who they feed, clothe, provide shelter and education for, they must still turn away over 80 children per day.  For the cost of a single Starbuck's latte a day, you can have a hand in helping them provide a safe environment for these abandoned children.  Check out their website and follow the links for donation.  And check out this video, which explains a little more about the plight of the children and what this ministry and orphanage is doing to help. (Double click the video to start viewing)

Doing nothing, being apathetic, only serves to perpetuate the problems and seal the fate of these precious children.  So click, become educated, do something.

.....because the more you know......(bing bing bing BIIIIING)

Toothless Wonder

So, in the 6 weeks Jasmine's been here, she's had 2 teeth knocked out.  Yes, knocked out.  Granted they were loose to begin with, but only slightly loose.  The first was the week she arrived and it was Logan's foot to her mouth.  Then, last night, a very excited puppy jumped up and clobbered Jazz in the mouth with her head.  Out popped the tooth and down flowed the blood.  Mmmmm, blood.  I mean, really....

Soccer Camp - Day Two

Bruises, Bad Days and Brits

Day 2 was hotter than day 1 by far. Mostly overcast, but still enough sun to fry an egg on the sidewalk. Ridiculous! I arrived, as usual, about 15 minutes early to watch the kids play their "World Cup match." At kickoff, Logan faced off with a much bigger boy and promptly received a kiss from the soccerball square on his cheek. The kid was much bigger and I could feel the impact from where I was standing. Luckily, Logan did not see me, or it would have been all tears, but he sucked it up and tried to continue until the coach told him to go sit on the bench and chill. That's when the tears came, but in a markedly lighter rain than had I been present. Jasmine woke up today and was playin like she meant it. All in all, a good day of scrimmage.

Soccer Camp - Day One

So, Jazz & Logan are enrolled in this British Soccer Camp.  Kinda cool - they fly in british soccer players to coach the kids & teach them about their culture and the proper way to play football.  The kids had a great time, but were FRIED because the camp is from 9-12 - a HORRIBLE time of day for Florida.  Look for more pics in the days to come!