Every Rockstar has their start...

Since the videos work, we couldn't resist putting this one up of Kyle as well.

Two Legs are Faster than one at a time...

Kaeyln riding her scooter-bike-thingy... we're really just trying to see if we can post a video... hope you enjoy!

We're in Virginia...

We're here safely and have unpacked (or have we?). The next few weeks we get trained and oriented to what its like to live life in another country, etc, etc, etc. We have already met a ton of wonderful folks (there's a family living in an adjacent apartment that has a son and daughter around Jeremiah and Kaelyn's age...then a bunch of other folks that have 2 year olds- Jen, they act just like Kyle!:)

Sharon is on the "medical" team and will be administering shots, doing minor surgeries, and setting bones from ultimate frisbee accidents- she's a little ancy, but we think she'll do fine. There aren't any specific music teams to be on, so Anthony's going for the facilities team in hopes that he'll finally master the harmonica after he's done fixing the plumbing and cutting the grass. (we're kidding on all of this in case the intended 'humor' didn't read right...Sharon is on the medical team and will be a receptionist, Anthony has yet to be assigned a team but will be doing so later. He does not own a harmonica). The teams are what we "do" during the day apart from the lectures and hands-on experiences- i.e.-"Driving a Manual Transmission Vehicle" class.

We love all of you and apologize if the blog doesn't get updated that often while we're here. We'll be here until July 20th. Please feel free to email us! anthonyandsharon@gmail.com

Pictures... but still no home

We've been busy here in Florida, which is spanish for "flowery"... although if you're a 16th century Spanish Conquistador you already know all this. Florida's just like we left it 1 1/2 years ago - hot, wonderful and swarming with love-bugs (really, its plague-like right now... pharoah's are releasing people left and right). Some pictures...

We spent most of the day Tuesday visiting friends in New Port ("is that in New Port?") Richey. That night we watched the final round of American Idol. My text-message cell phone bill says that Taylor's gonna win.

On Monday Sharon and I shelled peas. Earlier that day I helped Sharon's dad take some cattle to the market - both firsts for this city boy. I now have a greater appreciation for steak and peas. It was sorta like a circle of life day but without any singing lions.

We told you when we started this blog there'd be many niece and nephew pictures. Here's proof that we're not liars.

Kaeyln, Jeremiah, Mommy Heather and soon-to-be baby sister making cookies. Jeremiah was very helpful. Kaelyn helped by eating the excess dough and baby sister just sat there in Heather's tummy.

For Mother's Day Sharon and I painted my mom's bedroom and got her a new bedding set. The wall's are very light purple (the picture doesn't really do the room justice) and mom loved it.

In Jacksonville we spent the day at Hannah Park with my side of the family. From left to right, starting in the swing: me, Mom, Sharon, sister Jennifer, niece Katelyn, brother-in-law Greg, nephew Kyle and brother Jason.

No pictures... no home...

We're in Florida right now spending some time with our families before heading to our overseas orientation in a couple weeks... then maybe once we get overseas we'll have a place that will once again be named "home" as we cease being nomadic... but that won't be til like August.

Saturday we went to Hannah Park here in Jacksonville with Anthony's family. We took lots of pictures but haven't uploaded them into Anthony's mom's computer yet... so the anticipation continues...

Presently we are cleaning/organizing/painting two rooms for Anthony's mom- the one and only Mary Lou Puccio Rivers- she deserves it and it is our Mother's Day present to her. We'll take some pictures of the final product and post them later. We just wanted to make sure our blog didn't get forgotten about and that you all knew we made it to Florida safely...

...oh and also, today is May 15, Mrs. Jennifer Brown's birthday, in case you haven't heard...

For Ginny (and Zoe)...

...this big blog world we live in is crazy. My friend?acquaintence?associate?sister? Ginny McKinney has decided that I should post a picture of myself doing something strange. What some of you unacquainted with the blogworld (as I am somewhat of an ameteur myself) should know is that I have never met Ginny, but have come to know (what she WANTS me to know that is) her by her blog. She seems like a great person, and a firm believer in our Lord Jesus. She posted something for me on her blog, and so here I am returning the favor. With the same picture I am also giving a shout out to my (soon to be "former") boss, Zoe "attention K-mart" Schoppa. I have been helping her paint the interior of her home since like November. Thursday I helped paint her mom's bathroom. The picture is self-explanatory...hopefully.
Also in recent days, I have found a couple pictures brought a smile to my face and a chuckle. We have a pet "Squirt" which was a stocking stuffer for me this Christmas. He usually stays velcro-d to my bathrobe, but somehow he made it out the window without us knowing (we live on the 3rd floor and don't have screens on the windows). We rescued him after who knows how many days out in the elements...we'll be great parents...
The next is Meagan Rampley...she loves Africa. She commandeered (Nautical term) my camera...

Where in the world???

Here are the places Anthony and I have traveled to. I must say that this little map was a bit humbling as I consider myself "well-traveled." (although there are small islands and countries in the Caribbean that don't take up much room, but are worthy destinations and offer loads of culture to experience)



The amount of red on the map will obviously increase since we're moving to Southeast Asia. We're hoping to do some traveling in the area on vacations and what not, but that still leaves like 4 continents untouched. Where would I go if I had my choice? Good question...

While watching our travel show "Globe Trekker" last night on PBS, the traveler was in the Arab Gulf States of Kuwait, U.A.E., and Oman. Our brother-in-law Greg has been to Dubai, U.A.E. with the US Navy and really liked it. The glitzy cities of the UAE, the dune bashing in Oman, plus the trek down the Wadi Bani Khalid (you swim and hike down the wadi and it looked spectacular!), the shopping, and culture are enough enticement for me. I wish the map had like a green color that could shade the areas you WANT to travel to. Where have you been? Where do you want to go?