Friday, October 2, 2009
YOKWE...WELCOME TO KWAJALEIN
Hello everyone - FINALLY!!! I have used the excuse that we don't have a computer long enough, so I am up in the middle of the night on Kevin's laptop trying to update this blog. I apologize to everyone that has been asking about it and I have probably lost a lot of friends (or interest), but anyway, I am going to try to catch up this blog and add pictures of this beautiful paradise!
We got here around August 18, 2009. We are living in a 3 bedroom/1 bathroom teeny-tiny house. It is kind of like a "duplex". Our walls are cement block so we hear nothing from next door. I think a single guy lives there. I have been "nesting" getting things on the walls and all arranged here. I think it looks pretty homey for Kwaj! Now, I am working on the front porch. I have been scavenging wood from garbage piles and the dump! I have made a little bench to put plants on for the porch and also a wood planter box. I tried cutting "tin" w/ tin snips and I made 3 large flowers for my planter box. They are pretty cute but it is just too hard to cut metal, so I am done with that experiment! But, you know me, ALWAYS A PROJECT!!! I need to start working on Christmas soon! They say in November there is a big craft fair here, so I am trying to figure out something to make to enter. They say the Island across from us DOES have a fabric store, so I will try to find it on Monday. Anyway...
INFO: This Island is in the Marshall Islands. There are about 65 Islands I'm told. We are on Kwajalein. You can actually "google earth" this Island and see our roads, houses, etc. It is really interesting. There are 1500 people on this Island. Most are contractors working for KRS (Kwajalein Range Services). That is Kevin's employer. There are only about 9 Military people. This Island we rent from the Marshall Islands. It is a satellite tracking base. We launch around one missle a month. It is pretty high security and no one can just visit here. You must be "sponsored" by someone. So, if you want to visit us, PLEASE DO! Just let us know and we'll start the paperwork!
The kids are enjoying school. There are on average 10 kids in each classroom. They expect a lot from the students here and there is a lot of homework. Austin is on the swim team and Ashlee is on the soccer team. They have made a lot of friends and are always busy. A couple more families moved here (LDS) and they seem to have girls my kids' ages, so Austin only has one boy that is 16 that is LDS that he hangs out with. Most of them are Marshallese kids that he goes fishing with. He has stocked our freezer with fresh fish he caught! (Spear fishing and off of a boat).
They have many activities here. We joined the running club and they have runs about every two weeks. The next big one is the Columbus Day run. We are doing a 1/2 marathon. Last month was the Biathalon. Swiming and running. Kevin and I did it. There is a 24 hour gym, adult pool, kid pool, teen center, adult rec. center, 2 movie theaters (outdoor-if it looks like rain, bring an umbrella!), tennis courts, racketball courts, 1 cafeteria, 1 grocery store, and 4 fast food places; Burger King, Subway, Anthony's Pizza, and Baskin Robbins. They are all next to each other in a food court building. The beaches are unbelievably beautiful! Pure blue/green water and 85 degrees! No chill getting in, so I am in the Ocean all the time - YEP - NO one we have gone to the beach with will believe that one! I NEVER get in the Ocean in Oceanside, cause it is too cold, but not here! It's awesome! I joined the Kayak club and we paddle twice a week. Who asked me if I thought I'd be bored? I forgot!
This place is truely paradise. Kevin and I always say, the ONLY thing missing is friends and family. We wish you all were our neighbors here. Then it would be perfect! We are living in a VERY safe environment. We never lock our doors or bikes. The kids go everywhere and are safe. Because we have no cars, we can bike anywhere in 5 minutes! So, tonight I went snorkeling, then to the pool and did laps, home and made dinner by 6:00! I feel like everything is at my fingertips. No driving everyone everywhere!!!!!!!!!!!! YEAH!
Kevin is teaching Sunday School and guess what? Yep, I'm in Young Women! Poor Ashlee, she just can't get away from me. We also are teaching Seminary for 9 weeks this year! All the parents are taking turns. The kids like it at night, so we start at 8:30 p.m.
Our computer was broken coming over here, so until we replace it, I go to the Library to do my internet stuff. We have dial up and it is so slowwwwwwwwww! I hate it. But, I am learning patience. We are thinking of getting an Apple! More picture friendly I hear!
We are trying to get Mandy/Van & Nyah here for Christmas Holidays. Van is working on getting a medical rotation on the Island 20 min. away from here (Ebeye). That would be for a month, so that is exciting!!!! Then next year, we'll have Colt & Kristin here for Christmas! It is so expensive, but I miss my married kids! And I can't even tell you how much I miss that baby. Nyah just melts my heart and I can't even talk about her without crying!
If any one ever wants to call us, you can call for free from your cell phones. They gave us a California area code. So we are 19 hours ahead of Arizona so if you call after noon AZ time, we will be up and ready to talk! So, our number is: 805-355-2364. I guess I'll post our address too.
Kevin & Kathy Skinner
CMR #701 P.O. Box 667
APO, AP 96555-0007
Well, I am going to try to put some pictures on. I forgot how to do this. Someone said facebook was easier, so I may switch to that, but I'll try to remember how to do this.
Thanks for being patient with me! We miss you all!
Kathy
We got here around August 18, 2009. We are living in a 3 bedroom/1 bathroom teeny-tiny house. It is kind of like a "duplex". Our walls are cement block so we hear nothing from next door. I think a single guy lives there. I have been "nesting" getting things on the walls and all arranged here. I think it looks pretty homey for Kwaj! Now, I am working on the front porch. I have been scavenging wood from garbage piles and the dump! I have made a little bench to put plants on for the porch and also a wood planter box. I tried cutting "tin" w/ tin snips and I made 3 large flowers for my planter box. They are pretty cute but it is just too hard to cut metal, so I am done with that experiment! But, you know me, ALWAYS A PROJECT!!! I need to start working on Christmas soon! They say in November there is a big craft fair here, so I am trying to figure out something to make to enter. They say the Island across from us DOES have a fabric store, so I will try to find it on Monday. Anyway...
INFO: This Island is in the Marshall Islands. There are about 65 Islands I'm told. We are on Kwajalein. You can actually "google earth" this Island and see our roads, houses, etc. It is really interesting. There are 1500 people on this Island. Most are contractors working for KRS (Kwajalein Range Services). That is Kevin's employer. There are only about 9 Military people. This Island we rent from the Marshall Islands. It is a satellite tracking base. We launch around one missle a month. It is pretty high security and no one can just visit here. You must be "sponsored" by someone. So, if you want to visit us, PLEASE DO! Just let us know and we'll start the paperwork!
The kids are enjoying school. There are on average 10 kids in each classroom. They expect a lot from the students here and there is a lot of homework. Austin is on the swim team and Ashlee is on the soccer team. They have made a lot of friends and are always busy. A couple more families moved here (LDS) and they seem to have girls my kids' ages, so Austin only has one boy that is 16 that is LDS that he hangs out with. Most of them are Marshallese kids that he goes fishing with. He has stocked our freezer with fresh fish he caught! (Spear fishing and off of a boat).
They have many activities here. We joined the running club and they have runs about every two weeks. The next big one is the Columbus Day run. We are doing a 1/2 marathon. Last month was the Biathalon. Swiming and running. Kevin and I did it. There is a 24 hour gym, adult pool, kid pool, teen center, adult rec. center, 2 movie theaters (outdoor-if it looks like rain, bring an umbrella!), tennis courts, racketball courts, 1 cafeteria, 1 grocery store, and 4 fast food places; Burger King, Subway, Anthony's Pizza, and Baskin Robbins. They are all next to each other in a food court building. The beaches are unbelievably beautiful! Pure blue/green water and 85 degrees! No chill getting in, so I am in the Ocean all the time - YEP - NO one we have gone to the beach with will believe that one! I NEVER get in the Ocean in Oceanside, cause it is too cold, but not here! It's awesome! I joined the Kayak club and we paddle twice a week. Who asked me if I thought I'd be bored? I forgot!
This place is truely paradise. Kevin and I always say, the ONLY thing missing is friends and family. We wish you all were our neighbors here. Then it would be perfect! We are living in a VERY safe environment. We never lock our doors or bikes. The kids go everywhere and are safe. Because we have no cars, we can bike anywhere in 5 minutes! So, tonight I went snorkeling, then to the pool and did laps, home and made dinner by 6:00! I feel like everything is at my fingertips. No driving everyone everywhere!!!!!!!!!!!! YEAH!
Kevin is teaching Sunday School and guess what? Yep, I'm in Young Women! Poor Ashlee, she just can't get away from me. We also are teaching Seminary for 9 weeks this year! All the parents are taking turns. The kids like it at night, so we start at 8:30 p.m.
Our computer was broken coming over here, so until we replace it, I go to the Library to do my internet stuff. We have dial up and it is so slowwwwwwwwww! I hate it. But, I am learning patience. We are thinking of getting an Apple! More picture friendly I hear!
We are trying to get Mandy/Van & Nyah here for Christmas Holidays. Van is working on getting a medical rotation on the Island 20 min. away from here (Ebeye). That would be for a month, so that is exciting!!!! Then next year, we'll have Colt & Kristin here for Christmas! It is so expensive, but I miss my married kids! And I can't even tell you how much I miss that baby. Nyah just melts my heart and I can't even talk about her without crying!
If any one ever wants to call us, you can call for free from your cell phones. They gave us a California area code. So we are 19 hours ahead of Arizona so if you call after noon AZ time, we will be up and ready to talk! So, our number is: 805-355-2364. I guess I'll post our address too.
Kevin & Kathy Skinner
CMR #701 P.O. Box 667
APO, AP 96555-0007
Well, I am going to try to put some pictures on. I forgot how to do this. Someone said facebook was easier, so I may switch to that, but I'll try to remember how to do this.
Thanks for being patient with me! We miss you all!
Kathy
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
AUSTIN'S EAGLE
Austin just had his Eagle Board of Review! It was scary! (for me not Austin). He did great. I was proud to introduce him as my son! Now, we wait for nationals and see if they passed it. Then we can have our EAGLE "court of honor" for him. His big brother Colt went and so did our hometeacher, Bro. Hancock. Thank you to both of you! We couldn't do it without you!
Open for Business!
OK, I guess I'm bragging, but who cares! Mandy's salon just turned out so darling! I love it. She got these cute chairs at her old salon that closed and they look great in Austin's old room. We did some decorating and wha-la! A darling salon! I guess the pictures will say it all! LOVE IT!
Friday, May 15, 2009
JUNE 20 - save the date!
Number one son is getting married!!! He has found the sweetest girl EVER and we love her. Her name is Kristin Hardy and she signed his yearbook in High School! They went to school together, but never really hung out. But they are hanging out now! So, we would officially like to welcome Kristin to the Skinner clan and are so happy you two are tyin' the knot! Lots of fun plans ahead - that's for sure!!! Kristin is a kindergarten school teacher at Meridian and her kids LOVE Miss Hardy! We love her too!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
Happy Mother's Day
Thank you to my awesome husband for cooking my yummy steak dinner today! I had the "day off" and enjoyed it with a long nap, good food, and my favorite company (my kids). Mandy & Van made the greatest bruchetta!! And Colt & Kristin brought a multitude of hot chocolate to taste in lots of flavors! I love my kids more and more every day. I am so lucky to have them a part of my life. Sweet Nyah is so fun and getting so full of personality. I love to watch her try to talk! What a Q.T.!! My Mom has been with us since April 6th. She is a trooper and is being patient until she can return to Utah. But, for the most part, she enjoys it here. She is always trying to do something to help me! I LOVE HER!
Did pretty well at the garage sale yesterday. All together we made over $600. Now we will get everything ready for the movers to "survey" this Thursday. They will let us know if we have too much weight for the barge "pack out". This is such a crazy time for us!
The B of M reading is coming along. I get pretty lost when Nephi is talking "Isaiah". He even says his people didn't understand it! NO DUH!! I loved it when he said, and now I speak in a way that they will understand! Yeah, me too! If we are 1/4 of the way done by Wednesday, we will have our first reward - a MOVIE Friday night! YIPPEE!! I'll bet Ashlee is ahead of me in her reading. She is really good at reading every night!
Austin is all ready for his "Board of Review" with the Eagle Board. He turned in his "write up" and will meet Thursday night. Man, I'm so nervous for him. He is such a GREAT kid! I'm so proud of him. I hope he passes! Then we can have his Court of Honor before we move! His big brother Colt can come and sit in the Eagle's Nest along with his Dad! WAY COOL!!!
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY EVERYBODY!
Did pretty well at the garage sale yesterday. All together we made over $600. Now we will get everything ready for the movers to "survey" this Thursday. They will let us know if we have too much weight for the barge "pack out". This is such a crazy time for us!
The B of M reading is coming along. I get pretty lost when Nephi is talking "Isaiah". He even says his people didn't understand it! NO DUH!! I loved it when he said, and now I speak in a way that they will understand! Yeah, me too! If we are 1/4 of the way done by Wednesday, we will have our first reward - a MOVIE Friday night! YIPPEE!! I'll bet Ashlee is ahead of me in her reading. She is really good at reading every night!
Austin is all ready for his "Board of Review" with the Eagle Board. He turned in his "write up" and will meet Thursday night. Man, I'm so nervous for him. He is such a GREAT kid! I'm so proud of him. I hope he passes! Then we can have his Court of Honor before we move! His big brother Colt can come and sit in the Eagle's Nest along with his Dad! WAY COOL!!!
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY EVERYBODY!
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
TEAM SKINNER'S CHALLENGE
With the new value in YW of VIRTUE, we were challenged (as YW and leaders) to finish the Virtue Value Project. This means reading the Book of Mormon. Well, it has been quite a long time since I have done that (since Pres. Hinckley's challenge), so Ashlee and I (Team Skinner) decided to challenge 3 other teams to a contest! We are trying to do it in 90 days. We started yesterday and should finish July 18th. So, I had Austin download the whole Bof M on my IPOD and what a GREAT idea that was! I rode my bike today for a couple hours and listened up to chapter l0. I even listened to chapter l and 2 over again. I feel like I have a good start! Why haven't I done this before? Anyway, I found myself really empathizing with Sariah when Lehi was having his "visions". She griped and complained and murmured! When Kevin first suggested moving to the Marshall Islands, guess who griped and complained? "Oh Kevin, you are such a visionary man!" ARGH!!! That is what I got out of the scriptures today! I guess this blog will be my "journal" of sorts. I am not doing this for anyone else's benefit - but my own. Anyway, we challenged TEAM JACKSON, TEAM CHENEY, AND TEAM PACE. 1/4 of the way through, we will go to a movie. 1/2 way through, Costa Vita lunch, 3/4 - mother/daughter pedicures, and at the end - a big 'ol Slumber Party!!! It's always fun when there is a reward!
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Nyah's Baby Blessing
Today was super special! My first grandaughter was blessed. She is the cutest thing in the WORLD!!! She looked so precious in her long white dress. She is so tiny. I am so lucky to have such a sweet grandaughter. But, my favorite thing of the whole day was my sweet daughter Mandy. She bore her testimony about the atonement. She said that she probably shouldn't be grateful for the mistakes she had made in her life, but in a way she was because they made her who she is today. I just broke down because I LOVE WHO SHE IS TODAY! Those were some pretty tough days she put me through, but I guess it did make her who she is today. We all have to go through our own "stuff" to make us stronger. It's tough, but I am so proud of her. I LOVE ALL MY KIDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Anti-blogger turns BLOGGER
After swearing I would never join the bloggers in the world...here I am BLOGGING! Ashlee got to me and thought it would be a great way to keep in touch with all our friends we are leaving! WAAAAA! I can't quite think about it yet.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)