Last Day at QE

Monday was a fun day and a sad day at the same time.  Fun, because all the kids got balloons, sunglasses, icecream, and cookies.  But sad, because it's the last time I will see these 13 children for a long time.  Lots of pictures were taken and even more hugs were given.  I think I'll let the pictures show you how the day went.

Oooooo "G"

Back away from my icecream Miss Allison!

"K"

Miss "S" & "S"

Miss Victor, Jessie, and I

Miss Laura and her "K"

Photo by Miss Allison Gray

Photo by Miss Allison Gray



Photo by Miss Allison Gray

I'm going to miss these kids so very much but I feel lucky and blessed that I got to be part of their lives, even for a short time.

Let's Go Fly A Kite!

I finally made it back to the Queen Elizabeth Home today after many weeks of missing our Monday visits due to family in town and trips to the US.  Boy had I missed these kids! 

Tomorrow is Labor Day here in Grenada and since the kids do not have school, we didn't have to do our normal routine of helping with homework.  Instead, we got to head over to the "pasture" to fly kites.  What a treat!  It was so fun to watch them run around with their homemade kites.

A big ol' mess of knots.

Out in the pasture.

And then of course there was some cuddle time too.

Giggle Monster

Only one more day left with these kids. I'm so not looking forward to saying goodbye.

Babes and Boats

I spend many of my Saturday mornings at Grand Anse Beach participating in OSO (Orphanage Student Organization) beach days.  Each week they rotate between Queen Elizabeth Home and Bel Air Home and a few weeks ago I was there with the QE kids (I know, I'm a bit behind in my posts).  These are the same kids that the SO's visit on Monday afternoons and I love that we get to see them again every other Saturday for a bit of fun in the sand and sea.

But this specific Saturday was extra special because it was the annual Grenada Workboat Regatta.  It's a good thing I was at Grand Anse Beach for OSO or else I would have competely missed it!  It was such an experience to see all of the boats racing through the water.  It looks like a lot more work than I would have thought and some boats even capsized. They had lots of booths set up with local food and drinks for sale as well as souveniers.  It was definitely worthwhile to check out all the action.

And they're off!

The wind "snapped" the sail and it scared me!

  What I want to know is how I got so lucky that I get to spend my Saturday mornings like this?  :)

A Case of the Monday's

Monday's are always super busy for me.  The day starts off early, packing a lunch for Josh and taking him to school.  Followed by SO board meetings, pool time at the University Club, and then off to Queen Elizabeth Home to spend some time with the kids.  And then of course there is dinner to be cooked, and the laundry that I accidentally left in the washer overnight that now needs to be rewashed because it smells mildewy before it can be hung to dry (this happens to me weekly, you'd think I'd be get better at it).  Before I even blink an eye, Monday is over and we're on to Tuesday which can be just as chaotic.   

Sometimes I wish Monday didn't have to come so quickly, because the week is going to be busy, and I could use another day to sleep in and relax.  But then I think about things like this.

 A drawing of Miss Stephanie and Miss Kelsey by my little friend Malcom at Queen Elizabeth Home. 

And I realize how important some of the things I am doing here in Grenada are.  Grandma Scurlock told me last week that she has wondered for quite some time now why Josh and I were sent here, to Grenada, of all places for his medical school journey.  But she sees now, through my posts, that maybe God was sending us here so that I could serve a purpose here with these beautiful children.  That maybe there was a greater reason for us being here than just an MD degree.  I'm beginning to believe her.

Queen Elizabeth Home for Children

Every Monday, the SO's head up to Queen Elizabeth Home for Children.  We play games, help with homework, and get to know some really awesome kids.  Last week, we had 19 SO's come out!  Which is by far the most volunteers we've ever had by leaps and bounds!  Both Kelsey (the other SO Volunteer Coordinator) and I are so thrilled that so many people want to give up some of their island time to help enrich the lives of these adorable children.  The kids just LOVE the attention of so many adults.  Their faces light up when they see us coming off the bus and I know that they look forward to our visit every week.

A VERY full taxi.

"Stephanie Says"

You're out!

Singing songs led by Miss Kelsey.

Getting ready for duck duck goose.

Red Light, Green Light

Puzzles!

Miss Cat found a friend.



Cheeeese



I encourage any and all SO's to join us on a Monday afternoon.  I guarantee that once you meet these kids, you will want to come back every week!  They will melt your heart, I promise.