March so far...

We are about half-way through March and it keeps coming fast. We only have 1 more week and then it'll be Spring Break. 10 days of freedom and neither of us can wait!!!!

We've been keeping really busy since the lost time I wrote.

We have another Marriage Encounter weekend coming up this weekend. Jake and I are in charge of the hotel facility and so we've been busy planning and helping and organizing and getting ready. Last weekend we also competed in our first xtreme triathlon: The Xterra. So we have also spent alot of our time preparing for that and training. Now that's 1 of the 2 is over we can take a small breathe.

The Xterra is an extreme off-road triathlon. First you swim 1 mile (which really isn't that extreme). Then you run out to your bike and bike 24 miles (which doesn't sound that bad...) but those 24 miles are almost all uphill, on rocky, hill trails and through mud. (CRAZY) Then once you get finished with that you still have a 7 mile run (of course which is hilly, rocky, in caves and mud-outs) and then you are finished. There are lots of professionals that come out (from Aussie, Europe and even the States) and then there are lots of regular athletes (also from all over). Jake trained really hard these last few months for this and for doing the whole event. I trained hard on my bike as I did it in a team. Tami Winkfield was the swimmer and Amanda Allen, the runner.

We were all geared up and ready to go but then I had to go an crash and end it for our team. Two crashes, both hitting my head and after the second one they decided it was best to take me to the hospital. NOthing is broken and now everything is slowly healing - so I'm fine.

Jake finished and did amazing! This man is a triathlete for sure! He was hoping to be under 4hours and 30min and he finished the WHOLE thing in under 4 hours!!! His time: 3h58min. I could not have been more proud of him and all his hard, tiring work.

Here are some pictures to show it!

Oh and his "prize" for doing so well - a ring tattoo (since he lost his actual wedding ring)

Things are great here - just looking forward to a break - soon enough!

We miss y'all back in the States but then again, soon enough we'll be back there to see ya!!

Love always,

J & J

Jake, Tami, Russ and Kai (Kai who swam faster than all the pro's out there)

Tami and Jake getting ready to swim with me and "Oma" watching behind!!
Jake and I with Mike Vine, the Canadian pro
Kevin and I and our injuries!!!
my nasty knees
me after my 2nd fall in the First Aid tent
Jake right after he finished the whole thing - looks like he could keep going!
camping at Managaha!!!
wishing I could be in Japan for Cherry Tree season so instead I found a fake one to take a picture with!
Jake getting his Xterra "prize"
5-19-2007 (I LOVE YOU!)

The Love Month!

Things are always moving here in Saipan. It's already February 11th today!!

I am excited for this upcoming weekend. First of all it's a 3 day weekend - we get Monday off. Jake and I are both SOOOO ready for a day off of school! I am looking forward to sleeping in and relaxing.

This weekend will be full of fun and exciting events with lots of friends!!! Friday night there is a birthday party for one of my best friends Amanda. We are doing Happy Hour, dinner and karaoke and I cannot wait to dress up, go out and have fun! Then on Saturday we are helping two of our friend move into a new apartment. I love moving so I'm excited to help them empty out and move into a nice, closer place! :) Later that evening we get to get dressed up again!

The first grade is sponsoring a Father/Daughter, Mother/Son Valentine's Ball! It's at one of the prettiest hotels in Saipan and it will be such a blast. I cannot wait to see all my first graders dressed up and ready to dance!!! Pictures to come!

Then of course Sunday is Valentine's Day and I cannot wait to spend that day with my amazing, loving husband! As of now I have no idea what our plans are but something fun I'm sure! We will be going to watch Anjelah Johnson, the Comedian on Sunday night and we are very excited for it. If you haven't heard her comedy you should really check her out - hilarious! :)

So Happy Valentine's Day weekend to all of you!

May yours be full of love and laughter and joy! And may God's love fill you as He continues to fill my heart and give me love to love with. I am so blessed by Him and love all of you with it!

Love always,

J & J

Family Trip

Dad and Gma being here was such a blessing! They visited for 12 days! We spent time in our classrooms, touring the island, visiting all the beaches, hanging out and eating with some of our awesome friends here on island and just being together. Jake and I were so happy to have them here and saying goodbye this time wasn't as hard, because we are happy to say, that we will be home to North American, VISITING this summer! So hopefully you all stick around at some point so we can catch up! =)

Enjoy our vacation in Saipan through pictures!

We love you Dad!

We love you Grandma!

Thank you so much for coming and visiting.

One huge prayer request we ask is that you pray for our school. Saipan Community School is in need of 7 new teachers for next year...7!!!!

So spread the word, tell anyone you know - we need K, 1st, 3rd, 4th, P.E, middle school language arts, and ESL/computer. We need your help and especially your prayers! =)

Love always,

J & J

So excited to see each other!!!

Tamiko Winkfield (one of my closest friends) and Grandma making Japanese slippers
Gma and I shopping!
Grandma and Sandy getting pedicures!
Dad and I as we tour the island!
Dad and Grandma with Garapan in the background
Jake, Dad and I at Jeffrey's Beach - my favorite place on island!
Out for Korean food!
Relaxing at PIC
reading!
Dad and the gorgeous sunset!
learning how to windsurf
Enjoying the sunset and happy hour!
Dad came to visit while I was teaching nursery rhyme actions!
Grandma loved all the flowers!
Jake and his adopted daughter...Sedrei
She loved Grandma!
Sunset #2
Dad relaxing on the last afternoon!
to Mom! :)
Thanks for coming out Grandma!
Dad and Grandma on the sunset cruise!
Grandma and I!!!!
All of us after a VERY enjoyable evening! Thank you so much for visiting!

Family

Dad and Grandma have been here for 5 days now and life is so great! :)

They arrived on Thursday afternoon and we have kept them busy so far. We went to the weekly Thursday night Street Market with some friends, opened Christmas presents, visited classrooms and students at school, went to Managaha, tried to win $1000 at a Duck Race, at some Zoom Chicken, went to karaoke with Dad and Grandma (and they loved it), went and got pedicures with some awesome ladies while Dad and Jake went to the movies, had dinner and movie night, went shopping while the boys went golfing, head massages, games, and just sitting around catching up. It's been a full and busy 5 days so far and we still have a week left! :)

Hopefully the rain will stop now and we'll get some sunshine!

Everything is going well and I'm so blessed and happy to have family visiting!!!

We just want to remind everyone to keep praying for Haiti and the people there. Jake's Aunt and Uncle and cousins live in Haiti and have actually almost all left Haiti for the time being, except for his Uncle. They need plenty of prayers and help in anyway. We will keep everyone updated as we are updated on their situations.

Love

J & J

2010

We are here - 2010...I remember when it was 1999 and we were approaching Y2K!! Crazy how things change.

We have finished our Christmas vacation and are now back at school.

Our vacation was fast and filled with busyness. I was the coordinator for a Korean English Camp at one of the local Korean hotels. I had to be at the hotel every night to watch over and teach the evening classes. I had free-time during the day but all my nights were working there. It was a great experience. We lived at the hotel during it, ate all of our meals there and got to really know these 15 Korean students. They were a blessing. Jake taught several of the afternoon classes and earned extra money doing that. Otherwise he spend his vacation spear-fishing (because he got a new spear gun for Christmas) and watching cable tv (it was in the hotel room).

We both still managed to relax and enjoy our Christmas vacation. We spent Christmas eve with some of our great friends both at a Christmas Baking party and a Christmas Dinner party. We then spent Christmas Day with the Korean kids at the camp and the afternoon with Pastor and Sandy and some of our awesome "family"!!!!

New Years was spent at Emily Gries (the 1st grade teacher I replaced) wedding reception, our friend Linda's 50th birthday party and then a New Years party with some new and old friends! We really enjoyed celebrating and ending 2009. I was sure ready to bring on a new year! :)

We are now back at school and are half-way through the year. THANK GOODNESS!

Somedays I'm beginning to wonder if I chose the wrong professions. I would love some prayers on that!

Pray for us as we start thinking more and more about starting a family. It's scary and exciting and we would really appreciate prayers!

We are praying for all of our families and friends back home; praying that God will give you a BEAUTIFUL new year!

We miss you all!

LOVE always,

J & J

Happy New Year!
My new Korean friend Gia (LOVE HER) and long-time friend Nina!!!
helping Jake sing Britney Spears at New Year's party karaoke!
Amanda and I jumping on the bed!
My amazing friends and I do this thing called "shakey face" - =) (Hyun Jae (green dress), Shimiko (burgundy sweater), Hee Jae (red and white), Amanda (blue) and Kristina (in front of me)

Jake, Russ, Todd, Yosh and Nikki at Christmas Eve Dinner

Nikki, Kanae and I!!!! Two amazing woman in my life!

Jake with Justin, one of the Korean English camp students!

My Ladie's Bible Study Christmas Party!! (L - R: Nina, Mel, Amy, Sarah, Natalie, Emily, myself and Amanda)
Vinson (my student) and Hila his little sister, dancing in their church's Christmas Program
Our hotel room view!!!
Our Christmas vacation home!!
We went to the local MMA fight! Jake was excited!
The day school was let out, we took our adopted daughters out for a Christmas afternoon (McDonald's, the beach and presents)
my 1st grade class all ready for the Elementary Christmas Program
At the Saipan Community Church Christmas Feast with our Filipino Mom - Cris (pink) and Jan Springer!
Jake and his adopted Mom - Debbie Winkfield!