Home

When standing at our front door, you will find yourself greeted by this:


Welcome home.

I used to hate this little gnome, and I swore I would get rid of him as soon as we moved in. But three and a half months later, I guess he's growing on me.

We've been in Grand Cayman for almost 5 months now. It's hard to believe. In many ways, the time has flown by. I'm constantly saying how fast the days, weeks, months go by here. But then it also seems like an eternity till our next visitors, our next trip home, and our return to the states. I miss our Cincinnati home every day, but am reveling in the time we have been given here. I'm amazed to say it, but Grand Cayman is a "home" now too.

Home is where you hang your laundry


Home is where your puppy sleeps


Home is where your puppy beseeches with squinty eyes, will you please put that camera down?


Home is wherever I'm with you

On Friday Brent and I took Walter for a sunset walk on the beach. I love this part of my new home. Cross the street (don't forget to look right-left-right), walk down the path, and you're there.


Brent looking back to see what's taking me so long. Apparently, Walter's not the only one who gets sick of my picture-taking.


Can you believe this is real?


You know the Rascal Flatts song Summer Nights - "Flip flop tans and some white sand, I know the perfect spot." Ringing true.


Nothing calms and soothes like sunsets on the beach. As soon as I step on that sand, a million pounds is lifted from my shoulders. A friend from our old small group wrote Psalm 139:9 in a note before we left, and I think of it often. "If I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast."


Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but this isn't such a bad place to settle.


Eventually I made Brent and Walter take a seat so I could snap some wave shots without getting too far behind. Brent said, "You don't want to walk, you just want to take pictures." Haha, busted. My true motivation for a walk on the beach is revealed. And of course, I had to capture the faces in my "home."


It's true - as long as I'm with Brent, I'm home. But I'll take the rest of this too.


Yes indeed, this home is pretty amazing.

Laugh until we think we'll die, barefoot on a summer night
Never could be sweeter than with you
And in the streets we're running free, like it's only you and me
Geez, you're something to see
Home, let me come home
Home is wherever I'm with you

- "Home" by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros

Margaritaville and Church Cookout

Last weekend was absolutely wonderful, packed with fun get-togethers and lots of relaxation too. Brent and I planned a date night for Friday. We wanted to check out Breezes by the Bay, which is a grill right on the water in George Town. We had tried to go there with the Wehners but it was only open to people running the Cayman Islands Marathon Relay the next day. This time we took forever looking for parking (I insisted on finding something semi-close so my hair didn't get messed up, and my sweet husband was very patient :). When we finally got to Breezes, it was closed! Apparently they shut the doors at 6:00 - who knew? So this is how we ended up at Margaritaville, which is right next door.


We had the place to ourselves. I mean, it was a ghost town. I know these restaurants downtown are mostly for tourists and cruisers, but I had no idea how empty it would be on a Friday night. I guess I can't blame Breezes for closing early!


We sat on the deck outside, overlooking the water and the main street in George Town. The server was very attentive (bored), and we even got free drinks to "get our night started." Ha, little did he know that our next stop was the movie rental place.


Brent got some kind of burger with bacon and fried jalapenos and I had the License to Chill Chicken sandwich. Both very yummy!


On Saturday, Brent had to go to the office for a bit in the morning, so I took Walter on a walk and made my grocery list. We went to Seven Mile Beach where I sat in my new chair, feet lounging in the water, good book in hand. It was heaven! We took a quick trip to Fosters for groceries, and then headed to Dart Park for SCC's Servant Evangelism Cookout. The plan was to have a bunch of extra food that we could offer to people hanging out at the park. We had a great turnout, and got to meet some really lovely people. It was a lot of fun!


I didn't have my camera, but luckily others did. These pictures are courtesy of Rob Arthur. He got some great shots!


Watching the sunset - it was stunning!


After the cookout, we headed to Jenn and Nate's to watch The King's Speech. Nate made his famous (and dangerous) chocolate chip cookies. It was the perfect night.

On Sunday we went to church and then met Jenn at Governors Beach. Brent and Walter went for a LONG walk while we girl-talked. Eventually we moved the party to Lime Tree Bay's pool, where Nate met us. We grilled burgers and ate them on the pool patio, overlooking the boat docks and pretty dusk colors. The four of us walked to bible study together, and got to hang out with 13 other wonderful friends. We are currently going through Tim Keller's book, Gospel in Life. I am learning so much from the study and people in our group. I can definitely feel God's presence here in Grand Cayman. With a weekend like this, how could you not?!

Boat Dock Photo Adventure

Brent had to work late on Tuesday, so I headed to the boat docks for another photo adventure. I typically bring my point and shoot to potentially "treacherous" outings like the recent catamaran trip, so I've been missing my beloved Canon. Instead of waiting for a good photo op, I decided to take advantage the extra alone time and get some nice dusk shots.


I must say, I really dig palm leaves. Definitely something I will miss when we're back in Cincinnati.


Are you getting sick of Walter pictures? Anybody want to visit Grand Cayman and be my new muse?


I love how his paws sink right into the grass here. Lime Tree Bay has an extra cushy turf.


My ultimate goal is to be the kind of life photographer that captures beauty in every day scenes, and doesn't just wait for a special event or vacation to bust out the SLR. I should be better about taking shots during the day, but honestly there's nothing exciting about me staring at a computer and Walter sleeping on the couch. Is it sad that I want a baby just so I can have a new subject for my pictures? Don't answer that...

Catamaran Birthday Bash

Our friend Wes is turning 30 this July and wanted to do a big boat trip to celebrate. But summer is a tricky time in Grand Cayman as a lot of people plan trips home, and many of our teacher friends leave for months at a time. So he decided to do the outing a little early and throw a 29-and-a-half birthday bash. Any excuse for a party sounds good to me! We rented a private catamaran, which is basically a big sail boat with two hulls. The best part is the net at the front of the boat. The girls took over this prime sunning spot on the way out, but we graciously shared with the boys on the return trip.


I think there were about 23 people in total. It was a really fun 5 hours. I love cruising on the ocean (especially after taking my dramamine).


We headed for home right as the sun started to dip down, the perfect "golden hour."


Lucky us - we caught a beautiful sunset as well. It seems like the sun is usually blocked by clouds as it descends past the water, but it was peeking out this evening!


I had to smile at this circle of boys, chatting and chuckling. Happy times.


I'm so glad Wes planned this outing. It was our first time on a catamaran and we had a blast! Happy (early) b-day, buddy!

Vote for Maya!

You may remember my lovely London friend Maya. She is an amazing skier, kitesurfer, wakeboarder, surfer...you name it! She has a very cool blog all about her extreme sport adventures - I am majorly impressed with this girl!

Now she's entered a local radio station's photo contest and has a chance to win $1,000! It would be so exciting if she won, and it only takes two seconds to vote. Just click on the link below and vote for Maya Ogorzalek!

CLICK HERE TO VOTE