Happy Mother's Day

We had a full day planned for today, Mother's Day. One optional activity was strawberry picking. It was raining a lot over the past few days, so we thought this wouldn't be a possibility. But we made a quick last minute decision to try it out since the sky held up and Mum really wanted some strawberries!

Happy Mother's Day!!!


Only 27 pounds of strawberries... "only!" But we'll be sharing them with our AWANA Youth Group on Wednesday. Yum!


Art...that strawberry is really tempting, isn't it? Want us to send you some?


For those of you who have never picked strawberries or any berries, it's loads of fun. We have a strawberry self-pick right down the road from here. Why don't you stop over sometime and we can go strawberry picking together!

Happy Mother's Day everyone! =]

Mouse Adventures

My brother bought me two mice - Zach and Zoe. As some of you may remember from Guam, DJ and I love mouse adventures. Featured below are two adventures our mice have taken.

This is Zoe. She isn't too fond of swimming, but we had to try it out at least once...she prefers running.


Zach and his car... Zach is an active little guy who has tried a number of activities such as rope climbing, driving cars, playing outside in the grass, and of course, swimming.


All worn out from a fun day! =]

David's prep for school in DC

A couple of months ago David was notified, by Admiral Burt, that he will be attending the Industrial College of the Armed Forces (On Ft McNair) in Washington, DC. We are humbled by this opportunity!

A long story short, he will need to be a commuter... But where will he live when in DC?

After much prayer, David approached a friend, Fr. Jim Dowds, about living with the Redemptorist Community at Holy Redeemer College (Just South of Catholic University). The community, after the blessings of the Provincial, prayed and it is so. As part of the covenant David will join with the community, as his school schedule allows, for daily prayers and evening meals. Again, we are humbled by this opportunity!

Holy Redeemer College was built in the mid 1800s and is the home of a dozen+ Redemptorist Priests and Seminarians. The Priests are either academicians at Catholic University / Washington Theological Union or directly involved in formation withe the Seminarians. Along with David there are a couple other interlopers who are in advance studies in the local area.

David's room is on the top floor (84 stairs), 3rd and 4th window from the right on the face of the building. The Metro is only 15 minutes away.
David and Jim 'in uniforms' in the back courtyard of Holy Redeemer College.
Looking into David's room. The room is very spacious (~13 X ~17) and furnished. The exposure is to the East...'ah the beauty of the rising sun.'
Jim has said that 'where other Priests are known as Parlor Priests, Redemptorists are known as Kitchen Priests.' So appropriate is a warm - inviting dining room with the commercial kitchen in the background. Dinner is when most are back at Holy Redeemer, when they gather there are special readings and prayer before the meal. The food, prepared by Cena the cook for the last 12 years, is served buffet style from the center table. Clean up is a community project.
BUT, 'man shall not live by bread alone...' the Chapel, the place for... private and community prayers, daily Mass, and often just quite meditation and time with God...
Be well, do good, and stay in touch...

Emily's 18th Birthday

April 29th was my 18th birthday. If asked how I felt, I feel the same as I did last year... =] I had a great time with my family on my birthday, but also doing homework as this is finals week.


I am thankful for 18 years of life, the blessing of a wonderful home, awesome family, fun friends, and a God who is guiding me as I seek His will for my life...and my new pet mice - Zach and Zoe. DJ gave them to me.


A mischievous me and my big brother having fun on my birthday....

Earth Day- plant a tree!

A tradition in the Girardin family is to plant a tree on Earth Day. Below are some photos of our day:

We started off the day at the arboretum, hearing a presentation from some officials regarding taking care of our earth. We also brought four trees that we could add to our forest in the backyard. =]


DJ and his tree...


Ta-da! We planted a tree... isn't it a beauty? It is located at one of our local high schools. Many groups were located at the high school planting trees at the assigned places. It is so nice to see people enthusiastic about taking care of our earth.


So what did you do on Earth Day?

Last Week of the Spring Semester

It's hard to believe, but this semester of school is coming to an end. This was DJ's first semester at our beloved college, Tidewater Community College. DJ would describe his first semester at TCC, "as a great learning experience." His favorite class was his Bible class. He plans on taking three classes this summer semester.

I [Emily] have also enjoyed this semester. This is my second year at TCC. My favorite class was Educational Interpreting. My professor gave me the amazing opportunity to observe interpreting in the educational setting. So four day over the past two weeks I travel around Hampton Roads to a elementary, middle, and high school. I have learned so much. My heart is really set on becoming an educational interpreter.

Here is a picture of me after I completed an observation at a middle school.


I also greatly enjoyed my ASL4 class. This is the final class before I enter into the interpreting program. I am so excited! Below is a picture of my classmates and I. Left to right are: Trish, Kathy - our professor, Susan, me, Kellen (in front of me), Beth (in the very front), Tanya (next to Kellen), Tiffany (next to me), "Queen," and Janet. My class has been so amazing. Kathy has emphasized on storytelling. We've learned a lot in such a short amount of time! We are truly blessed by the ASL department at TCC.

Star Grieser and Kathy Mutter are amazing. These two teachers have been such an inspiration to me and my dream of becoming an interpreter/teacher of the Deaf. God has blessed me by putting them in my life.

*laughs* Yes, we studied so hard for this final...we ended up sleeping through it! Just kidding... =]

So this semester is coming to a close. What do we have planned for the break between semesters? I plan on studying for part one of my state interpreting screening. I will be taking it on May 16th, so if you can send up a prayer for me on that day I would greatly appreciate it. Also I plan to socialize among the Deaf Community. They are truly amazing and fun! =] DJ is practicing for the ASVAB, he plans on taking it after summer semester. This fall he is planning on joining the Air Force Reserves. Please pray for us as we make important decisions.

God bless you and your family... enjoy our updates! =]

Spring is here at last!!

Spring is at last here, as is another update from the Girardin clan. *smiles*

Below is David and I enjoying the arrival of spring...
I have such a good brother... hey, ASL interpreters don't walk barefoot through the forest! *laugh*


Self explanatory...*smiles*


Mum and David planting new flowers!!


The beginnings of our garden - onions.


Yea! It's finally spring!! The Girardin family is definitely enjoying it!