The Heymann Family Journal

This is what Jessica would get for free in Cyprus (maybe 7 treatments). If we see a real change we may try to get her treatment in Germany. If we can not afford it, because they do have it here we would consider going to Cyprus again for the full 8 week recommended protocol. Juergen would maybe go for 4 weeks, then I would go for 4 more weeks. We could rent a very cheap apartment and take Jessica everyday to have her therapy. Just a dream. We will see. I'm just so happy we may be able to try it. I never expected such a gift! The sad reality is insurance probably will not cover this therapy for autism. It would probably cost us less money to go to Cyprus and have it there.

Here is a web site for go carts. Something cool for the kids to do.

I got an e-mail from the diving school in Cyprus. They said Jessica could use their oxygen chamber for free. They would arrange it with their doctor. Isn't that great!!! Nicole is excited about taking diving lessons. The other kids are so fixed in the now I think they can not comprehend what we are planning. They wanted chocolate milk for breakfast. I said no. They whined. When Juergen said do you want to see the house we are going to rent in Cyprus, they said no. They have to cry about their milk first. There has got to be a spiritual lesson there.

Our villa is called Lemon tree house. You can read all about it here . It looks like a dream house to me. I love this old style. I'm so grateful we could agree on a price and they had the dates available to meet our needs. What a gift! What a blessing!!!

I'm just putting this here for myself and my brother Rick to look at. These are ideas of things to do with the kids in Northern Cyprus. They have diving schools for kids. They take the kids down 30 meters. That sounded really cool! What also sounds interesting to me is one of these schools has a HOC(oxygen chamber). I wonder what they would charge me to take Jessica into the chamber once a day for a week? This is a very good autism treatment. Maybe Juergen could go dive with the kids while Jessica and I breath oxygen under pressure? If Jessica gets oxygen therapy and 12 days of sunshine (vitamin D) she will be so happy & healthy. ice skating – a new ice rink has opening in Nicosia near the Ataturk Stadium, call ahead to check opening times on +90 392 225 5378. Go-karting – the ZET International Karting Circuit is just outside Nicosia, you can call them on +90 533 866 6173 for directions and to book yourself in. Castle climbing – Kantara, Kyrenia, St. Hilarion and Buffa...

I made a slide show of the Villa I'm hoping we will get in Lapta, North Cyprus. It is an old villa on over one acre of land. The fruit trees are mature. We are allowed to pick the fresh lemons, oranges, and figs (Jessica loves figs) . The view of the sea looks amazing. There is a baker with in walking distance. We could have fresh bread every morning, and cake to go with our coffee every afternoon. This is the kind of place you could just hang out in. I want to relax and soak in the sunshine. I want to spend hours in the private pool. I want to experience the beauty of old Europe. I don't want to feel compelled to go go go! So I am hoping this is finally the house. There are plenty of things to see and do near this villa, but for me this would be the place I want to spend my vacation. Of course the down side would be coming home to a non villa! I guess a person does not need to eat the finest food everyday in order to enjoy it! Juergen and I ate a 5 star meal a...

"Beaches were deserted and smiling North Cypriots adopted you like a new best friend"

Offshore, the famous sea turtles of North Cyprus mingle with a fantastic range of fish that draw divers from around the world. These splendid creatures come ashore on the golden beaches in May to lay their eggs, about 40 cm down, before carefully re-covering them with sand and heading back out to sea. Then, two months later, in July, baby turtles hatch through their leathery eggs and dig their way to the surface before scuttling out to sea to meet their parents. Modern developments have driven the turtles from all but a few of their nesting sites in the rest of the Mediterranean, but the quieter bays of North Cyprus and the Turkish shoreline offer breeding sanctuaries for the 300 green turtles and around a thousand loggerhead and caretta caretta turtles that live in the region. It is impossible not to be in awe of these fantastic creatures and the beauty of their natural habitat. Turtle Watching on Alagadi Beach Indeed, as well as nesting on approximately 88 sandy beaches around Girne,...

Cyprus relies on Tourists for 50% of their economy. The tourists are not coming in the normal numbers. There are so many beautiful villas to rent at very good prices. When you travel with a party of 8 a villa is much cheaper then a hotel. Juergen is getting very picky about just what he wants for a vacation home. I think we are starting to settle on Northern Cyprus. The views are so amazing, and the villas so much larger and private then the very popular South. I have inquired about a few places. I like this one the best . I don't know if it is available but it has a nice web site. You can get a virtual tour. My favorite spot is the sun porch on the 2nd floor (1st floor if you are in Europe). The view is wonderful and I could just see Rick and Nicole painting there. This house also has a private beach. Imagine...a private beach on the Mediterranean. So I am waiting for an answer from the owner. If not this house then one almost as nice. What a privilege and joy to ...

HERE is an interesting article in CNN Money magazine about 20 companies that are actually hiring people right now. Maybe this could help you?

Nicole likes to make baskets. I thought she would love this.

Now this is the North part of the island. It is the Turkish side. It has fewer tourists and cost allot less then the South Greek side. They say that the North has a water shortage. I'm not sure how bad that is? Has anyone been to the North of Cyprus? Would you recommend it? I personally love to go to places that are less touristy. When I walk on a beach I don't like to step on people.

Thomas got a 1.5 on a German test this week. He was getting 4's and 5's on his German tests last year. We are so proud of the progress he is making! Nicole made a giant pinata for a Spanish school festival this next weekend. She still wants to touch it up with some gold. I had to show it off! It's stuffed with candy. She has already got a rope on it, and painted the rope to match the sun. Pretty cool. SAP is going to lay off 3,000 people. I think Juergen is safe but I'm not 100% sure. I am very sorry for everyone everywhere that has lost a job, or lives with the fear of being laid off. Juergen and I first got married during a recession. He had just finished his PhD but couldn't find work as a typing teacher. It was pretty difficult. You feel pretty helpless when you are not sure you will be able to pay your rent. Now we have a house mortgage and 5 growing kids. By the grace of God Juergen will continue as a fully employed worker. I always knew this global slo...

Yesterday Juergen was saying we should pay less. Today he says we should pay even more to get more. We will be in Cyprus for Juergens 50Th birthday. He now wants a view of the sea. I got a good offer on the cute stone house in the mountains, but it doesn't have a view. A view is important to Juergen. He loves to look out on a wide landscape. I guess it's the feeling of freedom...total freedom. My brother Rick is an artist, and so is Nicole. I would love a view that they could paint. In fact the thought of my brother painting with my daughter is really awesome to me! She could learn so much from her talented Uncle! So I am probably going to turn down the village stone house (sad). I am back on line searching for a view (with 4 bedrooms and a pool) that we can afford! The good news is I have the airline tickets. I have 4 months to find the perfect vacation house!

I'm so happy about our planned trip to Cyprus. I never thought we would do anything close to this this year. I was on-line for two days trying to get a cheaper price. I saved us 40% on everything. The house was even 60% cheaper then another house I had been looking at. My brother told my dad he could get the days off work. He plans to come. I got you a ticket Rick, so you have to come now . Really I think God is just blessing us with this trip because he wants to bless my brother. He has had a very difficult few years. Things are finally beginning to turn around for him, and we get to tag along on his "trip of a life time"!

Here is a little information about the small village we hope to stay in. I write this for my brother Rickey because he may jon us there. For the rest of you it's just free information. Can you hear my joy? I feel like dancing! My heart dances just thinking about going to this beautiful land... "Half way on the road from Nicosia or Larnaca to Limassol the white Lefkara hills catch the attention. The name Lefkara is attributed to the light color, almost white, limestone (Lefka ori – white mountains). The picturesque villages of Pano Lefkara, Kato Lefkara and Kato Drys are perched in these southern foothills of the Troodos mountains, 10Km from the Nicosia-Limassol highway and a short distance from the beach and the cities of Nicosia , Limassol and Larnaca. Once an administrative center with a population of more than 5000 at the beginning of the 20th century, Pano Lefkara today has a population of about 1000 and boasts a unique architecture that remains to this day. The...

I've spent way too much time on the internet looking for a vacation house we could afford in Cyprus. I think I found one. I just need the OK from Juergen to book it! UPDATE: The house did it!!! I just booked the flight and Praise God we are all going. It is a 3 1/2 hour direct flight, but with the time change we get to Cyprus at 2am. I hope I can get us a rental car at that hour! What a dream!!! I even saved 800€ on our very cheap tickets.

My brother Rickey might come to see us in May. Maybe Rick and I can go to Cyprus for a few days (say 5 days) and then hang out in Germany with my family the rest of the time. We could even take a weekend trip to Paris. It would save my family allot of money, and I still get to go to the wedding in Cyprus. What do you think Rick? Sort of the see Germany, France and Greek Cyprus in 14 days package. Not so relaxed but fun! I would want you (Rickey) to paint a mural on my garage door. Something with dandelions blowing in the wind.

Cyprus is an island that is divided between the Turks in the North and the Greeks in the South. I think the North looks really nice, but it's guarded by UN peacekeepers and it has a water shortage. No wonder the vacation houses are so cheep! Juergen says he would feel better about going to the Greek South. It is part of the EU. So now I am looking at the South. It cost more. You don't get the space (it looks crowded). I did find one very cool looking villa with a pool. I emailed the owner to see what it cost. It's probably a case of "if you have to ask you can not afford it" . When you are a family of 7, you have to ask about the cost! You can get a flight to Cyprus from Germany for under 300€. That is a great price…but again, we have 7 people!

My sister says my comment box is broken. I will try to fix it. In the mean time look at these pictures of Northern Cyprus. I am looking at vacation houses in the area of Kyrenia. I found some for about 400 Euro per week (villas with private pools and 4 to 5 bedrooms). Now that's value! I also found out that it's cheaper for us to rent two small cars then one mini van. I still don't know if we will go, but I think I can get us there for a two week family vacation and stay within our vacation budget. A good friend is getting married there in May, and Juergen has his 50Th birthday the beginning of June. Wouldn't it be cool to spend his birthday in Cyprus? Rickey (my brother) are you coming to visit us? Do you want to go to Cyprus for two weeks? I am dreaming, and just two days ago I had zero vision!

We got a wedding invitation from a very good friend. The wedding takes place at the end of May on the island of Cyprus. Now I don't know if we can go, but I've just spent the last hour looking at vacation homes. That will cheer a person up. How beautiful! I want to be warm!!!