The Heymann Family Journal

Yesterday we went on a road trip to the South of the island. First we went to mount Olympic. We had a picnic lunch and the kids played a bit on a playground. Jessica was restless. That was stressing me out. We were being swarmed by ladybugs. I have never seen so many ladybugs. The boys were not happy being covered by bugs. I bet the view from the mountain is amazing at night. I wouldn't mind camping there just to see the stars. Then we went to the beach. Governors beach. It was very small but beautiful. Juergen went in the water with Sarah. It all seemed fine. Then when she got out of the water she began to scream in pain. We though she had been bitten by something poisonous. It was awful! She cried out in extreme pain! Juergen picked her up and carried her to the restaurant above us. I followed him. We finally found a shower to wash her off. It turned out salt had gotten into the sand fly bites she has (we all have these awful bites). Thank God it wasn'...

We just watched the sunset on day 7 in Cyprus. Here is a video of day 4 and 5. I hardly took any photos today, but yesterday I took 100's. I'm still working on that slide show. We are doing really great. Many greetings!!!

Philip and Sarah are hunting for salamanders in the garden. They both have sticks and they are turning over rocks. It’s too cute! Jessica is sleeping and Thomas is playing Lego. Juergen took Rick and Nicole to look at an old Monastery. I’m sure it’s beautiful but the kids didn’t want to go. I’m just fine sitting in the garden. It’s so lovely! Rick and I drove around taking photos today. We stopped and mailed post cards. We eat the best lemon ice cream. I bought some questionably legal DVD’s for the kids to watch here. I plan to leave them with the owner of the house. I don’t want to have any trouble with customs. Rick made the most wonderful fresh salsa for lunch. We also tried a cake I might serve at Juergen birthday party. He turns 50 on Monday.

The days seem to run together. I couldn’t connect to the internet yesterday. I hope we can get online today. It’s so relaxing here. I feel like we should leave the house, get out and see the sights. But I am sure I would be just as happy to just chill out by the pool, or on the terrace overlooking the Mediterranean. You can see by the photos it is beautiful, but photos some how fail to capture just how beautiful it really is. What a gift to just be here in this small piece of paradises. There is a small warm breeze blowing through the trees. The birds are chirping, and I can hear the children singing in the local elementary school that is near our house. Yesterday I heard the kids practicing the recorder. So sweet! We managed to drag Jessica out of the house yesterday. She wasn’t happy but it did her a world of good. In the evening she watched the movie Little Mermaid with all her siblings. All 5 of them sat on my bed watching the movie together. She wanted them there (...

It's only 8 am and I'm sitting on the balcony over looking the sea. I guess I've caught up on my sleep. The only thing missing is a good cup of coffee. So far I've only found awful English instant coffee. I know what your thinking, "how awful!!! Poor girl". Don't worry too much about me, where there is a will there is a way! I will find good coffee...I will, I will!!! Here are some photos from day 2 in Cyprus. Nicole went to Kyrina with Rick. Jessica still didn't feel good but is getting better. Juergen's big challenge was a Master sudoko. I taught the boy's to play Rummy. Philip, Sarah, and Thomas spent the rest of the day in the pool. I got too much sun but it was lovely! Today I think we will just continue to chill out by the pool. In a day or two Jessica may feel like walking, and then we will do some tours. My big goal is to get Jessica to spend a few hours in the pool. We decided not to scuba dive because the kids need to ...

The internet didn't work in Paris. Sorry! We had a great time. Here are some of the photos. We leave for Cyprus tonight (God willing). Got to pack!!!! Please pray for my Mom and Dad. The Dr wrote my moms injury down wrong, and now the insurance company doesn't want to pay for anything. My parents feel so much fear over this! We need to see God step in and calm this storm. Mom and Dad, I'm praying for you!!

So, I am sitting next to my dear brother Rick. He is doing his very best to stay awake for just a few hours more. Tomorrow we go (God willing) to Paris. So cool!!! I must say it is great to see Europe again through the eyes of someone seeing it for the very first time! Rich says a very big "HI" to all his adoring fans out there in cyber space. Gary make sure Preston gets to bed on time". See you tomorrow from the top of the Eiffel tower(well close to the top). HERE WE GO!!!!

I just bought an audible guide to Paris (Strollon a complete guide to Paris). I think we can listen to it in the car on the way. Paris is 4 1/2 hours from us. God willing we go on Monday morning.

Just two weeks ago my parents and I were having such a good time together. Today my mom sits in a Rehab center with a broken leg, and my dad worries insurance may not cover the costs! I would drop my plans to go to Cyprus but they wouldn't want that. It is not easy to live on the other end of the world. I'm so sorry I am not there to help. It stresses me out...I feel pretty helpless! My sister Shelley is going to visit her daughter in New York. She does not get to see her daughter so often. I'm happy for her and would not want her to change her plans. My sister Dianna is going to Washington to help her daughter because she just lost her baby. Again, I'm so sorry for this loss (life is handing us so much grief at the moment). Rick, my brother is coming here. So even when my parents have 4 kids we are all busy. As you can see I'm feeling odd going on a vacation, and not being there for them! I packed most of what we need for our trip to Cyprus. Rick com...

I just read my sisters blog. My mom has to go to a rehab center for a few weeks before she can go home. Her leg has to be strong enough that she can get up and down on her own. I'm sure that this news breaks the heart of my dad and sister Dianna. I'm sure they would do anything to take care of mom them selves. But what you will to do, and actually can do are not always the same thing. I'm certain mom will be better off getting the immediate care she needs. This is only a short term solution...a bridge. After her leg heals they need to give her knee surgery. That will also require months of rehabilitation. It is a bitter pill to swallow. I'm really sorry I am not there to help, but so glad they came here first. God was so good to us when he gave us our time together! A note to Shelley, I think you are being wise. Hang in there! I'm sure this was a very hard choice, but mom does need the correct care right now. It is not a long term thing!

My friend Kerstin gave me the Mother of the year award. Thank's Kerstian. If I'm the winner you are a very very close 2nd! HERE is the link

I was reading my sister's blog today and found out my Mom fell and broke her leg. There is a 9 hour time difference, so I guess that's why they did not call me. I have to wait to call them. The last time she went home from Europe she got into a major car accident. What is the deal!!! She was going to be watching Ricks son when he comes on the weekend. Now my niece and nephew will step in. Oh boy! Oh mom, I'm so sorry! Please get well soon!!!

Juergen thinks it cost too much to pay 20€ each for a walking tour of Paris ( a total of 80€). He's right! Then I remembered we have GPS. Maybe I can program the best sights into the GPS and we can do our own walking tour? Nicole can be our guide!

The Louvre is closed on Tuesday so we have to see it on Wednesday and then drive home!

The segway looked really cool but Thomas isn't old enough (Oh and it also cost ALOT). But we could go on a walking tour of Paris. I bet this would be a great way to get some interesting background of Paris, and some very good pictures!

We could take a 5 hour tour of Paris on a segway ! That would be cool! We are going to the Louvre , and also to Giverny . I also thought we could see the Eiffel tower , and take the boat tour on the Seine river

Rick, this is the link to Lemon Tree House in Northern Cyprus. We will be staying here, God willing for over a week (10 days I think). And this is the link to our hotel in Paris. You need to be ready to hit the ground running...Paris is planned for Monday!

Nicole and I went to the hospital to see Nicole's friend. She was Ok on Monday, could not walk on Tuesday, and had emergency surgery on Weds. to remove a tumor from her spine. She had her first chemo treatment yesterday, I guess it's Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma(I'm not sure what kind). I'm also guessing from internet reading that it's stage 3 or even 4 because there is more then one tumor. This is the same cancer I thought I might have last summer. I had weeks of tests and was by Gods grace OK. I have read and heard this is a common and treatable cancer. Her chances are very good. Still, what a shock for a 16 year old to face! The treatment can also be long and very hard. It's not an easy thing for her or her family. I've already seen her in the hospital, and admit I still don't believe it! What a shock! What a very hard thing to face. Please lift Sarah up in your prayers. I do pray that she will be covered with the love and peace of God. S...

I'm trying to think a little about our trip to Cyprus. I’ve had my head berried in laundry! I thought it would be warmer there in May. Right now it is in the low 70's F( 20-25C) . That's pretty nice weather for hiking, but the swimming pool might be too cold! I don't think the pool in our villa is heated! I think diving should be ok? The kids wanted to live in the pool!

Nicole got lice and shared it with Sarah and Jessica. We treated it with this special shampoo. I also got a new comb that kills lice. It is like a flee comb that puts off an electric shock to kill the little beasts! Now I'm trying to work my way through the 30 loads of laundry. Every blanket, pillow, piece of clothing and stuffed animal needs to be washed. I'm so tired! I dream of a home on the beach in Thailand.

A friend of Nicole's named Sarah just found out this week she has tumors in her back. One was causing big problems and they already took it out. They don't even know if she will walk, or if there are more tumors or anything! She is in Nicole’s class...she is such a great kid! Oh, I hurt for her and for her family! They are probably feeling really afraid right now. Please pray for peace and total healing! Sarah just turned 16 years old. She is far too young to be going through such a trial. Please pray for her.

This is for Juergen to look at. I found this condo in Hua Hin. It sleeps 8, has a view, and 2 pools. What do you think? HERE is the link. I also like this one very much... HERE.

Nicole drew Jessica for a art contest. The drawing is called "Silent Beauty". The theme of the contest was to draw the most beautiful person you know. I think she did a pretty good job! Nicole is 15 years old and she is applying for every art scholarship she can find. She has a dream!

I was thinking about Nicole going away to college. She graduates in 2 years (God willing). Next summer we are thinking of sending her to a summer art school at Oregon State University. She could stay with my parents. Time is going by very very fast! I can see the next two years just slipping by before I can catch my breath. I wanted to take one last family trip to Thailand. Hua Hin is just our favorite place as a whole family. I checked the ticket prices. Lufthansa has a special price (kids are free). Thomas can still travel as a child until September, then we have to pay full price for him too. Anyway, long story short...we seized the moment! We are going to travel to Thailand for two weeks (again God willing) at the end of August. I checked our passports and found out Philip, Nicole, and Jessica all need new passports. It's good I checked. We travel to Cyprus in less then 3 weeks. That could have been tragic if I didn't find out they needed passports! I feel ...

I realize this is a very selfish statement. The whole world could get sick, and people have already died. I just don't want this stupid flu to ruin my vacation!!! I almost want to find a person with the flu and just get it over with! If I knew it was not going to cause any serious complications I would say "bring it on"! Let's just get it now, and get it behind us! I do not want this thing destroying my vacation plans! I want to take my brother to Paris and Cyprus! I do not want to spend months and months in fear with a mask on my face. Ok, I'm selfish...I am!