So here's a few fun pictures of a branch activity we had on Saturday. It was at a local nursing home in Portsmouth, Dominica. We brought some hygiene kits from the LDS Humanitarian Center and some enthusiastic primary kids to sing some songs. There were a few children I could tell were NOT thrilled to be in a nursing home (kinda like I was at that age), but most of them did an excellent job talking to the "grandma's and grandpa's".

Our little primary singers.
Unlike in america where we lock up our 'old people' and put them in diapers, in Dominica, most of the older generation are cared for by their children. So this nursing home only had around 12 residents. They have the most centenarians (not to be confused with centurians -which I did until my poor husband had to correct me...um embarrassing!!) per captia in the world.

Here's a picture of Team Williams...looking quite haggard, in our opinion. Its a look we're getting use to pulling off day after day with a few 'pretty' days in between. At least it is better than a picture of a scar and a bruised bottom, yes?

Scars, Bumps, and Bruises

Hey everybody, we got some pictures here for ya. They're not pretty, although they are pretty interesting. Sorry if any of these pictures are too graphic. Its been a graphic week.

Up first is Willy's freshly exposed scar. Its not big, but it packs a punch. It's on his lower back and only about a inch and a half long. He's been following doctor's orders and keeping his activity to a minimum. Lots of lying down, no twisting, no bending, no tennis. Despite his banishment from sports, he still wants a new tennis racket and some running shoes for his birthday.

Oh, here it is: the first actual picture of my belly's belly. Not too shabby for 24 weeks.
Okay, this is a doosie. What you are looking at is my right cheek, as in my bottom. This is the worst bruise I've had since I was 15 years old. On Tuesday I went to my friend Chelsie's to plan our ESL class. She lives on the third floor and it had been raining all day. The stairs to her place are tiled with the most SLIPPERY tile in the universe. I was being very very careful going to and from her apartment, but ZING and THONK, THUNK, THUNK, THUNK, THUNK. I fell down at least five stairs on my cushioned rump. No one was around and I didn't scream or anything - I just pathetically hobbled home in the quietness of the rain, thinking 'that's gonna leave a mark'. And it did. Poor me.

So we took a sneak trip back to the states at the end of June. Matt needing surgery on his back. He was in the Portsmouth hospital on Saturday, took an exam on Monday and we were in the air by Wednesday. On Thursday he had a MRI and an appointment with the neuro-surgeon and that following Monday he went under the knife. One week laps time for surgery: not too shabby. We considered it a great blessing that everything worked out so well.

Six in the morning on the way to the airport. Morning never was a pretty time for me.

Willy after surgery. Even on drugs and in a hairnet he still looks handsome.

Happy couple on the happy day. They look marvelous.

Chill-axing at the wedding. Who sits like that after the age of 80?! Grandma, that's who.

Back to the island. Sigh.

We have a few shout outs to make concerning this trip:
R & C Williams - thanks for the fantastic accommodations. There's a big I.O.U. with your name on it that you can cash in 10 or 15 years from now!!
Michael aka 'servant boy' - thanks for all the rides and the tutorial on your iTouch. Also thank your wife for the cookies she sent with us for the trip back. Mmmmm, they were gone by Puerto Rico.
My cousin's in Denver - thanks for letting me slumber at your place.
Cafe Rio - Your pork salad tasted as good as I remembered.
Dr. Gardner - You did a bang up job on Willy's L5 - S1 disc. Thanks for penciling him in on your schedule that was booked out three months.
Hilmo - It was a dream come true that you traveled up to utah the week we were in town. Thanks for being the special person you are.
Hammy - thanks for getting hurt at Lake Powell so I could see more of your pretty face. And thanks for the ride to the airport at 5 am. You are a true friend.
Delta Airlines - Thanks for the great seats. It really helped my hubby's back to be able to stand during the flight. I love Delta.
Wimbeldon - Your tennis matches entertained us for hours when matt was bound to the bed. Although it would've been nice if you didn't have your final match with Roger and Rafael right during church on Sunday.
Mommacita - Thanks for the care package and all the good blogs to read. Even though you were three states away, it felt better than being a whole nation apart.
And finally MILK - We love you United States Milk and your delicious goodness. Parting with you was like losing a limb. See you again in August.