First Night

1/29/09
From Mom: Well, I made it through the first night okay. I was glad to get to the first night’s lodging or hut. I still can’t believe I am here. Saw monkeys on the way. It’s very green and thick. Oh & I have to be positive about my job. Average years pay here is $450.00 per YEAR! So, go easy on the 44 oz Diet Cokes. Love Ya, Mom, Lauri, and Grandma

1/29/09
From Tiffany: Awesome! I am so proud of you! You have had tons of replies to your messages. They are on your blog and mine. I told Brykn you saw monkeys and he wants to know if you have got his elephant. He says we can put it in the barn. Hang in there today! You are doing great. And, the picture was awesome. We love you!

From Sana: I love knowing you are loving your walk. Those huts are a welcome site. Africa is in every breath. May He continue to watch over your every step.

More Communication

Well, she made it to her first stop on Kilamanjaro; and, sent us a picture. She looks like she's doing good!

1/29/09

From Mom: Hey, I made it to my first stop!!! This is my first stop for the night. Love ya all.

1/29/09

From Karen Boothe: Jambo! One question you didn't ask-what side of the road does Africa drive on? Ha Ha! Remember, the word of the day is Pole, Pole.

From Sana: Wow you are in AFRICA :) Take it all in with pictures in your heart.

From Jacquie: Gald you made it. Hope you have a good time. Love, Jacquie

Africa....Hum....

Brykn has been really funny about this Africa trip. I caught this on camera (while he was eathing cheese) and thought it was cute. How great it would be to always see the world through the eyes of a two-year-old!

Text Messaging

Because of the expensive rates to text and talk on the phone, Mom asked me to send her text messages to her friends and our family. Because the text messages are coming from me, however, I am also getting all the replies. So, I'm going to post all the text messages sent fboth rom Mom and to Mom on this blog. Then, when she is able to get to a computer, she can read all the wonderful messages people have sent her way. Keep the messages coming! I know she will LOVE reading them when she can!

1/27/09

From Mom: Hi everyone. I am in Amsterdam, it is 6:30 am. Holy cow what a long ride. I can't see what it looks like its still dark & foggy. I'll be leaving for Africa in 5 hours. I'll text again once I am on the ground in Africa. Love Ya.

1/27/09

From Tiffany: I am so gald you made it okay. So far so good! Please let me know when you get to Tanzania. We love you--big hugs!

From Grandma Hopes: Be careful it sounds like you are having fun. Keep in touch. We all love you.

From Sana: Oh the adventure that awaits. Our sweet prayers and HIS CONSTANT CARE surround you.

From Kelli: Wow I can't believe she is on her way. Tell her that I'm thinking of her when you talk to her next.

From Nadine: Oh, it is soooo good to hear from you. I have been wondering where you are. Stay safe and take in teh wonder of life. Ya too! Nadine

From Karen Boothe: Yippe! Hope you were able to get some sleep.

1/28/09

From Mom: Hey I'm here. Holy cow what a ride, and the car ride was a little scary! Everything is on the wrong side and we about hit somebody on a bike. It is hot and humid.

From Karen Spotten: Keep going gal. Miss you already.

From Sana: Holy cow are you having fun??? The adventure begins and we are beside you. Love your heart.

Africa Here She Comes!

Mom left for Africa this morning. Brykn and I went to the airport to see her off. I thought she might be a little aprehensive, but she nearly skipped down the terminal. Heck, she didn't even look back once she started down the aisle to security! I think we all were a bit surprised, but all glad she was excited for her journey to begin. The organizers of Africa is Life Changing (the humanitarian organization), Sana and Sojo (spelling?) were also kind enough to come to the airport with her. They helped her get her ticketing straightened out and settled Dad's nerves. Mom's been calling him "Nervous Nelly" because he's been worried sick. I think the first few days might be a bit hard for him and TJ, but after that I think they'll do okay. I'm the most worried about the laundry. I dont' know if either of them know how to even turn the washer on!

Off to Africa

Well, the long awaited trip to Africa has finally come! Mom is sooooo excited! Knowing she would want to see everybody before she left, I decided to throw her a little surprise party. Boy was she surprised when she came home and found a room full of 25 people screaming "Surprise!" The look on her face was priceless! She was upset that she didn't have any make up on, but none of us cared. TJ's job was to get her out of the house for a few hours so I could get the house decorated, the food set up, and everybody could get to the house. Poor TJ!!! Dad said that he deserved a purple heart because getting her out of the house was like going through war! We all had a good laugh at that one because we knew it was true!

She showed us all her bags--she sure packed a lot of stuff...then again, when you are leaving for nearly a month, I guess you need a lot of stuff.

The party was really fun and I know that after the initial shock wore off she was really glad everybody came.

ABC's

Brykn has just about got the ABC song down pat--we practice every time we wash our hands. Heck, even Brandon sings the ABCs while scrubbing! I thought the way Brykn is laying in the bathtub was a pretty cool picture. But, when I went to snap the still photo, he broke into song, so I had to capture it!

Fa La La La La!

Well, Christmas this year was absolutely AWESOME! Brykn was so much fun. He was all into Santa and the reindeer. Jamie, my babysitter, sent home some oatmeal for reindeer food with strict instructions to sprinkle the food on the lawn. But, Brykn was insistent that the food was going on the front porch, on the "ement" rather than the grass--which was okay, because it was easier to clean up. :)

I was really glad we remembered to sweep up the reindeer food too, because that was the first thing Brykn asked about when he woke up Christmas morning. He was cute with the presents, but he was totally facinated with the fact that reindeer had been on OUR front porch!

The highlight for this year's Christmas was Play Doh (complete with 50 different Play Doh tools! The really funny thing about this one is that it's got a lot of kitchen type tools. Well, there is a tool that makes cupcake sprinkles...but, Brykn thinks it makes deer poop. Yes, deer poop. He gets the biggest kick out of it!), a scooter (and "scooter hat"), and a horse trailer and truck complete with horses, cows, barn and fence (which Brykn sits in). Oh, and we can't forget the sled. Luckily, we have had a fair amount of snow to use that sled on this year. For me; however, the highlight was a necklace from Brykn, a really cool door my Mom gave to me, and a beautiful fire place Brandon bought for our bedroom. And, even though he's never said what the highlight of Brandon's Christmas was, I hope the highlight for Brandon's year was the photo book Brykn and I gave to him.

I know everyone says how the holidays really are "all about family." But, it's true. As I've gotten older I've realized just how important family is; and, I'm so grateful for mine! When I look back, and as I look to the future, it really is "all about family."