Japan is Calling

On July 24th, I said farewell to one of my best friends. She boarded a plane for Tokyo, yet again, on July 27th.  Except this time she won't be gone for just the summer. She'll be gone a whole year teaching English to kids in Japan! Once school is over she'll be asked if she'd like to stay on for another year, but she told us she didn't think she would. As lucky as those people are to have someone like Olivia working for them, I hope she doesn't change her mind! I hope she comes back to us next year because she will be missed!  So here's to you Miss Olivia! Good luck this year, and I hope you have a wonderful time while in Japan! I'm so excited that you are out there living your dreams and achieving your goals. You're a wonderful person, the sister I never had, and you deserve all of the wonderful things headed your way! Thank you for being a shoulder to lean on, a great listener, and one of my best friends . You have no idea how much I appreciate you being in my life and my daughters. We couldn't have picked a better god mother for her. This year won't be the same without you, but live it up girl! We miss you and love you very much! Can't wait till you get home next summer! And yes, that's definitely me hinting at you to just stay for a year. Pretty please? :)

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A Kayaking Trip

I think it was two weekends ago when my brother, Kim, and Olivia had the bright idea to take an all day/overnight kayaking trip. Why was this such a bright idea? Well because even though the forecast that day was all sunshine and heat we were going to have thunderstorms roll in that evening and they would continue for the rest of the week. My brother knew about this, but apparently forgot to mention anything to the others.

I was volunteered to drop them off with some limited supplies and a tent about an hour north from where we live. With everything that had been going on I definitely welcomed the distraction. So off we went and once we arrived Emery was able to get into the water for a bit. Emery is definitely a water baby. She loves it, and will do anything to get in it. So even though our trip was short she definitely had a blast getting her feet wet and going for a little ride with her uncle.

After we got home, the rain started. I received a text message at 1 am letting me know that they had set up camp under a bridge like a bunch of "homeless people" and they wanted me to pick them up as soon as possible the next morning. I was instructed to bring Tylenol and lots of towels. Emery and I set off at 7 am to go find them and let me just say that they were a sight! Apparently, this kayaking trip tested friendships, and relationships. Hearing the stories they came back with you would have thought they had to survive on a deserted island for weeks!

Still they had a blast and next time around I've been invited to join. Though, I'm sure I'll check the weather forecast before I accept and make sure sleeping bags are being brought along. Anyway, here are some pictures from the beginning of the journey for you guys to enjoy.