Will we ever really be ready?

Thursday night was the first evening last week that John was home. He's been working on a big project at work that has meant several late nights at the office. It was about 11pm and we were just sort of catching up on where we are at with getting ready to leave. Even though we've been working through lists of details for what seems like months and months, we both expressed how it doesn't really feel like we're ready for anything! Of course that's not entirely true (and we did eventually get to that point in the conversation) but it does still feel like there are so many strands dangling out there. And I think many will remain that way for a long time. That's why this year off is more about a journey than just a trip. We've been on a journey already since deciding in 2005 that this is what we want to do. We were in Penetenguishine this afternoon for a theatre production. It was fabulous. John's parents were with us, and they had made plans for us to spend this day together way back in December, I think. We all had so much fun. And as I sat there enjoying the show and seeing how much fun we were all having together I thought "this is the journey." This is what is such a blessing in our lives. To be together, exploring, eager to try something new, appreciating others' gifts and talents, sharing and contributing our own gifts. Now we're going to take that experience on the road for awhile and see what it is like as we drive across Canada for the summer; spend time in Florida with friends; in Nicaragua going to language school and volunteering for two months; spend time in Australia with friends for a few weeks; volunteer in the Philippines for a couple months; visit Thailand; volunteer in Bangladesh for a couple months; visit family in England and Holland; check out Egypt and Spain; and, more language school and volunteering in West Africa. And I'm certain that experience will continue after we return in about a year from now.

John keep assuring me that we won't get everything done that needs to be done before we leave home in three weeks. I know he's right, but I'm trying to get as many things on my list done. We'll see what things are left on his list. Actually, there's nothing competive about this list stuff. We have always worked well as a team, and I know that together we'll deal with the undone and unexpected things that will surely come up in the coming year. And that together has to also include our parents. Wow, they have been so supportive and encouraging. They deserve Parents of the Year awards 100x over! As I wrote in a recent email to them, "It means THE WORLD to us."

I do want to post a few more pictures. Danielle finished Sunbeams 3 at the end of May. John was her "music partner" for the year-end recital. I didn't see her performance but I heard lots of practicing and I think she is a wonderful piano player. Thank you for always persevering Danielle. And congratulations on finishing another year of piano!

I had to miss the recital because I was away for work. After the recital John's parents took John and the kids out for lunch to celebrate John's birthday. I think he had about a week's worth of celebrations this year. His barber is right next to the restaurant that they went to, so he decided he'd pop in for a quick haircut. Now Simon has been growing his hair for about three years. He had decided that he would get it cut before we left on our trip because in many of the countries we're visiting you get treated very differently if people think you are a girl - so if you are a boy you might want to have short hair and not be mistaken for a girl. So out of the blue, Simon decided he would get his hair shaved off! So when I came home from work that Saturday evening I was greeted by this handsome young man with very very short hair. Way to go Simon! That was a big sacrifice and you handled it with courage and a very positive attitude.