The last few days I have been telling people that I wish we just had a couple more days at home to just do nothing- then I would be ready to go. Well we have been given one more day at home to do nothing- and I am now ready to go to Sierra Leone.
After
Shermer Family Christmas yesterday we spent the rest of the evening packing only to get up early this morning to head down to the cities for our usual lunch with everyone at
TGIFridays. It's always good to get one final good meal and see family (yes we did get our usual photo with all of us taken by our waitress- only it's on Amy's camera since I thought she would be able to upload it first-
hmmm). After our long Minnesota goodbyes, Mom, Dad, Kari, and Amy dropped us at the airport. I had one suitcase that didn't have a handle to pull it which Amy commented about. I quickly told her that we only had to take it in to the ticketing counter so I would be fine. Little did I know. A few tears were shed as we finished our goodbyes and
JK and I headed in.
There was no line so we walked right up to the counter, scanned our passports, chose our seats for the next two flights and went to check our bags. That's when the trouble started. First there was drama about
JK not having a UK visa- then a UK transit visa. We had gone through all this before.
JK made a special trip to the British High Commission or whatever they call their Embassy and since we were only in London 6 hours we were told he didn't need one. As long as he doesn't leave the airport and is there for less than 24 hours. We were good. After some explaining and getting a few more people involved that issue was solved. Now back to checking the bags. "Would you like to check them all the way to Freetown" "Yes we would". More time on the computer. All three boarding passes are printed- all the way to Freetown. Two stickers are printed for my bags- then she realizes that they are only checked to London. Back to the computer, more time, two more people
involved. Now there is no flight on the 14
th from London to Freetown. This flight that we have boarding passes for doesn't exist. More time calling that airline, the travel agency, Karen, going in and out of the back room... Asking us to move our luggage and wait over there. Finally it is decided that we can go to London and figure it out there. The big problem is that ALL the flights into
Salone until Jan. are COMPLETELY booked. We were called only days ago to make sure we were going to be on this flight since it was so full and all the flights after it are full. I did NOT want to miss it. Okay decision made we will go to London and figure it out there.
Start checking bags again. This time the guy who had helped the lady on and off is checking our bags. He's on the computer for a bit, prints the baggage stickers and then says hold on while I talk to my boss-
AAGGHHH. A few people higher up later, we are now talking to the big man. He tells us that the flight does not exist it is for the same time but on the 15
th of Dec. That would mean that
JK would be in London for 32 hours- over the 24 hour limit. Well are they going to know that- "they will detain him" he says. Well then what's the worst that could happen - they deport him back to Sierra Leone. :)- "no they will send him back to the US." Alright so what are our options? We just do the same thing- only tomorrow. He could
guarantee that we are on the flight from London to Freetown. So once again for the 5
th time I PICKED up that suitcase that I did not have the handle to pull it with and we headed out. We hopped in a Taxi (another new experience for
JK) and headed to Mike and
Lor's. I guess we didn't need that sad goodbye after all- we just get to do it again tomorrow.
So here we sit- in the basement watching TV, playing on the computer and getting that down time I said I wanted. Only now I am in travel mode and ready to be done traveling and we haven't even begun yet.... TOMORROW. (we hope)
Nothing like a game of twister- for the young kids and the older ones as well. I am not sure this was the introduction to games that JK was looking for.
We were able to head over to the farm with Emily McHugh to do a bit of horse back riding as well.
When all of us Shermer kids headed out of the house it was harder and harder to make sure the horses were ridden so my dad finally decided it was time to sell them. Not an easy decision and really not any easier on the rest of us. How blessed were we that the McHughs were willing to take them. I have watched the McHugh kids for 10 years now and we have built a great relationship. Santana and Tanner- our horses- could not have gone to a better place. Now not only are they taken care of (like royalty compared to Northern MN) but we are able to go visit and ride every now and then.
JK walked right up to the horses, petting them and talking to them- no fear. That is until he was on the horse. Amy was not allowed to go very far away and one loop around the arena was enough- but at least he is able to say he has ridden a horse.
Sophie and Isabelle are becoming quite the riders as well. Isabelle was able to compete is some games this summer as well as Emily McHugh. Em does an amazing job with Santana and even competed against some professional riders in the Hamal Rodeo. Thanks for a great day- and keep up the good riding Em.
What would a trip to the states be without a good old American game of Bowling. Mom, Amy, JK, Soph, Belle and I were able to hit the Medina Ballroom for a couple games and it was a blast. We laughed and laughed and then got a bit frustrated when the new guy game close to beating all of us- that is until Isabelle got bumpers on her lane and knocked us all out. If Mom and Sophie didn't need them she might not have done quite as good- but still would have competed with us. The funny thing to me is that I bowl ALL WRONG and somehow when teaching JK he managed to get the leg kick thing- and I don't do it at all and didn't even talk about it. Then we watch him bowl and he manages to have the correct form and everything- out of nowhere.
You know silliness is always a part of our days. 
After spending some time in Minneapolis we headed over to St. Paul to visit our friends Sarah and get a tour of St. Thomas. Sarah has been to Sierra Leone a few times, and was just there with us this past May and June. I know that the first few days were really an adjustment to 
Walking around campus and seeing a University here was good. It was also nice to be moving around after spending so many hours just sitting on the planes and in the airports.
St. Thomas is a beautiful campus. Not quite the same as 
I would have to say that one of our favorite things was seeing this Pipe Organ. We were lucky enough to have someone come in who played while we were there. Listening to this beautiful instrument... it was something we never expected and something we will remember fondly.
After our tour we headed back to Sarah's for lunch and then walked down to the Mississippi River. I miss water. We have the ocean but it just is not the same as our lakes and rivers. I loved just walking near it and being able to share it with 
That night we headed over to Pete and Alyssa's for some fun. One of the things I missed most while being gone was attending their wedding. It was a day that was hard for me to be away. Pete is my oldest, best, childhood friend. I love him like my brother and always will think of him like no other. I have also loved Alyssa. She came into Pete's life and has truly made it better- mine too. There is no hug like a hug from Pete- and that was the welcome home I really wanted.
Had to get in a few rounds of Rock Band. It was fun to 
Again I cannot say enough how much I love these two (well three I guess). Thanks for a fun night. I wish there could be more.
The airports were a lot of fun- but we could have gotten by with less than 6 hours in London. I loved seeing things trough 
Arriving in Minneapolis, I felt such joy and peace. It was so nice to be home again. We came around the corner to see my mom holding a large picture of Amy on a stick- she came to meet us as well. It was a great hug I got from mom. Even though it was 60 degrees outside we still put our coats on before heading out. 
The first few days were spent at Mike and 
Kari came over the morning after we landed. She was able to spend a good portion of the day with us as well as come back on Saturday for our day of fun (more in a later post)
He's excited to see my dad and sisters again as well as other people who have been to Sierra Leone. It will also be great to meet the rest of the family as well as some friends. Nothing like throwing you into things. We will have our big Thanksgiving with my mom's side and then Shermer Family Christmas. We are hoping to get around to see quite a few people as well as work a bit in the shop with my dad. Yes- I can't miss a November in the good old meat shop. For those of you in Iowa we will be there for a week and JK is going to be doing some music with the kids from Jonathan's House there. He has done music with the kids here off and on for the past five years and I know it will be fun for him to see the kids and share some African beats with them again.
Here we are together. She just happened to yawn as we took the picture- she's still cute though. I have to say that I have enjoyed having my friendship with Jenna grow just as much as I have enjoyed watching Christie grow. These two are fast becoming good friends and more of a daily part of my life.
Marion is one of the girls who used to live at 
Belinda, Violet, Christie, and Lily. The thing here is to not look at the camera and to not show your teeth. Sometimes we can get a picture and everyone will look, but often it is more like this- so maybe I should work on my poses- as I am the one out of place here- well in more ways than one but... 
