The Journey Begins Again

You would think after this many times it would just be a breeze- however I have a lot of anxiety each time I travel (well travel to Sierra Leone). Checking in (this time with 6- yes six- suitcases- what?!?!) actually getting on the flight (remember the time JK and I got sent home and asked to come the next day, rescheduling flights, taking an expensive taxi back to Mike and Lor's, getting out of travel mode....) going through security with some odd things I travel with to an underdeveloped country- 3 TIMES, and just all the joys of waiting in airports, take-offs and landings, sitting on a plane for 8 hours twice... BUT think of the welcome I will receive when I finally reach Freetown. That is one of the things that will get me through the goodbyes on this side (though I will still shed some tears and carry some sadness with me). Enough whining already right? We had a great trip down to the airport- Mom, Dad, Amy and both Grandmas and I left our house around 4pm. We met Nick, Jamie, Koryn, and Asa and Erbert and Gerberts (you know how I love sandwiches) for a quick dinner and another chance for some hugs. Of course a bit of laughter filled the place and we lingered with some really good Minnesota Goodbyes and then the 6 of us were off again. This time we decided to stay at a hotel near the airport so there is less stress in the morning. Even though we arrived after 8:30- we had a FULL PARTY here until after 1am. My sister Kari joined us along with uncle Dean, Mike, Lor, Sophie, and Isabelle and friends LB and Lancelot. Let's just say our neighbors and thankful we stayed at a decent hotel with good sound proofing. This is one of the great parts of traveling. Each time before I leave we usually meet for a meal with this group and at times a few more- the schedule just wasn't set up for that so everyone came here. LOVE this. So after the parents and grandmas headed to bed in the next room those of us left made sure I had what I needed and was organized well for getting in and out of check points with less stress. Then I had to practice putting my carry-on above my head many times to make sure it would easily get into the over head bins as it is not light. Carrying it African style was a whole lot easier on the back and arms- I'm just not sure that my balance is good enough. Anyway- Dad just walked in and asked if we are ready to go- ummm not yet. So I had better run. I leave today at 11am our time and will arrive in Lungi, Salone at 12:50 our time. The first night we will stay in Freetown and Friday morning head to Bo. I cannot wait to see my friends tomorrow night- and really am looking forward to Friday morning pulling into the JCC compound and seeing all my kids. Thanks for your prayers and support- I'll let you know shortly after I reach

Our Buddy Mad Dog

In the midst of getting ready to move back to Sierra Leone I had to say one final goodbye that was a TOUGH one.

He was a member of our family, our protector, our comforter, our best friend- OUR MADISONIt is so hard to come to the point when you know you have to let him go. And it is not just hard for us- it is hard for his little buddies as well.

Snow Sculptures

These photos are from WEEKS ago- but hey the snow was also supposed to be gone by now so I figure I can still post them as it feels like we are still in the midst of Winter. Amy, the dogs and I headed over to Ely one Sunday afternoon to see all the snow sculptures. I am amazed at what these people can do. We did take some photos but they do no justice to seeing it with your own eyes. All I can think is that my brain does not work the same way as these fine folks. These sculptures are huge and so detailed. All my mind sees is a huge pile of snow and that I could probably build a snow fort and dig some tunnels into it but beyond that I see just getting the part I want right and then carving the next section only to have that part fall off on the ground. :)

We took the dogs for a walk afterwards and then headed to get some ice cream- cold weather is no reason to skip this fine cold treat. My dad started a (probably bad) habit long ago by getting an ice cream cone for Madison and now Sage and Gabee love ice cream as well. So they too shared a cone. Our vet did say they have amazingly healthy teeth- could it be that little extra calcium?

Those Crazy Shermers

Sunday found Grandma Shirley, Amy, Mom, Dad and I spending the day together. After naps for everyone we all headed into town for Sunday Night Alive (a worship service at our church). Though we are social people we do not often stay for the food and socializing afterwards however Grandma ALWAYS does and since we were riding together we decided that we would stay with her.

Grandma Shirley has always been the LAST person to finish eating and since having a little teeth trouble lately she is BY FAR the last person finished. We have come to work it out so that Grandma always gets her food first and starts eating before we even see our own food. We tried that again this night but we were still finished long before she was. With things still to do at home and a long week ahead Amy and I were trying to sneak her food to help her finish faster- all of a sudden Grandma dropped her coffee which then spilled into her Nachos. "Well I guess we can go home now" :) We did offer her more but she declined and after much laughter and cleaning up we started to head out.

Mom and Grandma had gone up first and were on their way out to the car. Grandma is holding mom's arm and they are chatting on their way to the car- walking so carefully together through the parking lot. Just as mom opens Grandma's door they hear loud footsteps coming at them quite quickly. At that moment Mom dropped Grandma's arm and left her- running towards her own door. Grams moved extremely quickly around her door and literally jumped into the car. Amy, Dad, and I are racing to the car and by the sound of the footsteps they both just knew what was happening and they were not going to lose either.

How many families race to the car with their 81 year old grandmothers, parents in the 50's and the youngest child being 24? We do and this was not the first nor will it be the last. However this time we all laughed a bit more as we replayed the scene of mom helping her mom so kindly and gently get to the car and without a word dropped her not wanting to lose the race herself. At that same moment Grandma had such speed and agility and looked like someone who had no need for help in the first place.

These simple yet crazy moments I will miss the most. I love my wacky family and am truly one of them.