It's official 9-26-08

We are off to xangapalooza this Saturday! I am so so so so so excited to meet/see all of you wonderful women who for the past two years I have only been speaking to through a computer screen. You have encouraged me, lifted me up, prayed for me, sharpened me, challenged me, supported me....and to say that I am excited about getting to actually meet you, is quite the understatement. For those of you that I don't get to meet yet...we need to do something about that I am so excited!!!!

We did indeed to go the beach the other night for one last hurrah. It was a gorgeous, gorgeous night. Kimberly doesn't think my town is all that beautiful, but I am quite sure these pictures will change her mind. Or the streets lined with tulips in May. I could go on and on. I love my town...and my mission in life is now to convince Kimberly of its beauty. Which might take her coming here sometime! Hint, Hint, Hint

Anyway, the kids played in the sand and the water (it was still warm enough!) and we also played on the swings a little. The beach did not disappoint, but my heart certainly ached a tad as I walked back to the car, knowing I won't be back there for at least 7 months. The ice cream escapade left a little to be desired. It was, of course, dark by the time we got there (bc we watched the sunset...at 7:25 mind you). So instead of sitting on the giant pirate ship in the light, we were in the dark, which was fine...except that the mosquitos were also there, so we were sent running (quite literally) to the car soon after we got there. Oh well. At least I was able to have one last banana split.

Yesterday we went to my dad's and went out on the river on his boat. It was gorgeous. The river was deserted (who else would be out on a Wednesday afternoon in late Sept?) and so we were able to see lots of wildlife and to hear the sounds of nature. We stopped at an island for the kids to swim a little, and for the most part, we had a great time. We got home pretty late for naps, but the kids went right down and I was able to get a little grad school in before starting dinner. Story of my life. Three more weeks and grad school will be behind me. I had a dream last night, oh glorious dream, that I took my NCE exam (the national exam to graduate with a counseling degree) and I didn't even study...and I passed. I was so excited in my dream...and when I woke up and realized it was all a dream, I was so disappointed. I can't wait to feel that freedom.

Ok, well...I will see some of you on Saturday...and the rest of you, lets work on getting together...sometime in the next year or two