scholastic attitudes and shopping sprees

Over the past 5 days I feel as though I have finally kicked into high gear!  I had been dragging my feet on my to-do list which I must say seems to be growing by the second and I realize more and more that I need to do. But I must say it is an absolute blast preparing, shopping, and homeworking knowing that in just about 2 weeks I will be in another country.  

Today, my mom and I went on a little fun outing.  Every year for probably since I was in kindergarten my mom takes us kids on a fun day before we start school again--kind of like one last hooray before the busyness ensues.  So this year because of a very busy scheduled week, we have decided to make our fun last all week long.  Today we went and saw the movie, "The Help," which was EXCELLENT!  And we also did some pre-travel shopping.  After spending about a solid hour in the health and beauty section of Walmart I am hoping we got almost everything I need to last 3 months in a foreign country.  We also hit up one of my favorites for lunch, the great OG...Olive Garden that is!  Overall it was a great great day!!

In other news, I babysat this afternoon also for my favorite four kiddos.  I can't believe I leave them for good on Friday.  It will be tough because I have been with them at least 4 days/week for four months!!  Today, the youngest and myself made an awesome sidewalk chalk town of all his favorite restaurants and stores...he loved it and I must say I had so much fun making it with him.  His absolute favorite was this one below (because his dad works there!)...

Today reminded me why I just love these kids and most kids in general.  Through their crabby moments or their goofy moments they love life, every single moment of it!  Another reminder for me!!  

I should probably continue my work on all the homework currently sitting in front of me at the kitchen table here at home.  The sooner I get this done the sooner I can get to the fun stuff..PACKING!!!

that is all...

childlike joy

This morning, I sit at the kitchen table of the family that I have had the privilege to nanny for this summer.  There have definitely been ups and downs, and moments when I come home at the end of the day and ask my mom, "I was never THAT bad!" and she assures me that my brothers and I were after I recall the hilarious and frustrating moments of my work day.  Today, the two youngest kids I watch decided we needed to have a war with their blow up bats they got this weekend at a carnival.  As I chased them in and out of the house there was complete, unaltered joy that came billowing from their voices as they screamed and laughed running down the hallways and stairs.  I know I'm not that old but as I continue to get older, I feel like sometimes I stop allowing these moments to happen -- the 5 or 10 minute moments when I laugh and scream and just experience life without constantly thinking about what is the next thing on my to-do list or another responsibility down the road that I know is lurking around waiting for me.  I was reminded this morning through laughter and screams of joy that I need to continue to allow for the moments of childlike joy during each day because they allow us to truly appreciate life!

destinations

Preparing for a three month trip is all but a cinch. The questions I continue to think up in my head and the tasks that continue to pile up on my seemingly never-ending to-do list sometimes haunts me.  And yet, I am so overjoyed at the idea of the start of this new adventure I am taking.  On September 8, 2011, I will board a plane to Zambia, Africa and after nearly 2 days of traveling will arrive at my destination.  But then again, I am perplexed with another question...is Zambia really the "destination" I envision it to be?  I have a feeling there will be a much grander "destination" found at the end of this trip and I CANNOT wait to see what is in store over the next three and a half months.

Lately, in my preparations, I have been thinking a lot about how I can get the most out of this experience.  After thinking, praying, and a lot of chatting with others who have or are already spending an extended period of time out of the country, I came to conclusion to begin a blog about this exciting time in my life.  I don't know if this is something that may just be another aspect of a permanent part of my life (the blogging that is) or if this blog will just be active during my time overseas.  Nonetheless, I cannot wait to look back at the entries penned here!