Boise Bound…

Hard to believe we have been away from our sweet island for ten days.

Flexibility….nearly packed, we decided to go over to the dive shop to say our good-byes, have a beer and grilled frikandellen, Dutch sausage. As we are sitting there relaxing with the group, Jay gets an email from Aruba Airlines saying our Monday morning flight has been canceled and we would be unable to make our connection. So much for relaxing and hanging with the dive guys….off we go to begin throwing the rest of our stuff in suitcases, clean a condo, and return a car to catch a flight in four hours. Whirlwind!!! A quick good bye, hand over the condo keys to Mikeil D’Angelo, and we’re off.

The good thing about the flexibility is the pilot let Jay up in the front to show him all the great buttons. I don’t think they would do anything like that in the US. Both Jay and the pilot were like young boys with all the instruments – the pilot was as excited to show everything as Jay was getting to watch all of it. A blessing in everything.

We spent the night somewhere in Aruba, then the next in Fort Lauderdale. As we walked into the lobby of our hotel in Fort Lauderdale, there were several aquariums surrounding the bar. One of them had five Lionfish to greet Jay. It was all he could do to not unpack his spears.

One of my goals when diving is to see a seahorse. They are quite elusive. So, I guess being greeted by an aquarium full is good enough. Goal completed for this dive time. The smaller black one was so curious. Everytime we walked up to its aquarium, she/he would unhook and swim all around watching us and showing off.

A great dinner and a beautiful sunset in Fort Lauderdale.

I almost named this blog “Instead of Sweating the Small Stuff, We Are Thankful for the Small Stuff”, such as soft towels and sheets. We didn’t know we were missing things like that until we stepped out of the shower and wrapped that wonderfully soft towel around; then lying down on those soft sheets. Awwh…. “I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart. I will recount all your wonderful deeds”. Romans 11:36. I think one of those things is a dryer with fabric softener.

What are those small things we seem to sweat or even take for granted, but probably should be more thankful for? It certainly has made us think.

After forty-eight hours of traveling – welcome to our Boise home for the next couple months. Our welcoming committee was grandchildren and granddogs.

One of our primary reasons to choose Boise at this time in our travels is the joy of seeing our oldest grandchild, Noah Jay, graduate from high school. I can’t believe he is eighteen. For so many years he was my purpose for continuing to travel to Oklahoma City for work each month. When his parents announced their second pregnancy, I thought how in the world would I have room in my heart for another. He truly had my heart. I soon found out you can love so many (five of them) as much as one. As each one came, my heart just grew bigger. They all have my complete heart. “Grandchildren fill the places in your heart you never knew were empty.”

Oh, look at that precious smile. We are officially Boise State Grandparents -Go Broncos! May we be true to the blue and orange.

And….what a great place to train for our next adventure that begins in August. There are miles and miles of trails all around us. And, we have little people to help us along the way. Our first training hike was nine miles – an out and back along the fast flowing Boise River. (It is so high and fast there is no rafting, kayaking, or jumping off the bridge into the river.). So, out, our training buddy was Master Luke. Back, it was Lilly. 4 1/2 miles each. I believe Lilly enjoyed the hiking less than Luke. She’s busy with anything else besides hiking for the remainder of our training except for July 14th training day. She says, she’s in for Papa’s birthday.

There could have been a little bribing to braid her hair if she would hike. Luke just wanted Cheez-its and ice cream.

Although Rosie would rather paint, we did get her out for a couple miles as well. Next goal is getting Daniel and Noah out with us early mornings, hahaha. Being teenagers, we might have to hike in the evening. They are not morning people.

What fun this summer will be. Our house is 1/2 mile from the grandkids. We are already finding them popping over each day, sometimes for Papa to fix pancakes, sometimes for their hair to be braided, or sometimes just for a round or two of Uno. Even their friends are coming. Needless to say, our grocery bill will be a little higher, however whatever it is, it is money well spent.

Thankful for the small stuff and the memories that will be made – we are truly blessed to have this summer time with the kids. God has created each one in His image and His uniquely designed personalities. More than anything we are thankful to know each of them love Jesus, the best gift of all.

As Billy Graham once said, “The greatest legacy one can pass on to one’s children and grandchildren is not money or material things accumulated in one’s life, but a legacy of character and faith”. May we do just that.

Blessings, Jay and Kelly