What a last few days.  Last Wednesday, Heath and the girls left for Texas.  Last Thursday, I left with my staff, my supervisor, my co-AC, and his staff for our GHD Training Retreat.  We were supposed to get two 15 passenger vans.  When Mark and I went to get the vehicles, we couldn’t see the usual Dodge vans anywhere.  We asked where our vans were and were pointed to two buses.  Short buses yes, but buses.  I said, “Are we allowed to drive those?”  We were told you didn’t have to have a CDL.  I said I wasn’t sure if I was comfortable with that—but Mark and I got trained anyway on how to drive them.  It wasn’t so bad, but they were so much bigger than the vans would have been, we decided to only take one.  I’m glad we did because Mark drove and I would have been too tired.

For two days in the out of doors, we had two great days!  The weather wasn’t super cool, but there was a nice breeze each day and it was enjoyable to be outside.  Of course, I didn’t get to participate in any of the low or high ropes initiatives, but I got to take the pictures and laugh at everyone else.  I didn’t only laugh though, I encouraged people who were too freaked out to move, and helped talk some people through some elements.  I was also able to participate in the transitioning process which helped out a lot since we had so many people on the ropes.  Transitioning is when you go from one element to the other.  You have to have a partner who watches and ‘allows’ you to transition for safety purposes.  Our crew was about 35 feet in the air and we certainly didn’t want anyone falling!

My only complaints about the trip was that the food wasn’t great (not that I can eat a whole lot anyway), and when I sprayed bug spray when we were outside, I didn’t think I needed to spray my shoes.  So now, I have a zillion chigger and ant bites on my feet.  Not my legs.  Not my arms.  My feet.  I thought they were safe since I was wearing shoes and socks, but apparently not.  The itching is driving me mad!

I got back yesterday evening, and Heath and the girls are due back here within half an hour.  I am so excited to see them!!  Heath said, Kylee looked sad to see her cousins leave this morning.  So cute!

They have spent the past few days swimming, shopping, and spending time with family.  I am sure the girls had a blast, but I know they are ready to be home too.  Kalyn asked Heath last night if they could just go ahead and drive back to Jonesboro right then.  As it was 9 pm, Heath said no…even though he wanted to come back too.

I’ll leave you with a picture my SIL Debi took of Heath and Kalyn yesterday.  Ignore the bangs in her face…they are growing out and can’t be contained right now!  But she looks so happy!