Adventures of a Tribe

Travel day #1 completed!

Posted on July 18, 2015

This morning I awoke early and washed all my bedding so my mom wouldn’t have to, then started making fondant chrysanthemums for her.  We got every last one done for the cake:)

I spent some time with my Dad.

I smothered him with all sorts of hugs and kisses. He’s such an incredible person.  He may appear to be worn out, ill and weak, but he is still a giant to me.  A gentle giant filled with wisdom, insight and love. He continues to use his sense of humor to get him through.  Yesterday morning as my mom and I were walking him out to his car, he paused at his Harley and pretended to mount it to ride to work.  Immediately said, “uh that’s not going to happen” while my mom just stared at him in disbelief. It’s a good lesson for me to learn.  He loves his Harley and I have no doubt it hurts inside every time he shuffles past it.  He could be angry and bitter but instead he chooses to be grateful for all the years he’s ridden. It’s his trophy now.

It was tough saying goodbye to Kjira and Hunter this morning.  I love my kids so much and just want them all with me. I’m so proud of each of them and all they have accomplished.

When the time came to board the shuttle to Pocatello then Boise, I took my sweet mother in my arms and held her tight.

She is an Angel. She’s such a strong person, having lost her mother when she was 8 and her father when she was 11.  She’s known my Dad for 64 years now and has been such an incredibly wonderful companion to him. She stands firm in her values and beliefs and just loves everybody, and she’s such a lady! I  then held my dads face in my hands and kissed him. We teared up and expressed our love for each other, and then I had to step aboard.

The road to Boise was long but it has been so awesome to be reunited with my sweet Aundrea. She is a great traveling companion. I made up a big bag of treats for her for this trip and she spent her time sorting through it and chowing down. I can’t wait to show her sloths, red frogs and beautiful beaches.

So here we are, in our hotel room all settled in for the night.  Aundrea is trying out the Uke and in a while we’ll get some sleep before our alarm sounds at 3:30am for a 4am taxi ride to the airport.

The creatures in Panama are doing well. Word has gotten out that they are reliable and hard working, and they have been approached by all sort of people in the marina to clean their boats for them.  Jonathan has already made $150! The marina manager came to the kids and told them that they are amazing, and that many people there have come to him and commented on how well behaved and hard working they are.  We are so proud of them.