Life around the world

I know I’ve been neglectful of the blog lately, but honestly, it’s really hard to come up with anything interesting and relevant when we’re all three in different areas.  So, I thought I would just give a little update on how we’re all handling things and show a few pictures from Jake’s time on the farm.

 I get a lot of comments from other mothers along the lines of “I could never leave my kids that long,” “I don’t know how you’re doing this” or “I can’t even imagine being away from my little ones.”  While I certainly miss Jake with all of my being, I had a conversation with my mother-in-law yesterday that confirmed my suspicions…Jake is thriving being away from us for a little while.  He’s becoming comfortable with his surroundings and all parts of the family – aunts, uncles, cousins, great aunts, 2^nd-3^rd cousins, papas, grandmas, great grand-dads…you name it.  He’s becoming more independent, learning conflict resolution skills, learning how to communicate to people that don’t read his mind (mommy had gotten pretty good at that)…I couldn’t be more proud.  So, while I may be a bit uncomfortable with the distance, I truly believe this is turning out to be a wonderful experience for him while developing a bond with the family he wouldn’t get otherwise.

I think his goal is to get to the top of this huge stump. 

Luke and Jake

Ice Cream!

Keeping cool and helping water something??

The reason I ran 9:31 min/mile...running with
my good friend Ray (he slacked off for me).
Thanks to my other good friend, Glenda for sending
me the pic.

As for mommy, I finally started my job.  I wasn’t sure that was ever going to happen…  I’m enjoying going into the office every day, getting a little socialization of my own, dressing up (except for the heels), and using my brain in a way that hasn’t happened in quite some time (I forgot how large my co-worker’s vocabulary actually was!).  On the after hours side, well, I’m going to start being a grown up next week.  I think without Jake and Andy and any real responsibilities, I forgot I was pushing 40 and not 25.  Aside from my extensive time with friends, I’ve really gotten into my running (I completed a 5K this weekend and actually ran a 9:31 min mile….I’m a slow poke and normally can’t break 10 min.) and I joined a Crossfit Gym.  I’m hoping to dazzle Andy when I get back with my transformation J.

How is Andy handling his newfound freedom?  He’s been to the Rock Islands a couple of times, hanging out with the other bachelor in the anchorage.  He’s done some diving/picture taking, of course.  But I think mostly he’s been working on the boat.  He’s repainted our deck, refinished our countertops, and fixed numerous mechanical issues that have popped up recently.  Oh yea, the list wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t tell you he flooded the water tanks again and has spent a fair amount of time cleaning up (not sure when he’ll learn that lesson!).  Overall, I think he’s doing fine.  He’s kind of the loner in the group so all in all, he might be getting some peace he didn’t know he was craving (or maybe he did?).  He’ll head out in another 3 weeks or so and pick Jake up from OK and bring him back to Palau.

So there you have it, the latest update.  Apologies for the lack of pictures…if I ever get paid, I plan on buying another camera complete with ability to upload pictures.  In the meantime, thanks to my mother-in-law for keeping us posted with pictures of Jake!