where, oh where have we been?

brock and I have been in guam for six blissful and glorious days sans kids, sans worries, sans work, sans everything stressful. brock has been trying to plan and execute a trip for the two of us for years. but it is difficult when you live in japan without family to babysit. and it is also challenging when you have noah. but we finally felt noah was ready to survive us leaving, and we had to hurry before new baby arrives. brock asked his sister emily to leave her three young kids for a week and a half so she could come and babysit for us. i couldn't believe he had done it, and either could she. but her husband talked her into accepting the offer/request to come, and he was great about stepping in and taking care of everything while she was gone. thanks adam! and thanks to emily! we are so grateful. we love you!

one of the best things that happened on this trip is that i remembered what it feels like to be totally relaxed. that was a blessing. it's been so long since i have felt complete relaxation that i couldn't recall the feeling. now that i am back to real life, it is difficult to achieve that feeling. but i do remember what it feels like, and that brings me closer to it. the day before we left was incredibly stressful, including bad news from the embassy about the processing of noah's visa (change in laws that is changing everything and no info on what to do now) and very bad news for brock at work. but all of that melted away and disappeared while we were gone, miraculously. this is the spot where we relaxed in the shade of the overhanging tree branches and watched the ocean and read books, just for fun (not self improvement books that we felt like we should read) while we listened to the waves. because i am not capable of tanning, only burning and freckling, i was excessively fond of this beautiful and shady spot.

i am very grateful and so lucky to have brock, and i enjoyed him so much while we were away. i even found myself having a photo shoot with him as the subject, which never happens, because i am too busy taking photos of the kids. he is perfect for me, and a yet at the same time, a better husband than i deserve. and although i know that, this vacation helped me to remember it in ways that i haven't thought about for too long.

we planned this trip for the end of january and early february, but the u.s. government decided to have fun at the expense of us all, and took two months to process emily's passport, even after paying the expedition fee and getting many, many promises and reassurances that she would get it on time......a long and not so glorious story that could take up too much space here. so our trip was postponed twice, and many fees were paid to make the necessary changes in flights and reservations. at the end of january, i wasn't looking pregnant, and i didn't really look pregnant up until a few days before we left. but while we were there my belly suddenly popped out and i was clearly pregnant. i was concerned about fitting into the new swimsuit that brock had insisted that i treat myself to ordering for the trip, but it worked. i decided that it was better after all to be pregnant on a tropical vacation. it is a built in excuse for not looking swimsuit perfect.

i am completely mesmerized and captivated by the beauty of tropical oceans and the endless varieties and shades of blues, greens, and purples that can be seen in the water. it is one of my favorite things in this beautiful world, and i am grateful to a loving god who created it. as beautiful as it is to look out on the ocean, it is even more amazing under the surface with a snorkel mask. the stunningly colorful fish that are swimming there are a breathtaking site, that brock and i never tire of enjoying. he has

become more adventurous than me, and got his diving license last fall. lucky for me, he still enjoys snorkling with me.

thank you to our wonderful kids.....the big ones who were so helpful and responsible while we were gone, and the little ones who managed not to be too traumatized by our departure. and thank you again to emily and adam and kids, and grandma and grandpa who helped watch their kids. and thank you especially to brock - I LOVE YOU! let's plan our next trip!

Comments

[Lexi]

haha those pictures just make me mad - why didn't we get to go?

[Brock]

ain't it the truth! ain't it the truth!