Trip Eve!

Here it is, the afternoon before we leave and it still doesn't feel real.  We three are all packed and ready to go. 

I carried my backpack around the house yesterday and realized that I need to get rid of SOMETHING!!!  Maybe I don't really need 4 pairs of underwear?  Or 4 pairs of socks?  Maybe I could get by with only 2 shirts instead of 4????  Urrrgh! 

I am so grateful to God for finally allowing this dream I have harboured in my heart for over 40 years to come true!  I just wish it had happened when I was younger and stronger, or that I was in better shape now!  I have been trying to get in shape since last summer but it seems that I am just older and fatter instead!

Well, the way I figure it, at this point, is that nothing gets you in shape better than doing what you needed to get in shape for...... does that make sense?  So, doing lots of walking and eating lots of fruits and veg on the run will, hopefully, help me tone up.

I have to also say that Terry has been the most wonderful and supportive husband imaginable!!!

I will try to keep blogging as we travel.  Next time I post, it will be from Spain (God willing!)

Trip Countdown

Less than 10 days until we fly off for our whirlwind tour of Europe!!!  We will be flying into Madrid and from there, who knows!  We leave here on April 1st and plan on flying out of London sometime in late May.  We are flying standby, which lends a real sense of adventure!  We hope to visit Spain, Italy, France, Slovenia, Croatia, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and England.  We will see how long our will and money holds out!

We have all of our supplies.... not much since we will be carrying it ALL on our backs.  It concerns me more than the boys, of course.  They will probably just bring a pair of jeans, a pair of shorts, 2 tees and a sweater!  I know that I have over-bought!  I will be packing my backpack and wearing it on a 3 mile walk this weekend. 

You know, the biggest challenge for me (besides the waiting!!!) is figuring out how to use the dumb iPod!!!  I have been trying to download audio books to listen to on our long train rides.  It seems that every book I am interested in is not on a downloadable book..... urgh!  Plus, I am not Ipod savvy, so I keep having technical glitches with iTunes.  Sean probably thinks that I am hopelessly out of touch with technology!!!!  Ipods are probably the easiest piece of technology to master and I am struggling!!!!  Oh well, I'll get it before we leave (I hope!)

I will attempt to update this blog as we travel.

Wish us Bon Voyage and pray that we have a safe, God-filled trip! 

Ian Graduates High School!

Ian has graduated from high school.  Terry and I are done homeschooling... sad and happy at the same time!

Here are some pictures that I took of Ian, trying to get a nice one for his graduation announcement.  He just kept goofing around.  He is mighty handsome, though, I think!

Here with Sean.  Ian is doing his "Blue Steel" look from the movie Zoolander

Christmas morning 2010

Before boys are up

Flash off, too bright for sleepy eyes!

Only one reason to get up early..... Christmas swag!

Terry is always cheerful in the morning

New bracelet from Grandma!!

The Holidays

Christmas has come this year with gifts for the boys focusing on items for the trip, such as power plug adapters for both Great Britain and the Continent, Youth Identity Cards, etc.  We have purchased our Eurail passes.... scary!

The Ancestral Home of the MacLaren Clan

Ok, ok, so the Laws (my grandmother's maiden name) don't really have their own tartan and badge, but their are listed under the umbrella clan name of MacLaren.  I would dearly love to visit when we hit Scotland next year.

Plans for Europe

Most of you know that my kids and I are planning a backpacking tour of Europe and the UK this spring.  We are so excited!  It is now September....... we have just 6 months until the trip!