After a significant blogging dry spell I have been thinking that it is my turn to write a 'reflections' kind of blog. I have been feeling very contemplative lately...

As a bit of an update to the last blog (I'm embarassed that it was posted on May 7th!!), the boat has not moved from La Paz. The transmission saga is still not resolved and the bright side is that likely 'journey' will be back in business mid next week. I am certainly a bit hesitant to put this in print, as we have thought that this would be the case at least every other day for the last month. The on again, off again nature of sailing can be trying when you feel that time is slipping through your fingers and in a few short weeks we will begin to make the trip back to the U.S. I'm sure there are many of you that are interested in the nitty-gritty of the transmission issues, and if anyone wants to know, Craig will be happy to give you the excruciating details of all the twists and turns of this story!!

As a bit of another update, we were saddened by the sudden and tragic death of our dear friend Seth. For those of you who didn't know Seth, he was a kind and peaceful soul with a quick sense of humour and a smile that lit up the room. He leaves behind Abigail (7) and Maile (4) and of course my dear friend Christina. When Craig and I found out, it was an easy decision that I would fly home to help Christina in any way I could. I've been in Seattle for the last week and am heading home on Monday. Craig and I both know that if the transmission had been working, we probably would not have been in cell range to get the news of Seth's death and I certainly would not have been able to be here given that we would have been far away from an airport. Please keep them in your prayers.

Being back in Seattle has also been a blessing. In addition to spending time with Christina I've been able to connect with friends that I have missed dearly, get my work situation figured out, research the schooling situation for the boys, and mostly to get myself mentally prepared for the return. I have been surprised at how apprehensive I was feeling..mostly so scared that the benefits of the trip will evaporate in about 10 minutes after we get back to our old life.

For me, this trip has been about building a foundation for our family that will draw us together when the inevitable storms hit us. I have prayed almost daily to thank God for this amazing opportunity. I have loved the adventures that we have shared together and I have loved the mundane tasks we have shared together. We have been within an arms reach of one another (literally) for the last 8 months and I almost know what the boys are thinking before they say it. I love that. We had so many great memories cuddle in the together and reading books. I will cherish those forever.

As for Craig, I continue to be amazed by him. He is good-natured, patient, loving, smart, hard working, funny, adventurous, an awesome father and soul mate. Although the boat has run well (other than the transmission) there seems to be constant maintenance and project lists. Between boat stuff and managing his business, he has an amazing ability to get a ton of work done and you'd never know that he only slept a few hours in order to get it all done. The sailing lifestyle really suits him as it is packed with adventure, seeing new things, meeting new people and of course he gets to tell his stories to new audiences! Even though I've heard them all a million times, I don't get tired of them...seeing him smile is all worth it.

So we will see how it goes when we return. One thing I am certain of, I will always be thankful for the memories.