It's mid morning on Friday May 12, and I am thinking that I can't wait for the trip to get underway. The suspense is killing me. I have pretty much completed all of my shopping and only need to stuff my belongings in the appropriate bag, grab my passport, and hit the road.
I am ready to get started.

In the meantime, I am just enjoying moments with family and friends. My son, Noel, is incredibly upbeat about my trip, and for that I am thankful. Right now he and I do everything together and I have been a little concerned about how my absence will effect him. I am sure he will miss me like I am going to miss him, but when I ask him how he feels about my trip he says "I think it's cool you are going to another country. When I get bigger will you take me to another country?" I thought that was the coolest answer he could have given me. I definitely have travel plans for he and I in the years to come, and once Evan is big enough all three of us can hit the road together. I am glad I started early. When my children hit their prime I am still going to be young enough to keep up and go along if they'll have me. I can't wait!

CJ has been really supportive about this trip. I think she knows that every now and again I have get out and shake things up or I start to go nuts. I am really grateful for all of her help with filling my packing list and getting prepped for the trip. She has been an invaluable resource to me. I hope I can find souvenirs for her worthy of her efforts on this trip.

Anyway, that's that, and that's how we're doing it these days. Time keeps on ticking...into the future...

Post more soon.