Dreams Do Come True

We can't believe we are within a few very short days from heading to the land down under. I can honestly say that I never in a million years would have thought that I could see Australia in my lifetime. I am so thankful to be able to have this opportunity to see a place that was always just a part of the globe for me. I saw it as a place on the map that was just far far away. For as long as I can remember, Australia has been a dream of mine. I use to dance to Olivia Newton John on my roller skates. I thought she had the coolest accent. We would go downstairs in my grandma's basement and put on our roller skates, jam her music, and dance. I wore Outback Red shirts from the Limited when I was in 8th grade, and I use to go into Banana Republic when I was in high school and wish I could have everything in the store (it was much more of an Outback type clothing store back then). I can remember sitting in our base house in Bangor, Washington when I was 9 1/2 months pregnant in September of 2000 watching the Sydney Summer Olympics. I did not miss a single event, even the boxing and archery. I wanted to be there because every time I saw the Opera House, the bridge, and the Harbour in the background, I yearned to go. I was jealous when I watched the Today Show and "Where in the World is Matt Lauer" when they revealed his destination as Sydney. I am not sure what it is- maybe it's the way they talk (I love their accents), or the popular 80's song "Down Under" by Men at Work (okay- I am dating myself now). or just the fact that is has one of the most recognizable city skylines in the world. Whatever it is, I will find out. I will find out why I have always wanted to go and see this land of Australia.

Can I add that our boys don't even realize how lucky they are to be able to do the things they are able to do at their young ages. I remember when a trip to Kings Island in Cincinnati, Ohio was the highlight of my year. And no- I am not knocking Ohio or any of the wonderful trips we took as a family when I was a child. In fact, I would still get excited to go to Kings Island and ride the Beast. What I am trying to say is how lucky our boys are to have this opportunity that many people, even adults, will never have. It is sad to think that Matthew may never even remember this trip we are about to take. I can assure him that we will have plenty of pictures and journals to share with him when he is older. Someday he will learn that it really isn't Oxtralia, it is Australia. For now, it is too cute to correct him.

Please stay posted to the blog while we are traveling because my plan is to blog each day so we have a journal of all we do while we are there.

Happy Spring and Happy Easter to Everyone.