osoyoos

we had returned home from the island, dropped our bags and didn't let go of scott for at least a minute before the next trip was in motion.

i had one week to unpack, wash, clean, rest and repack before the next adventure would take place. we received a phone call explaining that there was room for and need for a traveling friend. and seeing as how our annual camping trip was not coming together as hoped for, and scott was still crazy busy with work, a traveling friend i would become. carliegh and gary were heading to osoyoos and would be staying in a lovely home with extra rooms. gary would be working long and hard days and there was not only a lake and beach area out the back doors, but a pool and hot tub out the kitchen window. i guess i was going. we set out tuesday night after work, the girls and i in our slow yet impressively able 87 tercel wagon, the daveys in their fully equipped (with dvd player..that i may have tried to watch from behind) mini van. i tried to race at some points...i lost! we sang songs, loud. we ate apple slices and pretended we were running. we stopped in manning for a quick break. the girls feel asleep shortly after and i was left to sing on my own.

we arrived.

my mouth dropped open.

amazing.

really amazing.

we woke the next day and put our bathing suits on and i am not sure they came off for the rest of our time there. it was my birthday and i was celebrated in the most loveliest of ways. sparklers and card from five really wonderful kids and one beautiful friend who pretended she was the little mermaid with me as we swam in the pool at night while the lights glittered through its waves (well i pretend, she sat in the hot tub).

following our day in the pool carleigh found a cultural center that we went to explore. snakes, trails, history, underground houses, treats, and stories. kind of a great way to spend the afternoon. it was cut short however due to a certain miss carleigh feeling rather "ill". on the speedy way home i was asked if i would rub her back and hold her hair if she was sick. my answer, not the greatest...but try to remember i was thinking if we were outside and the kids were by the water what i would do then...i responded by saying that after i got everyone in a safe place, then i come in and help her. she, not going down the same metal path as me, gave me a kind of disturb look...great friend she has! there was not much time to share with her where i was coming from before the van made a sudden stop and she pulled to the side of the road and yelled for my help. knowing that the sickness was coming i ran to her aid...everyone was safe in the car...i checked first! we leaned over the fence and then she pointed right, down the beach. my thoughts, who cares whats down there just make sure you are okay. my eyes, found seven warm bodies crouched against the wall...they took a second look. are you serious. best birthday ever. miss ashley and miss jenne along with their five precious little ones had come to join us for the last days. though i did not have to endure any kind of sickness as that was all made up just to get me out of the cultural center, the others did on their long journey up to join us...and still they drove on, after they littered, but we can overlook that this time.

we spent the next while enjoying each other, walks in the rain and some fun photos taken we made our way back and the ladies made dinner and may have even brought champagne. we spent the night talking, and gary did the dishes, bless his heart. it is not often we get to sit together and share our stories. but talking like little girls we found the clock at a time that moms with early risers don't handle well, so we said good night and found our beds. it was a good day. morning came and the bathing suits went back on. we really did spend the whole day in the water. pool to beach. beach to pool. maybe back one more time. it was good. our kids were good. there is community there, something that blesses my heart.

ps. best photo of miss jenne jumping ever jenne and i, along with gary are the competitive ones in the group and yet somehow we were able to make gary race against the clock, to the dock and back in one minute. it was pretty awesome, the whole conversation leading up to the challenge, and even the fact that he did it was pretty sweet...his time, 1minute and 15 seconds. rad dude. i love this photo, and the one that preceded it (though not shown). joy are my thoughts when i see these girls, pure joy in friendship love and grace. i drove home with two sleeping girls. i thought of taking up race car driving...then i remembered what i was driving and slowed down. my heart was full. how could it not be. i give thanks. there are three beautiful ladies who are willing to pour life into me, into each other. who are willing, willing to do and be anything for each other, anything that is upright and lovely. i admire their kindness and love,they are helping to grow my character.