So cool. It was so cool.

Phil and I just got home from a family vacation to South Africa. It was an amazing gift to us - two weeks away to enjoy God's creation and make some memories with our family.

We stayed in fantastic places and were absolutely spoiled. The animals we saw were VERY close and breathtaking. Elephants, lions, leopards, hippos, crocs...just a few of the animals we saw. It was absolutely great. I think my favorite memory was getting stuck after dark in the middle of a pack of hunting lions. Yeah, that one was pretty fantastic.

So yesterday all these crazy tents went up across the street from us in a huge field where Phil and I play Frisbee and Bocce. Then this morning a whole lot of people were playing soccer on them - only it was guys and girls, young and old, all sort of playing on the same fields at the same time. None of them were great. We totally didn't get this, so we decided to go investigate.

*disclaimer: this one is pretty depressing.*

You know, you'd think I'd be too old to get homesick and stay homesick. Most days, I love spending the days working away at whatever small project I'm working on for work, investing in girls' lives, and just learning how to do my job well. Even on the days I don't like it, I'm at least busy and not thinking about home.

I'm trying to stay focused... really I am... but my mind is totally going to Africa. I know I have a lot of stuff to do with work, but my mind is running... what if I don't have enough safari clothes? need to get bug spray... what if stuff doesn't get done, doesn't get delivered... good grief I worry too much.

So today I'm being trained on this online learning program. It's a sweet program that I'm really excited about using with our kids. The school people we're working with are getting a little crazy stressed, but I think it will be a great program. Anyways, it will be fun.

Well, I've been meaning to post for about a million days (or so) because there's been a lot to write about.

First, we went home last weekend and it was fantastic. I mean, really great. We soaked in love from family and friends, went to Keystone, met our new niece and nephew, and enjoyed a Michigan spring weekend. We miss the green rolling hills of Michigan so much. I mean, mountains are cool, but green hills are awesome.

Tonight Phil and I went to a concert, which I don't think we've ever done together. It was at our church here, and one of the pastors did the opening set. I've only seen him perform at church, and I was really calmed by his music - it spoke a lot of truth in a lot of great ways.

It's been quite an adventure, with many of my posts including updates about our Dear Little Friend (DLF). It started on Easter weekend, when we met our little brownish-gray friend with a sweet tooth.

Through the last month or so, he's gotten more ambitious and less fearful. For awhile he was running through the kitchen on a nightly basis. Then he found some M&Ms in a bag and started carting those to his home.

Today Phil and I decided to take advantage of the fabulous weather (we hear it's about the same as GR today, only windy-er here) by playing with our Bocce ball set we got from some of Phil's aunts.

We went across the street to this great field and played three rounds. As we walked, we laughed about the last time we played, when Phil's mom seriously exclaimed "Phil, you're so athletic!" Bocce ball is NOT an athletic game.

This week was a bittersweet, but wonderful time. Philip and I had a *gasp* social life this week - fantastic! Sadly, our friends this week were all from Michigan, but it was still wonderful to see them.

On Wednesday, we had a much anticipated and VERY memorable visit from our friend Dylan and his parents. We went to the Denver Zoo for the afternoon. We knew we were playing "chicken" with the weather, which was threatening a rain and/or snow storm. The storm eventually won the game, and about 75% through the zoo, we were throughly soaked. It is a fantastic memory.

Well, this week has been VERY exciting! There is so much to say that I probably should have written about three posts this week. Alas, I somehow find myself too busy to post. This will change, though, I am sure.