Day 274 - Summer!!

Ahhhh Summer . . . it's almost officially here, my favorite season! I personally think summer already started a few weeks back when we started getting amazing weather. We opened the pool back in the middle of May, and I've already made good use of it so far. I've also made very good use of our hammock, which is pretty much the best place to be on earth (in my humble opinion).

This summer is going to be a busy one, that's for sure - but it's also going to be a very exciting one. I'm spending a week in July down at my parents farm with pretty much the whole family, so I'm really looking forward to that and just chillin' out there for awhile. And then in August we go to Uganda for two weeks, and then Kenya for about 4 days. Exciting!! I'm really, really stoked to be going back to Uganda - I'll get to see the friends I made last year and continue the work we started with GIVE International. Then in Kenya, Chris and I are going to visit where he used to live, go to school, where his dad used to work, and some other places that were really significant during his childhood. In addition to that, we'll be spending some time meeting with people GIVE is working with to see how we (and groups here in Canada) can help facilitate them in some community projects and incentives. Both Chris and I can't wait to get to Kenya, as he hasn't been back since he left at age 3, and I've been wanting to go there for as long as I can remember! It's the summer of Africa, and I'm so blessed to be able to go back so soon after our last trip!

We still have quite a ways to go in terms of our fundraising - we held a very successful garage sale here at the church last weekend, and although we raised a lot of money, we still have over half to go! Our next big fundraiser is the "Run for Uganda" - a 5 or 10k run/walk being held in Toronto on the Don Valley Trail on July 24th. I've made the commitment to run, so I better get in shape and fast!! I still haven't decided if I'll do the 5 or 10k, we'll see how training goes in the next week or so!

Other than all that, I'm just excited that the warm weather is here. I really do wait for it all year, so I try and enjoy it as much as possible during the few months we get it. I have a great summer read I just cracked into the other day ("The Passage" by Justin Cronin - just came out on Tuesday and there's a lot of buzz about it, it's supposed to be the book this summer), so although my work schedule is a bit crazy this next little while, I'm lookin' forward to some afternoons on the porch, hammock or beside the pool, reading and just taking in some rays! (while wearing the strongest sunblock possible of course!)

Hope everyone is enjoying June so far!

'till next time . . .