back to normal (chaos)

It's been an amazing two weeks that I've spent volunteering at Mount Hood Kiwanis Camp, an experience that has honestly changed the way that I view myself and others. I met some really wonderful people (both campers and counselors) and went through just about every emotion possible. A crazy, difficult, and educational time for me.

And now I'm back at home, with my kids and our newest exchange student Satoe. She is from Japan and will be with us for four weeks, hopefully four great weeks. We started it off with a bang when we went grocery shopping; S. tried to hand off the milk, but neither he nor she had a grip on it and so the gallon jug plummeted to the tile floor, bursting open and showering us and all nearby displays with chocolate milk. The four of started laughing, then A. (the only one holding no groceries) ran to get someone with a mop. I suppose it was an appropriate introduction to our life: it appears to be working well, then all chaos breaks loose, usually met by gales of laughter.

We're down to just over 4 months until departure. Our big yard sale will be next weekend at my friend's friend's house (he has a much better location than I). I am hoping to rid myself of most of the superfluous stuff that we have, so wish me luck and send any Portlanders my way.