Just Chill-lax, Man!

Over the weekend, I got my nature on! On Friday night, after work, Brandon, John and I headed out to the campground at the Ocoee in Tenn. We found a good spot and set up camp. Saturday, we met with Mom and Dad and went to the outfitters to get ready for our whitewater rafting trip. What a trip it was!!!! Our guide, Lance, was way cool and he just kept telling everyone to Chill-lax. Mom helped knock Dad out of the raft twice; Brandon went overboard twice, and I went out once. Mom and John somehow stayed in the raft the whole time. Of course, Mom pretty much planted herself in the bottom of the raft with her eyes closed....maybe that helped. The 2 and half hour trip was too much fun!!!!! We were so exhausted and had major sea legs by the time we got back to the outfitters. We all went out to eat and then Brandon, John and I went back to the campsite and went to bed. We got up Sunday morning, took down the tents, loaded up the gear, and went to the Hiwassee outfitters. There, I rented a sit-on-top kayak while John and Brandon brought there own kayaks. We took a2 and a half hour trip down that river unguided. We each took a dive only once. The water was cold and still in some spots so I ended up using muscles I didn't even know I had. I am still sore.......2 days later. I have a big bump on my forehead and a bruise on my arm. Other than that, my butt and legs and back feel like I've been beaten. Mother Nature can really stink sometimes, but I endured it and I am proud of myself. In fact, I never had the urge to be shopping or in my air-conditioned house the whole time I was camping. That's huge for me! I told Brandon that I'd love to do it again!

Brandon got a call last week from his friend in Georgia who plans to buy our house and we are all set to go. Closing will be on or before September 30, so Brandon and I are now house hunting. Since 4 bedrooms are hard to come by in our price range where we currently live, we are having to look in other places across the city. We have found a neighborhood that has privacy, plenty of trees, and very little traffic so it looks promising. Plus, there is a great school within walking distance to the 4 bedroom houses that are currently listed in this neighborhood. We have already changed schools for Jackson and he starts there in 2 weeks so we will leave him there for now and see how everything works out. We might eventually move him and Lily to a school closer to where we buy, but for now, we just plan to chill-lax.

We will be boxing, cleaning, painting, and moving soon, but we are totally excited about having the opportunity to have "our" house together. Wish us luck!

Jackson and Lily have decided not to play any sports this Fall, but Tyler will be playing Fall Baseball. Basketball will start up in October and both boys plan to play. I think Lily may end up taking gymnastics again and then playing Tball this Spring. School starts August 7 for the boys and right after Labor Day for Lily. They are all excited....kind of. We still have some school supplies left to buy but we are waiting on the tax-free weekend coming up to finish all the shopping. All three kids still need new tennis shoes, too. I know, I know.....just chill-lax.