Make Me Belize: Summer "Sumwhers" by Heidi

This title you ask…just a reminder of the wonderful country accent we often reminisce about from back "yonder" in 'Merica. It's Summer Sumwhers (translation - somewhere). And once we return I know we will reminisce about things like "bwai" and "weh di go ann?"

We are on the cusp of the school year. Watching Facebook friend's first school days photos as poignant reminders that I better start getting my act together. I do feel a small nagging realization that it is all on MY shoulders this year…success or failure all packed in to my suitcase. That is at least what I feel, but I know that I am not alone in this so I choose a lighter perspective, an easier yolk (Matt 11:30), and give up my overly self-important position. I do realize I sometimes take more credit for things (both good and bad) than is due me. Richard is a good reminder of this and keeps me slightly more aware that life isn't all about me, haha.

We have had a great summer. It really has been full of memories, new experiences, and new relationships. We have had some welcomed guests - my Dad "Poppy," who brought love, familiarity, and much comfort especially as we were on an 18 day absence from half of US (Richard and Addie were back in the States), also - Jake "Jakey," who is also like family and a welcomed sight and reminder that we are still connected to our previous life. THANK YOU both for coming!!! Please send others :)

Ryland and I got to band together for 10 days just the two of us…admittedly there were several tears.

Their absence and the quietness that fell on our house reminded us more of our homesickness, but in light of that, we had such fun making each day special and purposefully creating memories that just the two of us will always share. Then Dad came…we had been saving up some of the "fun" adventures for when people visit. As you know it would be dreadful to have to go fishing and snorkeling over and over (haha…not really). We had such fun hosting him and showing him all of our "secret spots." I really think he left thinking we were resort "crashers." We haven't posted tons of these pictures of us in the lap of luxury, but don't think we don't have them. We have tossed around the idea of writing a book "Hacking Luxury Travel"…if you know Richard you realize this isn't surprising. He always did seem to have a way of getting us backstage at concerts, front row of shows, and many more places that we didn't "belong" and all while charming people in the process. Life with him has been exciting and always an adventure, at home or abroad!

A few highlights from these months of blogging absence - Cockscomb tubing with just Ryland (he really takes care of me and is such an awesome buddy to bum around with), boating in a storm and "riding it out" along Baker's Caye (known for it's abundance of sharks….eessh), laying on the pier at night trying to catch some fish and looking at the stars, visits to Red Bank and Roseville (the Amish village beyond), waterfalls with friends, sleeping Belize style with Ryland and both animals in my bed at night, summer thunderstorms, a wonderful day boating with our dear friends who have a glass bottom boat and snorkeling off of Laughing Bird Caye (seriously a favorite), sleepy days being lazy and staying in, and a great day spent with the children from an orphanage that came to town for a special day put on by the church we have been attending, and I am sure more.

We are now settling down to normalcy again. Getting back in our daily rhythm…nice and slow just like we have learned to like it. That also means getting back to blogging. I have missed communicating with so many of you at once. It's nice to know you are reading!
Love to you all -
- Heidi