Annemarie Visits!!

I’ve been keeping a secret that I can finally tell now. I had originally planned to head to New Zealand in late October to spend time with my daughter, Annemarie, but ended up delaying my trip until mid November because Annemarie decided to come to the US for a visit! I couldn’t say anything about it to anyone because she wanted to surprise the rest of the family. Emmy and my niece Alea were the only other family members who were in on the surprise. Emmy and I picked her up from the airport yesterday and I got to spend the afternoon with her. It was wonderful just to do normal every day things like going to the grocery store and having lunch. It was even more wonderful to be able to hug her and talk to her in person. Today she and Emmy came over to Mom’s house and surprised her. Annemarie has been having so much fun seeing the joy in everyone’s faces – she’s been away more than 2 years and no one was sure when she’d be back. I’m excited because I get to spend time with her here with my family and then in New Zealand. 

This morning before they came by I got out for a walk along Bothin Marsh. It was such a calm morning the landscape reflected perfectly in the water. Such a peaceful area.