Worldwide Adventures

Dave and I had an epic vacation planned for the summer to Scotland and Ireland.  Three different years at ADP Dave was supposed to go for President's Club to the Emerald Isle, but for various reasons it was canceled.  So, we decided instead of joining the ADP destination this year, we'd take the trip we've been anxious to go on and head to Scotland and Ireland on our own.  (yes, it just so happened that after we booked our trip and secured it, ADP announced Ireland for 2023...but what do you do)  

Anyway, we knew we'd be out of the country for 10 days and what would our children do in our absence? It just so happened they too had amazing adventures planned...ok, it didn't 'just so happen,' it was strategically orchestrated.  Thought I would share what they were experiencing before I chronical our trip in more detail.

GRANT

Grant has been wanting to do a humanitarian trip for awhile now.  He saved up a good chunk of money and we told him we would match it.  He chose a destination and registered with an incredible company (Humanitarian XP) and set out for Cartagena Columbia for nearly 3 weeks.  

The purpose of the trip was to help build  a center for the community there.  It was extremely hard work.  Every morning they would have to bale out the water that accumulated and so progress was slow.  

But, Grant threw himself right into the hard labor and embraced it.  He wanted to knock out some of the projects (I think it was a re-bar day) that he just went a little too hard.  We were actually at home preparing for our European trip when I got a text from Sam from Humanitarian XP asking if I could call because there was an issue with Grant.  The text let me know he was ok but I needed to get a hold of them.

Of course, my stomach just dropped and all sorts of scenarios played through my mind.  Dave got a similar text shortly after and was a bit frantic as well.  We called and it so happened that our fair little red head had heat exhaustion/borderline heat stroke.  He was dehydrated and hospitalized for some fluids and electrolytes.  He had become disoriented and didn't even know where he was.  After hours in the emergency room, he was released but we were worried we needed to come get him, make sure he was ok etc.  We actually didn't even speak to him, just to his coordinator and they assured us he was recovering and didn't need to be sent home, just to take it easy the next few work days and get shade/water better from there on out.  We were definitely concerned but felt like we could continue our plans and knew he'd be so disappointed if he had to come home, so Columbia continued!  The funny part is they told Grant they talked to his mom and all I pretty much said was to tell him to "feel better soon!"  Ha!  As if I wasn't pacing and praying from home but just wishing him luck on his recovery.  

So, for four days of each week the group of teens would load the bus and continue their work service.  He had a great group of people from all over the US volunteering with Grant.  They stayed in a hostel/air b n b place in the city and they loved walking around at night.  Grant thought the food was incredible and he loved the people.  

They were able to go to church, do activities and socialize a lot with locals of Columbia and immerse in the culture for his few weeks.  He met a great guy that Grant gave a ring to (he has plenty to spare) and the guy wrote the nicest note about how the whole group impacted him, particularly Grant.  He told Grant that whenever he looks at the ring he will think of him.  It was great to see how people from different countries and beliefs could bond and Grant felt the same way.  

Of course the group spent time being travelers and adventurers-they snorkeled, canoed through a mangrove forest, went to an aviary, rode a party bus through town, swam in the ocean and my personal favorite hearing about was the mud volcano.  Grant said it was such an odd feeling floating in mud.  Afterwards, the elderly woman that lived there insisted the boys get "natural" as they no-nonsensily scooped water ALL over them to rinse off.  Grant had us cracking up as he explained it.  

When Grant decided he wanted to take his volunteer time in Columbia I was a bit of a basket case imagining drug cartels adopting one ginger thug.  But, the only danger he experienced was sun burn and a visit to the emergency room from heat stroke...nothing Columbia's fault, truly.  It turned out to be a very impactful opportunity and one Grant will look back on fondly for the rest of his life.  

KATELEE

Katelee was home for the first few days we were out of the country.  Shannon and Grandma stayed at our house a couple of days until Shannon accompanied the younger two to their destination.  Katelee stayed at home a couple extra nights with Aunt Lisa and Lizzy who were in town.  Luckily Aunt Lisa was here so she could yell at the people that kept toilet papering the house repeatedly in one night!  The final night before her adventure, she stayed at our neighbor's the Sanchez's so they could take Katelee and their daughter, Rylee to the airport to get to California for their AFY week.  

Katelee and Rylee spent the week at a church camp on a lake experience spiritual devotionals, lake activities, friends and pure fun.  

They chose that location for some of the adventures- mountain boarding and rock climbing...which both got canceled and that was a total bummer.  But, these two girls know how to make the best of any situation and partied hard anyway.  Plus, they were in a gorgeous locale with some fun new friends and 

 cute boys so they weren't that mad!  Ha! 

They had a great time and came back bruised and scarred from "dock wars" but now Katelee will have forever memories etched into her legs.  

BRENNA AND HARRISON

The two "littles"  (don't know how much longer I can refer to them as this, but probably forever) had a cross country adventure as well!  They stayed home for a couple of days and then Shannon flew them to stay with Aunt Anna and Uncle Curt.  

And boy did they live it up!  Aunt Anna and Uncle Curt took them to a Braves game

 which of course gained a new super fan in Harrison.  The Braves won, they met a previous Braves pitcher that sat by them and even signed their hats, 

and they had a post game dance party...so pretty much couldn't have been better.   

And this was just the beginning of their stay!  They road tripped from Atlanta down to Pensacola to spend a couple days on the beach.  They had a great time at their hotel swimming and fighting pirates, going to the beach and making memories.  

The weather wasn't as sunny as they hoped but they got lots of play time and lots of laughing time.  I was sent  a video of a bubble gun and little bum farting  with giggles galore, so we would call their trip an overwhelming success.  

Uncle Curt and Aunt Anna were the ultimate hosts (as well as Coco, of course) and planned lots of fun for the kiddos.  I am pretty sure all four of our little people would love for us to leave anytime if it means they get to go trippin like they all did!  We are so happy they each had amazing experiences and appreciate everyone who helped get them where they needed to be and help them have the time of their lives!