Preparing for Departure...

It’s just about 24 hours from departure and my emotions have been all over the board today. One minute I have a rush of incredible excitement and anticipation of what lies ahead...and the next minute, complete panic and anxiety about what we leave behind... 

It’s funny how the two boys have such diametrically opposed viewpoints on the trip: PJ would pack his bags in a heartbeat if circumstances allowed for it. He's already read both of the African travel books I bought last week and has circled all of the animals he would like me to take photographs of while I am there. He can’t wait to see our pictures, read our blog and hear all about our adventures. William, on the other hand, told me that I can’t go. It’s too long. It's too sad. He will miss me too much. And...he doesn’t want me to talk about it. At all. 

Interestingly enough, both of their feelings and emotions about this trip feel almost exactly like mine. 

I’ve been able to keep my mind busy for the past few weeks with all of the preparation that goes into a trip like this. It wasn't until I finally decided to put the next three weeks of my life into a rolling suitcase and backpack, that it all started to set in. School drop offs. School pick ups. Dog Walkers. Hoping that Gordie can balance it all. Hoping to God nothing bad happens at home while I’m gone. Hoping to God nothing bad happens to my Dad and I on this crazy adventure. So many "What If's"... 

The saving grace to all of this is that I've been blessed with an incredible support system of family and friends who have stepped in with offers to cover carpools, football practices, playdates and sleepovers. Friends who will make sure Gordie is surviving and keeping himself properly hydrated with adult beverages whenever the need arises. Friends who will be checking in on my Mom to make sure the morning drop off and afternoon pick up at the boys school has not put her over the edge (which would be completely understandable given the madness that surrounds each day).

I know life is hard enough when you are trying to keep your own crazy schedules and lives in order, so when you have a group of people in your life willing to take on the crazy Paulson life too...well….that’s really something special.

Not that I ever felt that I needed a reminder of how incredible and intensely loyal my “Circle” is…but I’ll take this one and keep it close to my heart.